Throw-Away Faces

by Josef Alton

A string of patricides rocks 1916 Dublin and a washed-up Scottish doctor receives a mysterious manuscript from a fellow Scotsman recounting his dark experiences in the pioneer city of Seattle in 1889. As the doctor reads the manuscript, he’s made aware the murders in Seattle are connected to those in Dublin and he and the author crossed paths many years before, and under tragic circumstances. In Seattle, a tale of corruption and conspiracy unravels at the feet of a crazed serial killer hell-bent on halting historical progress. It’s just a matter of time before the city will burn. The doctor must decide if the author is an ally, or the killer himself, amidst an atmosphere of political instability and impending revolt. Throw Away Faces is a raw look into the abuse of power, the well of madness, and the inevitability of tragedy versus the power of redemption.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2019

About the author

Josef Alton is a Seattle native and author of the historical crime fiction mystery, Throw-Away Faces. He lives on Bainbridge Island across the Puget Sound from Seattle and spends his time writing, reading, and hiking, or hiking and playing soccer. If you wish to communicate, he's available via messaging.

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throw-Away Faces, Josef Alton's historical crime debut, is a wonderful way to begin the new year, and with a very intriguing cover which was what initially piqued my interest I jumped right in to it. Not only is the cover art strangely mesmerising and a little bit creepy, but the story contained within its pages is even more compelling. For once in a long time, the artwork reflects or hints towards the ominous atmosphere that builds up and surrounds you with each new turning of the page. Alton has crafted an instantly engaging and immersive work which shows tremendous talent and an awe-inspiring depiction of time and place. The main character is well-drawn, likeable through and through and is also very human. This manifests itself in the form of a certain loveable roguishness and had me heavily invested in him early on.

If you enjoy crime fiction set in a bygone era this a great choice; Alton really knows how to make his settings and characters come alive and sing from the pages. It'll also appeal to those who appreciate dark, powerful and claustrophobic stories that are well written and with a multitude of different facets keeping you on your toes. Perfectly plotted, with many intelligent observations and a narrative that is far richer and more lyrical than I ever imagined to find when picking this up; It all feels very authentic and believable, and it becomes clear that Mr Alton has spent a considerable amount of time researching the time and place thoroughly, and I appreciate that a lot. He is also adept at slowly building up the tension, turning the screw right up until the explosive conclusion. I look forward to reading more from Mr Alton in the future. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Black Rose Writing for an ARC.

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts:
I decided to leave my comfort zone (thrillers/suspense) for this historical fiction because a Goodread’s group was reading/discussing this book and the author was joining in.

Ok, so I didn’t entirely leave my comfort zone, this historical novel is filled with murder and suspense, I just added a little history to it, but that still counts...right?

I’m glad I did! This is the author’s debut novel and it’s a doozy!

I have to admit that the GR discussion was what first brought my attention to the book. Then the cover caught my eye and the description totally hooked me. I thought it was awesome that the author engaged with readers in a GR’s group and answered their numerous questions. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to read the book at that time, but I checked in on the comments periodically.

The book takes place in Seattle and Dublin and contains footnotes for anyone who wants to read more on the subjects.

Doctor Dooley receives a manuscript from someone he’s crossed passed paths with years ago—Enoch Campbell. Enoch is now a lawyer and informs the doctor of similarities between patricides of June 1889 in Seattle and current patricides of 1916 in Dublin.

Historical murders have always interested me. In fact, that was about the only thing that kept my attention in History class. This was a quick read and the author did a great job of researching!

My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: January 10th 2019 by Black Rose Writing
Pages: 205

Recommend: Yes!

Thank you to NetGalley / Black Rose Writing and Josef Alton for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#Netgalley #ThrowAwayFaces

[Mindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The cover for this one immediately caught my eye, but the synopsis sealed the deal. It's been a while since I've read historical fiction, and this one is absolutely action-packed and full of suspense. I will forever have the image of a muddy pigs head tied to a rope burned into my brain.

Alton did painstaking research on the pioneer city of Seattle in 1889. If you like extra details, the author includes endnotes that explain the real life parts of the city he uses in the story, as well as the real life people who bring the story to life. Set mostly in Seattle during the reign of a serial killer who taunts the protagonist Enoch Campbell with letters, the story also flashes forward to Dublin in 1916, which is currently rocked by a string of patricides that Enoch feels are actually the work of the Seattle killer who was never apprehended.

