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DI Zigic and DS Ferreira #4
Watch Her Disappear
YOU CAN RUN FROM YOUR PAST. BUT YOU CAN'T RUN FROM MURDER.
The body is found by the river, near a spot popular with runners.
With a serial rapist at work in the area, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira are initially confused when the Hate Crimes Unit is summoned to the scene. Until they discover that the victim, Corinne Sawyer, was born Colin Sawyer.
Police records reveal there have been violent attacks on trans women in the local area. Was Corinne a victim of mistaken identity? Or has the person who has been targeting trans women stepped up their campaign of violence? With tensions running high, and the force coming under national scrutiny, this is a complex case and any mistake made could be fatal...
The body is found by the river, near a spot popular with runners.
With a serial rapist at work in the area, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira are initially confused when the Hate Crimes Unit is summoned to the scene. Until they discover that the victim, Corinne Sawyer, was born Colin Sawyer.
Police records reveal there have been violent attacks on trans women in the local area. Was Corinne a victim of mistaken identity? Or has the person who has been targeting trans women stepped up their campaign of violence? With tensions running high, and the force coming under national scrutiny, this is a complex case and any mistake made could be fatal...
420 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2017
23 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Eva Dolan
8 books355 followersEva Dolan was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger for unpublished authors when only a teenager. The four novels in her Zigic and Ferreira series have been published to widespread critical acclaim: Tell No Tales and After You Die were shortlisted for the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year Award and After You Die was also longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger. She lives in Cambridge.
@eva_dolan
@eva_dolan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
June 17, 2023
Oops! I hadn’t realised I had this one on my kindle from NG. Talk about late! Maybe I can stir up some interest on this book again.
It’s from a series DI Zigic and DS Ferreira) and this is book #4.
On a well known route where the public community walk their dogs, use it for a ‘way through’ walkway chatting on their phones or texting, stopping for an “hello” “good morning” type of thing…..a body is discovered face down.
Is this another trans gender killed by this serial killer?
I thought that the author Eva Dolan did a wonderful job with this and the subject matter.
I only knew the basics of trans and how they identify themselves but I’ve learnt how hard, how difficult people can make other peoples lives and the amount of prejudices out there when someone’s lives are different than our own.
This was a well written and sometimes a draining emotional read, and I thought I knew how this was going to pan out. I was wrong.
I’m glad I chose to read this. I’ve not read a DI book for quite a while so I read this with a fresh open brain and eyes!
If you like an intense thought provoking g read, this DI case is very good.
It’s from a series DI Zigic and DS Ferreira) and this is book #4.
On a well known route where the public community walk their dogs, use it for a ‘way through’ walkway chatting on their phones or texting, stopping for an “hello” “good morning” type of thing…..a body is discovered face down.
Is this another trans gender killed by this serial killer?
I thought that the author Eva Dolan did a wonderful job with this and the subject matter.
I only knew the basics of trans and how they identify themselves but I’ve learnt how hard, how difficult people can make other peoples lives and the amount of prejudices out there when someone’s lives are different than our own.
This was a well written and sometimes a draining emotional read, and I thought I knew how this was going to pan out. I was wrong.
I’m glad I chose to read this. I’ve not read a DI book for quite a while so I read this with a fresh open brain and eyes!
If you like an intense thought provoking g read, this DI case is very good.
November 16, 2016
Well. I say this is one to watch in 2017 but actually Eva Dolan has been one to watch for a few years now – this the 4th novel in the Zigic and Ferreira series, a series that just increases in both quality and storytelling power with each new instalment.
Watch Her Disappear yet again takes a difficult subject and tackles it with sensitivity and grace but more to the point with true authenticity. Eva Dolan walks where others fear to tread – using her characters to speak truth, layering her plots with all the nuances, taking you on a journey and making you pay attention, feel it, see the black the white and the grey areas in all things human nature.
Here we find our indomitable pair called to the scene of a murder – Colin, now Corrinne, was she the victim of a hate crime or in fiction as in life, are things not so clear cut. With a possible serial rapist muddying the waters, a political climate that causes intrusive scrutiny and a family fractured at its very core, the truth will not come out easily.
There is a beautiful and compelling undertone to the writing that plays with the readers emotions in a subtle yet incredibly effective manner. Very cleverly there is no pretence that the victim of this horrific crime was an angel, a good person through and through. Like all of us Corrinne is contrary, not always likeable, in fact for me mostly not at all and yet still strangely sympathetic. Her family, all dealing with the fallout of many things not just the huge changes Corrinne has been through also veer between inducing sympathy and behaving atrociously. It is this, that realistic, thought provoking, unrelenting look at the realities that make these novels stand out from the crowd, bring you into the bigger picture – this is crime fiction that takes a huge bite out of your preconceptions.
It not only gives you all that sense of feeling Watch her Disappear, as with the previous novels, is also highly entertaining. Of course it is. This is fiction. We read it to take ourselves out of whatever situation we are in for a bit and focus on something else.The mystery element as ever is incredibly engaging, the background lives of the series characters ever compelling, once again we see a wider community and how they deal with things and the whole thing is just utterly utterly riveting. Eva Dolan just shows us, in genius fashion, that you can educate, provoke debate, talk about the difficult subjects yet engage, captivate and inspire all at the same time. Is that not what storytelling should do? I don’t know. But I love it when it does do that.
I’m a huge fan. A huge huge fan.
Watch Her Disappear yet again takes a difficult subject and tackles it with sensitivity and grace but more to the point with true authenticity. Eva Dolan walks where others fear to tread – using her characters to speak truth, layering her plots with all the nuances, taking you on a journey and making you pay attention, feel it, see the black the white and the grey areas in all things human nature.
Here we find our indomitable pair called to the scene of a murder – Colin, now Corrinne, was she the victim of a hate crime or in fiction as in life, are things not so clear cut. With a possible serial rapist muddying the waters, a political climate that causes intrusive scrutiny and a family fractured at its very core, the truth will not come out easily.
There is a beautiful and compelling undertone to the writing that plays with the readers emotions in a subtle yet incredibly effective manner. Very cleverly there is no pretence that the victim of this horrific crime was an angel, a good person through and through. Like all of us Corrinne is contrary, not always likeable, in fact for me mostly not at all and yet still strangely sympathetic. Her family, all dealing with the fallout of many things not just the huge changes Corrinne has been through also veer between inducing sympathy and behaving atrociously. It is this, that realistic, thought provoking, unrelenting look at the realities that make these novels stand out from the crowd, bring you into the bigger picture – this is crime fiction that takes a huge bite out of your preconceptions.
It not only gives you all that sense of feeling Watch her Disappear, as with the previous novels, is also highly entertaining. Of course it is. This is fiction. We read it to take ourselves out of whatever situation we are in for a bit and focus on something else.The mystery element as ever is incredibly engaging, the background lives of the series characters ever compelling, once again we see a wider community and how they deal with things and the whole thing is just utterly utterly riveting. Eva Dolan just shows us, in genius fashion, that you can educate, provoke debate, talk about the difficult subjects yet engage, captivate and inspire all at the same time. Is that not what storytelling should do? I don’t know. But I love it when it does do that.
I’m a huge fan. A huge huge fan.
August 11, 2017
BLURB
YOU CAN RUN FROM YOUR PAST. BUT YOU CAN'T RUN FROM MURDER.
The body is found by the river, near a spot popular with runners.
With a serial rapist at work in the area, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira are initially confused when the Hate Crimes Unit is summoned to the scene. Until they discover that the victim, Corinne Sawyer, was born Colin Sawyer.
Police records reveal there have been violent attacks on trans women in the local area. Was Corinne a victim of mistaken identity? Or has the person who has been targeting trans women stepped up their campaign of violence? With tensions running high, and the force coming under national scrutiny, this is a complex case and any mistake made could be fatal...
MY THOUGHTS
Eva Dolan has hit the spot once again. It never ceases to amaze me the quality of Eva's writing, and this novel has maintained and exceeded my expectations. In this encounter, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira are investigating the murder of a trans woman in the local area.
This is a deep and tense piece of crime fiction and a fascinating insight into police procedural. In the Hate Crimes unit, they are constantly faced with racial or similar complexed altercations, and this murder certainly causes a lot of tension within the Transgender community. Not many people want to talk, either through socially perceived embarrassment or generally hiding and covering up for loved ones and family. The team knows they're going to have an uphill struggle!
This novel is wonderfully paced. The combination of excellent writing and a complexed but fascinating storyline really brings this book alive. It's a piece of writing that engages you with the characters and it had me fixated as the story developed. It's definitely is a book you don't want to put down.
