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Brennan & Esposito #5
The Doll's House
From the outside, the house was unremarkable. Just one of many on an ordinary, suburban estate. But inside was a different matter. With pink ribbons and pink walls, stuffed toy animals everywhere and a dining table laid out for a tea party, it was a doll's house. The doll was sitting at the table. Life size, with blonde, pigtailed hair and rosy red cheeks, dressed in her best pink party dress. Her finger and thumb curled round the handle of a fine china teacup. An adult woman. Covered in blood. Eviscerated. Dead. In all his years on the force, Detective Inspector Phil Brennan of the Major Incident Squad has never encountered a scene like it. As he investigates he uncovers more bizarre revelations and knows that he must act fast; the next murder has already been planned and the victim is closer to home that he realizes . . .
471 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
140 people are currently reading
1402 people want to read
About the author
Tania Carver
17 books307 followersTania carver is the pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Martyn and Linda Waites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
August 28, 2024
Although this is the 5th book in a series I read this as a standalone and I think it was fine to do so. The reader is given a brief re-cap on the main characters lives and I think it was enough to still enjoy this as a standalone. I did feel less connected to the main character because of this maybe, but it might have been something to do with the fact that I have nothing in common with a middle aged man?
The main plot line was pretty good but quite confusing in bounced around a lot and if you don't like multiple POV's I wouldn't recommend this. I was finding it hard to differentiate between a few of the POV's which was getting frustrating. However I think some of this was done on purpose to confuse the reader, as once all the POV's came together it did become clear and cohesive. I don't think there were any big reveal's or twists it all just unravelled slowly.
I found a few of the character reactions to certain situations, unrealistic and weird but overall it wasn't too bad. It's a thriller I think I will forget unfortunately. Even though this boarders on horror with some impressively brutal body horror it never felt that high stakes. I think I would read from this author again, and possibly this series.
The main plot line was pretty good but quite confusing in bounced around a lot and if you don't like multiple POV's I wouldn't recommend this. I was finding it hard to differentiate between a few of the POV's which was getting frustrating. However I think some of this was done on purpose to confuse the reader, as once all the POV's came together it did become clear and cohesive. I don't think there were any big reveal's or twists it all just unravelled slowly.
I found a few of the character reactions to certain situations, unrealistic and weird but overall it wasn't too bad. It's a thriller I think I will forget unfortunately. Even though this boarders on horror with some impressively brutal body horror it never felt that high stakes. I think I would read from this author again, and possibly this series.
March 3, 2021
A MUST READ! I've had this book in my unread collection for about 3-4 years. The cover has always intrigued me as did the title. However, my unread collection numbers about 60 books. So I looked up its rating on goodreads prior to choosing it and also saw that none of my friends have reviewed it.
Well let me tell you this book is awesome. It is the fifth in the series but it is stand alone. It centres on the husband/wife team of Phil Brennan and Marina Esposito. Apparently in the last book their lives were dramatically shaken up and their families lives were put at risk. So they transferred to Birmingham (England) where Brennan bumps out Detective Seargent Ian Sperring to become the Detective Inspector of Birmingham's major crime unit.
First point - the authors did not dwell on what happened in the past. I loved that. It's beneficial to me as the first time reader because I can go into book 4 of the series not having an inkling of anything - nothing spoiled so to speak. I also think its beneficial to previous readers of the series as why bother rereading about things you already know. I really liked the way they basically said that the family went through hell, lives were almost lost and simply moved on. Too many times I feel that the word count obstructs this approach but I loved the way it was done here. Nice and clean and in a book of 500 pages word count was clearly not an issue.
Point two - nursing is an accredited field. If you are a nurse in a state or province you can nurse anywhere in that state/province. You would think that policing is the same and though it kind of is it really is not. Inter department transfers are not always the friendliest. In this case Sperring is resentful of Brennan simply moving in and taking his promotion. In policing if you have a cancer like Sperring it can really disrupt a unit and that's what happens here. Admittedly though if there is one fault with this book its the fact that this turmoil is a bit overdone and I emphasize a BIT overdone.
Murder one - a man dressed like a woman is found dead with some very interesting aspects which I will not reveal. The authors then introduce us to the killer who is one piece of work that you really start liking in his own twisted way. He is referred to as the Arcadian.
The Arcadian has plans for many many murders and he is just such a great villain. His second murder though doesn't give him the same satisfaction and he kind of new that going into it. So why did he do it? Well the book will reveal that and I won't spoil it.
Murder three is the surprise that the Arcadian welcomed but I can't get into that either for spoiler reasons.
So I should point out that especially the first murder and the subject matter around it is quite sexual. Even the detectives who eventually look at the murder have to go through a lot of sexual matter. Parts of it were quite racy. When I discussed aspects of this book with my wife she found it odd that a female author would write this way. Well surprise, surprise, at the end of the book when the author is discussed we learn that in fact it is a husband and wife team of authors who collaborate on this series so I am thinking the deviancy of the subject matter (nothing crazy deviancy wise) is from the male half but who knows these days. The authors are Martyn and Linda Waites.
