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When a notorious millionaire banker hangs himself, his death attracts no sympathy. But the legacy of a lifetime of selfishness is widespread, and t...
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reviews
Feb 03, 2012
Judith
rated it: 
It's good to have a detective story-murder mystery novel to turn to from time to time, and Denis Mina writes a good one. I had read a previous novel of hers years ago called, "Deception" and I liked it very much. So when I read the review for this latest one in the NYT, I added it to my list and it did not disappoint. This book has something for everyone.
Our heroine is the investigating officer of a Scottish police department. Five months pregnant with twins, she is determ More...
Our heroine is the investigating officer of a Scottish police department. Five months pregnant with twins, she is determ More...
Jan 13, 2012
Marleen
rated it: 
In a wealthy suburb of Glasgow a young woman is brutally murdered by two intruders into her house.
DS Kate Morrow, five months pregnant with twins and a past she chooses to deny, investigates the murder while her station faces internal unrest.
In Kent, millionaire banker Lars Anderson hangs himself from a tree in front of his house, leaving his fragile family to deal with his dubious and hateful legacy.
When the two deaths are connected, the depth of Anderson’s selfishness and the ha More...
DS Kate Morrow, five months pregnant with twins and a past she chooses to deny, investigates the murder while her station faces internal unrest.
In Kent, millionaire banker Lars Anderson hangs himself from a tree in front of his house, leaving his fragile family to deal with his dubious and hateful legacy.
When the two deaths are connected, the depth of Anderson’s selfishness and the ha More...
Dec 21, 2011
Jacki
rated it:
Tartan noir fans rejoice! Denise Mina (Still Midnight) returns to gritty Glasgow with the second installment in her Alex Morrow series.
A young woman wakes up in the middle of the night to find two strange teen boys in her bedroom; she tries to escape but, in a case of mistaken identity, the boys brutally murder her. Det. Sgt. Alex Morrow arrives to investigate, but the crime baffles her, as does the large amount of cash found under the victim's dining room table. Meanwhile, the lead More...
A young woman wakes up in the middle of the night to find two strange teen boys in her bedroom; she tries to escape but, in a case of mistaken identity, the boys brutally murder her. Det. Sgt. Alex Morrow arrives to investigate, but the crime baffles her, as does the large amount of cash found under the victim's dining room table. Meanwhile, the lead More...
Dec 16, 2011
Wyma
rated it:
SPOILER ALERT***
We never doubted that she would catch him. She being DS Alex Morrow of the Glasgow polis and him being Thomas, one of two culprits known to us from the beginning of the novel. In fact, we meet Thomas first, see him and his friend Squeak as they kill and follow Thomas and his thoughts in the days after.
Two stories: that of the Scottish woman detective and that of the young son of a wealthy and powerful man, Thomas who is also the killer. The book begins More...
We never doubted that she would catch him. She being DS Alex Morrow of the Glasgow polis and him being Thomas, one of two culprits known to us from the beginning of the novel. In fact, we meet Thomas first, see him and his friend Squeak as they kill and follow Thomas and his thoughts in the days after.
Two stories: that of the Scottish woman detective and that of the young son of a wealthy and powerful man, Thomas who is also the killer. The book begins More...
Oct 31, 2011
Gloria
rated it: 
Each of the first three chapters of this newest novel by Denise Mina, author of the Garnethill trilogy among other wonderful books, introduces the reader to three women, each of them strong and independent, and each tested by events which follow. The most dramatic, and tragic, is Sarah Erroll, 24 years old, who is sexually mutilated and brutally murdered in the first pages. [The full extent of the savagery is not known till nearly half-way through the book, although it is hinted at.] In Glasg
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Oct 24, 2011
Randi
rated it:
This takes place in Glasgow and various points around. Our protag, Alex(Alexandra) Morrow is a detetive, pregnant with twins, yet of course, the smartest person on the team and most vigorous. Her boss is blowhard who makes life tough for her, but Alex forges forward anyway. She's not unflawed, in some cases she's quite harsh to her team. The case: There are two dead people to deal with -- a suicide and a murder -- both invole the same seriously fucked up family, whose secrets unravel in a very s
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Sep 21, 2011
Mary
rated it:
THE END OF THE WASP SEASON by Denise Mina
09/11 - Little, Brown & Company - Hardcover, 400 pages
By burying your past, do we resolve present issues and our future relationships?
