Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Blood, guts and boredom, 29 Sep 2009
After reading the glittering reviews I thought I would give this a try.
Ed O'Connor is a new writer to me and this is the first book of his I have read - and I think it may be the last. Mr. O'Connor is clearly a talented chap. The opening of the book fairly crackles with energy but soon degenerates into a 'and then-and then-and then' style of novel. It is absolutely crammed full of 'something exciting happening' and you know what - it just does work.. There is: a serial killer, a rapist, human flesh eating, torture, a cop with cancer, mental illness, bare knuckle-fighting, illegal dogs fights etc etc (excuse me if I missed anything). The heroine of the piece is Alison Dexter a no-nonsense DI who is a lesbian (not that that fact is important. I think that was just chucked into the mix when the author was thinking about the film rights). The book is definitely in the 'never mind the quality - feel the width' area.
The very odd thing is just how boring and dull the book actually is. All this blood and mayhem leave you knowing nothing about the main character (though the serial killer guy is written with more skill). it's really strange how a writer like Mark Billingham can enthrall you with what his characters eats and drinks for lunch but Mr. O'Connor can bore the backside off me with this sort of thing.
I did laugh out loud however at the exchange between Dexter and her East-End boss ('Guv'). All I can say is Dick Van Dyke made a more authentic cockney in Mary Poppins than these two. The dialogue is hilarious. I think Mr O'Connor has been watching a bit too much early Sweeney. I half expected a 'lets go up the apples and pears for some nice jellied eels - gor blimey'.
Sorry. just not for me.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enthralling!, 25 Feb 2009
Another brilliant page turner featuring DS Alison Dexter & DI John Underwood. The story begins with a flashback to the east end of London in 1995 where we discover the grim and disturbing Garrad brothers...'family butchers'. They featured in an earlier case of Dexters and back in the present (2002) she finds something to suggest there is a link between one of the brothers and a body that has turned up on a railway track. Meanwhile, DI Bevan is trying to collect evidence of an illegal dog fighting ring who meet secretly on local farm premises.
Dexter's personal life moves up a notch as she meets someone she'd like to start a relationship with...but is unaware she's being watched!
This is good from start to finish, and the various storylines tie up well and plausibly. Looking forward to his next book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading Hit and Run (Blue Murder by Cath Staincliffe, 22 Jan 2007
I really enjoyed reading Hit and Run (Blue Murder) by Cath Staincliffe. DCI Janine Lewis I thought was a fair but tough DCI and as you know the TV role of Janine was played by Caroline Quentin.
As I read the book I could sense the toughness of the characters and the background of events.
The way Janine Lewis juggled the family life at home as well as the police work I thought was very good and I think that Cath Staincliffe is great at describing events as they happen in the book. I would imagine that Cath did a lot of research for the book.
The plot was very fast paced and I think it takes the reader on a journey.
Janine's colleague Richard I think is very good, in the first book Richard I believe was a very quite character but in this novel I think he is a lot sharper.
The first book BLUE MURDER I wasn't keen on but I saw the ITV series and liked it. I missed HIT AND RUN on ITV but I have to say I enjoyed this book.
I hope that Cath Staincliffe writes a third book about Janine and her team but we'll have to wait and see. Well done Cath!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|