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Mark Tartaglia #2
Our Lady Of Pain
'Under the dazzling glare of the electric lamp, Tartaglia saw the naked body of a young woman. She was kneeling down in the snow, head bent right over touching the ground, her face almost hidden beneath a tangle of pale blonde hair. He felt cold just to look at her.'
The young woman was Rachel Tenison, a wealthy art dealer, who led what appeared to be a normal, fulfilled life. But as DI Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan scratch away at the surface, a darker, secret side emerges.
Then a tip-off sends their investigation spinning in an entirely different direction.
Still haunted by the 'Bridegroom' case, which they were lucky to survive, Tartaglia and Donovan are forced to confront their own demons as they struggle to pin down the most elusive of killers.
The young woman was Rachel Tenison, a wealthy art dealer, who led what appeared to be a normal, fulfilled life. But as DI Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan scratch away at the surface, a darker, secret side emerges.
Then a tip-off sends their investigation spinning in an entirely different direction.
Still haunted by the 'Bridegroom' case, which they were lucky to survive, Tartaglia and Donovan are forced to confront their own demons as they struggle to pin down the most elusive of killers.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
11 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Elena Forbes
14 books54 followersElena Forbes is an English writer of crime fiction.She grew up in London. After completing a degree in French and Italian at Bristol University, she worked in portfolio management for a number of international groups before becoming a full-time writer.
She lives in central London with her husband and two children. The protagonists of her novels so far are Detective Inspector Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan of the Barnes Murder Squad. Her first novel was shortlisted for the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award.
Series:
* Mark Tartaglia Mystery
She lives in central London with her husband and two children. The protagonists of her novels so far are Detective Inspector Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan of the Barnes Murder Squad. Her first novel was shortlisted for the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award.
Series:
* Mark Tartaglia Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 2, 2015
Our Lady of Pain is the second book in the Mark Tartaglia series by British author, Elena Forbes. When a naked body is found in the snow in Holland Park, posed in prayer, a Swinburne poem stuffed in her mouth, DI Mark Tartaglia and his Barnes Murder Squad investigate. On closer examination it transpires that the victim, an attractive, wealthy and well-liked art dealer, had secrets of which even her family and closest friends were unaware. Then a journalist claims a link to a year-old cold case, complicating the investigation even further.
In this instalment, Forbes expands on her two main characters, Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan, both of whom are appealing, in spite of, or perhaps because of, their flaws. The story features S&M, more than one stalker, and a bit of psychological profiling. This page-turner has a clever plot with a red herring or two, a heart-stopping climax and enough twists that the author should worry about being sued for whiplash injury. A brilliant read.
In this instalment, Forbes expands on her two main characters, Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan, both of whom are appealing, in spite of, or perhaps because of, their flaws. The story features S&M, more than one stalker, and a bit of psychological profiling. This page-turner has a clever plot with a red herring or two, a heart-stopping climax and enough twists that the author should worry about being sued for whiplash injury. A brilliant read.
March 28, 2021
This is the second book in the Mark Tartaglia and Sam Donovan detective series. While I did enjoy this novel (it's an easy, light read), but it’s not as well written as her first book.
The victim was a femme fatale, whom women disliked and one that the all the men, including Mark Tartaglia, even in death, obsess over. A murder that occurred a year ago is brought to the crime squad's attention and they wonder if the both murders are linked.
In the first book, a possible romantic relationship was hinted at between Mark & Sam but in this book, the two of them are rarely together, which was rather disappointing. We follow them separately, investigating the two murders. I would have enjoyed reading more about the interaction & development of their characters, seeing them fleshed out in this second book. As it is, we learn more about the victim's personality, than we do about the main characters.
Also the ending felt rushed & tacked on. Oh well, onwards to the next book 😉
The victim was a femme fatale, whom women disliked and one that the all the men, including Mark Tartaglia, even in death, obsess over. A murder that occurred a year ago is brought to the crime squad's attention and they wonder if the both murders are linked.
In the first book, a possible romantic relationship was hinted at between Mark & Sam but in this book, the two of them are rarely together, which was rather disappointing. We follow them separately, investigating the two murders. I would have enjoyed reading more about the interaction & development of their characters, seeing them fleshed out in this second book. As it is, we learn more about the victim's personality, than we do about the main characters.
Also the ending felt rushed & tacked on. Oh well, onwards to the next book 😉
January 30, 2015
Just turned the last page of "Our Lady of Pain" by Elena Forbes. The second installment in what is shaping up to be a superb British police procedural series.
