Brian O'hareBesprekingen

Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his team are called in to investigate the death of Judge Trevor Neeson. With his harsh sentencing there would seem to be ample suspects. But when another body is discovered, killed in the same way, what could be the connection or motive.
An intriguing mystery and police procedural story. The characters seem to be well defined as you would expect in the fourth of a series, and are a likeable bunch.
I admit to getting sidetracked with who I thought the murderer was, but at least I solved one major clue straightaway unlike the team or the expert.
This is my first book from the series and can easily read as a standalone story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only

DCI Jim Sheehan and his team investigate when prominant Catholic figures are murdered. Not only murdered, but naked and displayed as strange shapes.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written murder mystery

When a body of a Chinese female is discovered in a garden belonging to businessman James Gifford, chief inspector Jim Sheehan and his team investigate. The facts lead them to Queen's University in Belfast and the Shenzhen university in China, and the local Chinese community. But what are they hiding. Who is the main man in charge.
An interesting and entertaining story, with likeable main characters, and with enjoyable interactions between the police team. A good addition to the series.
I received a copy from the author

Chen Li has been drawn into the escort industry, the seedy side. But all ends badly when she decides to run away. Can D.I. Robert Williams catch the killer known as The Shadow.
An enjoyable crime story

This is really a short story but it was good. Nice little mystery along the lines of the Ellery Queen stories. Short with an aside to the reader asking if you think you can solve the mystery now, followed by the solution as unfolded by Inspector Sheehan. Very nice, quick read!

I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

A unique mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. I cannot recommend this book enough! It has enough twists that you won't be totally sure of *anything* before things culminate in one final, heart-stopping series of events. Murders, stalkers, and intrepid detectives pepper the cast of this book, making it a one of a kind must-read!

-received for free

An Engrossing Murder Thriller with a Gut-Wrenching Finale

The Dark Web Murders is an engrossing—and by its end, harrowing—serial-killer, murder thriller. Initially, it’s a ‘crowd whodunit,’ deriving mystery from the excess of viable, and in this case, powerful suspects. “So, we have a dead judge who has just been partying with another judge, a law professor, a couple of property millionaires, a prominent surgeon, a well-known barrister, a socialite and a playboy, a gambling machines tycoon, a media mogul, a top civil servant, and a restaurateur.” This part of the story has the feel of a well-developed police procedural, bolstered by the considerable deductive skills of our protagonist, Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan. “Sheehan didn’t miss the deliberate nature of the judge’s composure.” That’s a lot of fine reading of body language.

The author maintains and grows the tension by giving the reader insights before Sheehan and his team; we are reading the blog posts of our demented killer on the dark web well before Sergeant Stewart discovers them. I found myself yelling at the book, trying to tell Sheehan not to get distracted. But distracted, he isn’t. He’s picking up on some very subtle clues that are sprinkled throughout the story. But author Brian O’Hare didn’t just plant understated evidence for the killer—that’s not devious enough for this writer. He had me suspecting another individual almost from the start with a series of chance meetings and mannerisms that fit our killer. If you like being fooled as much as I, you’ll enjoy the author’s skill at planting red herrings. The story ends with a well-known but extremely well-written, gut-wrenching moral dilemma.

My qualms about the book are few and quite minor. For one, the story felt complete a couple of chapters before the book ended. Even the method Sheehan used to fill in the details of the killer’s motivation seemed unnecessary; Sheehan already knew where to get those answers. Also, the killer’s posts on the dark web are complex, pseudo-philosophical arguments written in a style reminiscent of nineteenth-century novelists such as Austen, the Brontes, Dickens, and others. I understand Sheehan’s interest in those posts—what serial killer doesn’t leave clues to identity in his or her manifesto—but how did the killer get such a following on the dark web? The killer’s motivation also seemed a bit at odds with the his/her description as a narcissistic psychopath, although no diagnosis will fit any specific individual perfectly. And finally, some of the content deals with depraved, sexual behavior—pedophilia, extreme sadism to the point of death, human trafficking. If you are strongly affected by such topics, be forewarned.

Overall, The Dark Web Murders is an engrossing murder thriller filled with subtle clues, only some of which point to the killer.

I was given a copy of the book by the author. I elected to write this candid review.

Mix of a Police Procedural and the Occult (Seriously – and Seriously Scary)

If you are prone to check a book’s genre, as I do when seeking a new read, you may do a doubletake when you view The Coven Murders. It’s listed in the occult and the police procedural genres, the latter having a focus on investigative processes. Are we talking about arresting demons? Actually, that guess is not far off, as author Brian O’Hare has penned a unique and intriguing mix of detailed detective work in pursuit of some bad guys, not all of whom may be human. And if you’re thinking that could be amusing, you’re at the wrong end of the spectrum. It’s bone chilling, truly scary, without resorting to graphic details of ritualistic murders or grotesque beasts. Not many authors can do that.

One of the first things you’ll notice about the book is the author’s writing style; it’s elegant, evocative. Consider this description from the first chapter. “An atavistic dread paralyses the coven members, shocking them into a silent, transfixed tableau,” as opposed to, ‘they were so scared they couldn’t move.’ The book is so eloquently written that literary fiction could be added to the list of genres, giving further pause to the potential reader. I will admit, however, that in a few places the flowery prose and the gruesome story seemed in discord and some ‘plain talk’ might have worked better, but that was an extremely minor concern.

The method O’Hare uses to manage the plot’s mystery is nothing short of outstanding. From the start, the reader knows more than the protagonist, Chief Inspector Sheehan, about a 21-year-old cold case – the bones of a young woman found in a shallow grave near the ruins of an abandoned church. All the time, we’re wondering, when will he and his team get the break they need? But at the same time, we as readers know there is more to the mystery because now, coven members are dying. It’s this constant, mental dissonance between willing the police forward and realizing that their path is littered with dark, evil unknowns that make the pages turn themselves long into the night.

Overall, my advice to the reader interested in crime mysteries and/or books involving the occult is, don’t be baffled by the somewhat incongruent genres of The Coven Murders. The story is, in fact, a great mix of the two and not to be missed.

STORY-LINE THE 11.05 MURDERS, THE INSPECTOR SHEEHAN MYSTERIES VOLUME 2:

Author Brian O'Hare created a spine tingling intriguing police crime mystery drama in The 11.05 Murders, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Volume 2. A horrendous rape 12 years earlier at Queen's University, a photograph and article found on a victim's computer, 3 murders, all at 11.05 p.m.; how does past and present fit together?

WDS Detective Sergeant Denise Stewart, newest addition to the Strandtown Police's Serious Crimes Unit, and fellow officers must unravel the mysteries. Stewart, fresh from a another station where she uncovered corruption and endured persecution and harassment, works under Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan to solve these murders. A close net unit, Stewart fits in after a few false starts.

Denise's stalked by an unknown stalker, Tom Allen's almost killed by an unknown assailant, and as the murders continue the suspects not only increase, but place the officers lives in peril. Come along with Inspector Sheehan, and the unit as they solve the latest murders piecing together the past and present. My police crime mystery novel review of The 11.05 Murders, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Volume 2 follows

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Not only a fine crime police drama, The 11.05 Murders, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Volume 2's full of suspense, mystery, and thrills; the reader finds an action packed story with strong characters. Filled with in-depth plotting along with twists and turns, nonstop intrigue and suspense rule the day in this book.

Laying the ground work for this multifaceted story, O'Hare begins with the rape in Queens, twelve years earlier; then fast forwards to present day. Not only did this book grab me from the horrendously evil prologue, it held me enthralled to the last page. I found I did not want to put this novel down, but kept reading far into the night.

O'Hare's development of his characters were full-bodied and realistic. With a believable premise, realistic police procedures, and gripping tension, this book's a must read for anyone who loves a solid well-written police drama. Also, O'Hare's villains will make the hair on your arms stand up! The pacing was in-line with the story-line and transition from scene to scene smooth. O'Hare included twists and turns around each corner; the reader never knows what to expect next.

O'Hare created a smart, strong, independent character in Denise. O'Hare also included a little romance for all the romantics in the audience. With a cast of strong, smart secondary characters, O'Hare shows the police as normal people with realistic attitudes, faults and failures. A strong superior in Sheehan, intelligent fellow officers along with the normal lay-abouts, and old school officers, O'Hare shows a slice of a police unit in action. He also shows the inequity of police work, advancement and promotions, and general attitudes when dealing with female officer versus male; as well as the stigma associated with an officer who rats out another regardless of their guilt.

In concluding my review of The 11.05 Murders, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Volume 2, I found a solid story-line and well-developed characters. Spreading hints throughout the story, O'Hare does not reveal the what, why, or who until just the right moments. With many suspects and motives, the reader's kept on the edge of their seat. I look forward to the next installment in the Inspector Sheehan series.

THE 11.05 MURDERS, THE INSPECTOR SHEEHAN MYSTERIES VOLUME 2: STARS 5

Additionally, even though I found a few minor editing errors, I felt I must give this book 5 well-deserved stars. I would not hesitate to buy The 11.05 Murders, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Volume 2, for myself or a friend. I highly recommend this book and series. Due to subject and violence, this novel is suitable for young adults and adults. Although part of series, this novel is a standalone.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from the onlinebookclub and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest police crime novel review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, the ARC did not affect my voluntary police crime novel revie

Tri den tine mass n. the Latin Eucharistic liturgy used by the Roman Catholic Church from 1570 to 1964. (Before Vatican Two)

I will turn my face against this man. I will make him a proverbial example. I will strike him from the midst of my people and you will know that I am Yahweh.. Ezekiel 14:8

Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare

The first thing I want to say is that this is a very well written and well research book. Some things bothered me – mostly too many exclamation points, which may be a factor of the author being from Northern Ireland. I have edited several books by English and Australian authors, and there are “quirks” that are expected from certain areas of the world. I am sure that there they find American “quirks” sometimes interesting, sometimes irritating. But other than that, the writing is mostly clean, which is quite positive in today’s rather “loose” grammatical styles of Indie writing.

Then there is the research portion of the book. The author knows his history, religion and the methodology of a police investigation, as I understand it to be handled in Northern Ireland. While I am no expert in Irish law and procedure, I am something of an expert on American police procedure, and found the procedure believable and enjoyable to read.

I also found the Catholic and religious knowledge to be intensive and well researched. While I am not certain of O’Hare’s exact training, the comment, “Any writing he has previously done was academic...very much restricted to a very specific readership” leaves me to believe that he has religious training. And hence the problem that I had with the book. There is a rather extreme element of sanctimony that I found very much not to my tastes. While giving lip service to a “loving” god and, “ . . . the spirit of tolerance that genuine Christianity espouses” there is a strong component of hatred and vindictiveness against modernization of the Catholic Church that runs through the storyline. Hatred of homosexuals (who are genetically predisposed to homosexuality), to divorces – even when the wife and/or children are being brutalized, and the mania for conversion of others no matter the cost to society - all the same issues that the Church has fought with a rabid obsession for centuries. Tolerance for all – except for anyone who isn’t a white Catholic male.

“And religion is a funny thing. Look at all the wars and devastation it has caused over the centuries because people took notions.” Detective Allen, The Doom Murders

Overall, the book will appeal to those who love a good procedural, and those who are very strictly old-school Catholic. “There are bishops and cardinals all over Europe, and America too, breaking away from Rome over this very issue.” Humans no longer live in the Dark Ages. Christians conveniently ignore the parts of their holy book that make them look bad. They say it is the unquestioned word of God, except for those parts that are taken out of context. I have, indeed, read the Bible, as well as several other religious texts. Below are several requirements of Christianity-that I certainly hope they are no longer following!

Psalm 137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. (The Catholic Priests who traveled with the armies of Europeans who came to the U.S. used this methodology extensively. The babies and small children of Native Americans were grabbed up by the ankles and their heads smashed against rocks. Those were my ancestors.)

Isaiah 13:15-18 NLT Anyone who is captured will be run through with a sword. Their little children will be dashed to death right before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked and their wives raped by the attacking hordes. For I will stir up the Medes against Babylon, and no amount of silver or gold will buy them off. The attacking armies will shoot down the young people with arrows. They will have no mercy on helpless babies and will show no compassion for the children. Wow. Both Psalms and Isaiah encourage dashing baby’s heads against rocks . . .

Samuel 12:11-14 NAB Thus says the Lord: 'I will bring evil upon you out of your own house. I will take your wives [plural] while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.' Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan answered David: "The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die." What ever happened to: Exodus 23:7 Be honest. Don't kill the innocent. And 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.? And this whole rape in the name of god thing is just creepy

Deuteronomy 21:10-14 NAB "When you go out to war against your enemies and the LORD, your God, delivers them into your hand, so that you take captives, if you see a comely woman among the captives and become so enamored of her that you wish to have her as wife, you may take her home to your house. But before she may live there, she must shave her head and pare her nails and lay aside her captive's garb. After she has mourned her father and mother for a full month, you may have relations with her, and you shall be her husband and she shall be your wife. However, if later on you lose your liking for her, you shall give her her freedom, if she wishes it; but you shall not sell her or enslave her, since she was married to you under compulsion." (God loves him some female slavery and rape.)

Ecclesiasticus 22:3"...and the birth of ANY daughter is a loss.”

Numbers 31:1-18 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Well, now we know why the Catholic Church condones pedophilia.)

Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes. (Lot)

Leviticus 26:29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.

Deuteronomy 28:53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters.

Jeremiah 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend.

Isaiah 14:21 NAB Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their fathers; Lest they rise and posses the earth, and fill the breadth of the world with tyrants.

And we won’t even talk about Exodus . . .

This book was provided by the author for a realistic review. All thoughts and commentary are my own.