Scan barcode
A review by bookswithlydscl
The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
In The Cracked Mirror we have two worlds colliding as hard-bitten LA Homicide Detective, Johnny Hawke and elderly English amateur sleuth Penny Coyne have to come together to figure out whodunnit as they go down the rabbit hole to uncover secrets, lies and red herrings all whilst figuring out how on earth these worlds apart personalities are going to successfully work together.
The concept for this book was immediately intriguing - Agatha Christie meets Michael Connelly, ok let's give it a go! I did however, struggle to get into it and it took me a while to get used to the narrative voice and writing style, but once the story found its pace I came to enjoy it despite some of the plot contrivances and coincidences (which after finishing I came to appreciate their place in the plot).
I appreciated the unique set up - not many people can make a crime/crime hybrid novel but here we have a cosy golden age style crime mystery intermingling with a brutal American crime thriller and it works in many ways. It's so creative and different that despite my misgivings at the beginning I'm glad I continued. The settings and situations are vivid and effective and there really is some laugh out loud humour and it all wraps up with an inventive ending that I didn't see coming which I always appreciate.
If you're a mystery/crime/thriller fan I would encourage you to give this out of the ordinary, bonkers and fun book a read because I can pretty much guarantee it won't be like much else you've read.
3.5*
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Abacus for a digital review copy of "The Cracked Mirror " in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
The concept for this book was immediately intriguing - Agatha Christie meets Michael Connelly, ok let's give it a go! I did however, struggle to get into it and it took me a while to get used to the narrative voice and writing style, but once the story found its pace I came to enjoy it despite some of the plot contrivances and coincidences (which after finishing I came to appreciate their place in the plot).
I appreciated the unique set up - not many people can make a crime/crime hybrid novel but here we have a cosy golden age style crime mystery intermingling with a brutal American crime thriller and it works in many ways. It's so creative and different that despite my misgivings at the beginning I'm glad I continued. The settings and situations are vivid and effective and there really is some laugh out loud humour and it all wraps up with an inventive ending that I didn't see coming which I always appreciate.
If you're a mystery/crime/thriller fan I would encourage you to give this out of the ordinary, bonkers and fun book a read because I can pretty much guarantee it won't be like much else you've read.
3.5*
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Abacus for a digital review copy of "The Cracked Mirror " in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.