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Joe Lucchesi #1
Darkhouse
In this electrifying thriller—a bestseller in Great Britain and Ireland—Alex Barclay creates a stunning array of contrasts—from the violence of a cop’s world to the fragility of an embattled marriage, from the danger of New York’s gritty streets to the quiet of a seaside Irish village. With brilliance and subtlety, Barclay delivers a nerve-wracking tale of a troubled family, facing a brutal danger rushing relentlessly out of the past.
One year has passed since a kidnapping drama exploded into violence on a New York street. And for NYPD detective Joe Lucchesi, the memory of that terrible moment is still alive. Joe’s wife, Anna, has brought him and their teenage son to Ireland, hoping to repair their fragile marriage—and cut the cord between Joe and the job. But when the girlfriend of their son vanishes, Joe begins to suspect that the crime may have its roots in his old life—and that someone has followed him all the way there….
An outsider in Ireland, Joe watches with rising apprehension as local cops try to solve the disappearance—and then reacts with fury when his son becomes the leading suspect. Frantically, Joe tries to piece together clues to the crime, certain that a predator has come to Ireland in a twisted act of vengeance. And in a culture he doesn’t understand, among people who may or may not be his friends, Joe must find a way to strike back…against a vicious killer who has Joe’s family in his sights....
A novel that plunges like a knife, Darkhouse delves into the intimate struggles between a husband and wife, between lovers and desperate friends. Seething with menace and mounting dread, Alex Barclay’s ingenious tale of a family under siege ratchets up the suspense one shocking revelation at a time as it races to its shattering climax....
From the Hardcover edition.
One year has passed since a kidnapping drama exploded into violence on a New York street. And for NYPD detective Joe Lucchesi, the memory of that terrible moment is still alive. Joe’s wife, Anna, has brought him and their teenage son to Ireland, hoping to repair their fragile marriage—and cut the cord between Joe and the job. But when the girlfriend of their son vanishes, Joe begins to suspect that the crime may have its roots in his old life—and that someone has followed him all the way there….
An outsider in Ireland, Joe watches with rising apprehension as local cops try to solve the disappearance—and then reacts with fury when his son becomes the leading suspect. Frantically, Joe tries to piece together clues to the crime, certain that a predator has come to Ireland in a twisted act of vengeance. And in a culture he doesn’t understand, among people who may or may not be his friends, Joe must find a way to strike back…against a vicious killer who has Joe’s family in his sights....
A novel that plunges like a knife, Darkhouse delves into the intimate struggles between a husband and wife, between lovers and desperate friends. Seething with menace and mounting dread, Alex Barclay’s ingenious tale of a family under siege ratchets up the suspense one shocking revelation at a time as it races to its shattering climax....
From the Hardcover edition.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2005
29 people are currently reading
717 people want to read
About the author
Alex Barclay
39 books156 followersBarclay studied journalism at university and worked for a period in fashion and beauty journalism as a copywriter in the RTÉ Guide. In 2003, she left the fashion industry to write Darkhouse, the first of two novels featuring NYPD detective Joe Lucchesi. Her second novel, The Caller, was released in 2007, and Last Call in 2008. She won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her fourth novel, Blood Runs Cold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 20, 2024
So I was just looking at books to recommend to a friend and I noticed that I had already read The Caller which is the second in this series first. That actually surprised me. Let me also state with this first one, it has literally been on my shelf for at least 6/7 years. Also, I could not believe the many bad reviews this first one received.
In looking at my review of the Caller (the second in the series) I rated it four stars and actually liked it which must be why this one came to be. Yet I notice in my review that I state there could have been so much more writing, that things were left hanging and with not enough detail.
Funny but in this first one I read many reviews that there was simply too much writing and it could have been a lot shorter. Well let me state that perhaps Barclay heard this criticism and took heart to it as clearly the next one seems to be a shorter version drawing a different complaint from me - too short.
So I hope I haven't confused everyone. Let me get back to this first one. Like a lot and lots of yuk. I can see why many DNF'd it. It is just so weird with chapters being subdivided and minor characters introduced doing stupid things like simply having a coffee in a restaurant and having really no point belonging in the book. I mentioned how odd it was too my wife and she brought up the word count issue. Perhaps it may ring true.
Yet I soldiered on reading because the writing was good. Also I seem to really enjoy being a glutton for punishment so to speak. It's like I find this type of read to be a challenge and that it is engrossing. I liken it to a good Catriona Ward read who I really love.
The book deals with detective Joe Lucchesi a NYPD detective who has a bad incident at home and due to it moves to Ireland with his son and wife. There his son Shaun has a new girlfriend named Katie who goes missing and turns up dead. Shaun is the main suspect and Joe needs to help him out.
At the same time as the present is occurring in Ireland we are brought back to Texas in the 80's where we see and learn to understand how our killer Duke Rawlins becomes our killer. He is four years old when he is first pimped out by his prostitute mother to men which happens on a regular basis. Things sadly don't get much better from there. The chapters on the Texas past pop up every now and then and though disturbing for the most part I really liked them. Says something about me I guess, lol.
Note that Katie goes missing very early on but very little is said about what happens to her and the book just goes in circles so to speak.
Funny too, but for some reason I chose this book to not make any notes on. In each book I read I mark the inside front pages with the dates I read it and what I rated it and a reference to check the review on GR. Throughout the book I make notes on the pages as well and often I make notes on lined paper in relation to the book. So many of my friends cry out that I dog ear pages and write in the book itself. Its like hey its my book and if I want to burn it when I'm finished I bloody well can. Of course I won't as I actually revere my books and never lend them out for that matter. Yet I decided to not make notes for this one and in a way it was a blessing because with all the useless characters and much useless drivel I think I would have had the most notes ever taken by me in relation to this book and it all would have been for not anyway!
So like a boxer in the ring, this book delivered hard punch after hard punch by the author with no real idea where the hell it was going. I stayed in the match being punch drunk and often confused not understanding - where the hell is the author going? It is 406 pages long and yet at about page 220 the book turns. Mind you there is still a lot of that stupid character stuff for no reason but it got good and got real good.
Many twists and turns and in my mind a great ending. Our Texas backdrop comes to the forefront and it is awesome.
This author clearly has potential. Perhaps she did listen to some of the criticism laid out in the first and cut back on a lot of the useless drivel for the second. And I keep referencing the second because when I look at my review of that it is like you need to add more drivel, lol. So perhaps she soldiers on and gets it right inher coming books. I will be looking forward to the third in this series and it won't take seven or so years to get to it.
Be forewarned on the style and I am not the only one of that ilk but this story is pretty damn good and so good in fact that a near DNF becomes a four star rating!!
In looking at my review of the Caller (the second in the series) I rated it four stars and actually liked it which must be why this one came to be. Yet I notice in my review that I state there could have been so much more writing, that things were left hanging and with not enough detail.
Funny but in this first one I read many reviews that there was simply too much writing and it could have been a lot shorter. Well let me state that perhaps Barclay heard this criticism and took heart to it as clearly the next one seems to be a shorter version drawing a different complaint from me - too short.
So I hope I haven't confused everyone. Let me get back to this first one. Like a lot and lots of yuk. I can see why many DNF'd it. It is just so weird with chapters being subdivided and minor characters introduced doing stupid things like simply having a coffee in a restaurant and having really no point belonging in the book. I mentioned how odd it was too my wife and she brought up the word count issue. Perhaps it may ring true.
Yet I soldiered on reading because the writing was good. Also I seem to really enjoy being a glutton for punishment so to speak. It's like I find this type of read to be a challenge and that it is engrossing. I liken it to a good Catriona Ward read who I really love.
The book deals with detective Joe Lucchesi a NYPD detective who has a bad incident at home and due to it moves to Ireland with his son and wife. There his son Shaun has a new girlfriend named Katie who goes missing and turns up dead. Shaun is the main suspect and Joe needs to help him out.
At the same time as the present is occurring in Ireland we are brought back to Texas in the 80's where we see and learn to understand how our killer Duke Rawlins becomes our killer. He is four years old when he is first pimped out by his prostitute mother to men which happens on a regular basis. Things sadly don't get much better from there. The chapters on the Texas past pop up every now and then and though disturbing for the most part I really liked them. Says something about me I guess, lol.
Note that Katie goes missing very early on but very little is said about what happens to her and the book just goes in circles so to speak.
Funny too, but for some reason I chose this book to not make any notes on. In each book I read I mark the inside front pages with the dates I read it and what I rated it and a reference to check the review on GR. Throughout the book I make notes on the pages as well and often I make notes on lined paper in relation to the book. So many of my friends cry out that I dog ear pages and write in the book itself. Its like hey its my book and if I want to burn it when I'm finished I bloody well can. Of course I won't as I actually revere my books and never lend them out for that matter. Yet I decided to not make notes for this one and in a way it was a blessing because with all the useless characters and much useless drivel I think I would have had the most notes ever taken by me in relation to this book and it all would have been for not anyway!
So like a boxer in the ring, this book delivered hard punch after hard punch by the author with no real idea where the hell it was going. I stayed in the match being punch drunk and often confused not understanding - where the hell is the author going? It is 406 pages long and yet at about page 220 the book turns. Mind you there is still a lot of that stupid character stuff for no reason but it got good and got real good.
Many twists and turns and in my mind a great ending. Our Texas backdrop comes to the forefront and it is awesome.
This author clearly has potential. Perhaps she did listen to some of the criticism laid out in the first and cut back on a lot of the useless drivel for the second. And I keep referencing the second because when I look at my review of that it is like you need to add more drivel, lol. So perhaps she soldiers on and gets it right inher coming books. I will be looking forward to the third in this series and it won't take seven or so years to get to it.
Be forewarned on the style and I am not the only one of that ilk but this story is pretty damn good and so good in fact that a near DNF becomes a four star rating!!
August 25, 2007
DARKHOUSE (Suspense-Ireland-Cont) – NR
Barclay, Alex – 1st book
HarperCollins, 2003- UK Hardcover
NY Detective Joe Lucchesi is on leave with his wife, Anna, and son, Shaun, in Ireland. When Shaun's girlfriend goes missing, Joe decides to find out what happened.
*** I made it to page 136, but only because I was waiting for my car to be serviced and had finished my other book. It's unfortunate because the basic plot was interesting. But the story rambled on with a lot of characters but no real character development, and no cohesion. I'll also admit I'm tired of the alternating, two-time period plots. I've read so many; it's a device that's become a cliché. For me, this just didn't work at all.
Barclay, Alex – 1st book
HarperCollins, 2003- UK Hardcover
NY Detective Joe Lucchesi is on leave with his wife, Anna, and son, Shaun, in Ireland. When Shaun's girlfriend goes missing, Joe decides to find out what happened.
*** I made it to page 136, but only because I was waiting for my car to be serviced and had finished my other book. It's unfortunate because the basic plot was interesting. But the story rambled on with a lot of characters but no real character development, and no cohesion. I'll also admit I'm tired of the alternating, two-time period plots. I've read so many; it's a device that's become a cliché. For me, this just didn't work at all.
January 1, 2016
The storyline and the writing style was OK, to tell you the truth I don't even remember most of it. The cover is the only reason, I am talking about this book at the moment. Look at it, have you ever seen anything so beautiful ?
Imagine me saying this in an Irish accent :)
May 26, 2016
was an okay read
February 8, 2014
Darkhouse was a book I edged my way through given the underlying tension and sense of foreboding, which left me uncertain as to whether I really wanted to find out how the story is resolved. Much of that tension is created through the intersecting storylines and juxtaposition of everyday family and village life in Ireland in the early 2000s, with the dark world of Duke Rawlins and Donnie Riggs in North Texas in the late 1980s. Barclay’s writing is vivid and well paced and balanced. The characters are nicely developed throughout the story and the interactions between them well portrayed, especially the suspicions and strains amongst the Lucchesi household, the police and the village population. There is also a great sense of place, time and social worlds in both Ireland and Texas. The key strength of the story though is the plotting, with a nice mix of carefully ordered tension, feints, and reveals that produces an edge of the seat read without descending into a gore fest. Overall, a very good crime thriller.
October 8, 2009
Lighthouse or Darkhouse?
This is a great debut novel. Whilst I agree with other reviewers that it sticks broadly to a formula, it is definitely a gripping crime thriller. I just could not put it down, and found myself reading until two in the morning having originally intended to read just to the end of the next chapter.
A New York detective opts for a "quiet life" in Ireland, which will allow his beautiful French wife to follow her own career interests. Her task is to transform a lighthouse for a high-class magazine article. Hence, the title. However, trouble follows Joe Lucchesi wherever he goes, and he soon finds himself, his family and most of the village folk of Mountcannon in grave danger from a rampaging Texan lunatic.
The characters and the interactions between them keep the book moving along at a breathless pace that leaves the reader always wondering, "What's next?"
Start reading, and you won't stop until you get to the end of the epilogue.
This is a great debut novel. Whilst I agree with other reviewers that it sticks broadly to a formula, it is definitely a gripping crime thriller. I just could not put it down, and found myself reading until two in the morning having originally intended to read just to the end of the next chapter.
A New York detective opts for a "quiet life" in Ireland, which will allow his beautiful French wife to follow her own career interests. Her task is to transform a lighthouse for a high-class magazine article. Hence, the title. However, trouble follows Joe Lucchesi wherever he goes, and he soon finds himself, his family and most of the village folk of Mountcannon in grave danger from a rampaging Texan lunatic.
The characters and the interactions between them keep the book moving along at a breathless pace that leaves the reader always wondering, "What's next?"
Start reading, and you won't stop until you get to the end of the epilogue.
October 6, 2022
I could barely get through this book, just didn't work at all, for me.
April 13, 2013
Perhaps I am just too hard to please lately with the books I have selected to read, but I did not care for this one at all. There are way too many characters and the writing jumps from one story line to another and different times and settings. So confusing and hard to follow. There is one particular passage where the writer is describing Joe having a drink in a pub with a group of Irish men, then the very next paragrah describes Joe's son Shaun's girlfriend Katie. This makes no sense whatsoever as Katie is not old enough to be in a Pub and why would she be drinking with a bunch of old men. I did not care for any of the many characters and the story is just plain lame. I could not bear to torture myself with any more of this nonsense so I did not finish this book. I think the writer has got a multiple personality disorder and perhaps different personalities wrote different parts of the book. How is ever got published is a mystery to me and it is plain to see that no one ever did any proof reading.
April 17, 2012
Not really what I expected - the cover would suggest a horror but its a very straightforward crime novel.
Some parts work quite well - there are flashbacks between the present day in Ireland and the past in texas, where the history of the killer(s) is fleshed out quite well.
The story is OK - A cop kills a hostage taker and then leaves the police to move to Ireland. His son's girlfriend disappears and then turns up brown bread. She has beem killed by the "partner" of the man the cop killed at the beginning of the book.
The two men had forged some sort of bond growing up in texas, including the abuduction, rape and murder of girls.
All this builds quite nicely until there is a "cinematic" end to the book, with the cops wife being taken hostage and many tradeoffs. This doesnt work at all well, although if I am not mistaken, unusually the crim gets away.
Very average - too many characters and again, it collapses under the weight of its own ambition. Not sure I would actively track down here second work, the caller.
Some parts work quite well - there are flashbacks between the present day in Ireland and the past in texas, where the history of the killer(s) is fleshed out quite well.
The story is OK - A cop kills a hostage taker and then leaves the police to move to Ireland. His son's girlfriend disappears and then turns up brown bread. She has beem killed by the "partner" of the man the cop killed at the beginning of the book.
The two men had forged some sort of bond growing up in texas, including the abuduction, rape and murder of girls.
All this builds quite nicely until there is a "cinematic" end to the book, with the cops wife being taken hostage and many tradeoffs. This doesnt work at all well, although if I am not mistaken, unusually the crim gets away.
Very average - too many characters and again, it collapses under the weight of its own ambition. Not sure I would actively track down here second work, the caller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2013
This book is lazy, horrid, and terribly confusing. Plus, the story line isn't even tied up completely at the end and, from what I've gathered from reviews of the sequel, the loose ends from this one play little to no part in the future. Sigh. At least the cover was pretty and the slogan, dramatic.
February 21, 2016
Препоръчвам го на всички почитатели на добрите трилъри/криминалета.
Не е чак шедьовър, но си струваше четенето.
Не е чак шедьовър, но си струваше четенето.
April 6, 2021
Είχα ξεχάσει ότι το είχα. Είχε πέσει πίσω από τη βιβλιοθήκη και το ανακάλυψα ξεσκονίζοντάς την. Κάθισα να το ξεφυλλίσω λίγο αλλά με συνεπήρε η υπόθεση και ξεχάστηκα. Το άφησα με δυσκολία για να συνεχίσω τις δουλειές, το βράδυ όμως το ξανάπιασα με ζέση. Δεν είναι καινούργιο βιβλίο, μην το ψάχνετε στις νέες κυκλοφορίες. Μόνο στ�� παλαιοβιβλιοπωλεία θα το βρείτε αλλά πιστέψτε με όταν σας λέω πως αξίζει τον κόπο να το ψάξετε.
Η υπόθεση συνοπτικά έχει ως εξής: Ένας Νεοϋορκέζος αστυνομικός μετακομίζει με την οικογένειά του για ένα χρόνο, σε έναν εγκαταλειμμένο φάρο στη νότια Ιρλανδία. Φτάνοντας εκεί, έρχεται αντιμέτωπος με μια απαγωγή η οποία καταλήγει σε φόνο, με τον οποίο φαίνεται να συνδέεται κι ο ίδιος με κάποιον τρόπο. Οι αγωνιώδεις του έρευνες, φέρνουν τον ίδιο και την οικογένειά του αντιμέτωπους με τον κίνδυνο, ενώ βγαίνουν στην επιφάνεια ψέματα και τρομερά μυστικά για τον ένοχο, την παιδική του ηλικία και αυτό που το μετέτρεψε σε ένα ψυχοπαθή δολοφόνο.
Στο ντεμπούτο της η Alex Barclay ακολουθεί ένα συγκεκριμένο -και δύσκολο θα έλεγα για πρωτοεμφανιζόμενο συγγραφέα- συγγραφικό μοντέλο, χωρίς να ξεφεύγει από τα όρια που η ίδια έθεσε στον εαυτό της. Αυτό ίσως να ήταν το μοναδικό σημείο στο οποίο φάνηκε η «απειρία» της, γιατί σε γενικές γραμμές μας προσέφερε μια εξαιρετική προσπάθεια. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι η ανάγνωση των πρώτων κεφαλαίων του βιβλίου, δεν ήταν εύκολη υπόθεση. Υπήρχαν αρκετά πρόσωπα που έπρεπε να θυμάμαι κι επίσης, η τεχνική της να πηδάει από το ένα θέμα στο άλλο, κάποιες φορές μου δημιούργησε σύγχυση. Ωστόσο, σύντομα μπήκα στο πνεύμα και παρακολούθησα άνετα την ιστορία η οποία ρέει όμορφα και χωρίς κοιλιές σε όλη της την έκταση. Διαθέτει ρεαλιστικούς και τρισδιάστατους χαρακτήρες και μια πλοκή που, αν και μπερδεμένη σαν κουβάρι ιδίως στο αποκορύφωμα της, τελικά ξεκαθάρισε στα πάντα.
Στο σύνολο του ο «Σβησμένος φάρος» ήταν ένα πολύ καλογραμμένο κι ενδιαφέρον αστυνομικό θρίλερ, το οποίο, αν με ρωτάτε, δυσκολεύομαι να πιστέψω ότι είναι το πρώτο της Barclay. Θα ήθελα να έχω την ευκαιρία να διαβάσω κάτι ακόμα της συγγραφέα, γιατί αν το πρώτο της ήταν σε αυτό το επίπεδο, μόνο να φανταστώ μπορώ, το που βρίσκονται τα επόμενα. Φυσικά και προτείνεται.
Διαβάστε ολόκληρη την άποψή μου για το βιβλίο στο blog των ΒΙΒΛΙΟγραφικών: https://vivliografika.blogspot.com/20...
Η υπόθεση συνοπτικά έχει ως εξής: Ένας Νεοϋορκέζος αστυνομικός μετακομίζει με την οικογένειά του για ένα χρόνο, σε έναν εγκαταλειμμένο φάρο στη νότια Ιρλανδία. Φτάνοντας εκεί, έρχεται αντιμέτωπος με μια απαγωγή η οποία καταλήγει σε φόνο, με τον οποίο φαίνεται να συνδέεται κι ο ίδιος με κάποιον τρόπο. Οι αγωνιώδεις του έρευνες, φέρνουν τον ίδιο και την οικογένειά του αντιμέτωπους με τον κίνδυνο, ενώ βγαίνουν στην επιφάνεια ψέματα και τρομερά μυστικά για τον ένοχο, την παιδική του ηλικία και αυτό που το μετέτρεψε σε ένα ψυχοπαθή δολοφόνο.
Στο ντεμπούτο της η Alex Barclay ακολουθεί ένα συγκεκριμένο -και δύσκολο θα έλεγα για πρωτοεμφανιζόμενο συγγραφέα- συγγραφικό μοντέλο, χωρίς να ξεφεύγει από τα όρια που η ίδια έθεσε στον εαυτό της. Αυτό ίσως να ήταν το μοναδικό σημείο στο οποίο φάνηκε η «απειρία» της, γιατί σε γενικές γραμμές μας προσέφερε μια εξαιρετική προσπάθεια. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι η ανάγνωση των πρώτων κεφαλαίων του βιβλίου, δεν ήταν εύκολη υπόθεση. Υπήρχαν αρκετά πρόσωπα που έπρεπε να θυμάμαι κι επίσης, η τεχνική της να πηδάει από το ένα θέμα στο άλλο, κάποιες φορές μου δημιούργησε σύγχυση. Ωστόσο, σύντομα μπήκα στο πνεύμα και παρακολούθησα άνετα την ιστορία η οποία ρέει όμορφα και χωρίς κοιλιές σε όλη της την έκταση. Διαθέτει ρεαλιστικούς και τρισδιάστατους χαρακτήρες και μια πλοκή που, αν και μπερδεμένη σαν κουβάρι ιδίως στο αποκορύφωμα της, τελικά ξεκαθάρισε στα πάντα.
Στο σύνολο του ο «Σβησμένος φάρος» ήταν ένα πολύ καλογραμμένο κι ενδιαφέρον αστυνομικό θρίλερ, το οποίο, αν με ρωτάτε, δυσκολεύομαι να πιστέψω ότι είναι το πρώτο της Barclay. Θα ήθελα να έχω την ευκαιρία να διαβάσω κάτι ακόμα της συγγραφέα, γιατί αν το πρώτο της ήταν σε αυτό το επίπεδο, μόνο να φανταστώ μπορώ, το που βρίσκονται τα επόμενα. Φυσικά και προτείνεται.
Διαβάστε ολόκληρη την άποψή μου για το βιβλίο στο blog των ΒΙΒΛΙΟγραφικών: https://vivliografika.blogspot.com/20...
July 22, 2014
Αγωνιώδες και ανατρεπτικό. Η συγγραφέας μας αποκαλύπτει σιγά σιγά τη σχέση που έχει ο δολοφόνος με τον αστυνομικό. Η πρώτη σκηνή του βιβλίου θα μου μείνει αξέχαστη: ο Ντόναλντ Ριγκς επιστρέφει την κόρη που απήγαγε στη μάνα της, παίρνει τα λύτρα και... ανάβει τον πυροκροτητή. Μάνα και κόρη γίνονται κομμάτια. Ο αστυνομικός Λακέζι τον σκοτώνει σε νόμιμη άμυνα. Χρόνια μετά, ο Λακέζι αγωνίζεται να σώσει την οικογένειά του και την ψυχική τους ηρεμία. Καταφεύγουν στο Δουβλίνο και ξεκινούν από την αρχή. Ο συνεργός του Ριγκς όμως τους καταδιώκει για να εκδικηθεί για τον θάνατο του συνεργού του (και εραστή του). Ιστορίες με γεράκια και τοξοβολία, ανατριχιαστικές δολοφονίες, μια απίστευτη αγωνία και σασπένς που σε κρατούν καθηλωμένα. Κρίμα που δεν ξαναβγήκε βιβλίο της Μπάρκλεϊ, παρά μόνο αυτό που είναι και το πρώτο της. Η κλειστή κοινωνία του Γουότερφορντ καταντά κλειστοφοβική. Η γυναίκα του Λακέζι κρύβει πράγματα. Ο γιος του το ίδιο. Έχουν σχέση αυτά τα μυστικά με τις δολοφονίες που λαμβάνουν χώρα στο χωριό; Ο αστυνομικός αρχίζει να γίνεται από αξιαγάπητος στο χωριό, ανεπιθύμητος. Και το παιχνίδι μόλις άρχισε!!
Στα ελληνικά από τις εκδόσεις Bell το 2007 (Σβησμένος φάρος).
Στα ελληνικά από τις εκδόσεις Bell το 2007 (Σβησμένος φάρος).
February 15, 2011
A powerful and captivating novel. The characters are likable, and I really felt for the main family as they struggle to come to terms with the disappearance. The resolution was very satisfying. The climax of the novel was a flurry of activity which seemed to make no sense until it was all cleared up at the end. What makes this novel a cut above most suspense novels was the realistic characters who are very three dimensional. The novel goes along and you think there are no surprises than the author pulls something new out of his hat. I really enjoyed this and will look for other books by this author. It's hard to believe this was her first book. A very good debut.
November 7, 2015
Bella l'ambientazione (l'Irlanda resta sempre l'Irlanda e sapere di cosa stanno parlando aiuta parecchio), buoni anche i personaggi. La trama è abbastanza semplice e tranquilla, con un buon finale a sopresa. La sola cosa che mi ha creato difficoltà è lo stile, a mio parere molto frammentario. Ogni capitolo si suddivide in paragrafi (spesso brevi) che seguono l'azione di ogni personaggio, alternandoli tra loro. Purtroppo nell'edizione italiana spesso venivano persi gli spazi separatori tra un paragrafo e l'altro, perdendo così il cambio di prospettiva. Nonostante ciò, si lascia leggere e, una volta che ci abitua ai refusi, anche abbastanza in fretta.
January 6, 2009
I have the pleasure of knowing Yve - whoops - Alex Barclay. She retreats at the same house that I do along the West Coast of Ireland.
I only read a couple mystery-suspense types book a year, and I really enjoyed this one. Not sure how fair I can be given our acquaintance.
The beginning of this book was a bit tough to get into, many characters and some jumping around, which is simply how this writer writes, but WORTH sticking to it. I could not put this book down!
I only read a couple mystery-suspense types book a year, and I really enjoyed this one. Not sure how fair I can be given our acquaintance.
The beginning of this book was a bit tough to get into, many characters and some jumping around, which is simply how this writer writes, but WORTH sticking to it. I could not put this book down!
April 20, 2019
I'm a bit surprised by the number of people saying they found the jumping around of viewpoints confusing or difficult to keep up with. I had no issues with it and enjoyed the format. In fact, I enjoyed the book immensely and stayed up late to finish it. I'm glad it was recommended to me.
October 4, 2017
Great read! Couldn’t put it down.
February 12, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable book, was gripped from start to finish.
August 3, 2019
το μόνο της βιβλίο που είχα διαβάσει και θυμάμαι με είχε ενθουσιάσει
γενικά δεν συμπαθώ τα αστυνομικά μα είχε όμορφη ατμόσφαιρα
θα ήθελα να διαβάσω και άλλα δικά της
γενικά δεν συμπαθώ τα αστυνομικά μα είχε όμορφη ατμόσφαιρα
θα ήθελα να διαβάσω και άλλα δικά της
March 14, 2018
Het eerste hoofdstuk van dit boek, waarin Joe Luccchesi geconfronteerd wordt met de akelige en onverwachte afloop van een ontvoeringszaak, knalt er onmiddellijk in. Hoewel de geoefende lezer de ellende wel aan ziet komen, is het uiteindelijk toch een dreun als blijkt dat Joe niet in staat is om bloedvergieten te voorkomen.
Alex Barclay zet subtiel en hier en daar humoristisch neer hoe lastig het is voor Amerikanen om zich in Ierland te vestigen. De cultuurschok is groot, als Joe merkt dat hij niet elke dag een Amerikaanse krant kan kopen, of midden in de nacht een pizza bestellen. Zijn zoon Shaun wordt door zijn klasgenoten ook al met argwaan bekeken, omdat hij niet gewend is om te moeten studeren op school, maar dat goed kunnen sporten al genoeg was.
Anna, Joe's vrouw, doet haar best om gewoon te doen waar ze goed in is; haar nieuwste project is het opknappen van de vuurtoren waar ze naast wonen.
Alex Barclay heeft ook subtiel maar met een knappe dreigende ondertoon neergezet hoe het verleden uit Amerika Joe's familie in het heden kan bedreigen. In het begin is het even wennen aan het heen en weer springen in de tijd en de grote hoeveelheid namen van personen die op je afkomen, maar het boek neemt je al snel mee en wat overblijft is de behoefte om meer te willen lezen van Alex Barclay.
Alex Barclay zet subtiel en hier en daar humoristisch neer hoe lastig het is voor Amerikanen om zich in Ierland te vestigen. De cultuurschok is groot, als Joe merkt dat hij niet elke dag een Amerikaanse krant kan kopen, of midden in de nacht een pizza bestellen. Zijn zoon Shaun wordt door zijn klasgenoten ook al met argwaan bekeken, omdat hij niet gewend is om te moeten studeren op school, maar dat goed kunnen sporten al genoeg was.
Anna, Joe's vrouw, doet haar best om gewoon te doen waar ze goed in is; haar nieuwste project is het opknappen van de vuurtoren waar ze naast wonen.
Alex Barclay heeft ook subtiel maar met een knappe dreigende ondertoon neergezet hoe het verleden uit Amerika Joe's familie in het heden kan bedreigen. In het begin is het even wennen aan het heen en weer springen in de tijd en de grote hoeveelheid namen van personen die op je afkomen, maar het boek neemt je al snel mee en wat overblijft is de behoefte om meer te willen lezen van Alex Barclay.
May 6, 2024
My 6P review: Publication, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise
Detective Joe Lucchesi has moved to a quiet village in Ireland after a routine investigation in New York came to a violent end. When a girl goes missing in the village, everybody closes ranks. Joe sets out to find the truth in order to protect his family. It ultimately leads him back to the USA.
The story is told in two timelines from two POVs. It is not done well. It is very difficult to determine where we are in the timeline. There are just too many characters and too much going on.
The story is very complex and enthralling. it was more than enough to keep me reading. It wasn’t an easy read mind you.
Because there were so many characters, none of them were really fleshed out. The story of Katie going missing also gets lost in the other back stories and isn’t really told.
I actually enjoyed the lighthouse setting and all the work that Anna was doing on it to restore it to its former glory.
The author used a lot of red herrings and suspense which kept me guessing but because there was just too much going on, I won’t be continuing this series as I really don’t care enough for the characters.
The cover of the book was amazing.
Not a bad read but not one I would necessarily recommend to others.
2.5⭐️
Detective Joe Lucchesi has moved to a quiet village in Ireland after a routine investigation in New York came to a violent end. When a girl goes missing in the village, everybody closes ranks. Joe sets out to find the truth in order to protect his family. It ultimately leads him back to the USA.
The story is told in two timelines from two POVs. It is not done well. It is very difficult to determine where we are in the timeline. There are just too many characters and too much going on.
The story is very complex and enthralling. it was more than enough to keep me reading. It wasn’t an easy read mind you.
Because there were so many characters, none of them were really fleshed out. The story of Katie going missing also gets lost in the other back stories and isn’t really told.
I actually enjoyed the lighthouse setting and all the work that Anna was doing on it to restore it to its former glory.
The author used a lot of red herrings and suspense which kept me guessing but because there was just too much going on, I won’t be continuing this series as I really don’t care enough for the characters.
The cover of the book was amazing.
Not a bad read but not one I would necessarily recommend to others.
2.5⭐️
July 9, 2021
I Loved this book. I looked at the other reviews and I was surprised to see a lot of low star reviews. I realized that the reasons they didn't like this book where the same reasons that I loved it. It is complex and layered. It is definitely not a 200-300 page cozy mystery. This is not a book for the faint of heart. This book gets graphic, especially after the half way mark. I was telling my son that this book was like an onion. As you read each part you get another puzzle piece that connects to either the present situation or the past of the killers. The present story about Lucchesi and his family is slowly unfolding and layered in-between you get little stories about the main killer, starting at 4 years old and progressing with time thereafter. You learn how an innocent little boy and was changed by the people around him into a cold blooded killer. I noticed that this is the debut novel of Alex Barclay and I have already looked up her other books. I plan to read them all and anything else she writes.
September 12, 2025
The book is a bit confusing at first, it took me a few chapters to get the hang of switching timelines, but that might be because this was the first book I've read which is written in this style. There are so many ends to the story until they all link up together towards the end. The moment when you start to fit the pieces together, it's just great. So many characters introduced in the story and i would not say that it had much deep character development, but you will get attached to some of the characters and feel for them.
Loved it. Looking forward to reading the rest of Joe Lucchesi's story.
Loved it. Looking forward to reading the rest of Joe Lucchesi's story.
August 20, 2018
De todos las novelas negras que he leído, este ha sido sin duda alguna el autor que peor sabor de boca me ha dejado. Comienza con una historia que atrapa y envuelve.
Las primeras 200 hojas las leí casi de un tirón, después, la trama se hace cansada y hastía ver intercaladas historias y personajes de relleno.
Para llegar a un final totalmente decepcionante y que me hizo sentir que perdí preciosas horas de mi tiempo leyendo este libro.
Es un autor que no volveré a leer por mucho, mucho tiempo
Las primeras 200 hojas las leí casi de un tirón, después, la trama se hace cansada y hastía ver intercaladas historias y personajes de relleno.
Para llegar a un final totalmente decepcionante y que me hizo sentir que perdí preciosas horas de mi tiempo leyendo este libro.
Es un autor que no volveré a leer por mucho, mucho tiempo
March 21, 2019
Plot was interesting, but the writing let it down. Too many characters coming and going, a lack of cohesion. I kept at it because I hate leaving books unfinished, but I wish I hadn't because after the main character lied repeatedly to his wife, got his wife kidnapped and brutally injured, his son framed for murder, annoyed the entire town he lived in, AND had the nerve to throw a tantrum because his wife had spent a week with a guy 25 years ago.... She didn't leave him. In fact, the book ends with her returning to him.
I think the fuck not.
I think the fuck not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2018
Predictable . I wasn't blown away by this book but neither did I thought: Oh no, I've lost hours of my life reading this , I will never get them back, nooooooo. I like my villains complex and twisted , I was served . But you know the corrupted cop is getting a bit old in the thriller recipe , you see it coming . Danny was a jerk throughout the entire novel and quite and annoying fudgehole . For a thriller to have no plot twist... I was left unsatisfied , pasta without some hot sauce .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2020
There were lots of reasons to read this book, enticed by a good cover, a good summary and a genre that I like. It was slower in parts than I liked and although I like Ireland I wasn’t convinced that they would move there or that trouble would follow them the way it seemed to, think they could have moved states in America just as well. The road to the truth about the missing girl is not smooth but the truth comes out eventually.
June 2, 2022
This is a good crime thriller that weaves two timelines into a complex and disturbing tale that travels from the southern states of America to the rural ideals of Southern Ireland. It may not have anything massively standout but the character development is good and the story keeps you gripped and guessing through to the end, even when you think you've got it figured out you end up changing your mind a few times before the reveal and finale.
August 2, 2019
I struggled at the start of this book as it jumps around a bit, but once I got the characters straight in my head it all slotted into place. The book I have to say is quite formulaic and nothing really new in the storyline. It was quite readable though, didn’t take long and was left quite open to carry on in another book.
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