Enoch is sent to Seattle by his wealthy father after circumstances in his hometown of Glasgow suggest he needs a change of pace. Before he begins his position at a prominent law firm, Enoch is taunted by the serial killer for unknown reasons. When the police learn that he has been contacted by the killer they draw him into the investigation, and Enoch's world is turned upside down.

Corruption and conspiracy in Seattle are at the heart of the mystery, and soon Enoch is face to face with the killer. Now that he's active in Dublin again, it's a race against the clock for Enoch to enlist the help of a Scottish doctor now living in the city to help him catch the killer on the eve of the Easter Rebellion.

I highly recommend this historical thriller to anyone who loves a bit of history mixed with fiction. This is a well written, historical rollercoaster ride, and one that I won't soon forget.

[Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an explosive debut this turned out to be. First and foremost, I loved the cover of the book. It's been a while that book's cover actually made me go 'eew'. The tension begins right from the first page and doesn't let steam till the end. Well, even at the end I should say:-) coz I didn't want to stop
and wanted to go on reading to know what happens next?
The story alternates between Seattle in 1888 and Dublin in 1916. There's a ghostly murderer terrorizing the people a la Jack the Ripper , and each and every character introduced adds to the creepy and menacing feeling in the book. The historical era of the book comes alive in a very rich and fascinating fashion and it is evident the author has taken the time to research the times in detail. He has used actual figures of history in the story and woven it finely providing end notes for the reader to devour. Awesome debut Josef Alton and waiting for the sequel with bated breath!

[Rosemarie Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some Historical Fiction, so when Author Josef Anton sent me a request to read and review Throw-Away Faces I accepted.

This book takes us from Seattle 1889 to present-day Dublin, 1916. It was a superb read, Josef Anton gives us a piece of Seattle while at the same time twisting it in a mind-bending and intriguing story of murder and political waywardness. It's a whodunnit that will both surprise you and yet not, for the mind of man is easily corruptible.

Enoch Campbell, a young Lawyer is sent to Seattle in 1889 by his father who thought it would be good for him to get away from the tragic events that happened their family. Unfortunately for Enoch, he immediately becomes sucked into a sadistic murderer's games.

In going along with Enoch Campbell's account of what happened during the year 1889 patricides that took place and his near obsession of trying to solve these Gruesome murders. The narrative between Enoch and the killer leaves you wondering just who is this homicidal killer that rants on about philosophy, what is he trying to show Enoch, what kind of deep conspiracy lies at the base of his murder spree.

In 1916 horrific murders are now happening in Dublin, as the murders pile up Doctor Thomas Dooley receives a manuscript from Lawyer, Enoch Campbell detailing the murders that happened in 1889, Seattle. Dooley wonders if it's just the ramblings from an obsessed mind, nothing more than fantasy or might Enoch be the actual killer. Can Enoch Campbell's manuscript help Dr. Dooley solve these monstrous crimes?
"Mr. Enoch Campbell appeared to be as unreliable a narrator as the editor to Hoggs' Justified Sinner [LX], and in suit used his title and education to legitimize his bias. Dooley stared into the mirror. He was aware he was an unhealthy doctor. He thought about his own stories and how unreliable they were."
In Seattle's infancy, it must grapple with the threat of being destroyed, both physically and financially along with its human structures. For there are those with enough malice, darkness and, greed to bring this young city to its knees.

In the end, it is a testament to man's continuous ambition to obtain wealth and power and the length they would go to obtain them. The motivations of the men within this novel will rock your belief system in certain men and wonder if such men can be granted some form of redemption whether in life or in death.

This is a well-researched novel, with the historical information cataloged through extensive endnotes that are meant to be read with the main narrative.

I enjoyed this novel, Alton gives us a rich setting, well-developed characters and a story that will bind you to its pages until the very end.

I recommend this novel to all book lovers out there especially those who enjoy a great Historical Crime Fiction.

Thanks to the author Josef Alton and Netgalley for a digital copy of Throw-Away Faces.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written psychological thriller

Best book I’ve read in a while. Well-written - Unique refreshing turns of phrase throughout—-eagerly awaiting the next! Rich historical references were a bonus.

[Camden Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to recieve a free copy for this book from Josef Alton himself so thank you. I didn't know what this book was about when I jumped into it which added more suspense and mystery to the book for me. The cover was what drew me in and it is fantastically made. The book was a bit confusing for me at the beginning but after a few chapters I began to understand what was happening. From then on i couldn't stop myself from reading the book as I was so interested in what was going on. My personal favorites in the book was when they jumped to Dublin in 1916 as it made me more curious about what was happening. The book ended up leaving me confused as it ended abruptly but I was told that there is going to be a sequel so I am really excited to read that when it comes out. I can definitely recommend this book.

[KayG · Rating 4 out of 5]

That wonderfully creepy cover first attracted me to this book. The world the author created was quite impressive - even more so in that this was a first novel. I will look for his next effort; he can write.

The novel was fast paced crime, set in Seattle and Dublin over a century ago. The world created was rich in atmosphere, the characters were vivid, and the action within actual historical events was inventive. It was quite an enjoyable read.

The ebook was provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat)]

I DNF'd this book at 44%. I was SUPER excited when I saw it on netgalley and even more excited when I was accepted for an ARC of it. However, my excitement was short lived as the boring start of a novel that held such promise in it's description, continued to drag through the rest of the novel that I managed to get through. The description was SO interesting. But for me, it just didn't live up to it's promise. I'm glad that I am in the minority on this as all the other reviews I've seen are mainly in the 4-5 star category. This also had me wondering if I was reading the same book as some at different times as I just could not get into it. It jumps around but instead of it illustrating insanity, which I believe it was meant to, it just illustrated sloppy story telling for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for this book, however, it's just not for me.

[Keith Chawgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alton’s premiere novel is an interesting novel set in the 1800’s in Seattle and follows a Scottish gentleman from Glasgow, as he investigates a series of murders which further involves his life the deeper he gets involved.

This is a richly poetic written novel which involves the reader with colourful characters and a fantastic plotting device that shows Alton to be an author to be reckon with should he decide to go down this artistic path.

It is a murder mystery thriller with grisly murders happening catching the reader unawares. When I started to read this excellent book, I wasn’t expecting it to go down the dark path it went. It kept the tension reeled to a factor 7 and really doesn’t let up until its explosive ending.

The characters are richly written with interesting dialogue. They propel the story forward without bogging down the plot with unnecessary exposition. The characters add levity to proceedings and seem to be alive, springing from the page in a very three dimensional fashion.

The plotting is told in the first person and the time frame does jump back and forth between a couple of time frames. This device is used to frame the murder and the main protagonist and used very effectively. The main character is very likable and although he appears to be a rogue for the time period, he is very endearing and a winning personality that keeps you interest.

Overall, this is a well written work of fiction using a poetic narrative and interesting murders to keep the reader plunging forward. With its strong plot and characterisations, this should be a sure fire winner and highly recommended.

[Robert Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello reader,

I got the opportunity to read Josef Alton's Throw-Away Faces as a Beta Reader a couple of months ago. Full disclosure - I'm a fellow author with publisher, Black Rose Writing.

Throw-Away Faces is a novel of the Historical Fiction genre and takes place in Seattle at the end of the Old West and at a time when the American continent has been joined up by the railways.

What I loved about this novel is the richness of detail throughout. Fans will not come away disappointed because for every page of story there is an accompaniment that allows the reader to discover the background behind real names, places and events.

This is how Historical Fiction should read. Josef has managed the neat trick of interweaving his tale into a setting from long ago and doing it in such a manner that the reader could imagine the fiction as a reality. That's not easy to pull off, but throughout the book the reader is immersed in vivid description, unique and believable characters and comes up with a tale that entertains as well as educates.

I found that if you were of the persuasion, you could even get a great read from his notes, and I found as a lover of history that it's easy to drift there when something catches your notice. However, they only distract from the story if you want them too, which is a very positive sign.

I'd recommend Throw-Away faces for the entertainment value by itself. In combination with the excellent Historical Fiction, great notes of explanation, and a plot as well as era in which it is set (that Josef captures with an abundance of skill), it's got to be on the reading list of every book lover.

Overall - A cracking read and I guarantee you'll learn something new.

