Christina O'Reilly

Following on from INTO THE VOID, RETRIBUTION continues to feature DSS Archie Baldrick and DC Ben Travers - in this outing, investigating the death of a very mysterious woman indeed. After Lucy is found dead on the beach, finding out who she is, or anything about her is the most tricky part of the investigation, she's obviously been hiding something but whether or not that has any part of why she's been murdered is very difficult to ascertain. She seems to have no family or friends, no obvious past, and no easily identified motivations for wanting her dead.

Both of the novels in this series are short, sharp, carefully paced and deftly plotted, with plenty of red herrings, and much for a reader to be working on, at the same time as the main investigators. In this outing Baldrick does seem to have stepped into the role of difficult older detective, more than in the first novel, and it did feel that Travers was floating along a bit more than in the earlier as well - maybe because the victim was such a difficult person to pin down - he seemed as lost and bamboozled as this reader for such a long time.

Packed with twists and turns, this is a little gem of a series that I've really enjoyed both novels in - even if things get a little ropey sometimes. This reader felt there was potential for a solid developing series at the end of the first novel, and that's definitely being lived up to in this second offering.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/retribution-christina-oreilly… (más)

This was a short, quick read that had me hooked from the start. Despite being short, it was action-packed, yet it didn't feel rushed at all; the pacing was set almost perfectly.

Starting off, it seemed like the normal crime-based books I've read. There were multiple theories, suspects, and twists throughout the book. For a while, with each new suspect or theory, everything would make sense until a new one would come around, setting the mystery back into place.

Helena was probably the best-written character. I thought of her as a suspect in the beginning, but that flipped periodically as I was reading. Archie was probably my favorite character overall, though. I sympathized with him, as he not only had to deal with the stress of the case, but tension at home as well. I would have liked to see more of his family, especially his daughters. Alicia's attitude was entertaining, and I really liked that Summer's character brought attention to eating disorders.

Despite the ending being good, it wasn't surprising at all. Once Archie starting catching on to little hints, I knew how it would end. I was pleased with the ending, and thought it was creative and different than most crime novels I've read. I just wasn't surprised.

I think this could be turned into a really good series, but even if the author decides against that, I'll read more by her.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources. This did not influence my opinion in any way.… (más)

This book came to me, highly recommended by my daughter-in-law. Quite a short book (158 pages) but it has it all - slightly out-of-condition detective senior sergeant complete with teenage-daughter-angst, young good-looking offsider detective, several possible perpetrators, and a rather baffling disappearance/murder situation. I love that it's set in rural New Zealand, with recognisable scenery and typical rural personalities. The characters are well-drawn and very believable, the plot skews in a way I didn't quite see coming. I'm looking forward to reading Christina O'Reilly's next book Retribution.… (más)