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swalk's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Cara is a Garda Síochána on the remote Irish island of Inishmore, where her friends gather to memorialise the death of her husband. Strangely one member of the group does not appear, but due to a large storm it is assumed they are held up. The next day a body bound in rope is washed up in a historic cove, called The Serpent’s Lair.
As the only officer on the island Cara must try to ascertain what has happened without experts or backup. Having not been born on the island she is viewed by the islanders with distain and suspicion, so when she tries to investigate what could have happened it is hard to get co-operation. However it soon becomes apparent that the victim was seen after the last boats to Inishmore had come and gone due to the storm, so the culprit must still remain on the island.
A gripping thriller which gives a great sense of place, with many tragedies and lies being unveiled between what each believed to be a close knit group of friends. This is elevated by the excellent narration and character reading.
As the only officer on the island Cara must try to ascertain what has happened without experts or backup. Having not been born on the island she is viewed by the islanders with distain and suspicion, so when she tries to investigate what could have happened it is hard to get co-operation. However it soon becomes apparent that the victim was seen after the last boats to Inishmore had come and gone due to the storm, so the culprit must still remain on the island.
A gripping thriller which gives a great sense of place, with many tragedies and lies being unveiled between what each believed to be a close knit group of friends. This is elevated by the excellent narration and character reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this book.
It's been ten years since the death of Garda Cara's husband, Cillian. She and five or her and Cillian's childhood friends gather for the anniversary, on a remote Irish island.
Things soon take a turn for the worst when one of the friends turns up murdered as a winter storm rages leaving the island cut off from the rest of the world.Cara as the only Garda on the island is left to investigate until back-up can arrive from the mainland, knowing the murderer has to still be on the island.
The group went their separate ways ten years ago, and being together again brings back old feelings and resentments.
In many ways this is a classic closed circle mystery, but the setting is one not seen much giving this trope a fresh spin.
This was a very enjoyable read, made much better by Jacqueline Milne's excellent narration.
It's been ten years since the death of Garda Cara's husband, Cillian. She and five or her and Cillian's childhood friends gather for the anniversary, on a remote Irish island.
Things soon take a turn for the worst when one of the friends turns up murdered as a winter storm rages leaving the island cut off from the rest of the world.Cara as the only Garda on the island is left to investigate until back-up can arrive from the mainland, knowing the murderer has to still be on the island.
The group went their separate ways ten years ago, and being together again brings back old feelings and resentments.
In many ways this is a classic closed circle mystery, but the setting is one not seen much giving this trope a fresh spin.
This was a very enjoyable read, made much better by Jacqueline Milne's excellent narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment