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Jack Parlabane #7
Black Widow
Winner of the 2016 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish crime book of the year
From Scottish crime master Christopher Brookmyre, Black Widow tells the potent story of a woman who thought she was too late for love, the man who falls for her ambition, and the secret selves that are poised, at any moment, to end everything.
Diana Jager is clever, strong, and successful, a skilled surgeon and fierce campaigner via her blog about sexism in medicine. Yet it takes only hours for her life to crumble when her personal details are released on the internet as revenge for her writing. Then she meets Peter. He is kind, generous, and knows nothing about her past—the second chance she's been waiting for. Within six months, they are married. Within six more, Peter is dead in a road accident, a nightmare end to their fairy-tale romance. But Peter's sister Lucy doesn't believe in fairy tales, and tasks rogue reporter Jack Parlabane with discovering the dark truth behind the woman the media is calling the Black Widow.
Still on the mend from a turbulent divorce, Jack's investigation into matters of the heart takes him to hidden places no one should ever have to go.
From Scottish crime master Christopher Brookmyre, Black Widow tells the potent story of a woman who thought she was too late for love, the man who falls for her ambition, and the secret selves that are poised, at any moment, to end everything.
Diana Jager is clever, strong, and successful, a skilled surgeon and fierce campaigner via her blog about sexism in medicine. Yet it takes only hours for her life to crumble when her personal details are released on the internet as revenge for her writing. Then she meets Peter. He is kind, generous, and knows nothing about her past—the second chance she's been waiting for. Within six months, they are married. Within six more, Peter is dead in a road accident, a nightmare end to their fairy-tale romance. But Peter's sister Lucy doesn't believe in fairy tales, and tasks rogue reporter Jack Parlabane with discovering the dark truth behind the woman the media is calling the Black Widow.
Still on the mend from a turbulent divorce, Jack's investigation into matters of the heart takes him to hidden places no one should ever have to go.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
416 people are currently reading
2361 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Brookmyre
40 books1,545 followersChristopher Brookmyre is a Scottish novelist whose novels mix politics, social comment and action with a strong narrative. He has been referred to as a Tartan Noir author. His debut novel was Quite Ugly One Morning, and subsequent works have included One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night, which he said "was just the sort of book he needed to write before he turned 30", and All Fun and Games until Somebody Loses an Eye (2005). Brookmyre also writes historical fiction with Marisa Haetzman, under the pseudonym "Ambrose Parry."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 572 reviews
September 15, 2025
Diane Jager is a surgeon. She cuts people for a living, and she’s good at it. She’s no soft touch either and is happy to fight her corner in the male dominated environment she inhabits. She is vocal on the issue of sexism in medicine, too, though she’s careful to maintain anonymity in the blog she writes - well, she does have a career to manage! But she’s unlucky in love. That is until she meets a man who seems to tick all the boxes. Then something happens to the man…
Some years ago, after hearing from friends that I should really get with the game and start reading Brookmyre’s work, I read Quite Ugly One Morning, the first in a series of books featuring investigative journalist Jack Parlabane. I enjoyed it: it made me laugh and blended an interesting storyline with a bit of politics and had some some social comment thrown in for good measure. But for some reason, I didn’t follow it up by reading further books in the series, and so this was only the second time I’d picked up a book by this author. This is the seventh book in the series, though I understand that Parlabane crops up in cameo roles in other books Brookmyre has penned, much in the way Michael Connelly does with his various characters.
I’ll not be surprised if I fail to read a more tautly plotted book in the next twelve months. It’s really so well done here. Jager is a brilliant character, at times acerbic but on other occasions vulnerable, particularly with regard to the challenge of finding a man to share her life with. She is the central character in this narrative, with Parlabane actually playing a minor role until the closing chapters. The whole thing had me completely enthralled as I was first steered one way than another. I was totally at its mercy. I thought I knew what was going on, but I couldn’t be sure (actually, I was wrong, very wrong).
The writing is first class and reminded me of a couple of Brookmyre’s Scottish counterparts: Ian Rankin and the late Iain Banks. His style is probably closer to Rankin, with it’s smart one-liners and crime based plots, though I think Brookmyre’s prose is arguably rather more whimsical. One thing Brookmyre doesn’t have, though, is a lead man with the drawing power of Rankin’s John Rebus. Maybe that’s why I didn’t follow up on my first experience of Parlabane by immediately trotting off to the library to pounce on volume two. On the other hand, I’d probably be wise to catch up on the five books I’ve missed in this series before leaping to too many conclusions. It’s something I'm certainly planning to do – and sooner rather than later.
In rating this book I’m somewhere between four and five stars. I’m going to round it up because this really is a class act. I hope this becomes the best seller it fully deserves to be. Me, I’m off to the library.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for supplying an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Some years ago, after hearing from friends that I should really get with the game and start reading Brookmyre’s work, I read Quite Ugly One Morning, the first in a series of books featuring investigative journalist Jack Parlabane. I enjoyed it: it made me laugh and blended an interesting storyline with a bit of politics and had some some social comment thrown in for good measure. But for some reason, I didn’t follow it up by reading further books in the series, and so this was only the second time I’d picked up a book by this author. This is the seventh book in the series, though I understand that Parlabane crops up in cameo roles in other books Brookmyre has penned, much in the way Michael Connelly does with his various characters.
I’ll not be surprised if I fail to read a more tautly plotted book in the next twelve months. It’s really so well done here. Jager is a brilliant character, at times acerbic but on other occasions vulnerable, particularly with regard to the challenge of finding a man to share her life with. She is the central character in this narrative, with Parlabane actually playing a minor role until the closing chapters. The whole thing had me completely enthralled as I was first steered one way than another. I was totally at its mercy. I thought I knew what was going on, but I couldn’t be sure (actually, I was wrong, very wrong).
The writing is first class and reminded me of a couple of Brookmyre’s Scottish counterparts: Ian Rankin and the late Iain Banks. His style is probably closer to Rankin, with it’s smart one-liners and crime based plots, though I think Brookmyre’s prose is arguably rather more whimsical. One thing Brookmyre doesn’t have, though, is a lead man with the drawing power of Rankin’s John Rebus. Maybe that’s why I didn’t follow up on my first experience of Parlabane by immediately trotting off to the library to pounce on volume two. On the other hand, I’d probably be wise to catch up on the five books I’ve missed in this series before leaping to too many conclusions. It’s something I'm certainly planning to do – and sooner rather than later.
In rating this book I’m somewhere between four and five stars. I’m going to round it up because this really is a class act. I hope this becomes the best seller it fully deserves to be. Me, I’m off to the library.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for supplying an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2016
"Diana knows how to express the values that put people at ease. She knows how to come across sympathetic and empathetic. But what she tells you she's feeling and what she's actually feeling (never mind what she's actually thinking) can be two very different things. It is part of her predator's camouflage". I thought about this sentence
over and over. It was an assessment by Jack Palarbane. I wasn't sure what I thought yet.
Diana Jager, got use to living with the nickname 'Bitchblade'....and she's a successful skilled surgeon. Pretty 'harsh' nickname. I contemplated back and forth in my own mind...were other colleagues simply jealous of her ruthless perfection? Or was she a narcissistic mean-machine?
Diana's husband, Peter, is presumed dead. Missing for sure!
Jack Palarbane, separated from his wife Sarah, is a veteran journalist. He's been out of work, (a little down and out), but gets hired by Lucy, Peter's sister, to investigate what happened to the disappearance of her brother.
The question which lingers in our minds, did Diana kill Peter?
'Bitchblade', as Diana Jager became known, was also the anonymous author of an online blog called 'Sexism in Surgery'. The blog created controversy
among the medical professionals. I personally loved 'everything' she wrote. Scalpelgirl', ( the name she went by on the blog), brings up issues of truth that were bursting through the seams.
"Scalpelgirl asked, "what precisely is the optimal breast size for a women pursuing a career in surgery? We need big tits to get on; yet according to others, big tits are an impediment to being taken seriously as professionals. The Royal College of Surgeons' ideal standard career-tit has to be empirically defined, and ought to be offered by breast surgeons as a template for reduction or enhancement."
'Scalpelgirl' wrote about the double standards between men and women "Dressing for the Big Interview". It's simple for men. They wore a shirt and tie. Women however might look to sexualized if they wore a skirt or a dress. Scalpelgirl, asks, "why are women supposed to be sexually neutral in their interview dress code? Nobody is suggesting men dressed in a way that de-emphasises their gender".
The 'shit-hits-the-fan', ( excuse my French). Due to computer hacking, it becomes public news, that surgeon Diana Jager is 'Scalpelgirl'. ( as if being nicknamed 'Bitchblade' wasn't bad enough), ....Diana's enemy list grows longer.
So, Diana moves away from the city...and takes a job at the Inverness Royal Infirmary.
At this point, though...I actually already missed 'Scalpelgirl'. I wanted more of her blogs!!! Loved this sassy-confident -kick-ass self expressive woman!!!
As we keep reading....view points keep changing. Different narrators - including police share their views. As we get closer to the end --( I was dying: my mind was turning into mashed potatoes as I tried to figure things out) ha,....we are no longer 'looking back' ...we are in present time... first person narration...on the edge!
A FIRST CLASS CRIME DRAMA!!!!
Sooooooo Frickin GOOD!!!! This is the first book I've read by Brookmyre. I have a question. Are there 'two' of them? A Chris and a Christopher? Twin brothers? :)
All I know....is I haven't been this excited about a crime novel in years.
Brookmyre has written so many books.
If there any sales going on - package deals--For his past books--Sign me up!!
Chris, Christopher - is FANTASTIC!!! I'm hooked! I want to keep reading everything he's written! Crime-Prime!!!!!
The characters are well developed...and the crafting of the storytelling is enthralling!!!
Thank You GROVE ATLANTIC, Netgalley, and Chris, Brookmyre, Christopher Brookmyre!!!
over and over. It was an assessment by Jack Palarbane. I wasn't sure what I thought yet.
Diana Jager, got use to living with the nickname 'Bitchblade'....and she's a successful skilled surgeon. Pretty 'harsh' nickname. I contemplated back and forth in my own mind...were other colleagues simply jealous of her ruthless perfection? Or was she a narcissistic mean-machine?
Diana's husband, Peter, is presumed dead. Missing for sure!
Jack Palarbane, separated from his wife Sarah, is a veteran journalist. He's been out of work, (a little down and out), but gets hired by Lucy, Peter's sister, to investigate what happened to the disappearance of her brother.
The question which lingers in our minds, did Diana kill Peter?
'Bitchblade', as Diana Jager became known, was also the anonymous author of an online blog called 'Sexism in Surgery'. The blog created controversy
among the medical professionals. I personally loved 'everything' she wrote. Scalpelgirl', ( the name she went by on the blog), brings up issues of truth that were bursting through the seams.
"Scalpelgirl asked, "what precisely is the optimal breast size for a women pursuing a career in surgery? We need big tits to get on; yet according to others, big tits are an impediment to being taken seriously as professionals. The Royal College of Surgeons' ideal standard career-tit has to be empirically defined, and ought to be offered by breast surgeons as a template for reduction or enhancement."
'Scalpelgirl' wrote about the double standards between men and women "Dressing for the Big Interview". It's simple for men. They wore a shirt and tie. Women however might look to sexualized if they wore a skirt or a dress. Scalpelgirl, asks, "why are women supposed to be sexually neutral in their interview dress code? Nobody is suggesting men dressed in a way that de-emphasises their gender".
The 'shit-hits-the-fan', ( excuse my French). Due to computer hacking, it becomes public news, that surgeon Diana Jager is 'Scalpelgirl'. ( as if being nicknamed 'Bitchblade' wasn't bad enough), ....Diana's enemy list grows longer.
So, Diana moves away from the city...and takes a job at the Inverness Royal Infirmary.
At this point, though...I actually already missed 'Scalpelgirl'. I wanted more of her blogs!!! Loved this sassy-confident -kick-ass self expressive woman!!!
As we keep reading....view points keep changing. Different narrators - including police share their views. As we get closer to the end --( I was dying: my mind was turning into mashed potatoes as I tried to figure things out) ha,....we are no longer 'looking back' ...we are in present time... first person narration...on the edge!
A FIRST CLASS CRIME DRAMA!!!!
Sooooooo Frickin GOOD!!!! This is the first book I've read by Brookmyre. I have a question. Are there 'two' of them? A Chris and a Christopher? Twin brothers? :)
All I know....is I haven't been this excited about a crime novel in years.
Brookmyre has written so many books.
If there any sales going on - package deals--For his past books--Sign me up!!
Chris, Christopher - is FANTASTIC!!! I'm hooked! I want to keep reading everything he's written! Crime-Prime!!!!!
The characters are well developed...and the crafting of the storytelling is enthralling!!!
Thank You GROVE ATLANTIC, Netgalley, and Chris, Brookmyre, Christopher Brookmyre!!!
April 22, 2016
I am a long time reader of Chris Brookmyre books and looked forward to reading the Black Widow. It did not disappoint, if anything, it simply confirmed to me what an exceedingly talented writer he is. Black Widow begins with a trial, and the story moves backward to show how the trial came to pass. Jack Parlabane, disgraced journalist, receives news that his divorce is final and he has yet to accept that. On the same day, Lucy asks him to find out what happened to her brother, Peter, who was killed in a car accident. She has suspicions about Peter’s wife, Diana Jager, and she wants him to see if there is anything more to his death. Needing something to occupy his mind, Jack goes on the trail.
The story is revealed through the eyes of Diana and Jack primarily. Diana is a surgeon who lost her job in London after she was revealed to be behind a well known blog by scalpelgirl, that largely focused on sexism in the medical profession. She is nicknamed Bladebitch by her critics, trolls, IT professionals and the media. She is now working at the Inverness Royal Infirmary and she outlines how she came to meet Peter and ended up marrying him six months later. All is fine, until after the marriage when things start to fray and disintegrate to the point of no return. It is a salutory lesson on why no-one should get married in a hurry and begs the question whether it is ever possible to really know someone. Jack investigates Diana and Peter by primarily going through a list of people compiled by Lucy.
The finale and the truth comes out as a bolt from the blue for Jack and for me. This is an explosive psychological thriller with multiple twists. Brookmyre’s plotting is impeccable and his characterisation is superb. I could not stop reading the fast paced narrative until I had finished the book. Anyway, as for Jack, he gets his incredible scoop and he is back as an investigative journalist. Many thanks to Little, Brown (the publishers) for a copy of the book via netgalley.
The story is revealed through the eyes of Diana and Jack primarily. Diana is a surgeon who lost her job in London after she was revealed to be behind a well known blog by scalpelgirl, that largely focused on sexism in the medical profession. She is nicknamed Bladebitch by her critics, trolls, IT professionals and the media. She is now working at the Inverness Royal Infirmary and she outlines how she came to meet Peter and ended up marrying him six months later. All is fine, until after the marriage when things start to fray and disintegrate to the point of no return. It is a salutory lesson on why no-one should get married in a hurry and begs the question whether it is ever possible to really know someone. Jack investigates Diana and Peter by primarily going through a list of people compiled by Lucy.
The finale and the truth comes out as a bolt from the blue for Jack and for me. This is an explosive psychological thriller with multiple twists. Brookmyre’s plotting is impeccable and his characterisation is superb. I could not stop reading the fast paced narrative until I had finished the book. Anyway, as for Jack, he gets his incredible scoop and he is back as an investigative journalist. Many thanks to Little, Brown (the publishers) for a copy of the book via netgalley.
October 30, 2016
It looks like I've found another potentially really good mystery series. I gather that Black Widow is the 7th book in the Jack Parlabane series, but it definitely works as a standalone. It is a clever, tightly constructed, slow burner of a mystery. A good read for a grey fall weekend, when you're prepared to stick with a few alternating seemingly disparate narrative strands that slowly come together -- but definitely don't land where you expect. I feel like I can't say much about the plot without giving too much away. Suffice it to say that there's a complicated marriage between a female surgeon and her IT techie husband. There's an accident involving the husband. Their relationship and backstories are a deep tangled web. The characters are not particularly sympathetic, but definitely interesting. I would happily read more books in this series. I just wish there was more time in a day... Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
November 10, 2016
An anonymous phone call is made, a car has gone off the cliff at a dead man's curve, but no body is found in the water with the car. An IT supposed genius, working on a new trail blazing ap, by all accounts a newly but happily married man, so why does his sister not believe this is an accident? She contacts Jack, a free wielding journalist to explain her doubts and fears.
What a wicked web we weave when first we practice to deceive, a quote that comes to mind based on the title. But..... for me it was more like a tangled skein of yarn, each one pulled with an attempt to untangle wasn't the right one, just led to more threads. Told by alternating narrators, this book not only kept me wonderfully entertained, and without any graphic gore or violence, but kept me guessing, puzzled, things changed that quickly. A fantastic psychological mystery by a new to me author. Part of a series, but worked great as a standalone. The ending? Had no idea where this was going and was shocked at where it went. Will definitely keep an eye out for any new ones by this author.
ARC from Netgalley.
What a wicked web we weave when first we practice to deceive, a quote that comes to mind based on the title. But..... for me it was more like a tangled skein of yarn, each one pulled with an attempt to untangle wasn't the right one, just led to more threads. Told by alternating narrators, this book not only kept me wonderfully entertained, and without any graphic gore or violence, but kept me guessing, puzzled, things changed that quickly. A fantastic psychological mystery by a new to me author. Part of a series, but worked great as a standalone. The ending? Had no idea where this was going and was shocked at where it went. Will definitely keep an eye out for any new ones by this author.
ARC from Netgalley.
March 12, 2017
Diane Jager, a talented surgeon lost her job in a prestigious London hospital when her bitchy blog about the treatment of women doctors in the male dominated medical profession was hacked and her identity (and those of some of her colleagues) was exposed. She has fled to Inverness, bitter and hurting to lick her wounds and start again. Despite her intense dislike of IT professionals following her unveiling and the subsequent barrage of hate-mail and on-line comments, Diane finds herself attracted to Peter, a young IT guy employed by her hospital. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry quietly and she looks forward to settling down to family life but within six months her marriage has soured and Peter is dead.
Peter's sister Lucy is not convinced that Peter's death is an accident and asks journalist Jack Parlabane to look into it. The story is told through the alternating voices of Jack and Diane as well as that of a young PC Ali Kazmi who voices her own suspicions. Through those three voices we learn the story of Diane's fall from grace, her whirlwind romance and difficult marriage and the concerns that Jack and Ali have about Peter's 'accident'. Everything is not as it seems and there are a number of twists and turns in the plot that will keep you guessing as the events are viewed from different angles. The suspense builds up gradually and when the big reveal eventually comes at the end of the novel it was certainly not expected by this reader.
This is a well written thriller with great characters (how could you not like a female surgeon nicknamed 'Bitchblade'?). Although it's the seventh in the Jack Parlabane series it works well as a stand alone novel and I'm pleased to have found a new must read series.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK for a copy of the book to read and review
Peter's sister Lucy is not convinced that Peter's death is an accident and asks journalist Jack Parlabane to look into it. The story is told through the alternating voices of Jack and Diane as well as that of a young PC Ali Kazmi who voices her own suspicions. Through those three voices we learn the story of Diane's fall from grace, her whirlwind romance and difficult marriage and the concerns that Jack and Ali have about Peter's 'accident'. Everything is not as it seems and there are a number of twists and turns in the plot that will keep you guessing as the events are viewed from different angles. The suspense builds up gradually and when the big reveal eventually comes at the end of the novel it was certainly not expected by this reader.
This is a well written thriller with great characters (how could you not like a female surgeon nicknamed 'Bitchblade'?). Although it's the seventh in the Jack Parlabane series it works well as a stand alone novel and I'm pleased to have found a new must read series.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK for a copy of the book to read and review
March 1, 2017
BLACX WIDOW by Chris Brookmyre is a brilliant psychological thriller sure to please many readers. This is the seventh book in the series, and I am ashamed to say that this is my first experience and the first book I have read by this author…but it won’t be my last. I usually always read the books in sequence, and now plan to go back and read the previous books in the series. What an amazing writer! I was silly putty in his hands right from the beginning.
This story told by multiple POV’s, follows the marriage and trial of surgeon Diana Jager charged with murdering her new husband, Peter.
“Diana Jager is clever, strong and successful, a skilled surgeon and fierce campaigner via her blog about sexism. Yet it takes only hours for her life to crumble when her personal details are released on the internet as revenge for her writing.
Then she meets Peter. He's kind, generous, and knows nothing about her past: the second chance she's been waiting for.
Within six months, they are married. Within six more, Peter is dead in a road accident, a nightmare end to their fairytale romance.
But Peter's sister Lucy doesn't believe in fairytales, and tasks maverick reporter Jack Parlabane with discovering the dark truth behind the woman the media is calling Black Widow...”
The novel opens with a trial, and the story moves backward to show how everything came to pass. Disgraced journalist Jack Parlabane gets involved after the dead man’s sister asks him to investigate the death. Lucy has suspicions about Peter’s wife, Diana Jager, and she wants him to see if there is anything more to his death. So, Jack goes digging…
Jager is a brilliant character and is central character in this story with Parlabane actually playing a minor role until the closing chapters. I found myself scurrying in different directions trying to figure out who did it, as the clues are disclosed on a need-to-know basis. So many twists and turns ramps up the suspense level. Then for the climax…the final chapter was WOW!
My thanks to Chris Brookmyre, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for supplying me with an ARC.
This story told by multiple POV’s, follows the marriage and trial of surgeon Diana Jager charged with murdering her new husband, Peter.
“Diana Jager is clever, strong and successful, a skilled surgeon and fierce campaigner via her blog about sexism. Yet it takes only hours for her life to crumble when her personal details are released on the internet as revenge for her writing.
Then she meets Peter. He's kind, generous, and knows nothing about her past: the second chance she's been waiting for.
Within six months, they are married. Within six more, Peter is dead in a road accident, a nightmare end to their fairytale romance.
But Peter's sister Lucy doesn't believe in fairytales, and tasks maverick reporter Jack Parlabane with discovering the dark truth behind the woman the media is calling Black Widow...”
The novel opens with a trial, and the story moves backward to show how everything came to pass. Disgraced journalist Jack Parlabane gets involved after the dead man’s sister asks him to investigate the death. Lucy has suspicions about Peter’s wife, Diana Jager, and she wants him to see if there is anything more to his death. So, Jack goes digging…
Jager is a brilliant character and is central character in this story with Parlabane actually playing a minor role until the closing chapters. I found myself scurrying in different directions trying to figure out who did it, as the clues are disclosed on a need-to-know basis. So many twists and turns ramps up the suspense level. Then for the climax…the final chapter was WOW!
My thanks to Chris Brookmyre, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for supplying me with an ARC.
December 17, 2015
On this, my first entry into Brookmyre's world, I was thrilled to be blown away. This book is incredibly well written: it's clever, deftly plotted, with fascinating characters.
Some readers have noted that Jack Parlabane is not the man he once was. That may be true as the book infers some seriously challenging stuff in his past, but he seems rather incidental to this story in any case. Since I now have to read all of Brookmyre's books, I'm sure I'll get to see first hand how Jack got to this point, but, without a doubt, the star of this narrative is Diana Jager. I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing what other readers think of this story and Diana in particular. I think she may be a divisive character. I absolutely loved her. A dangerous woman who isn't a complete headcase. Strong, capable, intelligent. I enjoyed her voice all the way through. As for her husband, well, I've chosen my side...
I'm not a huge fan of comparisons but, of all the psychological thrillers I've read since Gone Girl, this is the only one that is comparable in style, theme, and quality. If anything, this is better because motivarion and action come from character. The author puts clues in the speech and behaviour of his characters and the reader can follow this logically to the conclusion. This meant that I guessed the ending, but was still totally engaged in getting there. For me, I'd rather understand how I got somewhere than be blind sighted by some unrealistic, unsupported plot device put in for the shock value. Yes, ending of Gone Girl, I'm looking at you.
All in all, this is brilliant work by Brookmyre. I've been avoiding this type of crime for a while because I thought it no longer had anything new to offer. I'm pleased to be proved wrong.
Huge thanks to Chris Brookmyre, Little, Brown Book Group, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Some readers have noted that Jack Parlabane is not the man he once was. That may be true as the book infers some seriously challenging stuff in his past, but he seems rather incidental to this story in any case. Since I now have to read all of Brookmyre's books, I'm sure I'll get to see first hand how Jack got to this point, but, without a doubt, the star of this narrative is Diana Jager. I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing what other readers think of this story and Diana in particular. I think she may be a divisive character. I absolutely loved her. A dangerous woman who isn't a complete headcase. Strong, capable, intelligent. I enjoyed her voice all the way through. As for her husband, well, I've chosen my side...
I'm not a huge fan of comparisons but, of all the psychological thrillers I've read since Gone Girl, this is the only one that is comparable in style, theme, and quality. If anything, this is better because motivarion and action come from character. The author puts clues in the speech and behaviour of his characters and the reader can follow this logically to the conclusion. This meant that I guessed the ending, but was still totally engaged in getting there. For me, I'd rather understand how I got somewhere than be blind sighted by some unrealistic, unsupported plot device put in for the shock value. Yes, ending of Gone Girl, I'm looking at you.
All in all, this is brilliant work by Brookmyre. I've been avoiding this type of crime for a while because I thought it no longer had anything new to offer. I'm pleased to be proved wrong.
Huge thanks to Chris Brookmyre, Little, Brown Book Group, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
Wow! The Black Widow is everything a good thriller should be: filled with twist and turns, full of suspense, and keeps the reader guessing!
The story begins with a trial. It appears that Diana Jager, a surgeon, that some view as a sociopath, is on trial for killing her husband, Peter. The reader gets multiple versions of Diana shared by reporters, police, colleagues, fellow surgeons, and Peter’s friends and family. What quickly becomes clear is that Diana is not well liked. Although she is described as intelligent and driven, she is also remarked upon as being icy cold and is known around the hospital world as BladeBitch.
Diana also shares the events that lead to Peter’s death. Did Diana kill Peter? Was his murder justified?
Washed up reporter Jack Parlabane is called in by Peter’s sister, Lucy, to investigate her brother’s death. As Jack begins to dig up Diana’s past, he uncovers there is more than meets the eye; what his investigations reveals is twisted and disturbing.
I couldn’t put the Black Widow down—I thought I knew what had happened between Diana and Peter, but I was more than wrong! This is the first book I have read in the Jack Parlabane series, and I plan on reading them all! I highly recommend!
The story begins with a trial. It appears that Diana Jager, a surgeon, that some view as a sociopath, is on trial for killing her husband, Peter. The reader gets multiple versions of Diana shared by reporters, police, colleagues, fellow surgeons, and Peter’s friends and family. What quickly becomes clear is that Diana is not well liked. Although she is described as intelligent and driven, she is also remarked upon as being icy cold and is known around the hospital world as BladeBitch.
Diana also shares the events that lead to Peter’s death. Did Diana kill Peter? Was his murder justified?
Washed up reporter Jack Parlabane is called in by Peter’s sister, Lucy, to investigate her brother’s death. As Jack begins to dig up Diana’s past, he uncovers there is more than meets the eye; what his investigations reveals is twisted and disturbing.
I couldn’t put the Black Widow down—I thought I knew what had happened between Diana and Peter, but I was more than wrong! This is the first book I have read in the Jack Parlabane series, and I plan on reading them all! I highly recommend!
October 27, 2016
This is an intricate psychological thriller with plenty of twists to keep you guessing.
Told from multiple POV’s, it follows the marriage & subsequent trial of an infamous surgeon charged with murdering her new husband.
Disgraced journalist Jack Parlabane gets involved after the dead man’s sister asks him to investigate the death. It should be a straightforward job, rounding up friends & family for a few questions. But as he soon discovers, everyone has their own version of the “truth” & an agenda to go with it.
In alternating chapters, each gives their side so we are privy to their thoughts. Or are we? Hearing them out is like attending a convention for unreliable narrators. It’s a clever device. Through dialogue & description, the author plays to our prejudice & preconceived ideas regarding gender, race & occupation. It’s subtle & effective, guaranteeing some dropped jaws in the final chapter.
The fun comes from watching Jack navigate a sea of rumours & lies as he’s forced to rethink what he thought he knew right along with the reader. This is book #7 of the series & I’m ashamed to say the first time I’ve met Jack. It won’t be the last.
Told from multiple POV’s, it follows the marriage & subsequent trial of an infamous surgeon charged with murdering her new husband.
Disgraced journalist Jack Parlabane gets involved after the dead man’s sister asks him to investigate the death. It should be a straightforward job, rounding up friends & family for a few questions. But as he soon discovers, everyone has their own version of the “truth” & an agenda to go with it.
In alternating chapters, each gives their side so we are privy to their thoughts. Or are we? Hearing them out is like attending a convention for unreliable narrators. It’s a clever device. Through dialogue & description, the author plays to our prejudice & preconceived ideas regarding gender, race & occupation. It’s subtle & effective, guaranteeing some dropped jaws in the final chapter.
The fun comes from watching Jack navigate a sea of rumours & lies as he’s forced to rethink what he thought he knew right along with the reader. This is book #7 of the series & I’m ashamed to say the first time I’ve met Jack. It won’t be the last.
December 13, 2015
My reading halo is slipping – this is my first Chris Brookmyre novel. I hear crime fiction fans everywhere shaking their heads in disbelief – to them I say – hey its fine, I’ve now ordered the entire back catalogue. Better late to the party than never arriving at all…
Black Widow is one of those novels that just sucks you into a vortex – Incredibly beautifully constructed with some increasingly fascinating characters, Chris Brookmyre takes us back and forth in time to tell a love story. Well you know, if love involved deceit, betrayal, massively hidden secrets and ended with blood, turmoil and more twists than a bag of pretzels. Is that not every time you say? I can believe it…
Diane Jager is a perfectly formed character – difficult to pin down, occasionally utterly believable, then having you going Hmmmm…you are never sure where you are with her she is completely credible and endlessly durable. I both loved and hated her with a passion, at times wanting her to be exonerated and at other times locked up for all eternity. Therein lay the really great part of this for me, the inability to actually make up my mind.
This being my first foray into this particular writers mind, it was also my first encounter with Jack Parlabane who judging by the little asides has been put through the wringer in previous stories – I’ll find that out in due course, but in Black Widow he gets sucked into the same vortex the reader finds themselves in when he is tasked with finding out the truth behind Peter’s death by his Sister Lucy. Now Jack I loved immediately and that never went away – which makes me happily anticipate catching up with him later, but Black Widow is entirely comfortable as a standalone novel which is always nice to find when you realise you’ve been a bit of an idiot and missed something awesome.
Character driven crime is always the best crime for me – Peter himself, as a picture emerges, is also entirely engaging but with great characters there has to be a great plot. And Black Widow has a GREAT plot. Entirely addictive and flowing at just the right rate to get your blood up and keep you turning those pages, I have to give an admiring nod to how Chris Brookmyre puts all this together. If this is what I can expect from all his novels then I’m a fan. The final resolution was brilliant in its intricately woven style, this author is christie-esque in his manipulation of the reader and as such the whole thing was eminently readable, never disappointing and managed to surprise me every step of the way. I may write reviews now but I am first and foremost a reader and these are the days I live for. Cool.
Highly Recommended.
Black Widow is one of those novels that just sucks you into a vortex – Incredibly beautifully constructed with some increasingly fascinating characters, Chris Brookmyre takes us back and forth in time to tell a love story. Well you know, if love involved deceit, betrayal, massively hidden secrets and ended with blood, turmoil and more twists than a bag of pretzels. Is that not every time you say? I can believe it…
Diane Jager is a perfectly formed character – difficult to pin down, occasionally utterly believable, then having you going Hmmmm…you are never sure where you are with her she is completely credible and endlessly durable. I both loved and hated her with a passion, at times wanting her to be exonerated and at other times locked up for all eternity. Therein lay the really great part of this for me, the inability to actually make up my mind.
This being my first foray into this particular writers mind, it was also my first encounter with Jack Parlabane who judging by the little asides has been put through the wringer in previous stories – I’ll find that out in due course, but in Black Widow he gets sucked into the same vortex the reader finds themselves in when he is tasked with finding out the truth behind Peter’s death by his Sister Lucy. Now Jack I loved immediately and that never went away – which makes me happily anticipate catching up with him later, but Black Widow is entirely comfortable as a standalone novel which is always nice to find when you realise you’ve been a bit of an idiot and missed something awesome.
Character driven crime is always the best crime for me – Peter himself, as a picture emerges, is also entirely engaging but with great characters there has to be a great plot. And Black Widow has a GREAT plot. Entirely addictive and flowing at just the right rate to get your blood up and keep you turning those pages, I have to give an admiring nod to how Chris Brookmyre puts all this together. If this is what I can expect from all his novels then I’m a fan. The final resolution was brilliant in its intricately woven style, this author is christie-esque in his manipulation of the reader and as such the whole thing was eminently readable, never disappointing and managed to surprise me every step of the way. I may write reviews now but I am first and foremost a reader and these are the days I live for. Cool.
Highly Recommended.
Read
May 6, 2022A fine twisty thriller. I was a huge Brookmyre fan for a long time, but Pandaemonium and the Jasmine Sharp books did not work for me at all, so I regretfully decided we'd grown apart. Luckily I picked this up on cheap, because I was wrong. It's a very enjoyable read with lots of narrative tricks and red herrings and plot swerves, and Jack Parlabane's mid life crisis is always fun. Compelling crime and immensely readable, with a strong dose of outrage.
October 22, 2016
Wow oh wow, this is a not only a good mystery/thriller, it is just great writing for any genre. I seem to find that I have to read 3 or 4 mediocre books to find one that is original, suspenseful, well written and has fully developed characters, well as much as the writer wants us to know at any given time!
Diana Jaeger, a female surgeon with a strong background history, is on trial for the murder of her husband, Peter. His sister, Lucy, employs Jack Parlabane, a freelance journalist to investigate the case of her brother’s death. Peter’s car is found in the waters beneath a cliff, known as “Widow Falls” because of all of the fatal accidents that have taken place there. Problem is there is no body and the door of the car was open and the window broken. Jack takes the case not only because it sounds intriguing but he has to admit that he is attracted to Lucy.
We are given the details of Diana and Peter’s whirlwind romance and marriage from Diana herself as well as fellow surgeons, the police, and Peter’s friends and family. Diana had formerly authored a blog which discussed how women in the medical community were forced to endure endless sexist comments, etc. particularly from the IT community of the hospital She asks her readers "why are women supposed to be sexually neutral in their interview dress code? Nobody is suggesting men dress in a way that de-emphasises their gender". When her identity is found out it is reason enough for Diana to move to another part of the country and take a new job.
She is lonely, bitter and probably vulnerable with no friends or family nearby. The fact that she is a skilled surgeon in what is still a male dominated field, doesn’t help her make new social contacts easily.
I thought I had the ending figured out several times but there was a big “Gotcha” in the ending and it was a great one. I had never read Chris Brookmyre before but I will definitely be watching for the next book from this talented author and will track down previous books that feature Jack Parlabane as I really enjoyed his character.
Highly recommend to anyone who loves a great thriller. I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley.
Diana Jaeger, a female surgeon with a strong background history, is on trial for the murder of her husband, Peter. His sister, Lucy, employs Jack Parlabane, a freelance journalist to investigate the case of her brother’s death. Peter’s car is found in the waters beneath a cliff, known as “Widow Falls” because of all of the fatal accidents that have taken place there. Problem is there is no body and the door of the car was open and the window broken. Jack takes the case not only because it sounds intriguing but he has to admit that he is attracted to Lucy.
We are given the details of Diana and Peter’s whirlwind romance and marriage from Diana herself as well as fellow surgeons, the police, and Peter’s friends and family. Diana had formerly authored a blog which discussed how women in the medical community were forced to endure endless sexist comments, etc. particularly from the IT community of the hospital She asks her readers "why are women supposed to be sexually neutral in their interview dress code? Nobody is suggesting men dress in a way that de-emphasises their gender". When her identity is found out it is reason enough for Diana to move to another part of the country and take a new job.
She is lonely, bitter and probably vulnerable with no friends or family nearby. The fact that she is a skilled surgeon in what is still a male dominated field, doesn’t help her make new social contacts easily.
I thought I had the ending figured out several times but there was a big “Gotcha” in the ending and it was a great one. I had never read Chris Brookmyre before but I will definitely be watching for the next book from this talented author and will track down previous books that feature Jack Parlabane as I really enjoyed his character.
Highly recommend to anyone who loves a great thriller. I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley.
June 18, 2017
The Black Widow is what the press call Diana Jager, a well-known, skillful and successful surgeon. She has led a life with some ups and downs: being outed for her past internet blog confronting sexism, which she ran anonymously, until, of course, she wasn't anonymous any more. But her skills and surgical talent remained and she moved on, met a man, fell in love, married, and within six months he was missing, presumed dead. What happened?
This is my first experience with Jack Parlabane, an unusual investigator, asked by a family member of that husband to sort through everything. That's enough facts. I don't want to give away the plot of twists and turns here. Brookmyre really knows how to keep a story going, how to keep multiple layers and actors moving, keep the reader involved and the tension level high. With its alternating viewpoints and the intelligent writing, there is so much to think about right from the start. The use alternating viewpoints is particularly well done here, as is the gradual building up of information on all sides.
I do recommend this book to all who enjoy involved mysteries. Well done. I definitely will have to check out more in this series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is my first experience with Jack Parlabane, an unusual investigator, asked by a family member of that husband to sort through everything. That's enough facts. I don't want to give away the plot of twists and turns here. Brookmyre really knows how to keep a story going, how to keep multiple layers and actors moving, keep the reader involved and the tension level high. With its alternating viewpoints and the intelligent writing, there is so much to think about right from the start. The use alternating viewpoints is particularly well done here, as is the gradual building up of information on all sides.
I do recommend this book to all who enjoy involved mysteries. Well done. I definitely will have to check out more in this series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 29, 2015
This is the latest Jack Parlabane novel and I must now make a confession – although I did start this series when it was first published, somehow I just lost touch with it. Too many series and too many books; so, although I have enjoyed Christopher Brookmyre’s later, ‘Sharp Investigations’ series, I regret that I did not keep up with Jack Parlabane and his adventures. I regret it even more now I have read his latest as this is crime fiction at its best.
Diana Jager is a successful surgeon who ran an anonymous blog – ‘Sexism in Surgery.’ She called herself ‘Scalpelgirl’ but, once her identity is discovered and unveiled online, she becomes, ‘Bladebitch.’ The controversy which led to this scandal was due to her online derision of hospital IT techs and so, once she is forced to take a job in another part of the country – outside of the prestigious teaching hospitals she expected to spend her career in – she finds herself lonely, embittered and vulnerable. Her persona is still viewed by those around her as arrogant though and she certainly lives up to that; so, when she is attracted to a rather shy and vulnerable IT tech called Peter, it takes everyone, including her, by surprise.
In this novel we weave through the story of Diana and Peter, as they meet, fall in love and marry. This is not a plot spoiler as, from the very beginning, we know two things – one, that the couple marry and two, that Diana is on trial for murdering her husband. Jack Parlabane is asked to investigate the case by Peter’s sister, Lucy and he is intrigued by both the case and Diana Jager herself. Christopher Brookmyre certainly makes both intriguing; this novel has endless plot twists, excellent characters, family secrets and a good use of the online world of the internet.
I have no wish to give away the plot of this excellent mystery. I just know that I need to go back and re-discover this authors work. If you like intelligent, well written crime novels, then you will enjoy this. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.
Diana Jager is a successful surgeon who ran an anonymous blog – ‘Sexism in Surgery.’ She called herself ‘Scalpelgirl’ but, once her identity is discovered and unveiled online, she becomes, ‘Bladebitch.’ The controversy which led to this scandal was due to her online derision of hospital IT techs and so, once she is forced to take a job in another part of the country – outside of the prestigious teaching hospitals she expected to spend her career in – she finds herself lonely, embittered and vulnerable. Her persona is still viewed by those around her as arrogant though and she certainly lives up to that; so, when she is attracted to a rather shy and vulnerable IT tech called Peter, it takes everyone, including her, by surprise.
In this novel we weave through the story of Diana and Peter, as they meet, fall in love and marry. This is not a plot spoiler as, from the very beginning, we know two things – one, that the couple marry and two, that Diana is on trial for murdering her husband. Jack Parlabane is asked to investigate the case by Peter’s sister, Lucy and he is intrigued by both the case and Diana Jager herself. Christopher Brookmyre certainly makes both intriguing; this novel has endless plot twists, excellent characters, family secrets and a good use of the online world of the internet.
I have no wish to give away the plot of this excellent mystery. I just know that I need to go back and re-discover this authors work. If you like intelligent, well written crime novels, then you will enjoy this. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.
November 29, 2017
Find my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/1...
4.5/5 stars to this exceptional thriller. Layered, complex, and engrossing - BLACK WIDOW is superb!
4.5/5 stars to this exceptional thriller. Layered, complex, and engrossing - BLACK WIDOW is superb!
December 22, 2016
This book, this story, this remarkable breathtaking page turner was, no IS so skill fully woven that if I wasn't reading it I was thinking of it.
The brilliant way this was written was both delicate, superbly inciteful and awesomely revealing (in more ways than one)
The story was forever changing.
Diane the surgeon, the ever powerful woman, workaholic esteemed person who was involved with writing a controversial blog under a pen name.
Once the blog was hacked the proverbial dirt hit the fan revealing more than I bargained for.
Her husband.
His secrets.
The Police, they're viewpoints and thoughts.
We get complete insight to what Diane's thoughts are even if her actions are not upholding it.
The ending was jaw dropping.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this is.
Many thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my copy
The brilliant way this was written was both delicate, superbly inciteful and awesomely revealing (in more ways than one)
The story was forever changing.
Diane the surgeon, the ever powerful woman, workaholic esteemed person who was involved with writing a controversial blog under a pen name.
Once the blog was hacked the proverbial dirt hit the fan revealing more than I bargained for.
Her husband.
His secrets.
The Police, they're viewpoints and thoughts.
We get complete insight to what Diane's thoughts are even if her actions are not upholding it.
The ending was jaw dropping.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this is.
Many thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my copy
January 14, 2016
This is the first Chris Brookmyre that I have read and it is always a gamble coming into a series part way through, but this Jack Parlabane story is one that you can just leap into. Jack is a bit of a maverick reporter – he is not averse to bending the rules to get his story and that has been his downfall in the past. Now he is charged with looking into the story of Dr Diana Jager, accused of murdering her husband of 6 months, Peter. A lot of the story is told from Diana’s perspective and I really thoroughly enjoyed those parts. I loved getting to know her, her history and the story of her relationship with Peter. I was constantly changing my mind about her as I read on and more and more information came to light.
Apart from Jack and Diana’s perspectives, we also follow Ali, a young policewoman looking into the case. Now, I did find those sections a little long winded especially at the start of the read. A couple of chapters in and I had this pegged as a three star read but as we moved away from Ali more I really started to enjoy the read. The story has plenty of twists to it and the author really does keep you guessing as to what happened to Peter. I partly guessed what had happened, but by no means had I got the full picture. And in all fairness, that guess was only one of several that I had. A thoroughly good read. Many thanks to the publishers via Netgalley for the review copy.
Apart from Jack and Diana’s perspectives, we also follow Ali, a young policewoman looking into the case. Now, I did find those sections a little long winded especially at the start of the read. A couple of chapters in and I had this pegged as a three star read but as we moved away from Ali more I really started to enjoy the read. The story has plenty of twists to it and the author really does keep you guessing as to what happened to Peter. I partly guessed what had happened, but by no means had I got the full picture. And in all fairness, that guess was only one of several that I had. A thoroughly good read. Many thanks to the publishers via Netgalley for the review copy.
July 28, 2016
A female surgeon, who happens to write a vindictive blog detailing the misogyny which is rampant in her profession, is accused of murdering her husband. The story is told from multiple viewpoints. First is that of the surgeon. Having worked in several industries in which women were definitely in the minority in upper management, I felt a definite sympathy for her right from the beginning. I mean you have to admire a gal that writes an article on what is the optimal breast size for a woman pursuing a career In surgery. As she writes “ according to some sources, we need big tits to get on; and yet according to others, big tits are an impediment to being taken seriously as professionals. The Royal College of Surgeons’ ideal standard career-tit has to be empirically defined, and ought to be offered by breast surgeons as a template for reduction or enhancement.”
The second voice belongs to Jack Parlabane, a reporter for which the series is named. This is number seven in the series and I have not read the prior six. What makes the book interesting to start is that I sympathize with Dr. Diana Jäger, but Parlabane paints her as a psychopath.
Ali Kazmi, the first police officer at the scene of the accident, is the third voice we hear. In fact, each voice talks about their relationships, the highs and lows, the betrayals, the losses. As Jack, her partner, says “when life kicks you in the balls, it can also knee you in the face while you're bent over.”
We learn the story of Peter and Diana. At time, Diana’s telling of their early relationship smacks too much of romance novel writing, but later you understand why the writer takes that tactic.
The story builds steam as it goes. By the time I was halfway through, I couldn't read fast or long enough. A wild ride of a mystery that keeps you guessing and a terrific ending.
My thanks to netgalley and Grove Atlantic for an advance copy of the book.
August 19, 2023
I confess I am a fan of Christopher Brookmyre's and have been for some years. I'd had a spell of not reading his books for a while but read and enjoyed his previous book about Jack Parlabane last year. There is an edge to this author's writing which I do enjoy and this book's second chapter has Jack in a court room and the fact that "this bitch murdered her husband". Yes - that had me hooked! You do know with this sort of book that what seems obvious may well not turn out to be the case and I confess I went back to that second chapter a few times just to be sure I'd not missed anything - surely she was guilty...
While I didn't feel this was a typical Parlabane for maybe the first half I did find it darkly humourous which Brookmyre does very well. The person on trial is a surgeon and has previously blogged anonymously about the medical profession and her colleagues. At a previous hospital she annoyed IT people and became exposed as Bladebitch - her nom de plume having been Scalpelgirl. The viewpoint of the chapters in this vary from time to time. At times it is Parlabane's view as he investigates, at times from the view of the police who were involved at the start of the investigation. The remainder of the book, written in the first person, comes from Dr Diana Jager (the accused) and moves from her past up to the time of the trial bit by bit. For me Diana as a character felt fairly authentic as a driven surgeon.
Jack is investigating what is initially not regarded by the authorities as a murder. However, given the start, it is one of those books that you know part of the outcome from the start. I did find parts of the book a little slow maybe but I was drawn in early on and would not have dreamed of putting it down. I found the change of viewpoints in the chapters worked well for me and it was intriguing to get the story of the relationship and marriage from different perspectives. Certainly the "evidence" starts to stack up.
You know you are being told a "story" in this book as the tension builds and it was hard to put down in the second half. The question was how good would the ending be. It certainly worked for me even if I had some inclination of aspects of it. This is a well worked thriller with twist and turns enough in. Fans of Christopher Brookmyre should enjoy it and, while I'd suggest first time readers start with earlier books, this is a good stand alone read.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
While I didn't feel this was a typical Parlabane for maybe the first half I did find it darkly humourous which Brookmyre does very well. The person on trial is a surgeon and has previously blogged anonymously about the medical profession and her colleagues. At a previous hospital she annoyed IT people and became exposed as Bladebitch - her nom de plume having been Scalpelgirl. The viewpoint of the chapters in this vary from time to time. At times it is Parlabane's view as he investigates, at times from the view of the police who were involved at the start of the investigation. The remainder of the book, written in the first person, comes from Dr Diana Jager (the accused) and moves from her past up to the time of the trial bit by bit. For me Diana as a character felt fairly authentic as a driven surgeon.
Jack is investigating what is initially not regarded by the authorities as a murder. However, given the start, it is one of those books that you know part of the outcome from the start. I did find parts of the book a little slow maybe but I was drawn in early on and would not have dreamed of putting it down. I found the change of viewpoints in the chapters worked well for me and it was intriguing to get the story of the relationship and marriage from different perspectives. Certainly the "evidence" starts to stack up.
You know you are being told a "story" in this book as the tension builds and it was hard to put down in the second half. The question was how good would the ending be. It certainly worked for me even if I had some inclination of aspects of it. This is a well worked thriller with twist and turns enough in. Fans of Christopher Brookmyre should enjoy it and, while I'd suggest first time readers start with earlier books, this is a good stand alone read.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
July 13, 2017
Well if this is not the twistiest, darkest, cleverest of books I've read in a long while. Ok, so these might not be actual words but my head is still reeling from that ending that I still can't speak properly.
Genius is my one word review. So blinking clever. Characters superb - I believe in every single one, I was led down every single dark alley, tricked into not believing what was right in front of my eyes and believing what I thought was real. I reread chapters and still didn't spot the clues. Ha! I am going to have to cool down my mystery loving brain for a few days and read some lighter stuff - to cool off the overthinking neurons as they're all fired up now.
Not surprised at all to see it won the Bloody Scotland award last year, It's on the list for Harrogate this year - it would be my winner.
Genius is my one word review. So blinking clever. Characters superb - I believe in every single one, I was led down every single dark alley, tricked into not believing what was right in front of my eyes and believing what I thought was real. I reread chapters and still didn't spot the clues. Ha! I am going to have to cool down my mystery loving brain for a few days and read some lighter stuff - to cool off the overthinking neurons as they're all fired up now.
Not surprised at all to see it won the Bloody Scotland award last year, It's on the list for Harrogate this year - it would be my winner.
September 19, 2025
Bladebitch, c’est moi. If I could give this novel 5.5 stars, I would, simply because the main character is similar to me in numerous ways. Not often do I find a character in literature who shares so many of my own traits, my own experiences.
When the story begins, Diana Jager (Bladebitch) is on trial for killing her husband, Peter, whose body is yet to be found. There is no question that she probably killed him but soon it becomes apparent that he deserved it. Diana has suffered simply for being an ambitious woman. Her father despises her because she excelled in his profession — a profession he expected his sons to follow but not his daughter. Her own colleagues despise her because she described the sexism in her medical field by writing a blog under the pseudonym “scalpelgirl”. When computer hacking reveals that Diana is scalpelgirl, she loses her prestigious position and is now working as a surgeon at the Inverness Royal Infirmary. Diana is often offensive but she is also vulnerable, still looking for romance, when she meets Peter, an IT guy employed at her hospital.
Peter is not quite as well drawn as Diana because you don’t get to hear his voice. But his actions are well described by both Diana and Parlabane. No spoiler alert is needed to reveal that early in the story, Peter hacks Diana’s computer. Anyone with a minimal familiarity of the IT field will notice that he soon installs a Trojan horse in her computer. The question is why. I immediately suspected that Peter was on the autism spectrum but didn’t understand why he wanted control of Diana’s computer. After all, if the reason was to steal her money or reveal her secrets, he didn’t have to marry her.
The third major character in the book is Jack Parlabane, who doesn’t become a major character until halfway through the book. Although the author tries to make Parlabane a fully formed character, I couldn’t help feeling that he was simply a stand-in for the author, a catalyst to keep the plot moving.
There were some minor characters who were important to the plot. PC Ali Kazmi, who I liked and hope to see more of in another book by Chris Brookmyre. Lucy, Peter’s sister, brings Parlabane into the story. I didn’t like Lucy simply because of the way she dressed, although that seemed terribly prejudicial of me. She was nice enough, just wore clothes that I never would.
I was following the story nicely, enjoying the writing, which was clear and straightforward but not too boring — every once in a while the author would throw in a great sentence like "They sat in a drab but over-lit room, on ugly plastic furniture pocked by an acne of cigarette burns.” The main question I was asking was: “Why did Peter hack Diana’s computer?” Then, about 80% through the story, the author threw in a 180 degree turn that floored me. It was truly a twist that I didn’t see coming.
So this book has everything — well-developed characters, particularly the female ones, great writing, and an outstanding plot.
When the story begins, Diana Jager (Bladebitch) is on trial for killing her husband, Peter, whose body is yet to be found. There is no question that she probably killed him but soon it becomes apparent that he deserved it. Diana has suffered simply for being an ambitious woman. Her father despises her because she excelled in his profession — a profession he expected his sons to follow but not his daughter. Her own colleagues despise her because she described the sexism in her medical field by writing a blog under the pseudonym “scalpelgirl”. When computer hacking reveals that Diana is scalpelgirl, she loses her prestigious position and is now working as a surgeon at the Inverness Royal Infirmary. Diana is often offensive but she is also vulnerable, still looking for romance, when she meets Peter, an IT guy employed at her hospital.
Peter is not quite as well drawn as Diana because you don’t get to hear his voice. But his actions are well described by both Diana and Parlabane. No spoiler alert is needed to reveal that early in the story, Peter hacks Diana’s computer. Anyone with a minimal familiarity of the IT field will notice that he soon installs a Trojan horse in her computer. The question is why. I immediately suspected that Peter was on the autism spectrum but didn’t understand why he wanted control of Diana’s computer. After all, if the reason was to steal her money or reveal her secrets, he didn’t have to marry her.
The third major character in the book is Jack Parlabane, who doesn’t become a major character until halfway through the book. Although the author tries to make Parlabane a fully formed character, I couldn’t help feeling that he was simply a stand-in for the author, a catalyst to keep the plot moving.
There were some minor characters who were important to the plot. PC Ali Kazmi, who I liked and hope to see more of in another book by Chris Brookmyre. Lucy, Peter’s sister, brings Parlabane into the story. I didn’t like Lucy simply because of the way she dressed, although that seemed terribly prejudicial of me. She was nice enough, just wore clothes that I never would.
I was following the story nicely, enjoying the writing, which was clear and straightforward but not too boring — every once in a while the author would throw in a great sentence like "They sat in a drab but over-lit room, on ugly plastic furniture pocked by an acne of cigarette burns.” The main question I was asking was: “Why did Peter hack Diana’s computer?” Then, about 80% through the story, the author threw in a 180 degree turn that floored me. It was truly a twist that I didn’t see coming.
So this book has everything — well-developed characters, particularly the female ones, great writing, and an outstanding plot.
April 1, 2019
The hardback book Black Widow deals with contemporary gender issues such as sexism on forums, public shaming, revenge porn and trolling.
Diana Jager is a successful skilled surgeon. She had kept her own identity a secret doing a Sexism in Surgery blog that was about Sexism in hospitals generally.
Diana ended up marrying Peter a shy IT Tech. But the marriage was not the fairytale that everyone seemed to think. There is no perfect marriage. There is no perfect murder. Six months later after Diana and her husband were married Peter was dead.
Peter's car was found submerged in the river, but divers hadn't been able to find Peter. Dr Diana Jager was a woman who it was unwise never to turn your back on her. And if you ever did, you should worry. Did Peter her husband have any secrets himself? And if so what would Diana be capable of doing about it?
Jack Parlabane a freelance journalist looks into things a bit more closer to see if everything about this tragedy of Peter's death is quite what it appears to be on the surface.
Black Widow was my first novel that I have read by Chris Brookmyre and I enjoyed it tremendously.
May 15, 2018
"The widow pedestal is a high one to fall from..."
The 'Black Widow' of the title is a brilliant and fiercely competitive surgeon named Diana Jager, a.k.a. 'Bladebitch'. She is a single-minded workaholic. Forty years old, she has no life other than that which involves her work. Her superior attitude, coupled with the 'sexism in the hospital workplace' allegations on her blog, make her unpopular to say the least. Then, when she ruffled the feathers of someone with tech know-how, her blog was hacked which resulted in names being revealed. As a result, her reputation was damaged and she lost her consultancy position at an esteemed teaching hospital which caused her to relocate to the Inverness Royal Infirmary.
In Inverness, when her office computer locks her out of much needed access, she calls the hospital's IT department. The IT guy who answers her call is Peter Elphinstone . There seems to be an instant attraction. Diana feels that he understands her - they begin dating, and months later they are wed. Diana believes she has finally found what has always eluded her - a work/life balance. Also, she might finally have a child, which she has recently longed for. They seem a mismatched pair. She a skilled surgeon and he a PC gamer and coding geek. Peter says that Diana makes him a better person, more driven. He packs in his IT job and works at coding a potentially lucrative software.
This marriage ends after only six months when Peter's BMW is found submerged in a river after skidding off the road. Peter's body is never found.
The series protagonist, Jack Parlabane, is an investigative journalist. His inventive professional methods have led to his disgrace in the profession at which he excels. His marriage has recently failed. Jack's part in the story begins when he is approached by Lucy, the sister of Peter Elphinstone. She feels that there is more to Peter's accident than meets the eye. She wants Jack to investigate.
The police partnership was an interesting one. PC Ali Kazmi and PC Rodriguez are only just getting to know each other. They are in agreement over the fact that they are both suspicious of Diana Jager. General impressions and gut instinct are not enough to prove their suspicions however, so they must delve further...
"Corrosive suspicion"
Meanwhile, the reader is treated to Diana's point of view. In timeline flashbacks, she is suspicious of her new husband. He is overly secretive about his new software business venture. He spends countless hours alone with his computer, or away overnight. She finds that her trust in her new husband was unfounded. Lies, deceptions, subterfuge, and betrayals are rampant in their fledgling relationship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Black Widow" is the 7th novel in Chris Brookmyre's Jack Parlabane series. I haven't read any of the previous six titles, but I can heartily assure you that this novel reads very satisfactorily as a stand-alone. I haven't read such a cleverly plotted thriller since reading
“The devotion of Suspect X” by Keigo Higashino.
I'm guessing the reading experience of this novel might have been richer if I had read the previous titles in the series - yet to be honest I fail to see how. I loved this book. It was a well rendered compilation of domestic thriller, suspense novel, and police procedural. The characterization was rich, the plot deviously clever. If I had to state a negative, it was that the non-linear timeline and frequent changes of narrators was somewhat confusing at times causing me to backtrack a paragraph to discern who was narrating at the time. This negative seems to diminish in importance when you realize the full scope of the narrative with its brilliant plot twists and excellent characterization. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Grove/Atlantic Monthly Press via Edelweiss. This in no way influenced my rating or review of this book.
The 'Black Widow' of the title is a brilliant and fiercely competitive surgeon named Diana Jager, a.k.a. 'Bladebitch'. She is a single-minded workaholic. Forty years old, she has no life other than that which involves her work. Her superior attitude, coupled with the 'sexism in the hospital workplace' allegations on her blog, make her unpopular to say the least. Then, when she ruffled the feathers of someone with tech know-how, her blog was hacked which resulted in names being revealed. As a result, her reputation was damaged and she lost her consultancy position at an esteemed teaching hospital which caused her to relocate to the Inverness Royal Infirmary.
In Inverness, when her office computer locks her out of much needed access, she calls the hospital's IT department. The IT guy who answers her call is Peter Elphinstone . There seems to be an instant attraction. Diana feels that he understands her - they begin dating, and months later they are wed. Diana believes she has finally found what has always eluded her - a work/life balance. Also, she might finally have a child, which she has recently longed for. They seem a mismatched pair. She a skilled surgeon and he a PC gamer and coding geek. Peter says that Diana makes him a better person, more driven. He packs in his IT job and works at coding a potentially lucrative software.
This marriage ends after only six months when Peter's BMW is found submerged in a river after skidding off the road. Peter's body is never found.
The series protagonist, Jack Parlabane, is an investigative journalist. His inventive professional methods have led to his disgrace in the profession at which he excels. His marriage has recently failed. Jack's part in the story begins when he is approached by Lucy, the sister of Peter Elphinstone. She feels that there is more to Peter's accident than meets the eye. She wants Jack to investigate.
The police partnership was an interesting one. PC Ali Kazmi and PC Rodriguez are only just getting to know each other. They are in agreement over the fact that they are both suspicious of Diana Jager. General impressions and gut instinct are not enough to prove their suspicions however, so they must delve further...
"Corrosive suspicion"
Meanwhile, the reader is treated to Diana's point of view. In timeline flashbacks, she is suspicious of her new husband. He is overly secretive about his new software business venture. He spends countless hours alone with his computer, or away overnight. She finds that her trust in her new husband was unfounded. Lies, deceptions, subterfuge, and betrayals are rampant in their fledgling relationship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Black Widow" is the 7th novel in Chris Brookmyre's Jack Parlabane series. I haven't read any of the previous six titles, but I can heartily assure you that this novel reads very satisfactorily as a stand-alone. I haven't read such a cleverly plotted thriller since reading
“The devotion of Suspect X” by Keigo Higashino.
I'm guessing the reading experience of this novel might have been richer if I had read the previous titles in the series - yet to be honest I fail to see how. I loved this book. It was a well rendered compilation of domestic thriller, suspense novel, and police procedural. The characterization was rich, the plot deviously clever. If I had to state a negative, it was that the non-linear timeline and frequent changes of narrators was somewhat confusing at times causing me to backtrack a paragraph to discern who was narrating at the time. This negative seems to diminish in importance when you realize the full scope of the narrative with its brilliant plot twists and excellent characterization. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Grove/Atlantic Monthly Press via Edelweiss. This in no way influenced my rating or review of this book.
January 28, 2016
I have to admit that this is my first Chris Brookmyre novel but it is the 7th in the Jack Parlabane series. Don't worry though, it totally works as a standalone novel but you will certainly want to look at the others in the series once you have read this. I must also admit I had never even heard of him but when I saw a group from The Book Club on Facebook raving about getting their hands on review copies of this and the excited it had caused then my FOMO kicked in big time and I HAD to get my hands on a copy too!
This intellectual suspense thriller has Diane Jager, a well known surgeon meet Peter, an IT technician at the hospital they both work at. He comes to fix her computer, they go on a date and a short while later they are married. It's not the most conventional romance or wedding but even more shocking, six months after the wedding, Peter is dead in a car accident. Jack Parlabane is contacted by Lucy, Peters sister, to do what he does best...investigate!!
I can't begin to describe how excited I felt reading this author for the first time. The whole book felt like a proper "grown up" thriller that built up, later upon layer, to a fabulous denouement where all the threads came together...and I could start to breath again! This wasn't a quick read and as a fast reader even I had to slow down to make sure the whole experience was taken and I didn't miss a single word. I loved Jacks character and now want to read the other books to see how he has developed and become the man we meet here. Jack does seem to take a bit of a back seat here to the main character of Diana and her story so if you are a newbie like me, there will be no problem that it's part of a series. Having looked at the back catalogue I must admit that I probably wouldn't have picked them up due to the covers (this cover is more my cup of tea and looks like the book I hoped was inside!) So more fool me!
Many thanks to the publisher and to netgalley for allowing me to experience a review copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
This intellectual suspense thriller has Diane Jager, a well known surgeon meet Peter, an IT technician at the hospital they both work at. He comes to fix her computer, they go on a date and a short while later they are married. It's not the most conventional romance or wedding but even more shocking, six months after the wedding, Peter is dead in a car accident. Jack Parlabane is contacted by Lucy, Peters sister, to do what he does best...investigate!!
I can't begin to describe how excited I felt reading this author for the first time. The whole book felt like a proper "grown up" thriller that built up, later upon layer, to a fabulous denouement where all the threads came together...and I could start to breath again! This wasn't a quick read and as a fast reader even I had to slow down to make sure the whole experience was taken and I didn't miss a single word. I loved Jacks character and now want to read the other books to see how he has developed and become the man we meet here. Jack does seem to take a bit of a back seat here to the main character of Diana and her story so if you are a newbie like me, there will be no problem that it's part of a series. Having looked at the back catalogue I must admit that I probably wouldn't have picked them up due to the covers (this cover is more my cup of tea and looks like the book I hoped was inside!) So more fool me!
Many thanks to the publisher and to netgalley for allowing me to experience a review copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
January 8, 2018
Peter Elphinstone is a scion of one of Scotland's wealthiest and grandest landowning families. He owns an IT company which is developing exciting new software and he is newly married after a whirlwind romance. So far so good. But then his car is found submerged in a fast flowing river, and it looks as if there has been a tragic accident.
His sister Lucy is not convinced that this is all there is to the situation. She has concerns about the state of her brothers marriage, concerns which lead her to seek out the services of Jack Parlabane. Jack is an unorthodox reporter, not adverse to using shady tactics to land a story. He is currently in limbo having suffered disgrace and briefly a spell in prison due to his borderline methods for information gathering.
Under scrutiny there is more to this than a simple accident. Why was Peters wife called "bladebitch", for instance, and how come Peter is estranged from his family? We descend into a world of family secrets, deceit, fraud and betrayal, featuring nefarious Glasgow gangsters and at least one other suspicious death.
Parlabane uses his reporters skills, together with a little light burglary, lots of brass neck, "off the record" advice from police contacts and some hacking expertise and support to piece together the fate of the hapless IT geek.
Brookmyre steers us through the tale skilfully, springing surprises as we go. There is a liberal dose of bleak humour and enough cultural references in there for the book to resonate with me. I had part guessed the ending about half way through but was not really sure about this right until the end. It is not high end literature (whatever that means) but it is a good and pacy thriller which is worth a read.
His sister Lucy is not convinced that this is all there is to the situation. She has concerns about the state of her brothers marriage, concerns which lead her to seek out the services of Jack Parlabane. Jack is an unorthodox reporter, not adverse to using shady tactics to land a story. He is currently in limbo having suffered disgrace and briefly a spell in prison due to his borderline methods for information gathering.
Under scrutiny there is more to this than a simple accident. Why was Peters wife called "bladebitch", for instance, and how come Peter is estranged from his family? We descend into a world of family secrets, deceit, fraud and betrayal, featuring nefarious Glasgow gangsters and at least one other suspicious death.
Parlabane uses his reporters skills, together with a little light burglary, lots of brass neck, "off the record" advice from police contacts and some hacking expertise and support to piece together the fate of the hapless IT geek.
Brookmyre steers us through the tale skilfully, springing surprises as we go. There is a liberal dose of bleak humour and enough cultural references in there for the book to resonate with me. I had part guessed the ending about half way through but was not really sure about this right until the end. It is not high end literature (whatever that means) but it is a good and pacy thriller which is worth a read.
June 20, 2016
One of the things that caught my attention about this book was its cover. And after reading the synopsis I was really interested in reading this book. I started reading this book unaware that this was a book in a series, but luckily for me, this small detail did not prevent me from fully enjoying and understanding the plot.
The story starts with Dr. Diana Jagger a surgeon on trial for the murder of her husband Peter. Only months after their marriage, Peter is killed in a suspicious car crash. Although Peter’s body is never found, Dr. Jagger becomes the first suspect and Jack Parlabane is hired to investigate the case.
Black Widow was one of those books with a slow start that all of the sudden had an unexpected twist that completely set things back in motion. This book really blew me away and kept me awake until late hours of the night in expectation for what was coming next. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that this is book seven of the Jack Parlabane series. This story certainly stands alone and will certainly keep you guessing until the surprising finale. Great read! I’d like to thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is scheduled to be published November 1, 2016.
The story starts with Dr. Diana Jagger a surgeon on trial for the murder of her husband Peter. Only months after their marriage, Peter is killed in a suspicious car crash. Although Peter’s body is never found, Dr. Jagger becomes the first suspect and Jack Parlabane is hired to investigate the case.
Black Widow was one of those books with a slow start that all of the sudden had an unexpected twist that completely set things back in motion. This book really blew me away and kept me awake until late hours of the night in expectation for what was coming next. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that this is book seven of the Jack Parlabane series. This story certainly stands alone and will certainly keep you guessing until the surprising finale. Great read! I’d like to thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is scheduled to be published November 1, 2016.
August 20, 2016
Black Widow has been on my kindle for a while now so I decided to start it this week and it was an unexpected surprise! Packed full of tension and suspense, I was gripped almost immediately.
Doctor Diana Jager was a very interesting character. Strong, mean and dangerous in so many ways, Black Widow was almost a chronicle of her unravelling psyche at times.
With more questions than answers for most of the novel, the author has done a really good job of ramping up the mystery surrounding her husband’s death. With the introduction of Jack Parlabane, the book takes a darker turn as he works to uncover what has happened to Peter.
I’m not going to dissect the plot for fear of giving away any subtle nuances in the story but it’s safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed Black Widow. It’s an excellent psychological thriller, engaging and full of intrigue, I would highly recommend it!
Doctor Diana Jager was a very interesting character. Strong, mean and dangerous in so many ways, Black Widow was almost a chronicle of her unravelling psyche at times.
With more questions than answers for most of the novel, the author has done a really good job of ramping up the mystery surrounding her husband’s death. With the introduction of Jack Parlabane, the book takes a darker turn as he works to uncover what has happened to Peter.
I’m not going to dissect the plot for fear of giving away any subtle nuances in the story but it’s safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed Black Widow. It’s an excellent psychological thriller, engaging and full of intrigue, I would highly recommend it!
April 4, 2017
I'm beyond excited to have read such a good book, and to have discovered a new author.
I'm a mystery fan, and it's beyond me that I hadn't read anything by Cristopher Brookmyre before.
This is book 7 in the Jack Parlabane series, but it's so well written and the plot is so good that you don't feel you're missing information about the books published before (you just want to run to the nearest library or bookstore and get them all).
Jack Parlabane is a reporter who's going through a bad moment, both personally and with work. He's made a few mistakes that cost him his reputation and he just divorced.
Diana Jager is a surgeon who almost lost everything when she was outed as the author of a certain blog that berated other doctors. Now working in a smaller and less prestigious hospital, she falls in love and marries Peter, who works in IT for the same hospital.
Six months after the wedding, he is dead in a strange accident, and it all point to Diana as being guilty.
But all is not what it seems, and Mr. Brookmyre will take us on a journey where the ending will leave you more than surprised.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a mystery fan, and it's beyond me that I hadn't read anything by Cristopher Brookmyre before.
This is book 7 in the Jack Parlabane series, but it's so well written and the plot is so good that you don't feel you're missing information about the books published before (you just want to run to the nearest library or bookstore and get them all).
Jack Parlabane is a reporter who's going through a bad moment, both personally and with work. He's made a few mistakes that cost him his reputation and he just divorced.
Diana Jager is a surgeon who almost lost everything when she was outed as the author of a certain blog that berated other doctors. Now working in a smaller and less prestigious hospital, she falls in love and marries Peter, who works in IT for the same hospital.
Six months after the wedding, he is dead in a strange accident, and it all point to Diana as being guilty.
But all is not what it seems, and Mr. Brookmyre will take us on a journey where the ending will leave you more than surprised.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2017
This isn't the Brookmyre I recognise at all. For someone who has a fond memory of devouring his genre-bending crime capers and splitting my sides on his Tartan wit, this new change in tone in the writing output almost make these books appear ghostwritten.
Self-serious to a fault, and over-written by a mile I trudged through this template crime drama that wants me to care about a shady IT guy who's skidded off into a Loch and his career-driven surgeon wife, obviously the prime suspect, who is framed as the knife wielding psychopath (which of course she isn't). Alternating between her monologue and a drunk private investigator casually but conveniently putting the pieces together, I'd forgive the infantile plotting if Brookmyre would have wrapped things up 200 pages sooner. But it just drolls on, clocking up the pages swimming in the morass of exposition that you know are an elaborate exercise in misdirection.
I listened to this in its audiobook format on my drive to work but the dour, banal logorrhea almost drove me to attempt a skid into the nearest ditch in frustration. Even when some forward momentum is gained in a conversation, the dialogue comes padded with repetitive monologues no one asked for, drilling in character details in EVERY new interaction as if the author's worried his reader has short term memory impairment. I also just couldn't feel Brookmyre's writing at all: it all seemed staged, phoned and synthetic: an almost convincing hammy theatrical piece that is a world apart from the indie-punk swagger I saw him strut in Sacred Art of Stealing or Quite Ugly One Morning.
Just to end my misery sooner, I invested in the ebook to get to the end of the damn thing (that's loyalty for you!). I sincerely cannot fathom Brookmyre's switch to this (maybe they are easier to write, market and sell), but seeing the number of reviews on these crime series, it is clear he's been able to amass a wider readership than those crazy niche noir pieces he used to shell out before. I hope he returns every now and then to do more of those ridonkulous comic capers for fans of his spectacular beginnings. I certainly won't be touching any more these Chris (minus Topher) books again to preserve the memory of the Christopher I know.
Self-serious to a fault, and over-written by a mile I trudged through this template crime drama that wants me to care about a shady IT guy who's skidded off into a Loch and his career-driven surgeon wife, obviously the prime suspect, who is framed as the knife wielding psychopath (which of course she isn't). Alternating between her monologue and a drunk private investigator casually but conveniently putting the pieces together, I'd forgive the infantile plotting if Brookmyre would have wrapped things up 200 pages sooner. But it just drolls on, clocking up the pages swimming in the morass of exposition that you know are an elaborate exercise in misdirection.
I listened to this in its audiobook format on my drive to work but the dour, banal logorrhea almost drove me to attempt a skid into the nearest ditch in frustration. Even when some forward momentum is gained in a conversation, the dialogue comes padded with repetitive monologues no one asked for, drilling in character details in EVERY new interaction as if the author's worried his reader has short term memory impairment. I also just couldn't feel Brookmyre's writing at all: it all seemed staged, phoned and synthetic: an almost convincing hammy theatrical piece that is a world apart from the indie-punk swagger I saw him strut in Sacred Art of Stealing or Quite Ugly One Morning.
Just to end my misery sooner, I invested in the ebook to get to the end of the damn thing (that's loyalty for you!). I sincerely cannot fathom Brookmyre's switch to this (maybe they are easier to write, market and sell), but seeing the number of reviews on these crime series, it is clear he's been able to amass a wider readership than those crazy niche noir pieces he used to shell out before. I hope he returns every now and then to do more of those ridonkulous comic capers for fans of his spectacular beginnings. I certainly won't be touching any more these Chris (minus Topher) books again to preserve the memory of the Christopher I know.
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