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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
The Slaughter Man is the second in Tony Parson’s series after The Murder Bag, which I did enjoy. This was well done and kept me guessing pretty far along in the book. Quite a few red herrings and assumptions made with connections to a prior case. Well written and thrillingly paced with great tension. This is a series I am really enjoying. Just a quick warning, the case does involve child abuse/trafficking and might be disturbing for some readers.
I really like Parsons, and his detective DI Max Wolfe. The plots are original and exciting. They aren't slow moving or unnecessary. The language is genuine and I like that the book is written in the first person, it's not easy to do well but Parsons has managed it. I also love that these are set in London and Parsons is a British writer, the descriptions of the London winters definitely add to the scene Parsons is trying to set.
The only thing that I would say that detracts from the novel, and only a little at that, is that it is, in some ways very similar to its predecessor, The Murder Bag. I only read Parson's first Wolfe novel quite recently so perhaps that's why I was still so able to spot some of the similarities. They were small, details like the animal arrival at the scene of Wolfe's first beating in the Murder Bag and then again in the cemetery in the Slaughter Man. Similarly, in Parson's first novel, Wolfe has a brief affair with a witness (the widow of a victim) and in The Slaughter Man he gets a little closer this time (in fact going all the way where he struck out in book one), but the description, and the woman's link to the case at hand are strikingly similar. As are the ends of these brief affairs. It may well be that Parsons is trying to ensure that each of his novels are standalone and don't necessarily rely on the character development from the previous novel, which is understandable and admirable if he intends on writing several of these (as I think he should).
All told, I don't think this affected the plot at all and I think that the true point of such repetition (if it can indeed be called that) is to demonstrate Wolfe's character, and I think it does add to that in a way. It shows a tenacity and vulnerability in Wolfe that I'm quite fond of.
I'm very much looking forward to the third instalment, DI Wolfe is indeed growing on me.
The only thing that I would say that detracts from the novel, and only a little at that, is that it is, in some ways very similar to its predecessor, The Murder Bag. I only read Parson's first Wolfe novel quite recently so perhaps that's why I was still so able to spot some of the similarities. They were small, details like the animal arrival at the scene of Wolfe's first beating in the Murder Bag and then again in the cemetery in the Slaughter Man. Similarly, in Parson's first novel, Wolfe has a brief affair with a witness (the widow of a victim) and in The Slaughter Man he gets a little closer this time (in fact going all the way where he struck out in book one), but the description, and the woman's link to the case at hand are strikingly similar. As are the ends of these brief affairs. It may well be that Parsons is trying to ensure that each of his novels are standalone and don't necessarily rely on the character development from the previous novel, which is understandable and admirable if he intends on writing several of these (as I think he should).
All told, I don't think this affected the plot at all and I think that the true point of such repetition (if it can indeed be called that) is to demonstrate Wolfe's character, and I think it does add to that in a way. It shows a tenacity and vulnerability in Wolfe that I'm quite fond of.
I'm very much looking forward to the third instalment, DI Wolfe is indeed growing on me.
Full review to follow on bibliophilebookclub.wordpress.com
I read The Murder Bag when it was released and really enjoyed it so I was delighted when The Slaughter Man was released! I started it thinking I'll read a few pages, a few turned into a third of the book in one go! Once I started this I couldn't put it down! I found the story really interesting, and I love it when Wolfe visits the Black Museum! It was a really fast paced book, with a few things happening that I wasn't expecting! I would highly recommend this book!
I read The Murder Bag when it was released and really enjoyed it so I was delighted when The Slaughter Man was released! I started it thinking I'll read a few pages, a few turned into a third of the book in one go! Once I started this I couldn't put it down! I found the story really interesting, and I love it when Wolfe visits the Black Museum! It was a really fast paced book, with a few things happening that I wasn't expecting! I would highly recommend this book!
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't think it was possible but this book made me love Max and his daughter Scout even more. Max can be loose cannon sometimes but he is always trying his best to be the best father he can even when at times he is feeling lost.
Max is solving a new crime, a wealthy family has been murdered and the youngest child has been stolen.
This story was so dark and twisted but loves it nonetheless, Max Wolfe series has easily become one of my favourite crime series. I can't to read more.
Max is solving a new crime, a wealthy family has been murdered and the youngest child has been stolen.
This story was so dark and twisted but loves it nonetheless, Max Wolfe series has easily become one of my favourite crime series. I can't to read more.
I tend to stop reading books that have any child endangerment in them. But Parsons not only handles the subject with delicacy, he includes some of the best examples of parenting I've read anywhere, let alone in a murder mystery. And make no mistake. This is a mystery and a police procedural told by a master storyteller.
Full review to follow on bibliophilebookclub.wordpress.com
I read The Murder Bag when it was released and really enjoyed it so I was delighted when The Slaughter Man was released! I started it thinking I'll read a few pages, a few turned into a third of the book in one go! Once I started this I couldn't put it down! I found the story really interesting, and I love it when Wolfe visits the Black Museum! It was a really fast paced book, with a few things happening that I wasn't expecting! I would highly recommend this book!
I read The Murder Bag when it was released and really enjoyed it so I was delighted when The Slaughter Man was released! I started it thinking I'll read a few pages, a few turned into a third of the book in one go! Once I started this I couldn't put it down! I found the story really interesting, and I love it when Wolfe visits the Black Museum! It was a really fast paced book, with a few things happening that I wasn't expecting! I would highly recommend this book!