Too soon for a novel about the pandemic?
In a word, no! This is a lively and cleverly structured novel that takes us through a lockdown mystery. I raced through it in two sittings because I really needed to know what happened.
The story begins when Ollie and Ciara meet in a Dublin supermarket (56 days before the present day). They bond over Ciara's space shuttle bag and a romance begins. When the Irish Taoiseach orders people to stay in their homes, the couple decide to live together rather than spend the lockdown apart. However, a murder investigation in the present day suggests that something has gone wrong and the Garda are left puzzling over what could prove to be a perfect crime.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - I did wonder whether it was too soon to be reading about the pandemic, but actually it was strangely cathartic to go over the weirdness of the past year and a bit in the company of some fictional figures. Indeed, the pandemic - with masks, lockdown, limited social contact - actually creates a brilliant and creepy backdrop for a thriller in which secrecy is key.
My favourite parts of the novel were the sections about the police investigation. I loved the Garda team - the way that they are introduced at the start of the novel made me laugh (oh dear, Karl!) and the dynamic between them is brilliant. The fact the lead detective is female was an extra bonus for me.
I enjoyed the cross-cutting between Ollie and Ciara in the past and the police investigation in the current day - this ratchets up the tension as the reader hunts for clues about what happened and feeds on the paranoia of both Ollie and Ciara regarding the situation they have got themselves into.
It's so hard to write about this book without giving spoilers, so I'll just recommend that you read it! I think this would appeal to domestic thriller fans mainly, although there is the added bonus of a police procedural element too. It's pacey, cleverly-plotted and compelling to the last. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
In a word, no! This is a lively and cleverly structured novel that takes us through a lockdown mystery. I raced through it in two sittings because I really needed to know what happened.
The story begins when Ollie and Ciara meet in a Dublin supermarket (56 days before the present day). They bond over Ciara's space shuttle bag and a romance begins. When the Irish Taoiseach orders people to stay in their homes, the couple decide to live together rather than spend the lockdown apart. However, a murder investigation in the present day suggests that something has gone wrong and the Garda are left puzzling over what could prove to be a perfect crime.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - I did wonder whether it was too soon to be reading about the pandemic, but actually it was strangely cathartic to go over the weirdness of the past year and a bit in the company of some fictional figures. Indeed, the pandemic - with masks, lockdown, limited social contact - actually creates a brilliant and creepy backdrop for a thriller in which secrecy is key.
My favourite parts of the novel were the sections about the police investigation. I loved the Garda team - the way that they are introduced at the start of the novel made me laugh (oh dear, Karl!) and the dynamic between them is brilliant. The fact the lead detective is female was an extra bonus for me.
I enjoyed the cross-cutting between Ollie and Ciara in the past and the police investigation in the current day - this ratchets up the tension as the reader hunts for clues about what happened and feeds on the paranoia of both Ollie and Ciara regarding the situation they have got themselves into.
It's so hard to write about this book without giving spoilers, so I'll just recommend that you read it! I think this would appeal to domestic thriller fans mainly, although there is the added bonus of a police procedural element too. It's pacey, cleverly-plotted and compelling to the last. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.