The first book in the series, "Die with me", I reviewed on my blog on June 13, 2009.
"Our Lady of Pain" is set in London, in February, with DCI Mark Tartaglia and policewoman Sam Donovan working an intriguing murder case. The body of a beautiful young art dealer is found by a passing jogger naked and frozen in Holland Park. Her body is posed in such a way that she looks like she is praying and an excerpt of a poem is found in her mouth.
The murder investigation is hindered by the fact that the victim, Rachel Tenison led a very mysterious and disturbing life. They flounder along with the case until a journalist links this case with one from the previous year which has some similarities to the one that they are working on... At this point a detective from the first case, Simon Turner, is assigned to work with them.
The suspects are credible villains who hide their motivations and lie about their whereabouts forcing Tartaglia and the Barnes Murder Squad to work even harder and more ingeniously to seek out the truth.
With brilliant characterizations and a steadily increasing grip of suspense, this novel delivered on all levels. It has in fact, ascertained that Elena Forbes has been added to my favorite novelists list.
The first book in the series, "Die with me", I reviewed on my blog on June 13, 2009.
"Our Lady of Pain" is set in London, in February, with DCI Mark Tartaglia and policewoman Sam Donovan working an intriguing murder case. The body of a beautiful young art dealer is found by a passing jogger naked and frozen in Holland Park. Her body is posed in such a way that she looks like she is praying and an excerpt of a poem is found in her mouth.
The murder investigation is hindered by the fact that the victim, Rachel Tenison led a very mysterious and disturbing life. They flounder along with the case until a journalist links this case with one from the previous year which has some similarities to the one that they are working on... At this point a detective from the first case, Simon Turner, is assigned to work with them.
The suspects are credible villains who hide their motivations and lie about their whereabouts forcing Tartaglia and the Barnes Murder Squad to work even harder and more ingeniously to seek out the truth.
With brilliant characterizations and a steadily increasing grip of suspense, this novel delivered on all levels. It has in fact, ascertained that Elena Forbes has been added to my favorite novelists list.
January 8, 2018
I loved this book. It was easy to read & a good story
April 2, 2009
OUR LADY OF PAIN is the second novel from English writer Elena Forbes - her first DIE WITH ME received a much deserved nomination for the Crime Writers' Association John Creasey New Blood Dagger award.
This book picks up with the same investigation team headed by DI Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan, called in when a most bizarrely "displayed" body is found in a snow covered London park. The naked corpse of a young woman is kneeling down, her head bent right over touching the ground, her face almost hidden beneath a tangle of pale blonde hair. Identified finally as a wealthy, seemingly very normal West End Art dealer, there is a much darker side to the victim which her friends and family don't make it easy to unveil.
OUR LADY OF PAIN has a similar feeling to the first book, the investigation takes place in the freezing cold of a London Winter, the subject matter is often dark and there's a dismal and almost lost feel to the lives led by just about all the suspects, witnesses and the victim. All of that lends a subdued, dark, sad feeling to many of the characters who are frequently damaged people. Not so the two main lead characters who lead relatively normal lives (especially compared to many police characters in Crime Fiction in general). They are both single, and there is a spark of romantic interest, slightly one-sided perhaps, but it's not overplayed and it is not used as a source of ongoing angst. There's something very realistic about the way that the relationship between Mark and Sam is portrayed and there's something refreshingly normal about both of them. Sam has a happy home life, sharing a house with her sister, they are close and the only thing that's overtly wrong there is a worrying inability to cook. Mark has a good relationship with his own family, despite his sister's ongoing attempts to pair him off with all her own female friends, he cooks, he lives in a normal home, clean and furnished, and well - normal.
It's partly the balance of all these elements that really make this book work, as they did in the first novel incidentally. It's also helped by sound police procedural elements, alongside a strong plot. The plot is reasonably fairly laid out giving fans of puzzle solving a chance of working out the outcome, although the final resolution is not as obvious as you could be forgiven for thinking it was going to be.
I really liked the first book - DIE WITH ME - and I was wondering how the second book would rate, given the class act it had to follow. OUR LADY OF PAIN held up really well, and kept the series ticking along nicely. I hope there's a third and many more outings with DI Tartaglia and DS Donovan.
This book picks up with the same investigation team headed by DI Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan, called in when a most bizarrely "displayed" body is found in a snow covered London park. The naked corpse of a young woman is kneeling down, her head bent right over touching the ground, her face almost hidden beneath a tangle of pale blonde hair. Identified finally as a wealthy, seemingly very normal West End Art dealer, there is a much darker side to the victim which her friends and family don't make it easy to unveil.
OUR LADY OF PAIN has a similar feeling to the first book, the investigation takes place in the freezing cold of a London Winter, the subject matter is often dark and there's a dismal and almost lost feel to the lives led by just about all the suspects, witnesses and the victim. All of that lends a subdued, dark, sad feeling to many of the characters who are frequently damaged people. Not so the two main lead characters who lead relatively normal lives (especially compared to many police characters in Crime Fiction in general). They are both single, and there is a spark of romantic interest, slightly one-sided perhaps, but it's not overplayed and it is not used as a source of ongoing angst. There's something very realistic about the way that the relationship between Mark and Sam is portrayed and there's something refreshingly normal about both of them. Sam has a happy home life, sharing a house with her sister, they are close and the only thing that's overtly wrong there is a worrying inability to cook. Mark has a good relationship with his own family, despite his sister's ongoing attempts to pair him off with all her own female friends, he cooks, he lives in a normal home, clean and furnished, and well - normal.
It's partly the balance of all these elements that really make this book work, as they did in the first novel incidentally. It's also helped by sound police procedural elements, alongside a strong plot. The plot is reasonably fairly laid out giving fans of puzzle solving a chance of working out the outcome, although the final resolution is not as obvious as you could be forgiven for thinking it was going to be.
I really liked the first book - DIE WITH ME - and I was wondering how the second book would rate, given the class act it had to follow. OUR LADY OF PAIN held up really well, and kept the series ticking along nicely. I hope there's a third and many more outings with DI Tartaglia and DS Donovan.
September 10, 2014
The main character in this book is dead. The police are looking to find who killed her of course. What makes this interesting vs. other murder/mystery novels is how much this is about her. Yes, we learn about the other characters, some who are rather complex as well. You go deeper and deeper into the victims world & she isn't the type of person everyone thought she was. She affected many of the living even after death. She is beautiful & alluring, but she is also a mystery. A woman with some secrets. It seems rather straight forward in the beginning but slowly there are twists & turns until the final twist! This is a good read that slowly gets you in its grip. You find yourself often times thinking of the book & how you would like to get back to reading it. It is not a "can't put down" thriller, but it's by no means boring! I have read better books & I've read books that were so terrible I simply couldn't continue to read them! This is truly is a 4 star book that is worth reading.
April 11, 2015
This is another riveting mystery starring Mark Tartaglia of the London Murder Squad. Again, the descriptions of the London sites are so well drawn, I feel like I'm there. Forbes is a master at convincing the reader of the guilt of a character, only to have the premise turned upside down in the last few pages: very skillful. If I have one small criticism, I hope that in subsequent books, Sara Donovan is not always going to be unsuspecting enough to again be victimized by the villain. She needs to get smarter and less trusting, or her character will devolve into a perpetual damsel in distress that Mark Tartaglia will forever be having to rescue. That could get old. Otherwise, I can't wait to tackle the next two books in the series.
January 3, 2017
I really liked this one. Good police story with characters I liked. The ending was not as good as good as others. (Why it gets a 4 instead of a 5), but I will read more of this author if I get a chance and there are more book in the series at my library.
March 14, 2009
I'll read the next one in the series. But if the one female cop ends up in danger yet again, that's it.
September 11, 2013
Excellent until the end, which was a bit much!
January 10, 2015
The story was going very well until the end, when it deteriorated. The ending was extremely annoying especially if you read the previous book. The author needs to get new ideas.
December 26, 2019
This is a strong novel in a strong series; I requested the third book (Evil in Return) via interlibrary loan before I even finished this one. Mark Tartaglia and Sam Donovan are great characters. Both are strong but with obvious weaknesses that play into the storyline; both are compassionate with a strong sense of justice, but not afraid to be dispassionate when they need to ask hard questions. They also work well together and with their team despite the quirks and character traits that make personalities in a high-stress workplace like a murder squad difficult to get along with. I like both detectives and their respective back stories.
As far as the mystery goes, Elena Forbes is an excellent plotter and provides just the right amount of detail to make the novel feel realistic but not overboard in terms of feeding the reader information. As with the first book, Die with Me, I didn't guess the identity of the murderer until it was revealed near the end. Suspenseful, interesting, and absorbing: what more can you ask of a British police procedural? The only thing I dislike is the policewoman-in-peril trope; Forbes has used it twice in the first two books, and the women dealt with enough danger that it seemed odd to me that Forbes used this plot device a second time. But it isn't bothersome enough to keep from reading what has been a surprisingly good series thus far.
