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Irene Kelly #9
Bloodlines
Edgar® Award winner Jan Burke continues her USA Today bestselling Irene Kelly series with a suspense-laced novel of buried secrets, old friends, and new dangers -- in "a brilliant exhibition of what the crime genre can offer" ( The Baltimore Sun ). Sweeping across decades, Burke masterfully unearths a cold case that is far from closed while introducing an intrepid novice reporter, Irene Kelly, learning the ropes from her mentor, Conn O'Connor. From the late fifties, when a bloodstained car is buried on a farm and a wealthy family disappears at sea . . . to the seventies, when Irene makes shocking connections and brashly tracks a killer from the past . . . to today, when new threats and deadly surprises are closing in on the veteran journalist and her husband, Frank Harriman, Bloodlines follows a fascinating labyrinth of lives, loves, sins, and secrets -- with the irrepressible Irene Kelly at its core.
672 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 10, 2005
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January 3, 2009Bloodlines, by Jan Burke, A-minus. Borrowed from the National Library Service for the Blind.
This is my first Irene Kelly mystery, and I understand it to be pretty late in the series. But, knowing nothing about the series, it could stand alone pretty well. The book is in three parts. The first part occurs in the 1930’s. Con O’Connor, who is eight years old, sells papers on the corner. He meets his favorite reporter, Jack Corrigan, and Corrigan becomes his mentor. Eight-year-old Con sees some possible jury tampering going on, and tells Corrigan who covers it as a reporter. But Mitch goes free and carries a grudge against Con and many others as well. The big event of Con’s early life was that, in his teens, his sister, Maureen, went missing. Five years later she was found murdered in a grave with two other missing girls from that same period of time. Then, in 1958, Jack Corrigan, attending the birthday party of his god-daughter, Katie, is kidnapped, beaten and left to die. Con, now an adult reporter, finds him and brings him back. Jack claims that he saw a car buried, but he doesn’t remember where and no one can find such a car.
That same night, Katie, her husband, and his parents all disappear and are never seen again. But Katie’s baby is not with them. He seems to have been kidnapped from his crib at home and his nurse was murdered.
The second part begins in 1978. Jack Corrigan is dead now and Con, a famous reporter himself, grieves for him. Irene Kelly comes on board as a new reporter. Initially Con is contemptuous of her, but eventually takes her under his wing, just as Jack had done for him, and teaches her to be a crack reporter. Irene through investigative journalism, finds out what happened to Katie, her husband, and his parents. But the kidnapped baby is not found.
The third part begins and ends in about 1998. By now, Con also is dead. Irene is a crack reporter and is training two young reporters. She is married to Frank, a police officer. Con’s son turns over his papers and journals to Irene, and as she goes through them, she begins to piece together all the things Mitch may be responsible for in the last 50 years. This book is actioned packed, particularly the last part. Burke is a very good writer, very good on police procedures. I will certainly seek out the rest of this series.
This is my first Irene Kelly mystery, and I understand it to be pretty late in the series. But, knowing nothing about the series, it could stand alone pretty well. The book is in three parts. The first part occurs in the 1930’s. Con O’Connor, who is eight years old, sells papers on the corner. He meets his favorite reporter, Jack Corrigan, and Corrigan becomes his mentor. Eight-year-old Con sees some possible jury tampering going on, and tells Corrigan who covers it as a reporter. But Mitch goes free and carries a grudge against Con and many others as well. The big event of Con’s early life was that, in his teens, his sister, Maureen, went missing. Five years later she was found murdered in a grave with two other missing girls from that same period of time. Then, in 1958, Jack Corrigan, attending the birthday party of his god-daughter, Katie, is kidnapped, beaten and left to die. Con, now an adult reporter, finds him and brings him back. Jack claims that he saw a car buried, but he doesn’t remember where and no one can find such a car.
That same night, Katie, her husband, and his parents all disappear and are never seen again. But Katie’s baby is not with them. He seems to have been kidnapped from his crib at home and his nurse was murdered.
The second part begins in 1978. Jack Corrigan is dead now and Con, a famous reporter himself, grieves for him. Irene Kelly comes on board as a new reporter. Initially Con is contemptuous of her, but eventually takes her under his wing, just as Jack had done for him, and teaches her to be a crack reporter. Irene through investigative journalism, finds out what happened to Katie, her husband, and his parents. But the kidnapped baby is not found.
The third part begins and ends in about 1998. By now, Con also is dead. Irene is a crack reporter and is training two young reporters. She is married to Frank, a police officer. Con’s son turns over his papers and journals to Irene, and as she goes through them, she begins to piece together all the things Mitch may be responsible for in the last 50 years. This book is actioned packed, particularly the last part. Burke is a very good writer, very good on police procedures. I will certainly seek out the rest of this series.
September 3, 2007
BLOODLINES (Amateur Sleuth-California-1950s, 70s, Cont) – VG
Burke, Jan - 10th in series
Simon & Schuster, 2005 – Hardcover
In 1958, young reporter Conn O'Connor wants to know who left for dead his mentor, Jack Corrigan, the night infant Max Ducane is kidnapped and his parents and grandparents are presumed washed overboard from their sailboat. In 1978, young reporter Irene Kelly is taken under the wing of now veteran report O'Connor when a young man who may well be the missing infant, and in 2000, seasoned reporter Irene Kelly and her young protégée's are trying to solve the decades-old crime.
*** I very much enjoyed the scope of this book, learning the history of Irene and her mentors and the interaction of the characters. I did have a problem with the dialogue not having as much flow as I like. There were holes and loose ends in the plot, and significant plot elements tied up in a general explanation. While I still think "Bones" was her best, this is a very good read and one I would highly recommend.
Burke, Jan - 10th in series
Simon & Schuster, 2005 – Hardcover
In 1958, young reporter Conn O'Connor wants to know who left for dead his mentor, Jack Corrigan, the night infant Max Ducane is kidnapped and his parents and grandparents are presumed washed overboard from their sailboat. In 1978, young reporter Irene Kelly is taken under the wing of now veteran report O'Connor when a young man who may well be the missing infant, and in 2000, seasoned reporter Irene Kelly and her young protégée's are trying to solve the decades-old crime.
*** I very much enjoyed the scope of this book, learning the history of Irene and her mentors and the interaction of the characters. I did have a problem with the dialogue not having as much flow as I like. There were holes and loose ends in the plot, and significant plot elements tied up in a general explanation. While I still think "Bones" was her best, this is a very good read and one I would highly recommend.
April 2, 2008
Bloodlines starts off with an interesting enough premise--hardbitten reporters investigating murder, kidnapping and a crime boss and everyone has something to hide.
However, the narative jumped around too much. It starts off in 1958, with flashbacks all over the place. Irene Kelly, despite having her name on the cover doesn't appear until page 149 when the story skips ahead to 1978 and then makes another jump to 2000 when all the loose ends are neatly tied up.
This is the first Jan Burke book I've read so I'm not familiar with her style or the Irene Kelly series. It was kind of weird reading an "Irene Kelly Novel" when she's not even mentioned for the first third of the book. I kept wondering when she'd be introduced.
I guess I'm old fashioned. Or maybe it's from being a writer who feels bound to follow the rules regarding Point Of View. Most of us like to have just one point of view so as not to confuse the reader. I'd have preferred the story told through the eyes of just one character instead of three or four.
Still, it kept my interest and that's a plus.
However, the narative jumped around too much. It starts off in 1958, with flashbacks all over the place. Irene Kelly, despite having her name on the cover doesn't appear until page 149 when the story skips ahead to 1978 and then makes another jump to 2000 when all the loose ends are neatly tied up.
This is the first Jan Burke book I've read so I'm not familiar with her style or the Irene Kelly series. It was kind of weird reading an "Irene Kelly Novel" when she's not even mentioned for the first third of the book. I kept wondering when she'd be introduced.
I guess I'm old fashioned. Or maybe it's from being a writer who feels bound to follow the rules regarding Point Of View. Most of us like to have just one point of view so as not to confuse the reader. I'd have preferred the story told through the eyes of just one character instead of three or four.
Still, it kept my interest and that's a plus.
September 1, 2015
Is it a suspense novel if the writer is writing scenes of suspense with no suspense?
That is the central flaw in this book: atmosphere - or the lack thereof!
This is the July book for my book club - I probably wouldn't have checked this out otherwise. It is the 10th book in this series - so I imagine there is a market for this author.
However, I found this book (#9 in the series) to be very flat. It is supposedly set in a town (city?) in Southern California - but I felt no sense of California in this book. In fact, when I started, I thought that it was set somewhere in Middle America (Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis area). There really is no sense of place in this book.
Also, the characters are very flat as is the action. There is no sense of suspense or emotion at all.
On the plus side, the basic plot - the framework of the novel - was quite sound. Another author perhaps could have made an excellent novel out of this. To me however, it had all the charm of a Hallmark movie.
That is the central flaw in this book: atmosphere - or the lack thereof!
This is the July book for my book club - I probably wouldn't have checked this out otherwise. It is the 10th book in this series - so I imagine there is a market for this author.
However, I found this book (#9 in the series) to be very flat. It is supposedly set in a town (city?) in Southern California - but I felt no sense of California in this book. In fact, when I started, I thought that it was set somewhere in Middle America (Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis area). There really is no sense of place in this book.