The characters are superb. They jump out of the book and feel very real. DI Zigic and DS Ferreira have a brilliant chemistry. From their first encounter in Long Way Home, they have gone from strength to strength, and fully understanding each other in both their professional and personal lives. Neither of these is ever straight forward and tensions and cracks appear throughout the investigation.
Overall I enjoyed this novel thoroughly. The atmosphere, tension and the attention to detail had me completely absorbed. This is one to look out for, and as always, Eva produces a piece of work that's a credit to this genre.
A must read and completely deserves all the 5 stars!
YOU CAN RUN FROM YOUR PAST. BUT YOU CAN'T RUN FROM MURDER.
The body is found by the river, near a spot popular with runners.
With a serial rapist at work in the area, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira are initially confused when the Hate Crimes Unit is summoned to the scene. Until they discover that the victim, Corinne Sawyer, was born Colin Sawyer.
Police records reveal there have been violent attacks on trans women in the local area. Was Corinne a victim of mistaken identity? Or has the person who has been targeting trans women stepped up their campaign of violence? With tensions running high, and the force coming under national scrutiny, this is a complex case and any mistake made could be fatal...
MY THOUGHTS
Eva Dolan has hit the spot once again. It never ceases to amaze me the quality of Eva's writing, and this novel has maintained and exceeded my expectations. In this encounter, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira are investigating the murder of a trans woman in the local area.
This is a deep and tense piece of crime fiction and a fascinating insight into police procedural. In the Hate Crimes unit, they are constantly faced with racial or similar complexed altercations, and this murder certainly causes a lot of tension within the Transgender community. Not many people want to talk, either through socially perceived embarrassment or generally hiding and covering up for loved ones and family. The team knows they're going to have an uphill struggle!
This novel is wonderfully paced. The combination of excellent writing and a complexed but fascinating storyline really brings this book alive. It's a piece of writing that engages you with the characters and it had me fixated as the story developed. It's definitely is a book you don't want to put down.
The characters are superb. They jump out of the book and feel very real. DI Zigic and DS Ferreira have a brilliant chemistry. From their first encounter in Long Way Home, they have gone from strength to strength, and fully understanding each other in both their professional and personal lives. Neither of these is ever straight forward and tensions and cracks appear throughout the investigation.
Overall I enjoyed this novel thoroughly. The atmosphere, tension and the attention to detail had me completely absorbed. This is one to look out for, and as always, Eva produces a piece of work that's a credit to this genre.
A must read and completely deserves all the 5 stars!
March 30, 2017
Corinne's body was found by the river, near a spot popular with runners. The woman was flat on her front, damaged face. Her nose broken, her death was probably strangulation. You need to respect the fact Corrinne wasn't a woman she was a him. Was Corrinne a victim of mistaken identity? Or what if her killer knew she was a trans, and hated her because of it? I like this story because it was fresh and different with Corrinne being under a surgeon for a more finer, prettier face and to want to lead a life as a woman until she was murdered.
December 18, 2016
For me, this was a book the started out slowly but once all the players were fully introduced it came into its own. It was at least as good as the only other book in this series i've read, After You Die, and maybe even better. It's probably a bit late to call Eva Dolan one to watch but put her on your list; she writes the kind of intelligent, probing crime fiction that makes her stand out from the crowd.
In choosing to make her focus Hate Crimes, Dolan turns the spotlight on people who live on the fringes of society, marginalised or attacked. In the previous novel, it was a form of disability, in this it was the trans community. Talk about being bang up to date. It's the kind of decision which would usually make me pause, concerned that the topic was being used for sensationalism. But not with this author. Dolan is masterful in her character building and her sense of time and place. She has clearly done her research and as a result, the myriad of different types of people within her books feel real. She writes bloody good crime fiction and deals with issues in modern society, but she isn't precious about it. Each of the characters are evaluated and judged within the framework of others within the novel, not by the author herself. This isn't her soapbox, more the reflection of her desire to show the whole spectrum of modern life.
My reading had an extra dimension because I live here. I run in Ferry Meadows where joggers are being raped and murdered. I recognised all aspects of it, from street names to people. We're quite lucky in Peterborough to not often have this level of violent death, but it was a reminder that though it feels like a small town, it is not without its problems. The other, more pleasant side to this is that when the author mentions a ridiculously nice sounding sandwich coming from a specific Italian deli, the local reader may look it up on the internet and find out that there is such place in real life and plan to go there on their next day off. I might be horribly murdered where I live, but i'm going to get a damn good lunch before I go.
ARC via Netgalley.
In choosing to make her focus Hate Crimes, Dolan turns the spotlight on people who live on the fringes of society, marginalised or attacked. In the previous novel, it was a form of disability, in this it was the trans community. Talk about being bang up to date. It's the kind of decision which would usually make me pause, concerned that the topic was being used for sensationalism. But not with this author. Dolan is masterful in her character building and her sense of time and place. She has clearly done her research and as a result, the myriad of different types of people within her books feel real. She writes bloody good crime fiction and deals with issues in modern society, but she isn't precious about it. Each of the characters are evaluated and judged within the framework of others within the novel, not by the author herself. This isn't her soapbox, more the reflection of her desire to show the whole spectrum of modern life.
My reading had an extra dimension because I live here. I run in Ferry Meadows where joggers are being raped and murdered. I recognised all aspects of it, from street names to people. We're quite lucky in Peterborough to not often have this level of violent death, but it was a reminder that though it feels like a small town, it is not without its problems. The other, more pleasant side to this is that when the author mentions a ridiculously nice sounding sandwich coming from a specific Italian deli, the local reader may look it up on the internet and find out that there is such place in real life and plan to go there on their next day off. I might be horribly murdered where I live, but i'm going to get a damn good lunch before I go.
ARC via Netgalley.
February 6, 2017
Reuniting DI Zigic and DS Ferreira for the fourth outing in their capacity as detectives heading up the Hate Crimes Unit in and around Peterborough, this is a series which has succeeded largely because of Eva Dolan's hard hitting realism and her failure to flinch from the issues that surround the controversial cases they work. The previous novels in the series have focused on an array of harassment aimed at just about every minority group, but I confess to finding the subject matter of Watch Her Disappear less appealing, perhaps because it has only relatively recently come to prominence and has not had extensive media coverage. With three novels under their belt, the Hate Crimes Unit are still underfunded and considered of secondary importance to the work of CID and Dolan's formula is beginning to feel a little tired. Thus I was unsurprised to find that Watch Her Disappear opened with an aggressive tirade from DS Mel Ferreira, once again incensed by the ignorance of her fellow officers, the media and the population at large regarding transgender issues. Whilst DI Dushan Zigic is the considered thinker, DS Mel Ferreira is the hot-headed and confrontational one, hence it was no surprise when she started moralising and delivering one of her political correct speeches, reprising a "been there, done that" feeling at the outset.
When the body of murdered jogger, Corinne Sawyer, is found in Ferry Meadow it appears that the serial rapist who CID are struggling to nail may have struck again, until a closer inspection reveals than Corinne was formerly Colin and is currently transitioning to a trans woman. Just why Corinne was targeted is initially unclear and with a regular routine of an early morning run it seems that those who knew her best were in the perfect position to strike. DCI Adams sees the crime as the ideal opportunity to finally pin down the suspected rapist, Lee Walton, believing that he was under the misnomer that Corinne was 'all woman' ahead of the incident. With Corinne neither fitting the profile of his former targets or matching up with the other suspected assaults against the trans community, a wrangle between Hate Crimes and CID ensues, despite DI Zigic and DS Ferreira finding ample evidence of a complicated personal life which could well have put Corinne in danger. The petty bureaucracy between CID and Hate Crimes over how the crime is dealt with seemed a distraction, detracting from the actual procedure of investigating. Given that the motive is never going to be clear until much further into an investigation and the investigating detectives should not be prejudging why a murder occurred, it only seemed to emphasise the lack of need for a Hate Crimes unit if anything! After all, assumptions are a surefire way to blunder when it comes to discovering the reasons for an action. Given that there was no clear evidence that Corinne's murder was the result of something pertaining to her decision to transition this debate occupies quite a large part of this novel:
In comparison to the standout second novel of the series, Tell No Tales, this fourth outing is much less memorable and far less transfixing. Whilst I like Eva Dolan's writing, I do not think Watch Her Disappear is her finest hour and I felt that this was probably the first "issue" where Dolan felt out of her depth, a much less tightly plotted and streamlined novel with the characters a little one-dimensional. In fairness, this is not an issue that has been explored extensively in crime fiction and for many it is still a sensitive issue spoken of in hushed whispers. This is the first of the excellent series that I have struggled with, lacking interest in the story Dolan tells and finding it a little sloppy. Given that this should have been Corinne's story, I could never reconcile how these differing personas contributed to the real character underneath. Too much anger and too little credibility in a novel which I struggled to finish. A disappointment in comparison with the three earlier brilliant outings all of which come very highly recommended.
