Very enjoyable light read. If you enjoy "Vera," or "A Touch of Frost," you'll find that this fills the gap left by those series.
Formulaic police procedural -- but that isn't meant to be a criticism. If, perhaps, you've just finished a deep, heavy read, and you're in the mood for some comfort reading, there's nothing better than a little light murder, is there? Something that ticks all the right boxes: gruesome murders, interesting setting, troubled but attractive hero, complicated relationships. A wide, but manageable cast of extras -- both sidekicks, who have their own stories hinted at (Future volumes in the series, coming up!!) and Red Shirts, to serve as cannon fodder for the crazy psycho murderer. Perfect -- all you need is a cup of tea and some chocolate digestive biscuits, and you are all set!
I loved the Wirral and Merseyside setting -- that's probably stretching the "interesting setting" a little far, because we live about 30 miles north of Liverpool, and are well familiar with some of the places mentioned. The description of the Dock Road in Liverpool (site of our favorite Greek restaurant!!) made me laugh out loud. And at one point, I think, DCI Blake drove past my brother-in law's front door ... But I wonder what anyone who didn't have an invested interest in the area would make of it -- too much local colour? Too little?
The murders are gruesome, but the really horrible stuff takes place off stage -- doesn't "wallow."
I felt that it was all wound up a little quickly, and a little too neatly, in the end. But I would definitely pick up the next outing for DCI Will Blake and his crack team of Scousers.
Formulaic police procedural -- but that isn't meant to be a criticism. If, perhaps, you've just finished a deep, heavy read, and you're in the mood for some comfort reading, there's nothing better than a little light murder, is there? Something that ticks all the right boxes: gruesome murders, interesting setting, troubled but attractive hero, complicated relationships. A wide, but manageable cast of extras -- both sidekicks, who have their own stories hinted at (Future volumes in the series, coming up!!) and Red Shirts, to serve as cannon fodder for the crazy psycho murderer. Perfect -- all you need is a cup of tea and some chocolate digestive biscuits, and you are all set!
I loved the Wirral and Merseyside setting -- that's probably stretching the "interesting setting" a little far, because we live about 30 miles north of Liverpool, and are well familiar with some of the places mentioned. The description of the Dock Road in Liverpool (site of our favorite Greek restaurant!!) made me laugh out loud. And at one point, I think, DCI Blake drove past my brother-in law's front door ... But I wonder what anyone who didn't have an invested interest in the area would make of it -- too much local colour? Too little?
The murders are gruesome, but the really horrible stuff takes place off stage -- doesn't "wallow."
I felt that it was all wound up a little quickly, and a little too neatly, in the end. But I would definitely pick up the next outing for DCI Will Blake and his crack team of Scousers.