Also, the characters are very flat as is the action. There is no sense of suspense or emotion at all.
On the plus side, the basic plot - the framework of the novel - was quite sound. Another author perhaps could have made an excellent novel out of this. To me however, it had all the charm of a Hallmark movie.
August 21, 2008
This book was too long for me. I enjoy shorter more concise mystery novels.
January 6, 2025
Started: 3 Oct 2023
Finished: 6 Jan 2025
What can I say? I love Irene Kelly
Finished: 6 Jan 2025
What can I say? I love Irene Kelly
April 10, 2014
Bloodlines is so far top five in my list of favorite suspense novels. I practically never read a book twice but I know I will this one again for sure!
Just as good as Bones, Angels and Demons, or better. Burke builds the plot and doesn't give anything away. The characters are so well developed that you identify each one of them and understand their background, their personalities, reasoning and even their feelings.
Overall the book had great moments of bewilderment and sentiment. I grew very fond of the friendship between the two male characters Jack Corrigan and Conn O'Connor. The character building was precise and did not have to be elaborate, but it was enough to make them human, evil, lovable and imperfect.
The story line is simple yet enthralling as it flashes to the past and reverts to the present developing and revealing the facts. It is intriguing, nerve racking and still offers a good amount of unsuspected laughs. I loved the characters and although the book is long, I still felt it could have continued a few more chapters to wrap the outcome of the inspiring and charming "Conn" character. One thing I was not completely satisfied with was the last chapter of the book and the appearance of the heroine Irene Kelly. It seems that her character is developed much faster than the rest. She is also not only smart and perceptive, but she seems extremely astute, sometimes too much. Also, I feel the ordeal between Irene and Mitch could have been abbreviated. It seemed almost whimsical when compared to the rest of the story, but overall Bloodlines is a fantastic read.
Just as good as Bones, Angels and Demons, or better. Burke builds the plot and doesn't give anything away. The characters are so well developed that you identify each one of them and understand their background, their personalities, reasoning and even their feelings.
Overall the book had great moments of bewilderment and sentiment. I grew very fond of the friendship between the two male characters Jack Corrigan and Conn O'Connor. The character building was precise and did not have to be elaborate, but it was enough to make them human, evil, lovable and imperfect.
The story line is simple yet enthralling as it flashes to the past and reverts to the present developing and revealing the facts. It is intriguing, nerve racking and still offers a good amount of unsuspected laughs. I loved the characters and although the book is long, I still felt it could have continued a few more chapters to wrap the outcome of the inspiring and charming "Conn" character. One thing I was not completely satisfied with was the last chapter of the book and the appearance of the heroine Irene Kelly. It seems that her character is developed much faster than the rest. She is also not only smart and perceptive, but she seems extremely astute, sometimes too much. Also, I feel the ordeal between Irene and Mitch could have been abbreviated. It seemed almost whimsical when compared to the rest of the story, but overall Bloodlines is a fantastic read.
June 11, 2012
This is the ninth book in the series of eleven (as of 2011) ... I'm rereading the series.
This book is divided into three parts with 20-year intervals in between. We meet O'Connor as a kid and watch him grow and become a reporter, being mentored by Jack Corrigan. Two people have drowned and a couple and their baby have disappeared. Twenty years later, O'Connor and Irene Kelly start working together and the mystery of the disappearance couple and their baby is solved. Twenty years after that, Corrigan and O'Connor are long gone and the loose ends of the mysteries are finally solved.
I enjoyed this book. We get to know a lot of people in the past that we know now like O'Connor who died in the first book of the series and Lefebrve who was prominent in the last book. As with Burke's other books, there were a lot of characters but I was able to keep them all straight. I didn't find it dragged and I was okay with the ending.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/06...
This book is divided into three parts with 20-year intervals in between. We meet O'Connor as a kid and watch him grow and become a reporter, being mentored by Jack Corrigan. Two people have drowned and a couple and their baby have disappeared. Twenty years later, O'Connor and Irene Kelly start working together and the mystery of the disappearance couple and their baby is solved. Twenty years after that, Corrigan and O'Connor are long gone and the loose ends of the mysteries are finally solved.
I enjoyed this book. We get to know a lot of people in the past that we know now like O'Connor who died in the first book of the series and Lefebrve who was prominent in the last book. As with Burke's other books, there were a lot of characters but I was able to keep them all straight. I didn't find it dragged and I was okay with the ending.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/06...