So the first murder is the key to the book. Brennan is in charge of the first murder and delegates Sperring to the second and third ones. But are they connected?
Well I don't want to be here forever but the murders do not finish. Much is learned from the first murder and it eventually leads to clues in solving all the murders.
And what about Brennan's wife - Marina Esposito. Well she has taken a position at a University in Birmingham. The authors take us to the University Christmas party where we meet Hugo Gwilym a stuck up, good looking, charismatic piece of shit. He is writing a book on voluntary euthanasia and wants Marina's input as she has come close to death (the referenced prior book subject matter) and dealt with bad people. Hugo's work has led him to observe a world of deviancy. Marina doesn't like him but humours him throughout the dinner. But the next morning she wakes up and believes she may have had sex with him. Confused and unsure of what happened she meets up with Hugo who leads her to believe she initiated the sex. He gives her back her panties but Marina just doesn't believe him and thinks he may have drugged and raped her.
So the detectives learn some information in relation to their murders that leads them to wanting to interview Hugo. Marina is terrified that her husband might find something out about her predicament. So now the two stories in the novel come together and along the way there are just so many twists and turns and it all comes off perfectly. I so enjoyed the ride. More murders happen. Great new interesting characters come into the storyline. This book was just such a blast!
I also really like that they put in lines you could really identify with like "but the best ideas, as she knew, always appeared after the event" which refers to thinking of a comeback to a smart comment or something along those lines. It's just so true. Another one was "It was only when she had taken her mind off it and got on with the other stuff that it happened. Typical." Isn't that the truth too. Like waiting for a piece of mail - it only arrives when you open the mailbox not looking for it - lol. I really like the way the authors write and communicate things.
The policing aspect itself was very good too. True to form so to speak. And our clashing detectives do they eventually get along? Well I hate to say it but nothing brings coppers together then doing something kind of wrong, having a story for what happened and by God sticking to that fn story - now you are both on the same team with something on one another. A perfect marriage :) so to speak.
This review is kind of long and I think it is clear how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yet I'm not even sure I do the book enough justice. I just don't want to spoil anything. Yes its that good. An easy five star review and I think a must read for everyone! Get it and enjoy!
Well let me tell you this book is awesome. It is the fifth in the series but it is stand alone. It centres on the husband/wife team of Phil Brennan and Marina Esposito. Apparently in the last book their lives were dramatically shaken up and their families lives were put at risk. So they transferred to Birmingham (England) where Brennan bumps out Detective Seargent Ian Sperring to become the Detective Inspector of Birmingham's major crime unit.
First point - the authors did not dwell on what happened in the past. I loved that. It's beneficial to me as the first time reader because I can go into book 4 of the series not having an inkling of anything - nothing spoiled so to speak. I also think its beneficial to previous readers of the series as why bother rereading about things you already know. I really liked the way they basically said that the family went through hell, lives were almost lost and simply moved on. Too many times I feel that the word count obstructs this approach but I loved the way it was done here. Nice and clean and in a book of 500 pages word count was clearly not an issue.
Point two - nursing is an accredited field. If you are a nurse in a state or province you can nurse anywhere in that state/province. You would think that policing is the same and though it kind of is it really is not. Inter department transfers are not always the friendliest. In this case Sperring is resentful of Brennan simply moving in and taking his promotion. In policing if you have a cancer like Sperring it can really disrupt a unit and that's what happens here. Admittedly though if there is one fault with this book its the fact that this turmoil is a bit overdone and I emphasize a BIT overdone.
Murder one - a man dressed like a woman is found dead with some very interesting aspects which I will not reveal. The authors then introduce us to the killer who is one piece of work that you really start liking in his own twisted way. He is referred to as the Arcadian.
The Arcadian has plans for many many murders and he is just such a great villain. His second murder though doesn't give him the same satisfaction and he kind of new that going into it. So why did he do it? Well the book will reveal that and I won't spoil it.
Murder three is the surprise that the Arcadian welcomed but I can't get into that either for spoiler reasons.
So I should point out that especially the first murder and the subject matter around it is quite sexual. Even the detectives who eventually look at the murder have to go through a lot of sexual matter. Parts of it were quite racy. When I discussed aspects of this book with my wife she found it odd that a female author would write this way. Well surprise, surprise, at the end of the book when the author is discussed we learn that in fact it is a husband and wife team of authors who collaborate on this series so I am thinking the deviancy of the subject matter (nothing crazy deviancy wise) is from the male half but who knows these days. The authors are Martyn and Linda Waites.
So the first murder is the key to the book. Brennan is in charge of the first murder and delegates Sperring to the second and third ones. But are they connected?
Well I don't want to be here forever but the murders do not finish. Much is learned from the first murder and it eventually leads to clues in solving all the murders.
And what about Brennan's wife - Marina Esposito. Well she has taken a position at a University in Birmingham. The authors take us to the University Christmas party where we meet Hugo Gwilym a stuck up, good looking, charismatic piece of shit. He is writing a book on voluntary euthanasia and wants Marina's input as she has come close to death (the referenced prior book subject matter) and dealt with bad people. Hugo's work has led him to observe a world of deviancy. Marina doesn't like him but humours him throughout the dinner. But the next morning she wakes up and believes she may have had sex with him. Confused and unsure of what happened she meets up with Hugo who leads her to believe she initiated the sex. He gives her back her panties but Marina just doesn't believe him and thinks he may have drugged and raped her.
So the detectives learn some information in relation to their murders that leads them to wanting to interview Hugo. Marina is terrified that her husband might find something out about her predicament. So now the two stories in the novel come together and along the way there are just so many twists and turns and it all comes off perfectly. I so enjoyed the ride. More murders happen. Great new interesting characters come into the storyline. This book was just such a blast!
I also really like that they put in lines you could really identify with like "but the best ideas, as she knew, always appeared after the event" which refers to thinking of a comeback to a smart comment or something along those lines. It's just so true. Another one was "It was only when she had taken her mind off it and got on with the other stuff that it happened. Typical." Isn't that the truth too. Like waiting for a piece of mail - it only arrives when you open the mailbox not looking for it - lol. I really like the way the authors write and communicate things.
The policing aspect itself was very good too. True to form so to speak. And our clashing detectives do they eventually get along? Well I hate to say it but nothing brings coppers together then doing something kind of wrong, having a story for what happened and by God sticking to that fn story - now you are both on the same team with something on one another. A perfect marriage :) so to speak.
This review is kind of long and I think it is clear how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yet I'm not even sure I do the book enough justice. I just don't want to spoil anything. Yes its that good. An easy five star review and I think a must read for everyone! Get it and enjoy!
February 11, 2019
As always Tania Carver does not fail to disappoint. A fast paced, gruesome, white knuckle read. I love reading her books and I am slowly working my way through the series. I get excited when I see one that I have haven't read!. The characters are relatable and i would highly recommend!
November 12, 2013
The Doll’s House is the fifth in the Brennan and Esposito series. After the shock ending of the last book Marina Esposito is now working at the university in Birmingham and DI Phil Brennan has joined the police there. A new start with baby Josephine… what could go wrong?
Well… Phil quickly gets involved in the most strange of murder investigations after a woman is found dead, strangely she is dressed as a doll and sat as if she was drinking a cup of tea at a doll’s tea party.
Tania Carver raises the tension swiftly and it never lets up throughout the book. With a dual narrative giving the reader insight into the killer’s mind this book is nothing short of shocking. Although this isn’t the first time dual narrative has been used in a crime novel in this book it soon becomes apparent that everything may not be quite as it first seems. The reader can work alongside the police trying to guess the motive of this most gruesome of murders.
Living in a new location both Brennan and Esposito have new colleagues to meet and new bonds to make, for Phil this isn’t going to be straightforward with a certain level of resentment surrounding his new role. Marina is also finding her feet with her university colleagues when strange things begin to happen.
As with the previous books in this series the author doesn’t hold back on gore, this is not reading for the faint-hearted, however if you are feeling brave this is a really good read and I for one am looking forward to the next in the series.
Well… Phil quickly gets involved in the most strange of murder investigations after a woman is found dead, strangely she is dressed as a doll and sat as if she was drinking a cup of tea at a doll’s tea party.
Tania Carver raises the tension swiftly and it never lets up throughout the book. With a dual narrative giving the reader insight into the killer’s mind this book is nothing short of shocking. Although this isn’t the first time dual narrative has been used in a crime novel in this book it soon becomes apparent that everything may not be quite as it first seems. The reader can work alongside the police trying to guess the motive of this most gruesome of murders.
Living in a new location both Brennan and Esposito have new colleagues to meet and new bonds to make, for Phil this isn’t going to be straightforward with a certain level of resentment surrounding his new role. Marina is also finding her feet with her university colleagues when strange things begin to happen.
As with the previous books in this series the author doesn’t hold back on gore, this is not reading for the faint-hearted, however if you are feeling brave this is a really good read and I for one am looking forward to the next in the series.
July 17, 2016
This was a fairly decent police procedural crime thriller set in Birmingham - the writing was unremarkable but gave the book a decent pace, the plot complex enough to leave the reader asking lots of questions throughout, and the characters pretty easy to relate to and generally convincing.
I just found it a bit over the top in places. The multiple switches of the plot were ambitious, but I thought a little too convoluted at times - lessening the believability. I got added pleasure from familiarity with the West Midlands location, but felt the description of Hurst Street and the gay district (in terms of it being a bit of a den of iniquities) was a little tabloid. There was also a lot of discussion of interpersonal relationships between characters, which I felt extended the book a little longer than necessary and which conflicted a bit with the 'action' parts.
Overall, I guess I'd put this author (/author team) in the category of 'decent enough to while away a journey', but not one of my favourites in the genre.
I just found it a bit over the top in places. The multiple switches of the plot were ambitious, but I thought a little too convoluted at times - lessening the believability. I got added pleasure from familiarity with the West Midlands location, but felt the description of Hurst Street and the gay district (in terms of it being a bit of a den of iniquities) was a little tabloid. There was also a lot of discussion of interpersonal relationships between characters, which I felt extended the book a little longer than necessary and which conflicted a bit with the 'action' parts.
Overall, I guess I'd put this author (/author team) in the category of 'decent enough to while away a journey', but not one of my favourites in the genre.
January 15, 2016
4 stars
I add my books on when I decide on what I'm going to read and then start them when the fancy takes me, I started reading this early this morning when I couldn't sleep and was having one of my bad days, one of those days where I need to be taken somewhere else and see through someone else's eyes.
This one took me to Birmingham and to death, torture, psychosis and depravity. Lovely light subjects for Boxing Day!!
I haven't read any other books in this series, the premise seemed interesting for this one and I really enjoyed it, despite the subject matter. There are some horrific characters and some personal opinions that I don't agree with so my hate for them only grew as I continued the story, some were redeemed at the end but most weren't and for very good reason too!
There was something lacking for me though which is why I can't give it a 5 star rating, can't put my finger on why at the moment but if it comes to me, I'll be sure to let y'all know.
I add my books on when I decide on what I'm going to read and then start them when the fancy takes me, I started reading this early this morning when I couldn't sleep and was having one of my bad days, one of those days where I need to be taken somewhere else and see through someone else's eyes.
This one took me to Birmingham and to death, torture, psychosis and depravity. Lovely light subjects for Boxing Day!!
I haven't read any other books in this series, the premise seemed interesting for this one and I really enjoyed it, despite the subject matter. There are some horrific characters and some personal opinions that I don't agree with so my hate for them only grew as I continued the story, some were redeemed at the end but most weren't and for very good reason too!
There was something lacking for me though which is why I can't give it a 5 star rating, can't put my finger on why at the moment but if it comes to me, I'll be sure to let y'all know.
January 7, 2021
I can officially say that this Is Carver's worst book in this series. I totally hated the book, the events were so gruesome and brutal.
Here are some unanswered questions to events that did not make much sense:
1-Parsons willingly confessing to Ian Sperring about his son's bizarre actions and then is set free.
2-Cotter refusing to let Brennan crash down the club and giving him some lame excuse about the triviality of the whole situation.
3-Hugo Gwilym, the professional psychologist, cracking down and confessing to his crime without putting up a fight.
I felt the ending was too far fetched and Carver just wanted to wrap up and call it a night.
Here are some unanswered questions to events that did not make much sense:
1-Parsons willingly confessing to Ian Sperring about his son's bizarre actions and then is set free.
2-Cotter refusing to let Brennan crash down the club and giving him some lame excuse about the triviality of the whole situation.
3-Hugo Gwilym, the professional psychologist, cracking down and confessing to his crime without putting up a fight.
I felt the ending was too far fetched and Carver just wanted to wrap up and call it a night.
April 24, 2019
I have now read this entire series, though completely out of order with this fifth book being the last. 'The Doll's House' was by far my least favourite of the series. The plot was good enough but far too long and lacking in focus and the characterisation of Marina is just really bringing the whole series down for me.
Marina is one of the main characters in this series, but I really wish that she would just be bumped off. We are told that she is this logical, intelligent and perceptive psychologist but she is written as an absolute twat with little brain or likeable characteristics. I genuinely spent most of this book screaming at her - internally, obvs - for being an absolute moron. She made choices that defied any sort of logic and did not act like an intelligent person. Even a semi-intelligent person. Even a donkey. Most of the book I was just like...
The writing of Marina is genuinely one of the worst things about this series, but I have a feeling that she isn't going anywhere.
I liked that the setting and team had been mixed up and we had new characters introduced, and a fairly unique killer and motive. I thought it was all a bit far-fetched but it wasn't so crazy that it seemed entirely impossible. Downside, I didn't like either Sperring or Nadish. Homophobic, racist and sexist they were the triple threat of horrible personalities. Why would I want to read more about these characters when the first impression of them as humans is just so horrible?
I've long stopped reading the chapters in Carver novels from the POV of the killer. They never add anything to the plot in the way or tension, drama or 'clues' and in missing them, I lose nothing from the novel as a whole.
Overall, I have always enjoyed the team spirit in this series. I genuinely like Phil, and I've always enjoyed the family atmosphere that surrounds him whether in his team or his actual family. But now that Anni and Mickey have been replaced by The Homophobic Brothers, that enjoyment has diminished. Definitely not my favourite in this series.
Marina is one of the main characters in this series, but I really wish that she would just be bumped off. We are told that she is this logical, intelligent and perceptive psychologist but she is written as an absolute twat with little brain or likeable characteristics. I genuinely spent most of this book screaming at her - internally, obvs - for being an absolute moron. She made choices that defied any sort of logic and did not act like an intelligent person. Even a semi-intelligent person. Even a donkey. Most of the book I was just like...
The writing of Marina is genuinely one of the worst things about this series, but I have a feeling that she isn't going anywhere.
I liked that the setting and team had been mixed up and we had new characters introduced, and a fairly unique killer and motive. I thought it was all a bit far-fetched but it wasn't so crazy that it seemed entirely impossible. Downside, I didn't like either Sperring or Nadish. Homophobic, racist and sexist they were the triple threat of horrible personalities. Why would I want to read more about these characters when the first impression of them as humans is just so horrible?
I've long stopped reading the chapters in Carver novels from the POV of the killer. They never add anything to the plot in the way or tension, drama or 'clues' and in missing them, I lose nothing from the novel as a whole.
Overall, I have always enjoyed the team spirit in this series. I genuinely like Phil, and I've always enjoyed the family atmosphere that surrounds him whether in his team or his actual family. But now that Anni and Mickey have been replaced by The Homophobic Brothers, that enjoyment has diminished. Definitely not my favourite in this series.
August 27, 2015
Good beginning, although a bit of rambling, but the first hundred pages laid out the story fairly well. So it did cross my 100 page threshold. But then it got too engross with the characters' relationships and past events and just won't get into solving the crime.
Reminded me of one of my favorite The Mermaid Singing by Val Mcdermid, but then as the story goes this novel lacks the intensity, characters too shallow and immature, tempermental even, that just didn't work. Not to mention the rambling of the same scene again and again. No wonder this book is 450 pages long, and not worth it. one thriller gruesome mystery does not need the nitty gritty retching crime scene to catch readers. It's what's after the keeps the reader.
Reminded me of one of my favorite The Mermaid Singing by Val Mcdermid, but then as the story goes this novel lacks the intensity, characters too shallow and immature, tempermental even, that just didn't work. Not to mention the rambling of the same scene again and again. No wonder this book is 450 pages long, and not worth it. one thriller gruesome mystery does not need the nitty gritty retching crime scene to catch readers. It's what's after the keeps the reader.
January 3, 2016
The first by this/ese writers I've read - and I'm wondering why I found the knowledge that it was a team effort off-putting. Certainly it was not over-heavy on back story, and the plotting was well-worked out, but I found the characters - black/indian/initially-antagonistic colleague - more than a bit cliched and when the seemingly-obligatory lesbian appeared was ready to throw it across the room. But I persisted and it all worked out with the usual super-human ability on the parts of the protagonists to recover from injuries which would have us mortals laid up, receiving grapes and sympathy for days.
March 2, 2018
As a person who is just getting in to the habit of reading again, this book was amazing.
Easy to read, interesting twists, and small chapters that make you feel like you're accomplishing something even if you've only read 10 pages. It is a part of a series, but I've never read any of the others and starting from book 5 there was no issues with missing information, everything is introduced in a way where backstory would be interesting to have but isn't at all needed.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read casually, whether it be at home or on transit (which is what I did) since it didn't take too much thought.
Some may find that not needing much thought is not a good thing, but it is great when you're just getting started reading again. Overall I was very pleased with this book and will be looking more in to this series!
Easy to read, interesting twists, and small chapters that make you feel like you're accomplishing something even if you've only read 10 pages. It is a part of a series, but I've never read any of the others and starting from book 5 there was no issues with missing information, everything is introduced in a way where backstory would be interesting to have but isn't at all needed.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read casually, whether it be at home or on transit (which is what I did) since it didn't take too much thought.
Some may find that not needing much thought is not a good thing, but it is great when you're just getting started reading again. Overall I was very pleased with this book and will be looking more in to this series!
December 4, 2017
I really like this one,,,
July 30, 2018
😳 Fabulous read that I couldn’t put down! Definite 5 star gripping page turner!!
September 1, 2018
3.5 stars
I'll review it properly later (she says adding it to the huge pile of books awaiting reviews that never happen)
I'll review it properly later (she says adding it to the huge pile of books awaiting reviews that never happen)
June 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this. You wouldn’t know two people wrote this,it flowed seamlessly. The story was interesting and I liked Phil,he was intelligent,respectful to the victims and a good policeman. There was gore,twists and also the story of Hugo. I definitely want to read more from this author.
September 27, 2013
Die Doppelhelix
Nach den traumatischen Ereignissen sind Phil Brennan und Marina Esposito nach Birmingham gegangen. Phil hat eine Stelle als leitender Ermittler bekommen, was besonders einem der neuen Kollegen nicht gefällt. Marina dagegen fühlt sich als Dozentin sehr wohl und auch im Kollegenkreis ist sie gut aufgenommen worden.
Wäre da nicht dieses gemeinsame Essen gewesen, während dessen sie den Star-Kollegen Hugh Gwilym getroffen hat und an dessen Ende sie sich nicht erinnert. Für Phil ist der erste Mord zu lösen. Eine Blondine aufgemacht wie eine Puppe ist übel zugerichtet worden und verblutet.
Spannend von der ersten Sekunde, doch gerade am Anfang schwer zu schlucken, wird dieses Buch besser je weiter die Handlung voranschreitet. Nach dem anfänglichen angewidert sein, ist der Leser froh, wenn es an die Lösung des Falles geht. Dieser erweist sich als komplizierter als zunächst angenommen, wodurch die Ermittler fast zwangsläufig falschen Fährten folgen. Bis sich das Geheimnis der Doppelhelix entschlüsseln lässt und das hat es wirklich in sich.
Sehr packend sind auch die Verquickungen des Falles mit dem Privatleben Phils und Marinas. Man leidet förmlich mit den beiden, wenn sie es sich selbst schwer machen und zittert um ihre Beziehung. Da kann auch dieses hochintelligente und empfindsame Paar mal Hilfe von Außen gebrauchen.
Für mich einer der besten Romane dieser Reihe, der mich völlig in seinen Bann gezogen hat.
Nach den traumatischen Ereignissen sind Phil Brennan und Marina Esposito nach Birmingham gegangen. Phil hat eine Stelle als leitender Ermittler bekommen, was besonders einem der neuen Kollegen nicht gefällt. Marina dagegen fühlt sich als Dozentin sehr wohl und auch im Kollegenkreis ist sie gut aufgenommen worden.
Wäre da nicht dieses gemeinsame Essen gewesen, während dessen sie den Star-Kollegen Hugh Gwilym getroffen hat und an dessen Ende sie sich nicht erinnert. Für Phil ist der erste Mord zu lösen. Eine Blondine aufgemacht wie eine Puppe ist übel zugerichtet worden und verblutet.
Spannend von der ersten Sekunde, doch gerade am Anfang schwer zu schlucken, wird dieses Buch besser je weiter die Handlung voranschreitet. Nach dem anfänglichen angewidert sein, ist der Leser froh, wenn es an die Lösung des Falles geht. Dieser erweist sich als komplizierter als zunächst angenommen, wodurch die Ermittler fast zwangsläufig falschen Fährten folgen. Bis sich das Geheimnis der Doppelhelix entschlüsseln lässt und das hat es wirklich in sich.
Sehr packend sind auch die Verquickungen des Falles mit dem Privatleben Phils und Marinas. Man leidet förmlich mit den beiden, wenn sie es sich selbst schwer machen und zittert um ihre Beziehung. Da kann auch dieses hochintelligente und empfindsame Paar mal Hilfe von Außen gebrauchen.
Für mich einer der besten Romane dieser Reihe, der mich völlig in seinen Bann gezogen hat.
March 5, 2020
This seemed a very run of the mill detective story to me. Deviant psychology awkwardly wedged where it didn't seem to fit. And, oh, so... woke. What do you think the response should be of a young female policewoman if she enters a bar and is groped and lewdly propositioned by the male customers there? Should she welcome it? Should she respect them and not be judgmental? Okay, if you feel yourself getting triggered by that scenario, what if instead of a female PC it's a young male PC and instead of men in a bar it's transvestites who lewdly heckle him and proposition him? In this book, the young male PC didn't want to be propositioned by transvestites, but was roundly criticised by his woke boss for being homophobic and transphobic. Okay.
Too woke.
Too trite.
Not for me.
Too woke.
Too trite.
Not for me.
December 31, 2015
This is the first of Carver's books that I've read and I must say I did rather enjoy it. The story was fast paced with plenty of twists and a couple of excellent villains who inadvertently hid another. The characters were as expected from such a book but they were done well and I was rather taken by Maddy by the end of it (I actually cheered during the finale...I admit I may get a little too engrossed sometimes). I did find some of the writing a little disjointed as it was either overly detailed or didn't fit the moment of the story but these were few and far between so didn't affect the flow of the story too much. A good crime thriller.
April 3, 2015
Even though it took me a bit to get in to the book,I think it deserves a 5 stars. I liked the twist of characters. There were some parts which were, for me, too much filled with details. Yeah I know details are good , but I don't need so many creepy details! ;) The ending was AMAZING!!!! Loved it !! Especially the confrontation between the two victims and one of the creepers (the creepiest creeper, spoiler:not the murderer) All in all a good read. Only one thing , its probably not a book for a child. For me its an adult book. Nothing against that ;) :)
October 19, 2014
Oooh - this is a really unputdownable one... gloriously, gruesomely gripping and I loved the characters - Phil and Marina are amazing. I enjoyed the Brummie setting - I think it might be the first novel I have read set in Birmingham. Tania Carver is a new discovery for me and I can't wait to read my way through the series. A really good read - highly recommended but perhaps not for the squeamish.
November 23, 2013
Great plot. Really enjoyed reading this one. Will definitely buy some more of Tania Carvers books love the way she writes.
March 18, 2019
The front cover is the most "seriously scary" thing about this book.
September 2, 2021
„Würdest du dein Leben für einen Traum aufgeben?“
Ein neuer Fall für DI Phil Brennan und Profilerin Marina Esposito.
Neue Stadt, neue Kollegen und neue Fälle.
Nachdem die beiden im vierten Teil selbst von einem Anschlag betroffen waren, wollen sie einen Neustart wagen.
Doch auch dort werden sie von Problemen eingeholt und brauchen Hilfe von alten Bekannten.
Der Einstieg in den 5ten Fall von Phil und Marina war ziemlich hart. Ich habe schon so einiges gelesen und möchte von mir behaupten ziemlich abgehärtet zu sein, doch hier habe selbst ich immer öfters das Gesicht verzogen.
Die Familie ist umgezogen und dadurch kommen viele neue Charaktere auf, wo ich anfangs etwas Schwierigkeiten hatte diese auseinanderzuhalten. Auch habe ich die alten Kollegen wie Anni und Mike teilweise vermisst. (Dies ist auch einfach der Grund für den Abzug.)
An sich war das Buch, wie bisher alle vorangegangen Teile, unglaublich spannend und ich wollte es kaum aus der Hand legen. Der Schreibstil lässt viel Platz für eigene Spekulationen offen, welche aber kurze Zeit später wieder zerschlagen werden.
Ich fand die beiden Handlungsstränge nebeneinander her, mit dem ein oder anderen Berührungspunkt sehr gelungen.
Ein neuer Fall für DI Phil Brennan und Profilerin Marina Esposito.
Neue Stadt, neue Kollegen und neue Fälle.
Nachdem die beiden im vierten Teil selbst von einem Anschlag betroffen waren, wollen sie einen Neustart wagen.
Doch auch dort werden sie von Problemen eingeholt und brauchen Hilfe von alten Bekannten.
Der Einstieg in den 5ten Fall von Phil und Marina war ziemlich hart. Ich habe schon so einiges gelesen und möchte von mir behaupten ziemlich abgehärtet zu sein, doch hier habe selbst ich immer öfters das Gesicht verzogen.
Die Familie ist umgezogen und dadurch kommen viele neue Charaktere auf, wo ich anfangs etwas Schwierigkeiten hatte diese auseinanderzuhalten. Auch habe ich die alten Kollegen wie Anni und Mike teilweise vermisst. (Dies ist auch einfach der Grund für den Abzug.)
An sich war das Buch, wie bisher alle vorangegangen Teile, unglaublich spannend und ich wollte es kaum aus der Hand legen. Der Schreibstil lässt viel Platz für eigene Spekulationen offen, welche aber kurze Zeit später wieder zerschlagen werden.
Ich fand die beiden Handlungsstränge nebeneinander her, mit dem ein oder anderen Berührungspunkt sehr gelungen.
October 24, 2020
This was a good read. A police crime thriller. It is #5 in a series, but the first one I have read of the series, and it reads fine as a stand alone. It does read as a book within a series as it keeps referring to past experiences and situations of the main characters, but enough information is given to follow the current story.
Detective Inspector Phil Brennan and his family have moved from their small town to a larger city. His wife received an offer of a new job that she really wanted to take so the family have relocated and are trying to start fresh. Phil loves his wife but he isn't overly happy at his new post, but he has hope it will improve with time. A brutal murder has recently occurred and Phil and his team are working the case. While he does his job his wife is dealing with a situation of her own at work.
The story does deal with a lot of unsavory people and situations. It has references to rape, child abuse, and some gruesome murders; it can be pretty brutal so will not be for everyone.
Detective Inspector Phil Brennan and his family have moved from their small town to a larger city. His wife received an offer of a new job that she really wanted to take so the family have relocated and are trying to start fresh. Phil loves his wife but he isn't overly happy at his new post, but he has hope it will improve with time. A brutal murder has recently occurred and Phil and his team are working the case. While he does his job his wife is dealing with a situation of her own at work.
The story does deal with a lot of unsavory people and situations. It has references to rape, child abuse, and some gruesome murders; it can be pretty brutal so will not be for everyone.
