Where the Bodies are Buried by Chris Brookmyre
Published by Grove Atlantic - June 3 2012
This introduction to a new
Scottish crime series gets off to a good start with an interesting array of
characters, and fine attention to detail. The mean and moody streets of Glasgow
are portrayed with the confidence of someone who knows the city well, and even
though there is an apparent fondness for the place, there is also a realisation
that an underworld of criminal activity skulks beneath the surface. There are
some clever twists and turns in the plot, which together with a few red
herrings combine to make a well controlled crime investigation. Brookmyre has a
very individual style, which can take a while to get used to, but his ability
to raise the tension never fails to engage, and his acerbic wit adds a quality
dimension, to what is essentially an interesting crime story.
As with all first books in a new series,
there is an element of getting to know all the characters, some are obviously
in it for the long haul, whilst some peripheral characters may disappear without
any further trace. Overall, I thought that this first book was a promising start
to a series which will develop over time. The potential for success is certainly
apparent, and Brookmyres army of fans will not be disappointed in this new
direction.
My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an e-copy in advance of publication.
I have dipped in and out of Brookmyre's back catalogue before and always enjoyed them, and was wondering if this new series (and name change from Christopher to Chris!) would represent a change in direction. It sounds good & I'll probably give it a try soon. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteMarie
Www.girlvsbookshelf.blogspot.com
Hi Marie - This is quite different from Brookmyre's previous work - a little bit more mainstream, which may not suit everyone.
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