[Vickie Sarmina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murders done in two different countries with the same MO?? A young man, Enoch Campbell, is somehow at the center of it! His father has decided to send Enoch from Dublin to America, to foster his monetary interest in the new City of Seattle. Enoch has been hired at a firm, which has been delegated to complete the underlying utilities and to help setup the train system for Seattle. Enoch has been housed in a brothel, which seems very strange, since his father has the means to have him live in a better arrangement. The owner of the brothel is Lou. She’s a very tough and an upfront woman, and she lets Enoch know this on quite a few occasions. However, while he is in Seattle, murders start happening, and he is the witness to it. The killer decides to start writing letters to Enoch telling him why he is killing people. The firm and individuals in Seattle think that the murders are attributable to Enoch being there. Individuals who he has been seen with are dying. Some even think that Enoch is the murderer. Why are these murders happening? How can the murders be in two different countries. Why is the killer writing letters to Enoch? Is Enoch the murderer? Does this have anything to do with the setting up of the utilities in Seattle? Is there more to this than meets the eye, of the community of Seattle? The plot grabbed the reader in the beginning. The character development was genius, because the reader could relate to what the characters were living through. I must admit that the book seemed to be slow for me, but the further I got into the book, it started to come together. The one thing that I didn’t care for was that the ending was too abrupt and left the reader trying to figure out what the author was trying to say.

[Stan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throw-Away Faces by Josef Alton turned out to be an extraordinary book in a unique genre of historical fiction crime thrillers. Alton weaves the history with the crime masterfully, leaving one with an eminently readable book.

The history is very well researched with many endnotes for those interested in learning more of the Seattle history leading up to the fire in the late 1800s. Personally, I did not go to the endnotes during my read, but took the history for granted and focused on the crime/mystery.

The story centers around Enoch Campbell, who is sent by his father from Dublin to Seattle to represent his financial interests. A series of murders ensues, with the mysterious killer communicating with Enoch through a series of letters. The Seattle leadership think that these letters will lead them to the killer, this being one strand of the story line. There is also the history of the growth of Seattle taking place, including the diversion of the railroad and the eventual fire.

Enoch eventually leaves Seattle and returns to Dublin. I won't say anymore about the storyline as you have to read it for yourself - I was enjoyably surprised by the masterful ending. I was kept guessing through the book who was the killer or who wrote the letters to Enoch or even how the events in Dublin were connected to those in Seattle. Alton ties it all together in the end.

All in all, an enjoyable read for a first novel.

[Elle Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, Throw-Away faces grabs your attention. Author Josef Alton expertly immerses the reader in the setting- Seattle, 1889. The amount of detail and historical accuracy is superb, enriching the story. The protagonist is intriguing, and immediately likeable. I was hooked from page one, eager to learn more about the grisly murders plaguing Seattle. The descriptions are chilling but gracefully done. Alton strikes a smart balance between gruesome crime scenes, political intrigue, and accurate Seattle history. I adore everything about this book! Highly recommended.

[Mary Frances Lembo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful murder mystery

As a native of Seattle, the time period of the story intrigued me, the mystery kept me turning the pages (or actually swiping my screen). Also appreciated the research that went into the story

[solitaryfossil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable historical fiction novel. I appreciated the after notes, which gave some added details to events and characters presented. The climax was a bit abrupt, it was over too quickly for me and I would have liked more action in those scenes. But a good book overall.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

“Enoch’s troubled words drew him to the far reaches of the city to speak with a child murderer housed within St. Brendan’s Richmond Asylum, and he would have to thank him for the privilege if he ever got the chance….That’s how he imagined Enoch’s Seattle: the dreams and the bodies.”

Throw Away Faces has such an intriguing premise – 1916 Dublin is in the midst of a rash of murders when a letter arrives describing eerily similar events in 1889 Seattle. The synopsis above and the beginning letter in the novel set this up well.

Although this was submitted to the site as horror – this novel is a historical thriller for me. The author has certainly done his research. There are footnotes (placed in the back of the book) that explain in detail the real people and places involved in both of these timelines. It was difficult to access these in the ebook format, so I admit to waiting until the end of the book to read through them. I’d recommend selecting the print copy to those who decide to pick this up.

While this was set up well and the research was on point, this book just missed the mark for me. I do enjoy historical settings from time to time and I was looking forward to this one. The switches between the timelines were a bit disjointed. I found myself rushing ahead to get to the Dublin sections . The transitions between the two were not smooth and at times non-existent. Combine this with quite a bit of telling versus showing, and I was lost.