April 9, 2019
This book is written in three sections, spanning over 40 years, with many lives criss-crossing each other. Didn’t realize this at first, and wasn’t completely taken with the first section, which seemed like a circa 1958 gumshoe tale told through the eyes of news reporter characters. By the end I appreciated the attention to detail, including descriptions of the newsroom, with snapshots at three different times, including the clack of typewriters, the clang of IBM Selectrics, and the quiet of computers. But the most detail occurred within the plot, which wound through the lives of residents in an imaginary Southern CA town. We hear the backstory for each of the multiple main characters, family history and motivation, including secrets, murders, kidnappings, and trying to figure out who belongs to whom. Good writing, believable dialogue, and an interesting history for Irene Kelly, protagonist of the final section, and main character in a series. Now I plan to go back and find the earlier books in this series.
June 19, 2016
I bought Bloodlines a long time ago on sale for $5.98. This book was much better than I was anticipating. Definitely a page-turner. Bloodline kept me guessing until the very last page.
April 14, 2019
It's been a few years since I delved into Jan Burke Irene Kelly mysteries. Bloodlines, published in 2005 is the 9th book in the series and I think I can safely say it is Burke's Magnum Opus of the series.
The story covers decades, running from the 1950's to Irene Kelly's present life. It covers a variety of reporters at Las Piernas' Express newspaper, all reporting on an old story, a wealthy purportedly family lost at sea and a baby (same family) kidnapped and her nanny murdered. As well, local reporter, Jack Corrigan is brutally attacked and left for dead in a farmer's field, thinking that he has seen a car buried on the property.
We run through Jack Corrigan, his protege Conn O'Connor and then are introduced to new reporter, Irene Kelly. It's a long drawn out story with a cast of characters, all interesting and unique. I did find it difficult at times keeping track of the varied family and social relationships so it might be worthwhile, if you read this to maybe make a couple of family trees. :0)
Conn O'Connor is a paper boy as the story is introduced and idolizes reporter Jack Corrigan and his reporting friend / partner Helen Swan. Corrigan takes Conn under his wing and helps him become a reporter as well. Corrigan is a fighter and his often times opponent are the Yeager family, booze smugglers, criminals, violent when the need to be. They are the focus of the disappearances but nothing can be proven until many years later; no bodies, no witnesses, etc.
The story is tracked over the decades and the flame is passed from reporter to reporter. We meet Irene Kelly in the middle chapters as she has moved from Bakersfield back to Las Piernas for a variety of reasons; to care for her ailing father, to try her hand at working at the newspaper and to escape from a relationship.
It's a very complex story and too difficult to describe in a few words. Suffice it to say that the mystery is fascinating the research conducted by the various reporters is well-crafted. There is sufficient action and intrigue to keep you turning the pages and the development of the various characters is excellent. The ending is somewhat pat but still filled with tension and action. All in all an enjoyable history and mystery and introduction to Irene's past. Read the earlier stories first to prepare for this one but you will enjoy. (3.5 stars)
The story covers decades, running from the 1950's to Irene Kelly's present life. It covers a variety of reporters at Las Piernas' Express newspaper, all reporting on an old story, a wealthy purportedly family lost at sea and a baby (same family) kidnapped and her nanny murdered. As well, local reporter, Jack Corrigan is brutally attacked and left for dead in a farmer's field, thinking that he has seen a car buried on the property.
We run through Jack Corrigan, his protege Conn O'Connor and then are introduced to new reporter, Irene Kelly. It's a long drawn out story with a cast of characters, all interesting and unique. I did find it difficult at times keeping track of the varied family and social relationships so it might be worthwhile, if you read this to maybe make a couple of family trees. :0)
Conn O'Connor is a paper boy as the story is introduced and idolizes reporter Jack Corrigan and his reporting friend / partner Helen Swan. Corrigan takes Conn under his wing and helps him become a reporter as well. Corrigan is a fighter and his often times opponent are the Yeager family, booze smugglers, criminals, violent when the need to be. They are the focus of the disappearances but nothing can be proven until many years later; no bodies, no witnesses, etc.
The story is tracked over the decades and the flame is passed from reporter to reporter. We meet Irene Kelly in the middle chapters as she has moved from Bakersfield back to Las Piernas for a variety of reasons; to care for her ailing father, to try her hand at working at the newspaper and to escape from a relationship.
It's a very complex story and too difficult to describe in a few words. Suffice it to say that the mystery is fascinating the research conducted by the various reporters is well-crafted. There is sufficient action and intrigue to keep you turning the pages and the development of the various characters is excellent. The ending is somewhat pat but still filled with tension and action. All in all an enjoyable history and mystery and introduction to Irene's past. Read the earlier stories first to prepare for this one but you will enjoy. (3.5 stars)
January 29, 2024
This is one of the most unusually constructed books I’ve seen. It’s divided into three parts with multiple chapters in each part. (You’re yawning, right? You’ve seen this a trillion times.) Ok, but hang with me. Part one is a 1958 story about young Connor O’Connor who worshipped a reporter for the local paper where he grew up. That reporter takes O’Connor under his wing and eventually makes a stellar reporter and editor out of him. It is in 1958 when an entire family goes missing, and they find the nurse maid for the infant dead. The yacht is adrift at sea with no one in it. Meanwhile, an almost-gangster type suddenly has the power to adopt a baby. Could it be the kidnapped child of the family who went missing? Without conclusive DNA or blood tests, no one knows for sure. That’s part one.
Crank it forward to 1978 for part two. Irene Kelly is the cub reporter at the paper where Conn O’Connor is now a hotshot reporter. He can’t stand Irene Kelly. He’s sure women don’t belong in the actual newsroom. Let them write their silly little lifestyle stories down the hall, but for goodness sakes, keep them out of the sanctum sanctorum that is the newsroom. Kelly won’t move down the hall, stubbornly insisting that her job is in the heart of that newsroom with the good old boys. O’Connor comes around, and ere long, Kelly is both accepted and respected in the newsroom. And she solves that 1958 case, which rears its head in 1978.
Part three leaps forward to 2000. Irene Kelly is now the most important reporter on the staff of a paper that is shrinking. Her friend, Olivia, who started out writing features down the hall back in the ‘70s is now the city editor. It is in this part where Irene Kelly solves the murder of Conn O’Connor’s sister, Maureen. She finds ways to tie the three time periods together satisfactorily. By now, you’re grumbling that I’ve given you the entire plot, and why should you read this, etc., etc. That would be an unfortunate argument for you to make, and it would indicate a lack of knowledge on your part about this book that I hope you’ll remedy. When I first saw the almost-18-hour reading time for this, my first thought was It’s too long. How ridiculous is this? But it’s not too long at all as it turns out, and you aren’t jumping back and forth among timelines. This is a refreshing, helpful way to do multiple timelines in a book, and it avoids the threadbare trope of bouncing among timelines.
Crank it forward to 1978 for part two. Irene Kelly is the cub reporter at the paper where Conn O’Connor is now a hotshot reporter. He can’t stand Irene Kelly. He’s sure women don’t belong in the actual newsroom. Let them write their silly little lifestyle stories down the hall, but for goodness sakes, keep them out of the sanctum sanctorum that is the newsroom. Kelly won’t move down the hall, stubbornly insisting that her job is in the heart of that newsroom with the good old boys. O’Connor comes around, and ere long, Kelly is both accepted and respected in the newsroom. And she solves that 1958 case, which rears its head in 1978.
Part three leaps forward to 2000. Irene Kelly is now the most important reporter on the staff of a paper that is shrinking. Her friend, Olivia, who started out writing features down the hall back in the ‘70s is now the city editor. It is in this part where Irene Kelly solves the murder of Conn O’Connor’s sister, Maureen. She finds ways to tie the three time periods together satisfactorily. By now, you’re grumbling that I’ve given you the entire plot, and why should you read this, etc., etc. That would be an unfortunate argument for you to make, and it would indicate a lack of knowledge on your part about this book that I hope you’ll remedy. When I first saw the almost-18-hour reading time for this, my first thought was It’s too long. How ridiculous is this? But it’s not too long at all as it turns out, and you aren’t jumping back and forth among timelines. This is a refreshing, helpful way to do multiple timelines in a book, and it avoids the threadbare trope of bouncing among timelines.
March 10, 2023
Meine Meinung von 2009
Als Irene Kelly als Journalistin beim Las Piernas News Express anfing sollte sie gleich einen Artikel erste über ein Auto schreiben, das bei Bauarbeiten gefunden wurde. Im Auto fand man eine verweste Leiche und obwohl viels dafür sprach, dass es sich um Max Ducane handelte konnte die Vermutung nie nachgewiesen werden. Der Millionenerbe wurde in der selben Nacht entführt, in auch seine Eltern verschwanden. Zwanzig Jahre später macht sich Irene erneut an diesen Fall, doch bald bereut sie es, die Vergangenheit aufgewühlt zu haben.
Totenruhe besteht aus drei Teilen. In jedem Teil spielt ein Journalist die eigentliche Hauptrolle bei den Ermittlungen. Im ersten Teil ist es Jack Corrigann, der mit Max' Mutter befreundet war. Gemeinsam mit seinem Kollegen Conn O'Connor, dessen Talent er schon als Zeitungsjungen erkannte versucht er, den Fall zu lösen. 1978 nimmt O'Connor Irene unter seine Fittiche, genauso wie es Jack Corrigan bei ihm tat und versucht mit ihr die Wahrheit ans Licht zu bringen. Doch erst mit modernsten Methoden kann Irene im Jahr 2000 den Fall lösen.
