S. R. White

Dana investigates a murder at a charity's retreat. This is complicated by the fact that the charity grew up in the wake of police incompetence after the murder of a teenage boy. I enjoyed this, although it began to drag in the middle - Dana took the approach that she and her team should discuss (at length) various possible scenarios to decide how to question the suspects, whereas I wanted her to just get on and see where the interviews took her.

I was disappointed with the resolution since I do not feel it had not been sufficiently clued for the reader to guess it. The confession Dana obtained did not read like someone's natural speech either - more like someone writing a novel about what they did. On the other hand I liked Mila and her crutches and eye patch and will continue with this series.… (meer)

This had its good points - the sense of place was strong, and the description of the dust storm was fascinating. However, the identity of the murderer seemed entirely obvious to me from more or less the beginning; it was slow and a bit repetitious in places; the idea that the state would fund an art installation like the angels for a town with a population of 50 seemed unlikely; and the 'messages' Dana read into the positioning of the angels was a stretch. However, my main issue with the book was that out of the 350 pages of my edition, the last 75 were Dana explaining what had happened and how she had worked it out, referring to things her colleague Lucy had uncovered, which the reader knew nothing about. It was like a separate essay all on its own.… (meer)

Three main mystery threads run through this novel.

First of all how is it that "the hermit" has been "off the radar" for the last 15 years. Why did he become a hermit? How has he lived?

Secondly, did he kill the person he was found standing over? Why? If he didn't, then who did?

Thirdly, why does Detective Dana Russo avoid contact with people on this day in particular?

I have never quite met a detective like Dana Russo. Her main aim is to get to know the suspect, to get him to trust her, and to find out what has happened to him in the past. She interviews him in short bursts, on her own, although under observation by her boss and colleagues. She compiles questions that she wants her team to find the answers to, to give her ammunition for her questions to the suspect. She gets him to see her as his only friend, so eventually he will reveal his innermost secrets.

All the time though Dana is comparing their experiences. Asking him questions without revealing too much of what has happened to her in the past.

A fascinating novel, and a compelling read.… (meer)