Full disclosure – this could very well be a case of “it’s me, not you”. There are other reviews of this from people who truly enjoyed it. And there really are some scenes that truly sucked me into the story, I just wish I could’ve stayed there.

I think I will try another book from this author in the future – there are some great ideas within this story that makes me wonder what he will come up with next.

[Adam Hoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josef Alton's historical crime novel, Throw-Away Faces, is an atmospheric, details-rich portrait of 19th-century Seattle, a pioneer town turned metropolis going through some growing pains, including a string of brutal murders. You get the sense in these old West cities that everyone was just winging it. Between the primitive infrastructure, abject poverty and corrupt officials, Alton's 1889 Seattle has all the squalor of Dickensian London. The author's research leaves few details overlooked. Even the mustaches feel period specific.

Throw-Away Faces tells the story of Enoch Campbell, a lawyer, who becomes wrapped up in a murder investigation when the killer begins sending him letters. Campbell was sent by his family to Seattle from his native Scotland. I listened to the audiobook, which was well-narrated, but I have to say there was a bit of cognitive dissonance hearing a narrator with an American accent discuss his character's Scottish accent. But that is no fault of the novel. The book flashes forward between Campbell's narrative in 1889 Seattle to a second narrative in 1916 Dublin, a city terrorized by its own rash of strange murders. In 1916, when Dr. Thomas Dooley receives a manuscript written by Campbell describing the eerily similar Seattle killings of 27 years ago, he wonders if the letter might be the ramblings of a diseased mind. Nonetheless, he begins to investigate.

If that sounds unnecessarily complicated, perhaps it is, just a hair. The narrative might have been strengthened with a more streamlined plot. By the time I reached the end, I'd grown skeptical as to whether or not the second timeline was really necessary. I almost wish Alton had split this into two books - Enoch's story first, then the sequel 27 years later. There's plenty enough story in Seattle, and not just the cat-and-mouse pursuit of the killer, but the thematic overtones as well. Throw-Away Faces, like all good crime fiction, is more than whodunit. Alton explores the subjugation of Native Americans, corrupt politics, greed and the stubborn persistence of frontier justice. His Seattle seems to exist in a permanent state of night. Even in the day, plenty of ne'er-do-wells lurk in the shadows, and some of the most dangerous pickpockets are the people in charge.

[Meagan O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throw Away Faces, by Josef Alton is a fast-paced historical fiction thriller. I chose to pick up this book due to the description of the novel, and it is hard for me to pass up what may sound like a good mystery.
An intriguing part of this book is the historical facts of Seattle, Washington used. Part of the story takes place in early Seattle times while its current events take place in Ireland. When I picked up the book, I felt somewhat confused as to what was going on with the main character Enoch as I thought he might be a mad character one sees from an Edgar Allan Poe story. There was some confusion as to his insane mother and himself as if something was leading to her having visions of the future and maybe Enoch had something similar that went unexplained or not there at all, but that became not much of an issue for me as the story progressed and its conclusion.
As far as the book being mysterious is was not so much, but figuring out if Enoch was a nut job or not I felt was more important to me than who was the killer. Reading the fictional take on real events and people was more fun getting to discover who is the killer. I have the notion that there needs to be a second book to continue Enoch and his doctor’s adventure as the ending seemed abrupt and more on and an end to the killer.
I rate this book 2 ½ out of 4 stars. I liked the story and its details. The only thing that I could say is negative are minor typos or errors sprinkled throughout this story. Alton makes good use of fictional events that go along well with the historical events he uses. This book I recommend for all those who enjoy historical fiction and mysteries. Even though I will not reread this book, I would pick up a sequel if one comes.

[Dougb56586 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a murder mystery novel. It begins with a series of murders in 1889 in Seattle Washington, which are followed by another series in 1916 in Dublin Ireland. The main character is a young Scottish lawyer who is sent by his father to Seattle Washington to work for a relative. A couple of personal tragedies have left the son very depressed, and the intention is to get a fresh start in a new country. Immediately upon arriving in Seattle, he becomes linked with a series of taking place murders there.