Für mich war es anfangs verwirrend, die vielen verschiedenen Personen und Handlungsstränge auseinander zu halten. Die Geschichte zieht sich über Jahre hin und viele Personen geben nur ein kurzes Gastspiel, während andere immer präsent sind. Bis ich mir alle Namen und die jeweiligen Rollen merken konnte sind einige Seiten vergangen.
Auch wenn das Buch mit 670 Seiten kein dünner Krimi ist wird es trotzdem nicht langweilig. Alleine die verschiedenen Erzählperspektiven haben mich ein wenig gestört.
Meine Meinung von 2021
Beim zweiten Mal hat mir die Geschichte ein Stück besser gefallen. Gerade die verschiedenen Zeit- und Erzählebenen fand ich stimmig. Der Fall ist sehr komplex mit vielen Beteiligten, die alle über lange Zeit geschwiegen haben. Deshalb konnte der Fall nicht auf einer Zeitebene gelöst werden.
Auch wenn die Geschichte stimmig ist, hat man ihr auch ihr Alter angemerkt. Das lag zum einen an manchen Charakteren, die ich heute als überzeichnet sehen würde, die vor über fünfzehn Jahren aber normal waren. Auch Irene hätte heute wahrscheinlich weniger Probleme.
Der Fall war komplex und würde über die Jahre hinweg in mühevoller Kleinarbeit aufgelöst. Ich hatte nie das Gefühl, dass etwas konstruiert war. Nur das Ende war mir zu dramatisch, deshalb gibt es einen Punkt Abzug.
Als Irene Kelly als Journalistin beim Las Piernas News Express anfing sollte sie gleich einen Artikel erste über ein Auto schreiben, das bei Bauarbeiten gefunden wurde. Im Auto fand man eine verweste Leiche und obwohl viels dafür sprach, dass es sich um Max Ducane handelte konnte die Vermutung nie nachgewiesen werden. Der Millionenerbe wurde in der selben Nacht entführt, in auch seine Eltern verschwanden. Zwanzig Jahre später macht sich Irene erneut an diesen Fall, doch bald bereut sie es, die Vergangenheit aufgewühlt zu haben.
Totenruhe besteht aus drei Teilen. In jedem Teil spielt ein Journalist die eigentliche Hauptrolle bei den Ermittlungen. Im ersten Teil ist es Jack Corrigann, der mit Max' Mutter befreundet war. Gemeinsam mit seinem Kollegen Conn O'Connor, dessen Talent er schon als Zeitungsjungen erkannte versucht er, den Fall zu lösen. 1978 nimmt O'Connor Irene unter seine Fittiche, genauso wie es Jack Corrigan bei ihm tat und versucht mit ihr die Wahrheit ans Licht zu bringen. Doch erst mit modernsten Methoden kann Irene im Jahr 2000 den Fall lösen.
Für mich war es anfangs verwirrend, die vielen verschiedenen Personen und Handlungsstränge auseinander zu halten. Die Geschichte zieht sich über Jahre hin und viele Personen geben nur ein kurzes Gastspiel, während andere immer präsent sind. Bis ich mir alle Namen und die jeweiligen Rollen merken konnte sind einige Seiten vergangen.
Auch wenn das Buch mit 670 Seiten kein dünner Krimi ist wird es trotzdem nicht langweilig. Alleine die verschiedenen Erzählperspektiven haben mich ein wenig gestört.
Meine Meinung von 2021
Beim zweiten Mal hat mir die Geschichte ein Stück besser gefallen. Gerade die verschiedenen Zeit- und Erzählebenen fand ich stimmig. Der Fall ist sehr komplex mit vielen Beteiligten, die alle über lange Zeit geschwiegen haben. Deshalb konnte der Fall nicht auf einer Zeitebene gelöst werden.
Auch wenn die Geschichte stimmig ist, hat man ihr auch ihr Alter angemerkt. Das lag zum einen an manchen Charakteren, die ich heute als überzeichnet sehen würde, die vor über fünfzehn Jahren aber normal waren. Auch Irene hätte heute wahrscheinlich weniger Probleme.
Der Fall war komplex und würde über die Jahre hinweg in mühevoller Kleinarbeit aufgelöst. Ich hatte nie das Gefühl, dass etwas konstruiert war. Nur das Ende war mir zu dramatisch, deshalb gibt es einen Punkt Abzug.
October 22, 2022
Did it take me two weeks to read this book? Yes, it did. But not because I wasn't enjoying it or couldn't get into it. I spent two weeks on Bloodlines because I was savoring it. I didn't want to rush through it, I wanted to soak in it. And I did, and it was wonderful.
A big part of why I love this book is that it starts in 1958, picks up in 1978, then concludes in 2000. Murders and crimes from the past keep spawning trouble over the decades, and the plotting here is breathtaking.