As far as the mystery goes, Elena Forbes is an excellent plotter and provides just the right amount of detail to make the novel feel realistic but not overboard in terms of feeding the reader information. As with the first book, Die with Me, I didn't guess the identity of the murderer until it was revealed near the end. Suspenseful, interesting, and absorbing: what more can you ask of a British police procedural? The only thing I dislike is the policewoman-in-peril trope; Forbes has used it twice in the first two books, and the women dealt with enough danger that it seemed odd to me that Forbes used this plot device a second time. But it isn't bothersome enough to keep from reading what has been a surprisingly good series thus far.
March 17, 2018
A woman jogging in the local park is murdered and found naked with a paper stuffed in her mouth that had a poem written on it. The woman has a lot of secrets that even her closest friend is not aware of and the investigation begins slowly unraveling these secrets to find the killer. The mystery was good, I gave it three stars because I am trying to like the main characters. In my opinion Donovan is portrayed as a weak woman who should be more intelligent and stronger in the titled position she holds. Tartaglia gets too emotionally involved with the women that are being investigated in the murder and lacks professionalism in some instances. Tartaglia’s sister trying to fix him up all the time is getting old and this is only the second book in the series. The ending was a bit weird for me showing once again the insecurity and weakness of the main two characters. This reader felt that Tartaglia was trying to reward Donovan by asking her out and did not come across sincere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2018
It was entertaining enough to keep reading until the end, but the twist felt weak. I understand that it doesn’t want to make the murderer too obvious, but it doesn’t feel very satisfying when I have almost no investment in them because they’re pretty much irrelevant until they turn up at the end to basically reveal that they did it, and then the other characters introduced at the beginning feel like *they* were pointless. It just didn’t come together well enough for me, and that’s particularly disappointing in a murder mystery. As is I might read more of this author’s books to see if they do things better, as there were some promising stuff, but I wouldn’t necessarily reccomend this one to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
3-3.5 stars actually. A decent British police procedural and the second in Elena Forbes’ Mark Tartaglia series, Our Lady of Pain focuses on a murder victim found posed in prayer in a London park. Tartaglia and his partner Sam Donovan must dive into the young female victim’s past and unconventional habits to determine why she was killed and who might have had motive to kill her. Many false leads and red herrings make up the plot and the climax and conclusion to the mystery is mostly satisfying. The crime solving partnership between Mark and Sam is one of the strongest elements of this series with each holding equal respect and regard for the other. A worthwhile series to explore and I look forward to diving into the third installment.
April 20, 2020
Hardcover
400 pages did NOT seem like 400 pages. The story moved along very well and the writing was good. This was a book we picked up at the Great American book giveaway (basically, all the books the library wants to clear off it's shelves..YES!) and since I'm quarantined at the bf's house, I pulled it off of his shelf. I haven't read the 1st book in the series (?) and I don't recognize the author but I will be looking her up. One review did mention a similarity to the endings and I'm hoping that's not true going forward because I really enjoyed her writing.
400 pages did NOT seem like 400 pages. The story moved along very well and the writing was good. This was a book we picked up at the Great American book giveaway (basically, all the books the library wants to clear off it's shelves..YES!) and since I'm quarantined at the bf's house, I pulled it off of his shelf. I haven't read the 1st book in the series (?) and I don't recognize the author but I will be looking her up. One review did mention a similarity to the endings and I'm hoping that's not true going forward because I really enjoyed her writing.
April 21, 2019
Ik hou wel van de schrijfstijl van Forbes en ook de plot weet mij te bekoren, maar wat bij het eerste boek nog als een heuse verrassing kwam, voelt nu aan als ferme anticlimax. Ook in dit boek bevindt de moordenaar zich vlak onder de neus van de speurders. Ik voel er momenteel niet veel voor om ook het volgende boek in de reeks te lezen...
August 10, 2025
Not my usual type of book but it was a good change! Been so busy with uni tho it took me forever to read
Genuinely quite good- I didn’t know who did it kinda of a plot twist at the end!! Definitely felt like an ep of law and order
Although when reading at night it was a lil scary 💀💀
Enjoyed it but probs won’t be able to read again due as the plot twists make the story
Genuinely quite good- I didn’t know who did it kinda of a plot twist at the end!! Definitely felt like an ep of law and order
Although when reading at night it was a lil scary 💀💀
Enjoyed it but probs won’t be able to read again due as the plot twists make the story
August 28, 2017
When I already know what is in the locked red trunk at the end of the victim's bed and when the hero's side kick makes yet another bad decision and gets mixed up with the latest bad guy, I know it's time to put this series to rest.
Read
June 7, 2023A woman is murdered while out running and everyone says how wonderful she was and that she had no enemies. Is that really true or are people covering up their true feelings about her. And could her death be linked to an earlier killing? Mark Tartaglia book 2
November 2, 2018
good book
December 9, 2018
Ik moest even in het verhaal komen, daarna een goed boek.
June 16, 2022
I’m enjoying this series.
August 20, 2022
Όταν βλέπεις πολλά αντίτυπα ενός βιβλίου σε παλαιοβιβλιωπολειο μακρυά... Αμέλησα τον άγραφο νόμο του bookhunting και διάβασα το χειρότερο αστυνομικό για αυτή την χιλιετία
January 19, 2025
3.5 stars
May 8, 2017
This was an interesting read, I bought it for a absolute steal!
I really enjoyed the angle of the investigation it was a change.
Would recommend to anyone who loves crime novels a little less intense.
I really enjoyed the angle of the investigation it was a change.
Would recommend to anyone who loves crime novels a little less intense.
August 9, 2008
Similar in style and cadence to the stories of Robert Goddard and P. D. James with a little bit of Ruth Rendell thrown in for good measure. Our Lady of Pain is a wonderful and literate murder mystery that engages the reader from the very first page.
While the plot is driven by the investigative team's probe into two brutal murders, the true beauty of the book lies in the author's meticulous development of the characters and their surroundings. The reader is allowed a voyeuristic look into the day to day existence of detectives Mark Tartaglia, Sam Donovan and Simon Turner from their work environment, to their co-workers and families as they work their case, scrutinizing every aspect of the lives of the victims and the suspected culprits. As they expose some unsavory aspects of the case to the light of day (a difficult task in rainy London) we follow the trail of scattered breadcrumb clues as the truth slowly emerges.
If I had one complaint about this book it is was with the character of Sam Donovan whose previous faulty judgment (read gullibility) in the Bridegroom case was repeatedly referred to and made her appear less professional than her male counterpart. (I have not read Ms. Forbes previous book "Die with Me", but I got the impression that Tartaglia too was involved in that case, however the author did not carry the question of HIS character's acumen and perception forward into this book). Perhaps I am just nit-picking, since on the whole I sincerely enjoyed reading experience.
No Michael Connelly style roller coaster ride here, no Lee Child super hero either, just well drawn characters and great atmospheric writing.
While the plot is driven by the investigative team's probe into two brutal murders, the true beauty of the book lies in the author's meticulous development of the characters and their surroundings. The reader is allowed a voyeuristic look into the day to day existence of detectives Mark Tartaglia, Sam Donovan and Simon Turner from their work environment, to their co-workers and families as they work their case, scrutinizing every aspect of the lives of the victims and the suspected culprits. As they expose some unsavory aspects of the case to the light of day (a difficult task in rainy London) we follow the trail of scattered breadcrumb clues as the truth slowly emerges.
If I had one complaint about this book it is was with the character of Sam Donovan whose previous faulty judgment (read gullibility) in the Bridegroom case was repeatedly referred to and made her appear less professional than her male counterpart. (I have not read Ms. Forbes previous book "Die with Me", but I got the impression that Tartaglia too was involved in that case, however the author did not carry the question of HIS character's acumen and perception forward into this book). Perhaps I am just nit-picking, since on the whole I sincerely enjoyed reading experience.
No Michael Connelly style roller coaster ride here, no Lee Child super hero either, just well drawn characters and great atmospheric writing.
December 19, 2020
3,5 stars
I came across "Our lady of pain" in a book fair. I've never heard of this book before, but I decided to try. I'm only sorry that I didn't read "Die with me" (the first one in the series) before reading "Our lady of pain", because I've spoiled myself.
"Our lady of pain" can be read as an standalone, but I warn you that the killer of the first book is mentioned. So if you plan to read all of them, I recommend to start with the first one.
Although this book is a thriller, it wasn't my favourite thing about it. I often NEED to know who is the killer, I can't stop reading until I found. In this book, I enjoyed so much the characters, the dialogues and the scenes that the identity of the killer was almost secondary. Elena Forbes really suck me into the story since the first page. This book is all action. I loved every page of it. In fact, I don't give it 5 stars just because it's a thriller book and I wasn't so thriller as I should have. However, the identity of the killer was not a disappointed, but I thing the author could have give the reader some clue about it (I love when you have your own suspects and plots creating in your mind as you are reading).