When the body of murdered jogger, Corinne Sawyer, is found in Ferry Meadow it appears that the serial rapist who CID are struggling to nail may have struck again, until a closer inspection reveals than Corinne was formerly Colin and is currently transitioning to a trans woman. Just why Corinne was targeted is initially unclear and with a regular routine of an early morning run it seems that those who knew her best were in the perfect position to strike. DCI Adams sees the crime as the ideal opportunity to finally pin down the suspected rapist, Lee Walton, believing that he was under the misnomer that Corinne was 'all woman' ahead of the incident. With Corinne neither fitting the profile of his former targets or matching up with the other suspected assaults against the trans community, a wrangle between Hate Crimes and CID ensues, despite DI Zigic and DS Ferreira finding ample evidence of a complicated personal life which could well have put Corinne in danger. The petty bureaucracy between CID and Hate Crimes over how the crime is dealt with seemed a distraction, detracting from the actual procedure of investigating. Given that the motive is never going to be clear until much further into an investigation and the investigating detectives should not be prejudging why a murder occurred, it only seemed to emphasise the lack of need for a Hate Crimes unit if anything! After all, assumptions are a surefire way to blunder when it comes to discovering the reasons for an action. Given that there was no clear evidence that Corinne's murder was the result of something pertaining to her decision to transition this debate occupies quite a large part of this novel:
"This was the problem with hate crimes, you didn't know you were dealing with one until the person responsible showed themselves, revealing what had driven them to act."I struggled with the credibility of many of the cast who surrounded Corinne in particular her family, appearing a rather stereotypical bunch, either vociferously for or against her decision to transition. I don't doubt that the situation would be hard for the families involved but the overt hostility of the two daughters towards their haughty birth mother, Nina, seemed far-fetched, referring to her by her given name and Corinne as 'mum'. As the youngest of the brood, Lily, is just fourteen-years-old and in secondary school hence it seemed unlikely that she would be so mentally sorted and so at ease regarding Corinne's decision. Neither could I get a read on what Nina and Corinne got out of sniping at each other and how Colin's best friend, Brynn, had so smoothly become Nina's new partner. Vehemently siding with Nina however, is son Harry, and with an assault charge on his record and a recent row with Corinne, he finds himself drawn into the mix. When it is discovered that Corinne was active on dating sites and flirting with men, as suspected by partner Sam, this complicates matters further, bringing both jealousy and retribution with the date finding out that their companion is not 'as described'! It was these conflicting portrayal's of Corinne, which ranged from party girl to bullying husband with an eye for philandering that I found so difficult to reconcile. Indeed, even Dolan acknowledges this, with Ferreira summing up my feelings:
"She seemed to be a chameleon, reinventing herself, editing herself, showing different sides to the different people in her life."I really do believe that this novel tried to include too much - from the serial rapist element which pits DI Zigic head to head with DCI Adams through to the harassment of previous victims of transphobic assaults. As Ferreira goes rogue and pursues her own motives she was most certainly guilty of putting undue pressure on people that didn't want their pursuits made common knowledge, resulting in one man committing suicide. DS Mel Ferreira comes to the fore in this novel as DI Zigic battles with the erratic sleeping patterns of his new daughter, Emily. This was a source of disappointment as I do think this is a series that benefits from both central figures being involved, with Zigic keeping Ferreira on the straight and narrow.
In comparison to the standout second novel of the series, Tell No Tales, this fourth outing is much less memorable and far less transfixing. Whilst I like Eva Dolan's writing, I do not think Watch Her Disappear is her finest hour and I felt that this was probably the first "issue" where Dolan felt out of her depth, a much less tightly plotted and streamlined novel with the characters a little one-dimensional. In fairness, this is not an issue that has been explored extensively in crime fiction and for many it is still a sensitive issue spoken of in hushed whispers. This is the first of the excellent series that I have struggled with, lacking interest in the story Dolan tells and finding it a little sloppy. Given that this should have been Corinne's story, I could never reconcile how these differing personas contributed to the real character underneath. Too much anger and too little credibility in a novel which I struggled to finish. A disappointment in comparison with the three earlier brilliant outings all of which come very highly recommended.
January 6, 2017
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Watch Her Disappe ar, the fourth in the DI Zigic and DS Ferreira series, is another great Detective novel by Eva Dolan She's an author I've only read one other book by ( After You Die - read my review here) so far, which I also hugely enjoyed!
DS Ferreira is back, and still a really cool character - strong, opinionated and fiery - which makes you want to read more about her and her working relationship with Detective Inspector Zigic, who I also really like. Together they make a great team heading up Peterborough's Hate Crimes unit, and it's quite refreshing to read a crime novel that isn't strictly set in the CID department, but instead Hate Crimes, and in my home city of Peterborough (strange to read about murders and such in Ferry Meadows, somewhere I used to go a lot when I lived in Peterborough!)
I found the subject matter really interesting, and learning more about men or women transitioning to a different gender. It's not something I personally know a huge amount about, but from reading Watch Her Disappear it feels like the author has done her research, and presented it all in a convincing, reasoned way. She has approached a difficult subject really well, in my opinion; it's just a shame more people (such as some of those in the novel) don't treat the subject with a bit more compassion and understanding.
There's plenty of shocking moments and grit in this novel, but it never feels superfluous or overexaggerated, and I like her writing style. The characters involved - for example Corrinne and Nina - aren't black and white 'good' or 'bad', and the narrative really makes you think about whether someone is as bad as they're made out to be, or whether someone else (who everyone might put on a pedestal) might be at fault too. I really hate when characters are oversimplified - it makes me feel insulted as a reader, but I know I'm never in danger of feeling like that with a well-written crime novel - and this certainly falls into that category!
I am so pleased that Watch Her Disappear is as well written and intriguing as After You Die, with twists and turns leading the reader skillfully to the final conclusion, and I certainly will be reading more by Eva Dolan!
Many thanks to Vintage Books for providing a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an unbiased and honest review
Watch Her Disappe ar, the fourth in the DI Zigic and DS Ferreira series, is another great Detective novel by Eva Dolan She's an author I've only read one other book by ( After You Die - read my review here) so far, which I also hugely enjoyed!
DS Ferreira is back, and still a really cool character - strong, opinionated and fiery - which makes you want to read more about her and her working relationship with Detective Inspector Zigic, who I also really like. Together they make a great team heading up Peterborough's Hate Crimes unit, and it's quite refreshing to read a crime novel that isn't strictly set in the CID department, but instead Hate Crimes, and in my home city of Peterborough (strange to read about murders and such in Ferry Meadows, somewhere I used to go a lot when I lived in Peterborough!)
I found the subject matter really interesting, and learning more about men or women transitioning to a different gender. It's not something I personally know a huge amount about, but from reading Watch Her Disappear it feels like the author has done her research, and presented it all in a convincing, reasoned way. She has approached a difficult subject really well, in my opinion; it's just a shame more people (such as some of those in the novel) don't treat the subject with a bit more compassion and understanding.
There's plenty of shocking moments and grit in this novel, but it never feels superfluous or overexaggerated, and I like her writing style. The characters involved - for example Corrinne and Nina - aren't black and white 'good' or 'bad', and the narrative really makes you think about whether someone is as bad as they're made out to be, or whether someone else (who everyone might put on a pedestal) might be at fault too. I really hate when characters are oversimplified - it makes me feel insulted as a reader, but I know I'm never in danger of feeling like that with a well-written crime novel - and this certainly falls into that category!
I am so pleased that Watch Her Disappear is as well written and intriguing as After You Die, with twists and turns leading the reader skillfully to the final conclusion, and I certainly will be reading more by Eva Dolan!
Many thanks to Vintage Books for providing a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an unbiased and honest review
September 27, 2017
This is a brilliant fourth book from one of my favourite writers I have yet to meet; it continues with the focus on DI Zigic, a Serbian and DS Ferreira of Portuguese heritage working in Peterborough in the Hate Crimes Unit.
The subject is a bold one and the writing never falls short in delivering on plot that is not just contemporary but is a potential minefield within the LGBT community. Even this label used to represent those within an area where oppression and discrimination continue in our 21st century, pc co-operative nation isn't universally accepted as being fully inclusive.
The author here looks at men who like to dress as women and fall into the transgender category; it isn't an apology or an explanation, rather it is about crimes like in previous books where hatred and fear of minorities or people who are different seems to be the motivation behind attacks and assaults.
This novel starts with the background of serious sexual assaults on women where no DNA is left and other evidence fails to allow a case to be built against their main suspect. When another female goes running one morning her attack appears to have gone further as it becomes a murder investigation. The case is passed over to Zigic's team when the victim is found to be a man transitioning. The life of her family relationships is quickly revealed to be very complicated; leaving behind friends and children from a marriage that hasn't ended in divorce. Stereotypes are addressed and unpicked as different suspects see the victim as either Colin or Corrine and use him or her to describe them. It goes further as both identities seem to prefer women to men even as Corrine.
You may find my review difficult to follow but the book never strays from a comprehensive and believable plot. The book raises the suspicion others in this community hold towards the police and the secrets they have learned to keep. This is played out with other men who have been targeted in the past for their sexual identity and the pressures hidden lives places on their wider social life and employment.
The beauty of Eva's writing is that it remains fresh, challenging but never judgemental even where characters in the book struggle with some of the issues readers may hold.
It is a very real topic and helps one understand better some of the wider issues. I set the novel aside for about 5 months. It isn't always an easy read and I wanted to come at it again with fresh eyes to ensure it was read as a crime thriller. Finishing the book in the last few days I have managed to see the story clearly and I have even greater respect for the writer's ability not to duck issues and cover the various incidents such a unit would have to investigate.
From the advance new of her latest novel it appears she has set aside this engaging series and there may be some freedom for the author to write from a different premise. I can only imagin how draining such writing may be weave into a story where so much anger and hatred is focused and the cause for such serious crimes.
Please check out this series it is quite unique in terms of its remit and they are wonderfully crafted.
The subject is a bold one and the writing never falls short in delivering on plot that is not just contemporary but is a potential minefield within the LGBT community. Even this label used to represent those within an area where oppression and discrimination continue in our 21st century, pc co-operative nation isn't universally accepted as being fully inclusive.
The author here looks at men who like to dress as women and fall into the transgender category; it isn't an apology or an explanation, rather it is about crimes like in previous books where hatred and fear of minorities or people who are different seems to be the motivation behind attacks and assaults.
This novel starts with the background of serious sexual assaults on women where no DNA is left and other evidence fails to allow a case to be built against their main suspect. When another female goes running one morning her attack appears to have gone further as it becomes a murder investigation. The case is passed over to Zigic's team when the victim is found to be a man transitioning. The life of her family relationships is quickly revealed to be very complicated; leaving behind friends and children from a marriage that hasn't ended in divorce. Stereotypes are addressed and unpicked as different suspects see the victim as either Colin or Corrine and use him or her to describe them. It goes further as both identities seem to prefer women to men even as Corrine.
You may find my review difficult to follow but the book never strays from a comprehensive and believable plot. The book raises the suspicion others in this community hold towards the police and the secrets they have learned to keep. This is played out with other men who have been targeted in the past for their sexual identity and the pressures hidden lives places on their wider social life and employment.
The beauty of Eva's writing is that it remains fresh, challenging but never judgemental even where characters in the book struggle with some of the issues readers may hold.
It is a very real topic and helps one understand better some of the wider issues. I set the novel aside for about 5 months. It isn't always an easy read and I wanted to come at it again with fresh eyes to ensure it was read as a crime thriller. Finishing the book in the last few days I have managed to see the story clearly and I have even greater respect for the writer's ability not to duck issues and cover the various incidents such a unit would have to investigate.
From the advance new of her latest novel it appears she has set aside this engaging series and there may be some freedom for the author to write from a different premise. I can only imagin how draining such writing may be weave into a story where so much anger and hatred is focused and the cause for such serious crimes.
Please check out this series it is quite unique in terms of its remit and they are wonderfully crafted.
January 5, 2017
Corinne Sawyer sets off for a run one morning and never returns. She is found murdered, strangled and viciously beaten. What would have been a case for CID is passed to the Hate Crimes team when it emerges that Corinne was born Colin Sawyer. Is Corinne's death related to a series of violent attacks on members of the trans community? Or could the rapist who has been attacking young joggers finally progressed to murder? Zigic and Ferreira must find out before anyone else dies.
The novel is a commentary on how society accepts transgender people and depicts the fallout and differing responses that occur after a dramatic change occurs in a family . When a husband and a father suddenly becomes a wife and mother. The gambit of emotions are shown in the Sawyer family, from heartbreak and anger, acceptance and love, to violence and shame.
The mystery itself is one with enough suspects, twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. There are three different threads to the story that run along side each other, merging to create a wonderfully rounded and engaging story. I had guessed the culprit before the reveal but this did not spoil my enjoyment of this entertaining novel.
There is a brilliant dynamic between the team depicted in the story, not just between Zigic and Ferreira but also with other colleagues within Hate Crimes and in the larger force. There are touches of reality that help shape the novel, making it feel more authentic for the reader.
Zigic is coming to terms with the reality of having three children, the baby taking a toll on his life, aware he needs to exercise more. This could be mundane under the wrong hands but Eva Dolan uses these aspects of life to round out her character, making him more accessible and relatable, and all the more enjoyable to read about. Ferreira is more introspective in this novel, looking back at a past relationship which has shaped her to this day. The reader finds out why Mel is distant, less inclined for relationships and a new side to the detective is revealed.
Eva Dolan deals with emotive, and often complex, issues with gripping prose that is the perfect balance. By that I mean it is informative, entertaining, rightly judgmental in places yet far from self righteous. It allows the reader to create their own impression of the characters and motive for murder, of the ridicule and trauma the transgender and transvestite community face and therefore the level of anger and sadness that this creates will be different and particular to each reader.
Moving, thought-provoking and emotive, this is a gripping novel focusing on a sadly neglected area of crime, those motivated by hate. If you love crime novels then this book is for you. If you love crime novels but are looking for a book that deals with societal issues and victims who are often viewed, quite wrongly, as the outcasts of society then this book is for you.
Eva Dolan is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I was late coming to her Hate Crimes series. Luckily I have her first two books to read whilst I await her next novel, which can't come soon enough.
The novel is a commentary on how society accepts transgender people and depicts the fallout and differing responses that occur after a dramatic change occurs in a family . When a husband and a father suddenly becomes a wife and mother. The gambit of emotions are shown in the Sawyer family, from heartbreak and anger, acceptance and love, to violence and shame.
The mystery itself is one with enough suspects, twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. There are three different threads to the story that run along side each other, merging to create a wonderfully rounded and engaging story. I had guessed the culprit before the reveal but this did not spoil my enjoyment of this entertaining novel.
There is a brilliant dynamic between the team depicted in the story, not just between Zigic and Ferreira but also with other colleagues within Hate Crimes and in the larger force. There are touches of reality that help shape the novel, making it feel more authentic for the reader.
Zigic is coming to terms with the reality of having three children, the baby taking a toll on his life, aware he needs to exercise more. This could be mundane under the wrong hands but Eva Dolan uses these aspects of life to round out her character, making him more accessible and relatable, and all the more enjoyable to read about. Ferreira is more introspective in this novel, looking back at a past relationship which has shaped her to this day. The reader finds out why Mel is distant, less inclined for relationships and a new side to the detective is revealed.
Eva Dolan deals with emotive, and often complex, issues with gripping prose that is the perfect balance. By that I mean it is informative, entertaining, rightly judgmental in places yet far from self righteous. It allows the reader to create their own impression of the characters and motive for murder, of the ridicule and trauma the transgender and transvestite community face and therefore the level of anger and sadness that this creates will be different and particular to each reader.
Moving, thought-provoking and emotive, this is a gripping novel focusing on a sadly neglected area of crime, those motivated by hate. If you love crime novels then this book is for you. If you love crime novels but are looking for a book that deals with societal issues and victims who are often viewed, quite wrongly, as the outcasts of society then this book is for you.
Eva Dolan is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I was late coming to her Hate Crimes series. Luckily I have her first two books to read whilst I await her next novel, which can't come soon enough.
December 22, 2016
Dolan has become one of my must-read crime authors since she first burst onto the scene: she combines a traditional police procedural with a social conscience which explores fraught issues of prejudice, here focused on transgendering. Alongside the entertainment, then, is a committment to exploring and normalising the marginalised.
Here Zigic and Ferreira are dealing with the murder of a transgendered woman called Corinne who has a complicated personal life. Alongside this, Ferreira is drawn into an ongoing rape case being investigated by CID colleagues where the perpetrator is known but can't be charged without completer evidence. Both cases deal with sexualised violence.
Dolan writes well with a fluent rhythm to her prose. Her characters have become more mellow over the series, and here we learn more about Mel Ferreira who takes centre-stage. I had a few niggles about coincidences and the method/motive for the murder .
This book might not have the same dark and raw intensity of the earlier ones, but is still a very superior read in the over-crowded crime market. Given the ending, it'll be interesting to see where this series goes next.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
Here Zigic and Ferreira are dealing with the murder of a transgendered woman called Corinne who has a complicated personal life. Alongside this, Ferreira is drawn into an ongoing rape case being investigated by CID colleagues where the perpetrator is known but can't be charged without completer evidence. Both cases deal with sexualised violence.
Dolan writes well with a fluent rhythm to her prose. Her characters have become more mellow over the series, and here we learn more about Mel Ferreira who takes centre-stage. I had a few niggles about coincidences and the method/motive for the murder .
This book might not have the same dark and raw intensity of the earlier ones, but is still a very superior read in the over-crowded crime market. Given the ending, it'll be interesting to see where this series goes next.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
January 15, 2017
Locations in the novel on The Literary Travel Agency: Visit WHD here
Eva Dolan for me writes a very unique brand of crime fiction. It’s gritty and very hard hitting yes, but it manages to include some of the most marginalised people in our society in a way we start to understand them in new ways. Some writers would be afraid to look at how transgender people are treated – but not Eva – and kudos to her for that. The uncomfortable nature of these issues and the way Eva writes about it in the cold light of day make for some really heartbreaking and gripping reading.
Characters are fleshed out..plots are picked and primed, the time and place are evoked with panache. The issues dealt with in modern society are new and ones which continue to grow, and putting them at the heart of a gripping drama does bring them into the spotlight.
No worries about Eva standing on her soapbox either – this isn’t a social conscience kind of novel but one which rather shows society as it is – no matter how unflattering the light and angle.
Corrinne is a very memorable character for many reasons. Eva Dolan is a memorable author too. She writes with a scalpel and cuts open the very worst scars of society.
Eva Dolan for me writes a very unique brand of crime fiction. It’s gritty and very hard hitting yes, but it manages to include some of the most marginalised people in our society in a way we start to understand them in new ways. Some writers would be afraid to look at how transgender people are treated – but not Eva – and kudos to her for that. The uncomfortable nature of these issues and the way Eva writes about it in the cold light of day make for some really heartbreaking and gripping reading.
Characters are fleshed out..plots are picked and primed, the time and place are evoked with panache. The issues dealt with in modern society are new and ones which continue to grow, and putting them at the heart of a gripping drama does bring them into the spotlight.
No worries about Eva standing on her soapbox either – this isn’t a social conscience kind of novel but one which rather shows society as it is – no matter how unflattering the light and angle.
Corrinne is a very memorable character for many reasons. Eva Dolan is a memorable author too. She writes with a scalpel and cuts open the very worst scars of society.
January 3, 2018
Superb crime fiction, so well written. Quite possibly the best of the series.
December 27, 2016
Excellent novel about hate crimes against a trans woman - or is it something much more personal? I love the way in which Dolan's novels allow us to follow the course of an investigation but also contain deeper prejudices, social issues and characters displaying complete lack of empathy (and yet you still manage to feel sort of sorry for them). Very skilful writing and a wonderful Christmas Day reading treat!
July 1, 2020
The 4th in the series set in Peterborough Hate Crime department.
Overall the book was ok but found it very slow compared to the previous ones.
Overall the book was ok but found it very slow compared to the previous ones.
February 17, 2017
Watch Her Disappear – Another Dolan Masterclass
Eva Dolan has once again hit crime gold with the fourth in the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit bringing back DI Dushan Zigic and DS Mel Ferreira in Watch Her Disappear. Once again Eva Dolan is on the pulse of what is happening today in the society around us when the transgender community are central to the plot, and how they are not only misunderstood but excluded from mainstream society.
Zigic and Ferreira are in the midst of an investigation in to a serial rapist when they are called to a murder scene wondering why the Hate Crimes Unit would be required. Arriving at the scene and everyone from CID is on scene including DCI Adams the question is why would they be required to attend the murder of a female jogger? It is when they are informed that that the victim, Corrine, was a transgender woman, born Colin Sawyer, and was in the process of transforming, so as far as CID was concerned a hate crime.
What the investigation shows, through police records and interviews with members of the local Transgender Support Group, the Trans Sisters, that there have been a number of violent attacks on transwomen, including rape. But as the investigation continues the prime suspect looks as if he is made of Teflon, even though he is not afraid to abuse his girlfriend both physically and mentally, and have a cowed alibi always at the ready.
They are also aware that the Sawyer family are not telling them the whole story and seem to be hiding the key to the investigation, if they could only find it. At the same time, they are under pressure from the trans community who do not think they are taking the investigation on their community serious enough. While at the same time, that modern phenomena the internet troll is also making themselves felt online. But the biggest obstacle will always be that people are not willing to expose themselves as transgender especially if they are not out.
Once again, this a brilliantly paced thriller which grips you throughout and one of the great things about Dolan, is that she can tackle a sensitive subject without preaching to the reader. One of her biggest fans is Ian Rankin and you cannot argue with when he calls her ‘top drawer’ and everything in this book backs that up.
Once again Eva Dolan manages to make the story hard hitting, tragic and contemporary, while writing with authority. Any reader will be enthralled and heartbroken at the same time and she certainly knows how to write a whodunit and keep you gripped throughout. Once again another brilliant book from Eva Dolan and I look forward to the next outing of the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit.
Eva Dolan has once again hit crime gold with the fourth in the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit bringing back DI Dushan Zigic and DS Mel Ferreira in Watch Her Disappear. Once again Eva Dolan is on the pulse of what is happening today in the society around us when the transgender community are central to the plot, and how they are not only misunderstood but excluded from mainstream society.
Zigic and Ferreira are in the midst of an investigation in to a serial rapist when they are called to a murder scene wondering why the Hate Crimes Unit would be required. Arriving at the scene and everyone from CID is on scene including DCI Adams the question is why would they be required to attend the murder of a female jogger? It is when they are informed that that the victim, Corrine, was a transgender woman, born Colin Sawyer, and was in the process of transforming, so as far as CID was concerned a hate crime.
What the investigation shows, through police records and interviews with members of the local Transgender Support Group, the Trans Sisters, that there have been a number of violent attacks on transwomen, including rape. But as the investigation continues the prime suspect looks as if he is made of Teflon, even though he is not afraid to abuse his girlfriend both physically and mentally, and have a cowed alibi always at the ready.
They are also aware that the Sawyer family are not telling them the whole story and seem to be hiding the key to the investigation, if they could only find it. At the same time, they are under pressure from the trans community who do not think they are taking the investigation on their community serious enough. While at the same time, that modern phenomena the internet troll is also making themselves felt online. But the biggest obstacle will always be that people are not willing to expose themselves as transgender especially if they are not out.
Once again, this a brilliantly paced thriller which grips you throughout and one of the great things about Dolan, is that she can tackle a sensitive subject without preaching to the reader. One of her biggest fans is Ian Rankin and you cannot argue with when he calls her ‘top drawer’ and everything in this book backs that up.
Once again Eva Dolan manages to make the story hard hitting, tragic and contemporary, while writing with authority. Any reader will be enthralled and heartbroken at the same time and she certainly knows how to write a whodunit and keep you gripped throughout. Once again another brilliant book from Eva Dolan and I look forward to the next outing of the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit.
December 13, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for an advance copy of Watch Her Disappear, the fourth novel to feature DI Zigic and DS Ferreira of the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit.
A woman is attached and murdered while out jogging. Zigic and Ferreira don't understand why they have been called out to a "standard" murder until they learn that the murdered woman is transitioning from Colin to Corinne. As a transgender victim Corinne could easily have been the victim of a hate crime but equally it could be domestic as she had a very fraught family life. The investigation is not easy with everyone lying or causing trouble and the main CID team insisting it could be the work of a serial rapist they have identified but can't find the evidence to charge.
I find Watch Her Disappear a very difficult novel to review for a variety of reasons, some good and some bad. Ostensibly it is a police procedural - the main protagonists are police officers, there is a serious crime to investigate and police procedure is mostly observed and when it isn't the culprit is investigated so so far so good - but the plot is quite thin and the appearance of some of the evidence is, quite frankly, unbelievable. As is the perpetrator's motivation. I feel that the crime element is there to allow Ms Dolan the opportunity to explore the issues of transvestism and gender re-assignment and further develop her characterisation.
The issues of transvestism and gender re-assignment do deserve a wider understanding, but I felt the novel dealt mostly with the practical issues of it and the attitudes towards it rather than offering a deeper understanding of why. This is in sharp contrast to her characterisation which is brilliant at showing inconsistencies and how a character's own feelings colour their view and interpretation of others' actions and motives.
I felt that the novel sagged a little in the middle with nothing really happening except a rather tedious examination of the dynamics of Corinne's family life.
As a crime novel Watch Her Disappear is not much more than average but as a study of Corinne's life and her motivations it is baffling (I still don't feel that I know her) and fascinating to see her many facets. With this proviso I can recommend it as a good read.
A woman is attached and murdered while out jogging. Zigic and Ferreira don't understand why they have been called out to a "standard" murder until they learn that the murdered woman is transitioning from Colin to Corinne. As a transgender victim Corinne could easily have been the victim of a hate crime but equally it could be domestic as she had a very fraught family life. The investigation is not easy with everyone lying or causing trouble and the main CID team insisting it could be the work of a serial rapist they have identified but can't find the evidence to charge.
I find Watch Her Disappear a very difficult novel to review for a variety of reasons, some good and some bad. Ostensibly it is a police procedural - the main protagonists are police officers, there is a serious crime to investigate and police procedure is mostly observed and when it isn't the culprit is investigated so so far so good - but the plot is quite thin and the appearance of some of the evidence is, quite frankly, unbelievable. As is the perpetrator's motivation. I feel that the crime element is there to allow Ms Dolan the opportunity to explore the issues of transvestism and gender re-assignment and further develop her characterisation.
The issues of transvestism and gender re-assignment do deserve a wider understanding, but I felt the novel dealt mostly with the practical issues of it and the attitudes towards it rather than offering a deeper understanding of why. This is in sharp contrast to her characterisation which is brilliant at showing inconsistencies and how a character's own feelings colour their view and interpretation of others' actions and motives.
I felt that the novel sagged a little in the middle with nothing really happening except a rather tedious examination of the dynamics of Corinne's family life.
As a crime novel Watch Her Disappear is not much more than average but as a study of Corinne's life and her motivations it is baffling (I still don't feel that I know her) and fascinating to see her many facets. With this proviso I can recommend it as a good read.
December 5, 2017
My rating strategy:
5 stars = An all time favourite, I could tell you about this 10 years later.
4 stars = Loved this, really gripping/fun/exciting, will remember long term.
3 stars = Definitely enjoyed, might forget quickly though, but happy to read more by the author.
2 stars = Likely to have some good points, but it didn't properly captivate me.
1 star = Not my cup of tea at all, wouldn't return to the author.
5 stars = An all time favourite, I could tell you about this 10 years later.
4 stars = Loved this, really gripping/fun/exciting, will remember long term.
3 stars = Definitely enjoyed, might forget quickly though, but happy to read more by the author.
2 stars = Likely to have some good points, but it didn't properly captivate me.
1 star = Not my cup of tea at all, wouldn't return to the author.
January 25, 2018
Started off well and a bit of a surprise when we discover the murder victim Corinne is a man, it started to get confusing especially with the use of he and she wasn't consistent.
It was an interesting idea to have a hate crime section away from normal CID activities and the constant threat of that unit being disbanded.
The plot seemed to meander a lot with too many dead ends and was a tad too long at just over 400 pages. In the end it became a bit of a chore to finish the novel.
It was an interesting idea to have a hate crime section away from normal CID activities and the constant threat of that unit being disbanded.
The plot seemed to meander a lot with too many dead ends and was a tad too long at just over 400 pages. In the end it became a bit of a chore to finish the novel.
September 21, 2017
It was a difficult read for me. I was getting confused when a murdered man is called "Mummy" of the victims's son :-) But then there was a murder and an investigation to do.
Tad long, drags at places... Nothing much to take away from this one.
Tad long, drags at places... Nothing much to take away from this one.
September 19, 2020
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Se henne försvinna är en välskriven polisroman. Språket är bra, och det finns inga överflödiga detaljerade beskrivningar. Läsningen flyter väl och det finns inga svackor, utan mitt intresse hålls uppe hela vägen.
Grunden i berättelsen är bra polisarbete, vilket på något sätt är befriande att läsa om, med tanke på alla romaner i den här genren där poliserna antingen framstår som att de gissar eller helt enkelt missköter sitt jobb. Beskrivningen av polisarbetet är dessutom intressant i sig.
För varje bok i serien så gillar jag karaktärerna allt mer. De är solida och intressanta personer, med vardagliga problem som man kan relatera till. Inga neddrogade missbrukande poliser. Miljön som de verkar i känns också verklighetstrogen.
Problematiken i Se henne försvinna är skrämmande aktuell, och jag tycker Eva Dolan har fingertoppskänsla när hon beskriver såväl mordoffret som personerna runt omkring. Den enda invändningen jag har är att lösningen på mysteriet känns väl enkel, jag hade gärna sett något mer komplext.
Jag gillar verkligen den här serien nu, och vill läsa nästa del, men har den faktiskt inte. Så den får hamna på önskelistan helt enkelt.
Se henne försvinna är en välskriven polisroman. Språket är bra, och det finns inga överflödiga detaljerade beskrivningar. Läsningen flyter väl och det finns inga svackor, utan mitt intresse hålls uppe hela vägen.
Grunden i berättelsen är bra polisarbete, vilket på något sätt är befriande att läsa om, med tanke på alla romaner i den här genren där poliserna antingen framstår som att de gissar eller helt enkelt missköter sitt jobb. Beskrivningen av polisarbetet är dessutom intressant i sig.
För varje bok i serien så gillar jag karaktärerna allt mer. De är solida och intressanta personer, med vardagliga problem som man kan relatera till. Inga neddrogade missbrukande poliser. Miljön som de verkar i känns också verklighetstrogen.
Problematiken i Se henne försvinna är skrämmande aktuell, och jag tycker Eva Dolan har fingertoppskänsla när hon beskriver såväl mordoffret som personerna runt omkring. Den enda invändningen jag har är att lösningen på mysteriet känns väl enkel, jag hade gärna sett något mer komplext.
Jag gillar verkligen den här serien nu, och vill läsa nästa del, men har den faktiskt inte. Så den får hamna på önskelistan helt enkelt.
January 16, 2017
Even though Watch Her Disappear is the fourth book in the Zigic and Ferreira series, they all read easily as stand alone’s, but as it’s a great series I would definitely recommend reading them all.
The author has yet again come up with a gripping case for the detectives to work on. As stated in the description, this is certainly a complex case and nothing is straight forward, which makes things even harder for the two detectives.
There was something quite chilling about the whole story line. I’m not sure if was to do with the type of crime it was but what was happening to the trans women in the story really got to me. In part some of it was quite upsetting and uncomfortable to read but I think that’s what made this novel even more compelling.
Watch Her Disappear is quite an atmospheric read that really gets under the readers skin. The author has a way of writing that just draws the reader in and doesn’t let go until the very end. This is a brilliant series that lovers of crime really should read.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The author has yet again come up with a gripping case for the detectives to work on. As stated in the description, this is certainly a complex case and nothing is straight forward, which makes things even harder for the two detectives.
There was something quite chilling about the whole story line. I’m not sure if was to do with the type of crime it was but what was happening to the trans women in the story really got to me. In part some of it was quite upsetting and uncomfortable to read but I think that’s what made this novel even more compelling.
Watch Her Disappear is quite an atmospheric read that really gets under the readers skin. The author has a way of writing that just draws the reader in and doesn’t let go until the very end. This is a brilliant series that lovers of crime really should read.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 19, 2018
Watch Her Disappear is the fourth book in Eva Dolan’s Hate Crimes Unit series. The strength of the series hook is that Dolan can explore some controversial crimes, but to do so in a way sensitive to those communities they effect while exposing the discrimination and prejudice of society and tensions within the police as to how to handle crimes centred on sexuality, disability, gender and race. In this outing, Dolan focuses on violent attacks against trans women, while also developing the personal lives of the lead characters, DI Zigic and DS Ferreira, and the institutional politics of their police station. She does a very nice job of exploring the often complex family situations of trans women, as well as the hateful ways they are often treated by society, whilst also detailing their friendships and support networks. She never loses sight, however, that she is telling a police procedural, keeping several possibilities open as to the murderer of Corinne Sawyer, a local trans woman, and violent attacks against others. Indeed, it’s difficult to determine who the guilty party is up to the denouement, despite the tale being replete with clues. Overall then a very good police procedural, with engaging characters and a compelling plot.