The plot is very original and creative. Also, the author seems to be playing with a few themes along side of the plot. One is income disparity. He shows that the new town of Seattle in the late 18th century had a wealthy class and poor class that is similar to what exist today in America. Another very interesting theme is a comparison between the Native Americans living in Seattle to the Scottish Highlanders about a century earlier. Both groups are treated as second class citizens, and their culture is ridiculed. However, like me, most readers will probably be unfamiliar with this part of Scottish history, and I believe that this analogy would have benefitted from a more extended explanation within the book.

I enjoyed the book. The plot and themes have a nice structure, but, in my opinion, both could benefit from more details. I have the impression that he was deliberately including some themes not directly pertaining to the murder-mystery plot, but yet intertwined with it. Assuming that was the author's intention, I would have liked them to be explored more clearly and completely within the book.

[Caleb Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading Throw Away Faces by Josef Alton and I particularly enjoyed it. I loved the setting and timeline paired with historical references and characters, it made the read all the more interesting and robust. The protagonist was a captivating character and someone you could champion from the start. While always running at odds, (***Spoiler Alert***) he gets his hand chopped off in the early stages of the book by the killer at large, building an emotional value with the reader as the failed underdog - so to speak. From that point on my admiration grows for Enoch as he digs himself deeper into the corrupt hole that was portrayed as early Seattle and the crooks who ran it in the late 1800s. Going back to the history of the novel, Alton did a fine job in his research in bringing the old vision of Seattle to life in its early days before the great fire took it to the ground. I also liked how the author built the climax around the great fire to make it all the more suspenseful. The mystery itself within the pages leads you on a trail of bread crumbs to find the killer, leaving you flipping pages vigorously until you end up face to face with the bakery from which the bread is derived. In closing, I hope the author will continue on with this storyline as he leaves it wide open, I would read the next installment if this is the case.

[Katie Sunsdahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and it makes me want to learn a bit more about Seattle History. It was well written, although it took me a bit to get used to the "old time" verbiage - written to match the times of the book. Footnotes were also interesting. Ended different than I thought it would.... :-)

[Bonnye Reed]

Fussy Librarian

[Gael Konrote · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a real problem trying to understand what exactly was happening

[Sue Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and the author, Josef Alton, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Throw-Away Faces in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book was a taut, gripping novel. There are twists and turns that keep you guessing. The author draws you in and keeps hold of your imagination until the final pages. 3.5 stars.
Worth a read.

[Tina O'Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Wow. I love the structure of this book. The historical figures and places create a powder-keg backdrop for a who-done-it that races through your veins like fire. Well done and dang it, that last page leaves you yearning for the next book!

[Diane Secchiaroli · Rating 3 out of 5]

SeatE

Not a good novel for reading on a kindle since the footnotes were not available until the end and the footnotes were essential to understanding the story. I found this disjointed and difficult to read.

[L doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covenant

This was a bit of a challenge to follow. Still finished till the end. Had a hard time to keep up my interest. Not really a fan. It was an interesting premise though yet too confusing at times without the ability to hold my interest.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this is written by a debut author, it is well researched and gripping to read, balancing between the 'current' string of Dublin killings and the recollections of another series of murders in Seattle three decades earlier. At first these two seem completely separate but as both stories continue, they begin to come together until eventually the two worlds collide in dramatic fashion on the streets of a rebellious Dublin. The historical context of both times and places are captured superbly, both in terms of the main characters and the settings, but also in the sense of time and place, the prevailing and changes views of the times and how these filtered through the two cities. The whole book has a bit of Gothic feel to it, with underlying tensions and darkness threatening to implode at any moment but with a subtlety (the confused sense of is it / isn't it real) that is key to the Gothic genre, a genre that I absolutely love. I don't want to say too much more as you should just read it and see for yourself, and I don't want to spoil it for you.

[Andy Dutton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing rather than compelling

I must preface this review by saying that I read this in incredibly small chunks, dipping in for 5-30 minutes every night while really tired. So perhaps it’s my own fault that I found this book had incredibly little flow.

What I can genuinely say is that I had very little compulsion to pick it up and read it again immediately, and when I did pick it up, the story didn’t feel like it moved very far. The characters and plot were slightly confusing, and the pay off at the end didn’t really make sense.

Frankly, by the last 20% of the book, I was only reading it to say I’d finished it, because I wasn’t remotely interested in the pay off. Being entirely honest, I still have no idea what the book was about or what happened. A fairly weak, uninteresting thriller by all accounts.