But the real reason that I loved it was getting to see Irene Kelly's mentor O'Connor active and on the page, both as a kid and an adult... it's so amazing. You see, O'Connor dies at the very beginning of the first Irene Kelly book. Like, in the first chapter, IIRC. And Irene is always referring to him, missing him, thinking about him, and so on. Which makes the first two-thirds of this book extra, extra good.
None of this rambling tells you what the book is about, though, does it? Well, it involves kidnapping, murder, long-buried secrets, family, friendship, mentorship, and grave robbing. It sprawls. It weaves. It surprises. I love it. I keep trying to sum up the mystery without spoiling it, but I can't seem to manage it, sorry.
A big part of why I love this book is that it starts in 1958, picks up in 1978, then concludes in 2000. Murders and crimes from the past keep spawning trouble over the decades, and the plotting here is breathtaking.
But the real reason that I loved it was getting to see Irene Kelly's mentor O'Connor active and on the page, both as a kid and an adult... it's so amazing. You see, O'Connor dies at the very beginning of the first Irene Kelly book. Like, in the first chapter, IIRC. And Irene is always referring to him, missing him, thinking about him, and so on. Which makes the first two-thirds of this book extra, extra good.
None of this rambling tells you what the book is about, though, does it? Well, it involves kidnapping, murder, long-buried secrets, family, friendship, mentorship, and grave robbing. It sprawls. It weaves. It surprises. I love it. I keep trying to sum up the mystery without spoiling it, but I can't seem to manage it, sorry.
January 3, 2018
I have read the Irene Kelly series since the were first published and enjoyed each one. I fell behind in keeping up with the later releases and just recently decided to catch up. I normally “have” to read a series in order but that was not the case with the last four. Bloodlines was by far my favorite of the series. This book covers three different time periods, 1936 to 1958, 1978 and 2000.
The first period follows the early years of reporter Conner O’Conner (Irene Kelly’s very good friend who was killed in the first book of the series) and how he got his start as as a reporter. It covers the rise to power of the notorious Mitch Yeager, the death of a wealthy family and the disappearance of the infant son son of the family. Irene Kelly does not make an appearance until part two when she returns to Las Piernas to care for her ailing father and her start at the Las Piernas News-Express. It tells of the development of the friendship of Irene and Conn. And part three brings everything together.
Jan Burke did an excellent job relating use events and keeping the reader on the edge of their seats.
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series.
The first period follows the early years of reporter Conner O’Conner (Irene Kelly’s very good friend who was killed in the first book of the series) and how he got his start as as a reporter. It covers the rise to power of the notorious Mitch Yeager, the death of a wealthy family and the disappearance of the infant son son of the family. Irene Kelly does not make an appearance until part two when she returns to Las Piernas to care for her ailing father and her start at the Las Piernas News-Express. It tells of the development of the friendship of Irene and Conn. And part three brings everything together.
Jan Burke did an excellent job relating use events and keeping the reader on the edge of their seats.
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2022
Let me say my hardback of this book is huge and inside all of those pages so so so much happens. Learning everyone's story, their past, what happens to them over time, the constant drama and investigation to bring justice to people, etc. is just brilliant and I love it. I must say I am very sorry for what happened to Jack and I admire O'Connor for being a wonderful and bright young man staying by Jack's side always and doing everything he can to protect him over time. I must say also that all the awful things that happen, the dirty secrets, the unveiled truths, the drama, etc. are very crazy and enticing. Then later on I was devasted to hear about what happened to O'Connor. For the last stretch of the book though I was very intrigued by Irene's story, all she does, what happens to her, who she meets, etc. I just overall have to say it is a good book despite the messiness, drama, and many many many characters to keep track of. In my opinion, it can be quite a commitment.
October 26, 2021
This was a book in the Irene Kelly series that went back in time and filled in the backstory for O'Connor as well as introducing some other characters. Irene played a big part in the second and third parts of the book. But it wasn't in my opinion, a true Irene Kelly mystery.
If it had been a stand alone book I'd have enjoyed it more. As it was the characters in enjoy so much in the series, not only didn't get developed more they actually regressed a bit. I found the plot almost too complicated. It's hard to believe that as it was portrayed it would have been running in the background while all the other books with their entirely separate plot lines were taking place.Yet that is what the author would have us believe. At least those of us who have read the books in order and expect things to hang together.
If it had been a stand alone book I'd have enjoyed it more. As it was the characters in enjoy so much in the series, not only didn't get developed more they actually regressed a bit. I found the plot almost too complicated. It's hard to believe that as it was portrayed it would have been running in the background while all the other books with their entirely separate plot lines were taking place.Yet that is what the author would have us believe. At least those of us who have read the books in order and expect things to hang together.
March 13, 2019
Very intriguing story spanning almost 50 years--1958, 1978, 2000--of a couple and baby who "disappeared" (kidnapped? murdered?) and a hard-living journalist who suffered a life-threatening assault. Motive involved revenge against anyone who made life difficult or criticized the individual behind the crimes. Payback was to make the victim suffer from the disappearance of a loved one as it would haunt them for the rest of their lives whether or not their loved one was alive or not The narrator is a current reporter for the local newspaper whose mentor knew the journalist back in the day, and whose sister had disappeared as well. There is also the case of the identity of a character who had been adopted.
March 13, 2024
This was a personal read. I loved it. It was a great murder mystery. It had a unique plot. It was very well written. It started out slow but quickly sped up. The basics are how murders turned into a cold case. The murders and kidnapping of a baby took place in 1958, it also was revisited in 1978 and again in 2000. It shows how many different lives over 3 generations can be connected by a cold case. It shows how dangerous it can be for everyone, each generation that investigates it. It kept me very entertained. I also couldn't wait to get back to it when I had a chance to read again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries.
July 4, 2024
3++ stars.
Basically, every book in this series is even better than the last.
Not much to point out here - the story covers a number of time periods, including when Irene first comes to town and joins the paper (not that "joins" is the correct word, as she has to pretty much fight her way to "earn the right" to be in the newsroom). We get to see how Irene's relationship with O'Connor started and how it grows, to everyone's surprise (including Irene's at first) into a true friendship and working relationship. We also get a glimpse of Irene pre-Frank, which is fun. I was going to be really miffed if Frank wasn't in the book, but he gets there as the story works its way towards the present as represented in the book.
Great plot with lots of twists and turns. Love the characters, love the story, love the writing. As always, highly recommended.
Basically, every book in this series is even better than the last.
Not much to point out here - the story covers a number of time periods, including when Irene first comes to town and joins the paper (not that "joins" is the correct word, as she has to pretty much fight her way to "earn the right" to be in the newsroom). We get to see how Irene's relationship with O'Connor started and how it grows, to everyone's surprise (including Irene's at first) into a true friendship and working relationship. We also get a glimpse of Irene pre-Frank, which is fun. I was going to be really miffed if Frank wasn't in the book, but he gets there as the story works its way towards the present as represented in the book.
Great plot with lots of twists and turns. Love the characters, love the story, love the writing. As always, highly recommended.
March 8, 2023
This isn't my favorite story. That being said, I like the book, it was well-written.
What I liked:
Journeying back into history and learning about her old mentor, that was very interesting.
I appreciate the way she tied up the story in the end. There's nothing worse with a good book than to be left hanging.
Characters were strong and believable.
Kept my emotions on high.
The things I didn't care for in this book are:
There was a lot of back and forth.
Too much going on.
Too many characters.
Very intricate.
What I liked:
Journeying back into history and learning about her old mentor, that was very interesting.
I appreciate the way she tied up the story in the end. There's nothing worse with a good book than to be left hanging.
Characters were strong and believable.
Kept my emotions on high.
The things I didn't care for in this book are:
There was a lot of back and forth.
Too much going on.
Too many characters.
Very intricate.
April 29, 2018
3 parts. 1st part not so great. 2nd part a little better especially in the 2nd half. The 3rd part was best of the 3. Ethan is a asshole, don't know why it took Lydia so long to learn the truth. Also she should know Irene better than anyone yet she didn't believe her best friend when she said Ethan is a fraud.
Good that Ethan finally got his act together but don't know why people insist on lying to people when their natural talent is better than the lie.
Good that Ethan finally got his act together but don't know why people insist on lying to people when their natural talent is better than the lie.
September 1, 2020
I snagged this book from a goodwill to waste downtime at work, and ended up loving it. I soon realized it was a series and plan to read the whole thing! The only issue I can say I had with this is the back and for from story line to character with a lack of structure, and or explanation. But you soon get used to it and over all I HIGHLY recommend!
December 17, 2025
Wow, I've never read anything by this author and I'm very impressed. The story got a bit confusing for me between part 1 and 2, but once the pieces fell into place it was an easy read. Lots of intrigue and the ending really surprised me (I won't give it away). I will be reading more from this author!
March 3, 2018
I don't know why I continue to force myself to finish book that are, at best, mediocre.
OMG, I felt like this took me ten years to read. I hate my life sometimes.
If you are ok with punching yourself in the face, please feel free to read this book.
OMG, I felt like this took me ten years to read. I hate my life sometimes.
If you are ok with punching yourself in the face, please feel free to read this book.
April 11, 2018
The best of the Irene Kelly series.
July 21, 2018
Excellent read full of many twists and turns.
March 7, 2020
Loved the Irene Kelly character
May 30, 2020
I could not finish the first 50 pages. It jumps around too much.
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