February 7, 2017
The fourth book in the DI Zigic and DS Ferreira series and it was great to pick up with the Hate Crimes Unit again. This story set amongst the LGBT community was quite intense with characters who felt very real to me and a plot that could be happening all over the world today.
Normally with any crime novel I'm constantly trying to work out who committed the crime, but with this book I forgot about that focusing instead on the characters and the intricacies of the plot.
Once again I felt as if I'd been 'a fly on the wall' of Hate Crimes Unit and am a little bit sad that I've finished the book. This is one of my favourite police procedural series and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone to likes this genre.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Random House, Vintage Publishing for my digital copy in exchange for a review.
Normally with any crime novel I'm constantly trying to work out who committed the crime, but with this book I forgot about that focusing instead on the characters and the intricacies of the plot.
Once again I felt as if I'd been 'a fly on the wall' of Hate Crimes Unit and am a little bit sad that I've finished the book. This is one of my favourite police procedural series and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone to likes this genre.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Random House, Vintage Publishing for my digital copy in exchange for a review.
March 11, 2017
Eva Dolan chooses issues that are very up to date for her Hate Crimes Unit to investigate. Zigic and Ferreira are called in when a woman, who was out running, is found murdered. It comes to light that the woman Corinne is transgender and hence the detectives involvement. CID are also involved in attempting to deal with a number of rapes and attacks that have been committed on memebers of the trans community. Crimes against the trans community are fairly new in crime fiction and Dolan treads well through the issues faced by the individual themselves and there families and friends. The main character is not particularly easy to warm to and her family are portrayed as either being totally accepting or totally opposed to the transisition and therefore they seem a bit false at times. How gender is dealt with and the empathic approach to non binary stereotypes is refreshing. Ferreira' personal relationships are not quite convincing, while Zigic's home life is well described.
March 24, 2018
Eva Dolan har blivit något av en favorit för mig. Det förstår man kanske bäst om jag säger att jag ligger helt i fas i den här serien. Alla böcker som är översatta till svenska har jag läst och Se henne försvinna, som släpptes i början av mars, har jag alltså redan satt tänderna i. Så bra är hon. Läs mer på min blogg
February 18, 2017
Another exceptional offering from Eva Dolan. She has used her books to explore the lives and crimes comitted on those looked down on by society, as investigated by a Police Hate Crimes Unit. This time is was the Trans community. Not that their status is used for sensationalisation, but just as coincidental targets, giving her the opportunity to enlighten people to the horrific transphobia and prejeudice that this community suffers. It also explores domestic and sexual violence more broadly when an alleged serial rapist becomes a suspect in the murder of a trans woman. The story is exceptionally sensitively handled and the lead investigators, Zigic and Ferreira, though diametrically opposite in tempremant, provide an admirable investigative pairing. Loved the book!
December 9, 2024
Book #4 of the DI Zigic and DS Ferreira series.
My friend lent me this book - maybe she has discovered I like to be known as 'Danielle' at weekends and would therefore relate to it?
It's a story about the murder of a woman, found strangled in the local park in Peterborough during her morning run.
I enjoyed the way the Zigic and Ferreira from the Hate Crime unit slowly unraveled the case and tried to understand the motive behind the murder. There were lots of characters to get to grips with, which I didn't mind - the two leading the investigation were convincing and had interesting personal lives as well as having to contend with the all the politics within their unit.
I have to say I was more interested in the characters than the story line - I'm used to reading novels that keep me guessing with many twists but this plot was more routine and the ending felt a little flat. I was expecting more of a shocking revelation. I also found the narration confusing at times with all the different pronouns - the male victim referred to as "Mum" by one child, for example. I had to keep going back to re-read paragraphs to make sure I understood who was being discussed.
Overall, I did find the book fascinating and learned a lot about how trans-sexual women are perceived by their families and the outside world. A solid 3 stars.
My friend lent me this book - maybe she has discovered I like to be known as 'Danielle' at weekends and would therefore relate to it?
It's a story about the murder of a woman, found strangled in the local park in Peterborough during her morning run.
I enjoyed the way the Zigic and Ferreira from the Hate Crime unit slowly unraveled the case and tried to understand the motive behind the murder. There were lots of characters to get to grips with, which I didn't mind - the two leading the investigation were convincing and had interesting personal lives as well as having to contend with the all the politics within their unit.
I have to say I was more interested in the characters than the story line - I'm used to reading novels that keep me guessing with many twists but this plot was more routine and the ending felt a little flat. I was expecting more of a shocking revelation. I also found the narration confusing at times with all the different pronouns - the male victim referred to as "Mum" by one child, for example. I had to keep going back to re-read paragraphs to make sure I understood who was being discussed.
Overall, I did find the book fascinating and learned a lot about how trans-sexual women are perceived by their families and the outside world. A solid 3 stars.
February 7, 2017
This is the new book in the Zigic and Ferreira series and although I've only read one of the others- this is easily read as a standalone. It is well crafted and builds on the suspense as y0u get further into the book so that you are keen to keep turning the pages and find out who is behind the crimes. The Hate crime unit are called in when a transgender woman is found murdered. There have been a series of violent rapes and they have to discover whether it is all related.
You are introduced to the issues that the transgender women are facing and why some of them have difficulty coming forward to report the crimes. They want to protect these women- but keep facing opposition from family members wanting to keep secrets.
I was so drawn into this book that I was sorry to come to the end- the sign of a great book.
You are introduced to the issues that the transgender women are facing and why some of them have difficulty coming forward to report the crimes. They want to protect these women- but keep facing opposition from family members wanting to keep secrets.
I was so drawn into this book that I was sorry to come to the end- the sign of a great book.
March 5, 2017
All of my reviews can be found in full on jenmedsbookreviews.com
If you are looking for a book which challenges assumptions and prejudices and tackles a very difficult subject in both a sensitive and yet brutally honest way then look no further. ‘Watch Her Disappear’ is the skilfully crafted tale of family at war with itself and the impact on them all of the decision by the family’s patriarch, Colin Sawyer, to finally allow himself to become his ‘true self’ Corinne. It is also a sharp and brilliantly observed look at a misunderstood community, one which still struggles to find a safe place amongst the still rife prejudice and intolerance of modern society.
I love that this series is a step away from a standard police procedural and that it tackles the little covered and almost taboo subject of hate crimes. It is a difficult subject to cover well but Eva Dolan has certainly achieved it and has spared no punches here. Every part of this book rings with authenticity, from the sniggering and base humour from certain members of the police force whose nervousness means they struggle to understand how to deal with this most unusual of cases, to the slips and misunderstandings between referring to the victim as a him or a her. Physically Corinne was somewhere in between and yet she thought of herself and lived as a woman, but to the ignorant and the prejudiced she was very much still a man.
There is something very honest about the tone of this text. There are no big bangs, no leaps of faith, no circumventing procedure (well only a little bit) which gives the book almost more bite as a result. The way it is written, sitting within and following the thoughts of the main characters as they navigate their respective parts of the investigation, gives you a sense of the confusion of the family and friends, and the weariness, both physical and mental, of our main protagonists. There is also a mystery voice, one of the trans assault victims, who remains unnamed until the end. It is this voice which is the most tragic, the most conflicted and potentially the only one to garner any real sympathy from the reader.
That may seem a strange thing to say when you consider that we start this story with Corinne's murder. Surely this woman also deserves our sympathy? And yet this is part of the beauty of this book because the victim is as contemptuous as she is sympathetic, some of her actions very hard to believe or forgive and the more we learn about Corinne, or even Colin, the more we can see a long line of potential suspects starting to form. So perhaps the sympathy should be saved for Corinne's family. For her young daughter forced to face the loss of her 'mum' or to her partner Sam who is devastated by her death. Maybe her former wife, her older daughter or her son, all of whom are affected by her death. Or perhaps her best friend Bryn, a man who for years had seen Colin as a brother. Or maybe they are all as bad as each other, all hiding behind a wall of lies and all as guilty as each other of an ultimate intolerance. They are all, in their way, slightly vile. Spoilt. It makes them very hard to like and very hard to care for.
And yet this story is compelling. Zigic and Ferreira are two very strong and likeable characters. Ferreira is battling her own demons throughout, sometimes losing focus as a result and constantly questioning her relationship choices, and yet she is driven to resolve the case at all costs. She feels vulnerable when a decision she makes appears to have dire consequences, but she is focused and her strength of character drives her onward. I really like her. She is human; ultimately vulnerable but with a spiky and independent edge to her character. And Zigic? Well he's fighting his own personal battle driven by a lack of sleep owing to his baby daughter whose sleep patterns pay no heed of his shifts at work. It gives him a kind of world weariness but doesn't dull his senses too much and he has a no nonsense approach which endears him to the reader.
There are so many elements to this book that it brought out in me a range of emotions. Shock, fear, sympathy, anger are all present as well as a kind of nervous guilt as you recognise a little of yourself in parts of the characters Dolan has created. From the tense opening, to the brutality of the attacks, the vehemence and hatred of the family to the political posturing of those keen to use Corinne's murder to make a statement about the transgender community no matter the cost, your mind and your heart will be pulled from pillar to post. It certainly made me think about any misconceptions and assumptions I may have made in the past about this particular subject and the fact that the so called tolerant society we live in that can still marginalise such a large section of the community through basic fear and misunderstanding. Any book which can do that is a true gift to a reader.
it is a very absorbing and entertaining read, one which I heartily recommend. Just, leave your prejudice outside the front cover. This book, this series, deserves a very open, broad and understanding mind.
If you are looking for a book which challenges assumptions and prejudices and tackles a very difficult subject in both a sensitive and yet brutally honest way then look no further. ‘Watch Her Disappear’ is the skilfully crafted tale of family at war with itself and the impact on them all of the decision by the family’s patriarch, Colin Sawyer, to finally allow himself to become his ‘true self’ Corinne. It is also a sharp and brilliantly observed look at a misunderstood community, one which still struggles to find a safe place amongst the still rife prejudice and intolerance of modern society.
I love that this series is a step away from a standard police procedural and that it tackles the little covered and almost taboo subject of hate crimes. It is a difficult subject to cover well but Eva Dolan has certainly achieved it and has spared no punches here. Every part of this book rings with authenticity, from the sniggering and base humour from certain members of the police force whose nervousness means they struggle to understand how to deal with this most unusual of cases, to the slips and misunderstandings between referring to the victim as a him or a her. Physically Corinne was somewhere in between and yet she thought of herself and lived as a woman, but to the ignorant and the prejudiced she was very much still a man.
There is something very honest about the tone of this text. There are no big bangs, no leaps of faith, no circumventing procedure (well only a little bit) which gives the book almost more bite as a result. The way it is written, sitting within and following the thoughts of the main characters as they navigate their respective parts of the investigation, gives you a sense of the confusion of the family and friends, and the weariness, both physical and mental, of our main protagonists. There is also a mystery voice, one of the trans assault victims, who remains unnamed until the end. It is this voice which is the most tragic, the most conflicted and potentially the only one to garner any real sympathy from the reader.
That may seem a strange thing to say when you consider that we start this story with Corinne's murder. Surely this woman also deserves our sympathy? And yet this is part of the beauty of this book because the victim is as contemptuous as she is sympathetic, some of her actions very hard to believe or forgive and the more we learn about Corinne, or even Colin, the more we can see a long line of potential suspects starting to form. So perhaps the sympathy should be saved for Corinne's family. For her young daughter forced to face the loss of her 'mum' or to her partner Sam who is devastated by her death. Maybe her former wife, her older daughter or her son, all of whom are affected by her death. Or perhaps her best friend Bryn, a man who for years had seen Colin as a brother. Or maybe they are all as bad as each other, all hiding behind a wall of lies and all as guilty as each other of an ultimate intolerance. They are all, in their way, slightly vile. Spoilt. It makes them very hard to like and very hard to care for.
And yet this story is compelling. Zigic and Ferreira are two very strong and likeable characters. Ferreira is battling her own demons throughout, sometimes losing focus as a result and constantly questioning her relationship choices, and yet she is driven to resolve the case at all costs. She feels vulnerable when a decision she makes appears to have dire consequences, but she is focused and her strength of character drives her onward. I really like her. She is human; ultimately vulnerable but with a spiky and independent edge to her character. And Zigic? Well he's fighting his own personal battle driven by a lack of sleep owing to his baby daughter whose sleep patterns pay no heed of his shifts at work. It gives him a kind of world weariness but doesn't dull his senses too much and he has a no nonsense approach which endears him to the reader.
There are so many elements to this book that it brought out in me a range of emotions. Shock, fear, sympathy, anger are all present as well as a kind of nervous guilt as you recognise a little of yourself in parts of the characters Dolan has created. From the tense opening, to the brutality of the attacks, the vehemence and hatred of the family to the political posturing of those keen to use Corinne's murder to make a statement about the transgender community no matter the cost, your mind and your heart will be pulled from pillar to post. It certainly made me think about any misconceptions and assumptions I may have made in the past about this particular subject and the fact that the so called tolerant society we live in that can still marginalise such a large section of the community through basic fear and misunderstanding. Any book which can do that is a true gift to a reader.
it is a very absorbing and entertaining read, one which I heartily recommend. Just, leave your prejudice outside the front cover. This book, this series, deserves a very open, broad and understanding mind.
March 22, 2021
I've liked Eva Dolan's previous Zigic/Ferreira books, but this one really seemed like a very poorly researched swing and a miss. The story revolves around the murder of a trans woman, and honestly it really feels like Dolan did none percent research. Pronouns are all over the place, there's really no distinction between trans women, men who cross-dress, and drag queens (not that there can't be overlap). Dolan also continuously goes back and forth between pronouns and names for trans characters when it doesn't make sense to, as if it's all interchangeable. It just was confusing and a little yikes. I certainly am no expert on trans terminology, nor am I trans myself, but I went into this feeling like I knew more than Dolan about basic gender/sexuality identity stuff, which was...awkward.
Another aspect I found a bit odd is that the book does nothing to educate the reader or give the reader any knowledge needed to understand or even conceptualize aspects of being trans, like body dysmorphia, depression, and other mental health issues prevalent among members of the trans community for example. Dolan seems to highlight shame, and outright villainizes one of the strongest trans characters, Evelyn, who is an advocate for trans rights as well as staunchly against trusting the police - with good reason. Yet this character is more or less framed as being wrong in her criticisms and ultimately just kind of a shitty person. I would like to have seen a deeper exploration of the idea put forth that Evelyn is "using" her trans sisters to advance her agenda and platform, because it could have been a really good exploration of how social justice can breed its own type of narcissism at the expense of what some "crusaders" are claiming to try and protect. Yet Evelyn, for all her strength, at the end is shown as kind of a defeated husk forced to admit Police = okay, I guess?
The victim of the murder, Corrine, is also painted to be a horrible person, which on one hand subverts the martyr stereotype of a murder victim yet at the same time was really one-dimensional. It wasn't framed with any depth, only that Corrine and her soon-to-be-ex wife, Nina, were acrimonious and hated each other, both of them reduced to "mean girls".
I feel if a little more effort was put into this in terms of research, it could have been a much, much better book. I do assume she did no research as usually when authors do, they thank those who assisted them in the acknowledgments, but there was no mention of that. Hopefully the next in this series is better, because this one ain't it.
Another aspect I found a bit odd is that the book does nothing to educate the reader or give the reader any knowledge needed to understand or even conceptualize aspects of being trans, like body dysmorphia, depression, and other mental health issues prevalent among members of the trans community for example. Dolan seems to highlight shame, and outright villainizes one of the strongest trans characters, Evelyn, who is an advocate for trans rights as well as staunchly against trusting the police - with good reason. Yet this character is more or less framed as being wrong in her criticisms and ultimately just kind of a shitty person. I would like to have seen a deeper exploration of the idea put forth that Evelyn is "using" her trans sisters to advance her agenda and platform, because it could have been a really good exploration of how social justice can breed its own type of narcissism at the expense of what some "crusaders" are claiming to try and protect. Yet Evelyn, for all her strength, at the end is shown as kind of a defeated husk forced to admit Police = okay, I guess?
The victim of the murder, Corrine, is also painted to be a horrible person, which on one hand subverts the martyr stereotype of a murder victim yet at the same time was really one-dimensional. It wasn't framed with any depth, only that Corrine and her soon-to-be-ex wife, Nina, were acrimonious and hated each other, both of them reduced to "mean girls".
I feel if a little more effort was put into this in terms of research, it could have been a much, much better book. I do assume she did no research as usually when authors do, they thank those who assisted them in the acknowledgments, but there was no mention of that. Hopefully the next in this series is better, because this one ain't it.
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