When a family is attacked and three of its members die, the Dublin Murder Squad activates Detective Michael “Scorcher” Kennedy to solve the case.
“Here’s what I’m trying to tell you: this case should have gone like clockwork. It should have ended up in the textbooks as a shining example of how to get everything right.” pg 13, ebook
But things are never that simple in Tana French’s thrilling, mystery series.
I said, “This is a bad one.” O’Kelly laid one heavy palm on the call sheet, like he was holding it down. He said, “Husband, wife and two kids, stabbed in their own home. The wife’s headed for the hospital; it’s touch and go. The rest are dead.” pg 15, ebook.
Readers were introduced to Scorcher in the last book, as the tight-laced and slightly inept officer assigned to investigate the cold case that took place in Faithful Place. I didn’t like him much in that book and this one didn’t change my opinion.
“Probably he was thinking what a boring bollix I was. … Only teenagers think boring is bad. Adults, grown men and women who’ve been around the block a few times, know that boring is a gift straight from God.” pg 22, ebook.
I thought he was kind of boring too.
Unlike the last books which mainly dealt with psychological tension caused by fear, Broken Harbor delves into the murky waters of mental illness.
“I don’t know what word you want me to use, but if this fella’s mental, then nobody has to go asking for trouble. He’s bringing it with him.” pg 81, ebook.
In addition to juggling his case, Scorcher is trying to protect his sister, who is bipolar and refuses to seek help. The family hides her illness from their neighbors because of shame and something that happened in their past.
This plot point seemed outdated to me. Culture has shifted in the past decade so that mental illness is no longer something that is swept under the rug. Maybe this is different in Ireland than the States, but I kept getting hung up on that and it spoiled my enjoyment of what would have otherwise been another thrilling story.
Recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers. Be aware of potential triggers for anyone who struggles with auditory hallucinations, suicidal tendencies and mood swings.
Thanks for reading!
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