BITTER FRUIT by Tempest Black

4* Very confusing at times, with some pretty big leaps to find the killer/s(?), but very readable, especially with the secrets that out. 

This tale is gruesome in its opening; 'good but with a pinch of salt' in its detecting; confusing when it comes to Ella, as it's not clear if she's having visions, dreams or psychiatric episodes (not sure that her condition is ever mentioned, or, as it turns out, even real); sad in the Eabha situation, especially when her mum's secret is revealed; freaky at times when Roisin screeches; 'omg, really??' at more than one point, with things coming together seemingly out of nowhere, yet believably so; and, satisfying at the end. It also had a couple of junior detectives that I couldn't fathom how or why hadn't been carpeted for attitude and laziness. 

The team seemed to have resources and budget galore, which felt unrealistic, but it made for a decent tale. I think this could've been more visual on a small screen, as the book got muddled at times, especially in the last 15%. The killer's motivations were kind of believable, but still very sick and evil. The deceased's secrets made a mockery of the character he was portrayed as. There were many tangents and many cooks in this tsle, but, it was a can't-put-down'er.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton Limited, for my reading pleasure. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HER BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Brianna Labuskes

4* What a read. Started off with something mundane, turned into something totally shocking. I wasn't sure I'd like this tale of a former roomie/bestie going to interview a trad wife, some 10/11 years after their lives diverged, following a fallout, for a celebrity piece. I was a bit surprised at the lack of awkwardness and tension between the former friends, and didn't expect the tension from the actual eventual source. I absolutely didn't expect the plot, which was really, really well done, if you can cope with the plotting, the (occasionally) flawed rationale, the not-really-likable journalist/writer, Holland, and the iceberg-type trad wife, Cat/Catriona. Add in various very, very good red herrings (staff, scared kids, a creepy teen, a domineering husband, a mysterious death - still not clarified at the end, cops that don't have big-city cop instincts or mistrust, mental health, a possible psychopath), and you have a very, very well-done, well- dovetailed tale tha...
Read more

IRONWOOD by Michael Connelly

3.5* It plods, but it's detailed and the lead guy, Stil, has a cop's instinctive intuition. But, the ending is REALLY annoying. There's nothing too overt about this tale, although if I mentioned a single noun, I'd be giving the whole thing away. But it's a good police procedural if only for Stil, exiled to a backwater that cops go to if they've been deemed to have messed up. I don't recall his back-story, but there's back-story to the guy who gets...'killed' at the start, leading to a cold-case team and the FBI getting involved. There's posturing and veiled threats from higher-ups, but Stil is pretty adept at climbing out of windows, literally, to get out and do what needs to be done to get the bad guys. Ish. The 'ish' is where the book loses 1.5* for me, because all that footwork, all that putting himself in danger, all that following the trail of breadcrumbs and finding the bakery, and the book ends as it does?? Unsatisfying. Not un...
Read more

THE FIX by Mia Sheridan

4* Wasn't prepared for that opener, but a good tale, especially as an intro to this author. The opener to this tale is brutal but leads to an ultimately happier event 11 years down the line. I wasn't expecting what I read, so it was a bit of a shocker, although it was great to see both Cami's mental strength and her physicality saving her. I think the author did well to skip the years in between, not dwelling on the pain, trauma and loss.  The tale does need a bit of a dose of suspension of disbelief that in only 2 days, Cami and Rex saved the day, but then again his past, expertise and contacts made things believable.  The ending is a big of a POW! The kind of thing that can only happen in America with their ridiculous gun laws. But, the victim deserved it. And, if only there were more hot mics IRL in 2025 USA, and if only people were prepared to find their big girl and big boy pants and speak up. Sorry, I digress, but there's just so much that's wrong with that co...
Read more