July 27, 2017
A lot of things in here were clichéd. Some of the characters acted in the most unrealistic ways and it annoyed me how the first crime scene was controlled as it wouldn't happen like that in real life; in fact a few things that the DCI and other officers did wouldn't happen in real life. Only one character, Maddy, had good character development but the rest didn't. A narrative was running through half the book and yet in the end it/the character was quite irrelevant so I don't know why it was in there. I guessed one of the bad people on page 68 (whether it was supposed to be that easy or not I don't know) and the main person who did it in the end was only mentioned once in the book and not again and you couldn't have guessed it either. I did like the psychology behind the whole thing though and there were parts that were exciting but not many.
June 10, 2023
This is the first I've read from this author. It may be the last. Nastiness and ugliness jumps out of every one of the 470 pages. This book is WAY too long. The determined misogyny by the junior police officers is hard to swallow. DI Brennan is the new boss of this team, and doesn't seem fully able to get on top of the situation. He puts up with a fair bit of disrespect, although admittedly does gradually pull things into line.
I wonder how Marina Esposito got to be a major character in this series. Considering she's a professional psychologist, she is really a rather passive and pathetic victim type, seriously lacking in common sense.
The theme where certain LGBTQ persons organise their own murders, in horrific fashion, is over the top, but I guess die-hard thriller lovers will not be disappointed.
I decided to give this a rating of 3.4.
I wonder how Marina Esposito got to be a major character in this series. Considering she's a professional psychologist, she is really a rather passive and pathetic victim type, seriously lacking in common sense.
The theme where certain LGBTQ persons organise their own murders, in horrific fashion, is over the top, but I guess die-hard thriller lovers will not be disappointed.
I decided to give this a rating of 3.4.
October 29, 2017
So this is the fifth Brennan and Esposito book. In this, Phil has moved to Birmingham and has to solve the murder of a tranvsestite. Marina has to cope with sexual blackmail from a fellow lecturer. The stories intertwine as the book progresses, leading to the usual dramatic ending.
I found this one slightly less satisfying than the earlier books. It may be that I'm a Colcerian and liked reading fiction about my home town, not sure. But added to that, I found the various plot threads a little confusing at first, until they came together, and the stereotyping of minorities was perhaps a little predictable, as was part, but not all of the plot.
That said, I did still go on to read the next one.
I found this one slightly less satisfying than the earlier books. It may be that I'm a Colcerian and liked reading fiction about my home town, not sure. But added to that, I found the various plot threads a little confusing at first, until they came together, and the stereotyping of minorities was perhaps a little predictable, as was part, but not all of the plot.
That said, I did still go on to read the next one.
December 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and finished it within a week. I liked how unlike most detective books it follows several characters perspectives and this stops it from becoming dry and boring which I find happens with most detective thriller books. It was interesting, definitely inspired by the German Armin Meiwes case in places. It’s definitely a page turner and unlike a lot of detective books the characters are interesting and relatable, which had me wanting to learn more more about them. It’s quite depressing and portrays the dark side of human nature in a realistic and not far fetched manner and for that reason I don’t think it’s for the faint hearted.
November 8, 2020
Good book but I I didn't like Sperring. He's a bastard & a bully. No wonder he was rejected to lead the MIU; he would have been a failure.
Marina was a bit of an idiot as well. It was so obvious that she had been drugged & it took more than a day to figure it out. If a person who didn't drink much & can't remember what happened last night, it was so the obvious choice & yet she remains confused. So much for being intelligent. Then there's the fact that she didn't tell her husband. He's a cop for god sake. He would have immediately started an investigation & put him off the street soon if she didn't waste valuable time.
Marina was a bit of an idiot as well. It was so obvious that she had been drugged & it took more than a day to figure it out. If a person who didn't drink much & can't remember what happened last night, it was so the obvious choice & yet she remains confused. So much for being intelligent. Then there's the fact that she didn't tell her husband. He's a cop for god sake. He would have immediately started an investigation & put him off the street soon if she didn't waste valuable time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2020
I didn't realize that this was part of series but since I had already started I continued with it.
This was definitely an engrossing mystery story. There were some surprising twists that kept me reading. The attention to detail was also very refreshing to see in a mystery novel.
The main character, Phil, I enjoyed. He's trying to fit in with a new co workers while working a case. Even though there is some animosity with a few of them he's able to power through it and get the job done. His wife, Marina, was an enjoyable character also.
Overall enjoyable read even though there were some squeamish scenes. I plan on reading the books prior to this one in the series.
This was definitely an engrossing mystery story. There were some surprising twists that kept me reading. The attention to detail was also very refreshing to see in a mystery novel.
The main character, Phil, I enjoyed. He's trying to fit in with a new co workers while working a case. Even though there is some animosity with a few of them he's able to power through it and get the job done. His wife, Marina, was an enjoyable character also.
Overall enjoyable read even though there were some squeamish scenes. I plan on reading the books prior to this one in the series.
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