Anyway, I truly enjoyed the book. The writing is amazing and really entertaining. I will definitely read the rest of the series (but not the first, bloody me) and I recommend them to any of you looking for a well-writing thriller.
I came across "Our lady of pain" in a book fair. I've never heard of this book before, but I decided to try. I'm only sorry that I didn't read "Die with me" (the first one in the series) before reading "Our lady of pain", because I've spoiled myself.
"Our lady of pain" can be read as an standalone, but I warn you that the killer of the first book is mentioned. So if you plan to read all of them, I recommend to start with the first one.
Although this book is a thriller, it wasn't my favourite thing about it. I often NEED to know who is the killer, I can't stop reading until I found. In this book, I enjoyed so much the characters, the dialogues and the scenes that the identity of the killer was almost secondary. Elena Forbes really suck me into the story since the first page. This book is all action. I loved every page of it. In fact, I don't give it 5 stars just because it's a thriller book and I wasn't so thriller as I should have. However, the identity of the killer was not a disappointed, but I thing the author could have give the reader some clue about it (I love when you have your own suspects and plots creating in your mind as you are reading).
Anyway, I truly enjoyed the book. The writing is amazing and really entertaining. I will definitely read the rest of the series (but not the first, bloody me) and I recommend them to any of you looking for a well-writing thriller.
November 19, 2011
There are several things that I look for in a mystery. The story should make me care about the characters. There should be plenty of clues. The solution should be an “of course” moment. It should be well-paced. “Our Lady of Pain” has all of these. The author does a great job of avoiding the “sophomore jinx” by writing a good follow-up to the first book in her series.
Rachel Tenison, a beautiful art dealer, is found dead in a park one snowy winter morning. Her body is found in a way that suggests a sadistic killer. Who wanted her dead? Was it her business partner, Richard Greville? Her half-brother, MP Patrick Tenison? Her occasional lover, Jason Bourne? Her friend, Liz Volpe? And is this murder related to the murder of Catherine Watson? Detectives Mark Tartaglia and Sam Donovan have to sift through the clues and find the killer. There are enough suspects and clues as well as red-herrings to keep the story moving.
London is a used well as a backdrop in this “noir” mystery where it is always either snowing, raining, or night time. The author creates a dark atmosphere which permeates the story and helps creates a sense of impending evil. It’s not the greatest mystery ever written but as an entertaining read it fills the requirements. If you are looking for something fast and cleverly written, then you can do a lot worse than “Our Lady of Pain”.
Rachel Tenison, a beautiful art dealer, is found dead in a park one snowy winter morning. Her body is found in a way that suggests a sadistic killer. Who wanted her dead? Was it her business partner, Richard Greville? Her half-brother, MP Patrick Tenison? Her occasional lover, Jason Bourne? Her friend, Liz Volpe? And is this murder related to the murder of Catherine Watson? Detectives Mark Tartaglia and Sam Donovan have to sift through the clues and find the killer. There are enough suspects and clues as well as red-herrings to keep the story moving.
London is a used well as a backdrop in this “noir” mystery where it is always either snowing, raining, or night time. The author creates a dark atmosphere which permeates the story and helps creates a sense of impending evil. It’s not the greatest mystery ever written but as an entertaining read it fills the requirements. If you are looking for something fast and cleverly written, then you can do a lot worse than “Our Lady of Pain”.
November 9, 2015
Het is al even geleden dat ik een echte thriller heb gelezen. Hiervoor heb ik een aantal chicklits gelezen en Nooit meer met jou van Lucy Dawson had wel wat thrillerelementen, maar was niet een thriller in de zin van er is iemand vermoord en de politie zoekt de dader. Onze Lieve Vrouwe van de pijn is een interessant boek en je wordt als lezer soms ook op het verkeerde been gezet. Toch vond ik het boek niet heel uitzonderlijk vergeleken met andere thrillers. Ook wordt het nooit heel spannend. Het is een boeiend en vlot verhaal, maar het is niet dat je echt gegrepen wordt door het boek. Je blijft een beetje op een afstandje. Je leeft niet echt mee met de personages. Het plot vond ik wel goed gevonden. Vandaar dat ik het boek in zijn totaliteit wel drie sterren geef.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews