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400 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2025
An unusual book, written largely in the setting of the local pub, where a group of people regularly meet. Nearby, there is a park and a hospital which seems, from the story, to contain around half who are in community care and also inhabit the pub quite a lot.
A local woman goes missing from the park and DCI Rick Bailey tries to find her, and the culprit. He doesn't really get a good look-in though and most of the narrative surrounds Mary and her psychological issues, such as the repetitive use of 'so, so good'.
It's messy, strangely emotionally remote and particularly off-putting, when a serial attacker turns out to be a serial LIMB REMOVER (don't worry, that's not a spoiler!).
I never really connected with any of the characters, the humour fell short and there was no real political atmosphere - this is set in the early 1990s at the time of the UK poll tax (I remember it and the book could have made MUCH more of that).
It is DEFINITELY NOT 'high-octane crime fiction' - at times feeling like a contemporary Alice In Wonderland.
I will not be reading any more of S J Butler's offerings, unfortunately.
A local woman goes missing from the park and DCI Rick Bailey tries to find her, and the culprit. He doesn't really get a good look-in though and most of the narrative surrounds Mary and her psychological issues, such as the repetitive use of 'so, so good'.
It's messy, strangely emotionally remote and particularly off-putting, when a serial attacker turns out to be a serial LIMB REMOVER (don't worry, that's not a spoiler!).
I never really connected with any of the characters, the humour fell short and there was no real political atmosphere - this is set in the early 1990s at the time of the UK poll tax (I remember it and the book could have made MUCH more of that).
It is DEFINITELY NOT 'high-octane crime fiction' - at times feeling like a contemporary Alice In Wonderland.
I will not be reading any more of S J Butler's offerings, unfortunately.
May 18, 2025
A solid UK mystery novel. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. The characters all come alive. Officer prostate issues and Chris who may or may not have any issues. Overall a very good read!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews