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A review by nattycran
River of Darkness by Rennie Airth
5.0
I loved this flawed novel so, so much.
Flawed? But why do you even include that word if you enjoyed it so much? Because the flaws in the story actually enhanced my reading experience. The story itself is supposed to be about a dangerous and deranged serial killer and the trauma and confusion he leaves in his wake for Detective John Madden to solve. This isn't about a Agatha Christie "perfect crime", this is about someone who has given in to some really horrible urges.
What sets "River of Darkness" apart from other books in this sort of period piece police drama is that it actually passes the Bechdel Test. YOU READ THAT RIGHT! A POST WWI POLICE DRAMA PASSES THE TEST! And they aren't even sex workers who are being preyed upon. Sadly, I think this is beyond the pale for a lot of the other books that "River of Darkness" would be connected to. Beyond that, there is even a female medical doctor who is trusted by her small community to care for them. It's progressive without being totally dislodged from the historic base.
When it comes to the crimes of the book, Airth has no problem discussing extreme violence. While it isn't so explicit that it will distract more sensitive readers, it does have some pretty scary images. It is not for the reader who prefers a clean shot murder. This is full of physicality that roots the reader in a terrible scene.
The psychology behind the crimes and the killer himself is extremely well done. But what blew me away in the psychological department had to do less with the killer and more with the detectives/towns people/random characters who are living a post WWI life. Many women are widowed or missing sons. Many men are disfigured or otherwise mentally scarred by what they encountered in the war.
Our hero, John Madden, is clearly psychologically effected by what he saw at the Somme. Although it is unclear if he has PTSD of some kind or not.
I highly recommend "River of Darkness" for anyone who its looking for a spooky but nonmagical murder mystery this Halloween season. And even the Halloween season has passed, read this one for your creepy self. You won't regret a page.
Flawed? But why do you even include that word if you enjoyed it so much? Because the flaws in the story actually enhanced my reading experience. The story itself is supposed to be about a dangerous and deranged serial killer and the trauma and confusion he leaves in his wake for Detective John Madden to solve. This isn't about a Agatha Christie "perfect crime", this is about someone who has given in to some really horrible urges.
What sets "River of Darkness" apart from other books in this sort of period piece police drama is that it actually passes the Bechdel Test. YOU READ THAT RIGHT! A POST WWI POLICE DRAMA PASSES THE TEST! And they aren't even sex workers who are being preyed upon. Sadly, I think this is beyond the pale for a lot of the other books that "River of Darkness" would be connected to. Beyond that, there is even a female medical doctor who is trusted by her small community to care for them. It's progressive without being totally dislodged from the historic base.
When it comes to the crimes of the book, Airth has no problem discussing extreme violence. While it isn't so explicit that it will distract more sensitive readers, it does have some pretty scary images. It is not for the reader who prefers a clean shot murder. This is full of physicality that roots the reader in a terrible scene.
The psychology behind the crimes and the killer himself is extremely well done. But what blew me away in the psychological department had to do less with the killer and more with the detectives/towns people/random characters who are living a post WWI life. Many women are widowed or missing sons. Many men are disfigured or otherwise mentally scarred by what they encountered in the war.
Our hero, John Madden, is clearly psychologically effected by what he saw at the Somme. Although it is unclear if he has PTSD of some kind or not.
I highly recommend "River of Darkness" for anyone who its looking for a spooky but nonmagical murder mystery this Halloween season. And even the Halloween season has passed, read this one for your creepy self. You won't regret a page.