Clare Carson

Don't mind this review if you love this series. I didn't know that it was the third book in a series when I requested the book from NetGalley and I also expected a different story, more of murder mystery story on an isolated island than a story about a young woman that remembers a summer long ago and the events that happened back then that affected her life.

To be honest, I should have DNF't the book when I realized that I didn't find the story engaging, but by then had I read quite a lot of the book and felt the need to finish the book. And, the book felt promising at first.

This is a spy story, about a daughter of a spy who tries to figure out more about her father. I found the flashbacks to 76s to be quite uninteresting to read and I never really liked Sam's friend Anna, neither as a young girl nor as a woman. Frankly, Anna didn't really impress me either. I was intrigued by "The Fisher King" Pierce at first, but then I felt that even Sam's collaboration with him bored me.

So, in the end, I just want to say that if you love the previous two books will you probably love this one too. This is not a bad book for the right reader, I just couldn't find myself liking the story.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!… (más)

There are many elements and layers to this story, and the author imbues Birdie with "the sight" which is particularly useful when linking past events (to which the reader has not been privy) with those events unfolding. It took me a little while to get into this story, and early on I was tempted to put it aside, but I am glad I persevered as the tale that unfolds is well-told (and well- researched), and gradually draws you ever deeper, from the gloomy narrow streets of London to the wilds of the Orkney Islands.… (más)

There are many elements and layers to this story, and the author imbues Birdie with "the sight" which is particularly useful when linking past events (to which the reader has not been privy) with those events unfolding. It took me a little while to get into this story, and early on I was tempted to put it aside, but I am glad I persevered as the tale that unfolds is well-told (and well- researched), and gradually draws you ever deeper, from the gloomy narrow streets of London to the wilds of the Orkney Islands.… (más)

Having read the inspiration for Orkney Twilight straight after finishing the book, I realised just what a personal account this was. Clare Carson has poured her heart and soul into these pages and I could almost feel her inner struggle as she has gone from not being able to talk about her Dad's job to publishing it in a book for the whole world to read. I actually felt like I was peeping into Clare's own teenage diary as I read about Sam spying on Jim.

This book is so dark and atmospheric, despite being set at the peak of the summer solstice when Orkney has continual daylight. The frequent references to Norse mythology kept me intrigued as the scene was being set and it proves how well researched this book was - I was not aware of Orkney's Viking history before reading this book, but it's something about which I am keen to read more about.

I could almost describe this as a book of two halves - the snooping and spying in Orkney was all very undercover and didn't get my heart racing but without doubt I was lulled into a false sense of security. On their return to London, the pace picked up to a million miles an hour and I felt like I had been thrust into a John le Carré spy thriller. Sam being chased across London was brilliant, I don't think I paused for breath and I was fearing the worst when the mysterious biker guy reappeared. Sam has no idea who she can trust which gives us readers such a conundrum as we try to work it out for ourselves.

I was fascinated with Sam and Jim's relationship. How can she get close to him when she doesn't know who he is? It is clear that Sam loved her father and there are moments when we see how much they love each other, but all of this is called into question when Sam uncovers Jim's secret life and alternative identity. I loved how Sam accepted Jim's other life and continued his mission into the Greenwich foot tunnel - the damp isolation added to the dark atmosphere of the book.

This was a really heartfelt impressive debut - I'm sure we'll be reading lots more from Clare Carson in the future.

I received this book from the publisher, Head of Zeus, in exchange for an honest review.… (más)