I loved this first impression, it gave a glimpse of multiple aspects that make these sort of books so brilliant to read.
I had one criticism of the opening which is the opening couple of pages with the victim. It was a bit generic and whilst it did sort of set up the mystery I feel it would have been more effective for the start to just open with Solomon at the hospital or have the first few pages be more involved, but I'm nitpicking at the only bad bit because from chapter two onwards this intro is brilliant!
I loved the first peaks into the temperaments of the presumed lead character and his family dynamics, I found Solomon to be quirky but that's the thing books like this need to draw the reader in.
The scene quickly shifts from the immediate aftermath to the police involvement whilst dropping further hints that Solomon's siblings both we floating in a grey side of the law and making me wish I had more in front of me to build a better picture, which is impressive to do in a short number of pages.
It all points towards a recluse distancing himself from a troubled family who is drawn back in through tragedy and circumstance.
It has an edge of realism and the weird social-outcast oddity that I find engaging and to some extent relatable.
To be honest the writer has done such a good job with the characterisation that my initial disappointment with the opening was quickly replaced when I realised I was completely engrossed by what followed,without really knowing why.
As first impressions go, in a story format I love, this was a (near) perfect opening to what seems like a well-written and insightful crime novel.
It's just a shame there wasn't more here for me to read further,as being able to picture and express thoughts on so much in so few pages is a sure sign of promise!
I had one criticism of the opening which is the opening couple of pages with the victim. It was a bit generic and whilst it did sort of set up the mystery I feel it would have been more effective for the start to just open with Solomon at the hospital or have the first few pages be more involved, but I'm nitpicking at the only bad bit because from chapter two onwards this intro is brilliant!
I loved the first peaks into the temperaments of the presumed lead character and his family dynamics, I found Solomon to be quirky but that's the thing books like this need to draw the reader in.
The scene quickly shifts from the immediate aftermath to the police involvement whilst dropping further hints that Solomon's siblings both we floating in a grey side of the law and making me wish I had more in front of me to build a better picture, which is impressive to do in a short number of pages.
It all points towards a recluse distancing himself from a troubled family who is drawn back in through tragedy and circumstance.
It has an edge of realism and the weird social-outcast oddity that I find engaging and to some extent relatable.
To be honest the writer has done such a good job with the characterisation that my initial disappointment with the opening was quickly replaced when I realised I was completely engrossed by what followed,without really knowing why.
As first impressions go, in a story format I love, this was a (near) perfect opening to what seems like a well-written and insightful crime novel.
It's just a shame there wasn't more here for me to read further,as being able to picture and express thoughts on so much in so few pages is a sure sign of promise!