Detective Inspector Alex Morrow has a suicide, murder, and pregnant with twins to contend with, which is all in a day’s work for this woman. She is a sharp and articulate member of the police force that never lets any detail, regardless of how small get past her even when they involve old haunts an More...
09/11 - Little, Brown & Company - Hardcover, 400 pages
By burying your past, do we resolve present issues and our future relationships?
Detective Inspector Alex Morrow has a suicide, murder, and pregnant with twins to contend with, which is all in a day’s work for this woman. She is a sharp and articulate member of the police force that never lets any detail, regardless of how small get past her even when they involve old haunts an More...
Feb 03, 2012
Khornberger
rated it:
I stumbled upon this novel while browsing new releases on my audiobook source (audible). I double checked the ratings against Amazon and was good to go!
I'm glad I chose this novel! It was full of suspense and hard to predict and had great stories for each character.
This is the story that begins with the murder of a young woman. We hear/read the murder take place along with being given enough detail about the murdered woman to wish that she somehow survived (you find ou More...
I'm glad I chose this novel! It was full of suspense and hard to predict and had great stories for each character.
This is the story that begins with the murder of a young woman. We hear/read the murder take place along with being given enough detail about the murdered woman to wish that she somehow survived (you find ou More...
Apr 17, 2011
Nikki-ann
rated it: 
With great quotes on the cover from Ian Rankin and The Guardian promising an exciting read, I was looking forward to reading The End of the Wasp Season. However, I came away disappointed.
The book starts off with the thrill of moments leading up to the kill. The first chapter is tense and gripping, but I thought the story lost it’s grip from there. I couldn’t make up my mind… There were times when I thought the story was going slow and I didn’t find it engaging, but then at other times More...
The book starts off with the thrill of moments leading up to the kill. The first chapter is tense and gripping, but I thought the story lost it’s grip from there. I couldn’t make up my mind… There were times when I thought the story was going slow and I didn’t find it engaging, but then at other times More...
Nov 09, 2011
iubookgirl
rated it:
The End of the Wasp Season is the second in the DS Alex Morrow series. The story begins with the murder of a young woman, Sarah Erroll, in her home. When Morrow and her colleagues arrive on the scene, they find a large sum of money hidden in the kitchen. Where did the money come from? Why was the woman murdered? As the investigation begins, the reader already knows who did it and quickly finds out why. The truth of the Sarah's life, however, unfolds more slowly.
Like Still Midnight, Was More...
Like Still Midnight, Was More...
Oct 06, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Denise Mina gives a blow-by-blow analysis of who the victims of the UK's financial crisis are, from the perspective of a pregnant detective in Glasgow who grew up in difficult circumstances. The difference between Mina's excellent book and say OR THE BULL KILLS YOU is that Mina includes relevant psychological details rather than writing a relatively superficial film treatment. Here DI Morrow has a hard time getting her staff to take seriously the grisly murder of a call girl; as she doggedly p
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Sep 26, 2011
Paul
rated it:
The police procedural really isn’t my favorite slice of crime fiction pizza. Probably because it’s usually more about puzzles than people. Denise Mina’s The End Of The Wasp Season, however, while being a fairly straightforward police procedural, is all about character, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on what you look for in a crime novel. It certainly worked for me.
The End Of The Wasp Season has a brilliant, blistering opening. A young woman returns to her late moth More...
The End Of The Wasp Season has a brilliant, blistering opening. A young woman returns to her late moth More...
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Oct 16, 2011
Jacqueline
rated it:
Another book that received a good review from EW and I thought I would give it a try. Set in Scotland and though a bit more police procedural than quite mystery, since we know two of the perpatrators of the crime being investigated, the brutal murder of a young woman in her home, from near the beginning (though there is still a nice little twist at the end)! The story still keeps you riveted as DI Alex Morrow, heavily pregnant with twins and dealing with issues of her own, and her team work to s
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Dec 20, 2011
Julie
rated it:
This is the first Denise Mina crime novel that I have read, and already I feel I'll be checking out more of her books. I've already recommended her to my sister in law who is always wanting to hear recommendations of new authors that I have discovered.
There is a murder in Glasgow, starting an investigation headed by Detective Inspector Alex Morrow and her team. I liked the story, it clicked along taking several turns which shows class. I am often disappointed by many More...
There is a murder in Glasgow, starting an investigation headed by Detective Inspector Alex Morrow and her team. I liked the story, it clicked along taking several turns which shows class. I am often disappointed by many More...
Jan 24, 2012
Daphne
rated it:
WOW...that's all I can say. A reviewer wrote that if you never read crime fiction, Denise Mina will change your mind. They're correct. I've read her first book--GARNET HILL--and now this current one. Still the same powerful writing, deep characterization, taut pace, etc. No signs of her dialing it in which happens, IMHO, to a large number of successful crime/mystery/thriller writers.
Straight through to the ending it was solid, dense, compelling, with an unexpected twist. She made me ca More...
Straight through to the ending it was solid, dense, compelling, with an unexpected twist. She made me ca More...
Oct 23, 2011
Dorian
rated it:
I was grumpy about the first book in this series (see my review) and probably only picked this one up at the library because Jenny Davidson mentioned it in her blog. How delightful, then, to read this dark but never dour, complex work. The book uses the financial crisis to good effect. (I suspect we will get a lot of good crime fiction out of that mess, at least.) It's got a much better plot than the previous text. But what really makes it so terrific is the presentation, via the protagonist,
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Oct 28, 2011
Liane
rated it:
This is how Ruth Rendell used to write. I had to re-read the last part twice to figure out who really did stand where when the crime was committed. Still not completely sure,I had to talk it through with Laura during lunch in the break room [she also reads mysteries].
Like many of Rendell's older books, Mina features a seriously dysfunctional family - not a nice member in sight - yet just when you think you know who the murderer is, you suddenly find yourself unsure.
Th More...
Like many of Rendell's older books, Mina features a seriously dysfunctional family - not a nice member in sight - yet just when you think you know who the murderer is, you suddenly find yourself unsure.
Th More...
Nov 21, 2011
Chris
rated it:
Taut, suspenseful, expertly crafted mystery with fully developed characters. You wouldn't think one could have empathy for a violent murderer but in the hands of Mina, one finds their sympathies with the young perpetrator. She gets into the murderer's head and helps you understand the horrible and sadistic actions. Mina is not just a mystery writer - reminds me of Scott Turow. The books are more about the flaws of human nature than just recounting and solving a mystery. One small problem I had -
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Oct 01, 2011
Monica
rated it:
Detective Inspector Alex Morrow is a richly developed character. Pregnant with twins, estranged from her only brother, she is trying to maintain a balance between her team and the boss they all loathe while they investigate the brutal murder of a young woman.
There are several interwoven stories - the story of the murder victim, the story of the failed financier who hangs himself and the damaged family he leaves behind, the story of Alex's family and friends. Mina brings the charcters More...
There are several interwoven stories - the story of the murder victim, the story of the failed financier who hangs himself and the damaged family he leaves behind, the story of Alex's family and friends. Mina brings the charcters More...
May 19, 2011
Erica
rated it:
This is my favorite of Denise Mina's post-Garnethill-trilogy mystery novels. More than any other mystery writer I've read she makes me interested in the villain. Going between characters isn't an exercise in patience, but actually a pleasure. I would recommend this novel, though it would make sense to read its predecessor, Still Midnight.
I read that critic's only major complaint with this series is that, "this focus on inner motives and personal tragedies overwhelms the plot." More...
I read that critic's only major complaint with this series is that, "this focus on inner motives and personal tragedies overwhelms the plot." More...
Nov 26, 2011
Gail
rated it: 
This story is well written but...First, I personally do not like it when I feel an author writes a story around a point of view that they are trying to make. Like the whole point of the story is a vehicle for them to "preach" there point of view. I thought that this book was as twisted as its characters. It almost seems to me that the author is attempting to make abusers seems like victims, all except for Thomas and Ella's dad. The cops hate a victim and wont care about justice for the
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Nov 30, 2011
Karen
rated it:
The second in the Alex Morrow series, THE END OF THE WASP SEASON is a book that it would be possible to read before the earlier. The opening chapters of the book introduces the reader to the three women at the centre of this story - DS Alex Morrow, Kay Murray who worked for Sarah Erroll and Sarah herself, 24 years old, murdered in a house that she rarely used.
Somehow, however, the focus of the book seems to be Lars Anderson, millionaire banker, disgraced financier, suicide hanging h More...
Somehow, however, the focus of the book seems to be Lars Anderson, millionaire banker, disgraced financier, suicide hanging h More...
Oct 06, 2011
Bernadette
rated it:
In Glasgow a young woman is murdered in her home, her face so badly damaged that even hardened police struggle with viewing the body. Almost immediately readers meet the two teenage boys who are responsible for the hideous crime (though there is doubt about which of them was more directly involved) and therefore we are less concerned with whodunit than why. The police, led by five months pregnant DS Alex Morrow, have to establish who committed the crime as well as work out a motive and so we fol
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Feb 11, 2012
Molly
rated it:
Denise Mina is the only crime writer I will read. I used to read crime in the summers when I was in college, later I read crime novels when work made me too tired to read anything else. The I stopped. Life is too short to read crap. I don't mean that I now only read books that I find superb, or that I will stop reading a book that I don't find as excellent as I had hoped, but that I won't START read a book that I KNOW will be utter rubbish on every level before I even start. Therefore I avoid cr
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Nov 18, 2011
Katherine
rated it:
Great novel. Even though they are thrillers, Mina's books are at the very top of the genre as far as quality goes. No mere airplane read here!
I'd rate this as 4.5 stars, if only because it hit a pacing snag about 75% of the way through.
One thing Mina _does_ do well is the telling. Most authors are wary of "telling not showing", but Mina's work is all about taking you inside the heads of one or two of the main characters. By telling you what those characters a More...
I'd rate this as 4.5 stars, if only because it hit a pacing snag about 75% of the way through.
One thing Mina _does_ do well is the telling. Most authors are wary of "telling not showing", but Mina's work is all about taking you inside the heads of one or two of the main characters. By telling you what those characters a More...
Jul 17, 2011
Julia
rated it:
This is the second in Mina's series about Alex Morrow. After reading the first,and giving it only 2 stars, I decided to try this in hope that I would find character development that would appeal to me. I liked this less than the first. I'm not likely to give another a chance.
For me,Dectective Morrow has not developed as a fully believable or engaging character and none of the secondary characters that are at all memorable. The plots of both books struck me as more convoluted than comp
For me,Dectective Morrow has not developed as a fully believable or engaging character and none of the secondary characters that are at all memorable. The plots of both books struck me as more convoluted than comp
Feb 11, 2012
Rosemary
rated it:
Another Scottish mystery writer but this time set in Glasgow rather than Edinburg - not as good as Ian Rankin, but still a good enough escape read. It felt like it was a bit too long - as so often is the case. The writing needs to be tightened up; perhaps due to not good enough editing as is so often the case nowadays. Bothered me a lot because teenagers involved, poor little rich kids, but it certainly added to the tension of the story. I'll read some more of her books.
Dec 02, 2011
Ellen
rated it:
I tried reading this author with her first book and couldn't get into it. But I thought I'd give her another try when I saw this book. It turned out to be a good decision. This is really more of a psychological study of what cruelty and withholding of love can do to a child. The author really gets into the characters' heads and that keeps this from being just another crime novel. The pace is fast-moving and yet the writing is complex.
Dec 17, 2011
Virginia
rated it:
Mina skillfully alternates points of view between Alex Morrow, the Glasgow Detective Inspector now pregnant with twins, and Thomas Anderson, the teenage son of a tycoon who has just committed suicide and who was at least present at -- and possibly the perpetrator of -- a brutal murder. THere is much to like here: the Glasgow setting, complex plot, and nuanced character development. Highly recommended.
Dec 31, 2011
Amy
rated it:
i wouldn't 3 star a book just because it's depressing. this book is depressing but beautiful in a kind of very disturbing way. it's depressing because it's about 2 kids that brutally murder a young woman. also about poverty in urban scotland, messed up families and the "pols'. there is something about the way Mina writes it that makes it seem like a work of art, more a novel than a crime novel.
