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DCI Serena Flanagan #1
Those We Left Behind
When twelve-year-old Ciaran Devine confessed to killing his foster carer it sent shock waves through the nation. He said his older brother Thomas had tried to stop him, but the killing rage had burned too brightly. Seven years later, Ciaran’s release will set a new and even more deadly chain of events in motion.
DCI Serena Flanagan, then an ambitious Detective Sergeant, took the boy’s confession after days and weeks spent earning his trust. He hasn't forgotten the kindness she showed him – in fact, she hasn’t left his thoughts in all the years he’s been locked away.
Probation officer Paula Cunningham, reluctantly tasked with helping Ciaran re-enter society, suspects there was more to this case than the police or the prosecutors uncovered. Soon she wonders if Ciaran really committed the murder at all. His confession saved his brother Thomas from a lengthier sentence, and Cunningham sees the unnatural hold Thomas has over Ciaran.
When she brings her concerns to DCI Flanagan, the years of lies begin to unravel, leading to a truth stranger than anyone could have imagined.
DCI Serena Flanagan, then an ambitious Detective Sergeant, took the boy’s confession after days and weeks spent earning his trust. He hasn't forgotten the kindness she showed him – in fact, she hasn’t left his thoughts in all the years he’s been locked away.
Probation officer Paula Cunningham, reluctantly tasked with helping Ciaran re-enter society, suspects there was more to this case than the police or the prosecutors uncovered. Soon she wonders if Ciaran really committed the murder at all. His confession saved his brother Thomas from a lengthier sentence, and Cunningham sees the unnatural hold Thomas has over Ciaran.
When she brings her concerns to DCI Flanagan, the years of lies begin to unravel, leading to a truth stranger than anyone could have imagined.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2015
116 people are currently reading
2943 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Neville
46 books988 followersI have been a musician, a composer, a teacher, a salesman, a film extra, a baker and a hand double for a well known Irish comedian, but I'm currently a partner in a successful multimedia design business in the wilds of Northern Ireland.
I have published short stories in Thuglit, Electric Spec and Every Day Fiction. THE TWELVE is my first novel, and will be published in the UK and Commonwealth by Harvill Secker, an imprint of Random House, on July 2nd 2009. It will be published in the USA as THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST by Soho Press, New York, and by Random House Kodansha in Japan.
I have published short stories in Thuglit, Electric Spec and Every Day Fiction. THE TWELVE is my first novel, and will be published in the UK and Commonwealth by Harvill Secker, an imprint of Random House, on July 2nd 2009. It will be published in the USA as THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST by Soho Press, New York, and by Random House Kodansha in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 420 reviews
November 24, 2024
Ciaran was just twelve years old when he was convicted of the murder of his foster father. He did it, he said, because his foster dad had been hurting his brother Thomas. Thomas was convicted of the lesser crime of accessory to murder. The story follows the boys after they are released into the community some seven years later, when doubts emerge about who really committed the murder, and exactly what did happen that day.
This is a thought provoking story, where on the one hand it's easy to empathise with the boys, and how they became orphans overnight, while on the other hand, it becomes clear just how chilling and cruel they really are. This is a dark and disturbing psychological police procedural, that will have you questioning what will happen next, and how it will all end. Very compelling.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my ARC *
This is a thought provoking story, where on the one hand it's easy to empathise with the boys, and how they became orphans overnight, while on the other hand, it becomes clear just how chilling and cruel they really are. This is a dark and disturbing psychological police procedural, that will have you questioning what will happen next, and how it will all end. Very compelling.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my ARC *
October 31, 2015
Serena Flannigan has just returned to police work after a major health issue. She will soon find herself embroiled in a case that seriously affected her years ago. A case that will for a short time pair her with a young parole officer, finding themselves confronting something over which they have little control.
Flannigan is committed, dogged in pursuit of what she feels is right, very stubborn and uses some unorthodox methods. Not sure how I feel about her and how she handled things but I was intrigued. Dark and gritty, how could it be anything else with child killers as the focus. Psychologically twisty, a police procedure and a very good thriller. Wonderful start to a new series.
ARC from Netgalley.
Flannigan is committed, dogged in pursuit of what she feels is right, very stubborn and uses some unorthodox methods. Not sure how I feel about her and how she handled things but I was intrigued. Dark and gritty, how could it be anything else with child killers as the focus. Psychologically twisty, a police procedure and a very good thriller. Wonderful start to a new series.
ARC from Netgalley.
November 12, 2020
What if you had only one person in all the world? What if that person was your older brother? What if your loyalty and love for that person was eclipsed by the fact that you are mortally afraid of him?
This is the dilemma of Ciaran Devine. At a tender age, he and his brother Thomas were put into foster care. At the age of twelve Ciaran confessed to the murder of his foster father. Both he and Thomas were put into a young offenders unit.
Detective Chief Inspector Serena Flanagan of the Belfast Police is the policewoman who put the Devine brothers away. A breast cancer survivor, she pines for her husband’s attention even though he seems physically repulsed by her surgery scars… Haunted by the young Ciaran ever since he confessed , she has always suspected that his confession was made in order to protect his elder brother Thomas.
Thomas Devine is angry and broken. A psychopath. Irreparably damaged by the traumas of his past. He has complete control over Ciaran and has taught Ciaran to bury his emotions. When Ciaran does something Thomas does not approve of, in addition to psychological domination, he bites him.
Ciaran, needy, and so very young, feels a strong connection to DCI Flanagan. She has been kind to him… and understanding. Now, after seven years of being locked away, Ciaran Devine is free. He has no experience of the world, and he has few, if any, coping skills. He is torn between love and hate for his brother, Thomas. His probation officer, Paula Cunningham, 36 years old, is battling her own demons. Lonely and prone to drinking alone, she lives with her dog, Angus.
Daniel Rolston is the son of the man whom the Devine brothers murdered all those years ago. He was an only child until his parents decided to foster those in need of parents. He was the kind of boy whom others found easy to bully. His life is irrevocably changed when the Devine brothers come to live in his house. When his father is murdered, his mother never recovers and kills herself a few years later. Now, seven years have past, and Daniel, alone in the world – and damaged, realizes that the Devines have been freed…
Days after Ciaran Devine is released, Daniel Rolston is fatally stabbed. The Devine brothers are the chief suspects. DCI Serena Flanagan and her underling, DC Ballantine are put on the case. Will Ciaran remain loyal to his brother Thomas? Or, will he realize that he IS his own person and divulge the real truth? And… what IS the real truth?
A well crafted police procedural mystery, “Those we left behind” is one of those books that make a profound, positive impression on the reader. It does make for unsettling reading due to some disturbing scenes, but they are so well rendered that you can’t help but feverishly turn the pages. The author displays acute psychological understanding and the characters are written with empathy and candor. The setting is rendered in such a way that it displays the lingering partisan sentiment in Northern Ireland in the years following the “Troubles“. The conclusion portrays a fitting and satisfying resolution to the novel and the dustjacket is even more poignant after finishing the story.
“Those we left behind” is the first title I have read by Stuart Neville and is the first in a series featuring DCI Serena Flanagan. I now know that he is an author I will follow with alacrity and I look forward to following this series to its conclusion.
I received a digital copy of this novel from http://mysteriescrimethrillers.blogsp... in exchange for my candid review.
This is the dilemma of Ciaran Devine. At a tender age, he and his brother Thomas were put into foster care. At the age of twelve Ciaran confessed to the murder of his foster father. Both he and Thomas were put into a young offenders unit.
Detective Chief Inspector Serena Flanagan of the Belfast Police is the policewoman who put the Devine brothers away. A breast cancer survivor, she pines for her husband’s attention even though he seems physically repulsed by her surgery scars… Haunted by the young Ciaran ever since he confessed , she has always suspected that his confession was made in order to protect his elder brother Thomas.
Thomas Devine is angry and broken. A psychopath. Irreparably damaged by the traumas of his past. He has complete control over Ciaran and has taught Ciaran to bury his emotions. When Ciaran does something Thomas does not approve of, in addition to psychological domination, he bites him.
Ciaran, needy, and so very young, feels a strong connection to DCI Flanagan. She has been kind to him… and understanding. Now, after seven years of being locked away, Ciaran Devine is free. He has no experience of the world, and he has few, if any, coping skills. He is torn between love and hate for his brother, Thomas. His probation officer, Paula Cunningham, 36 years old, is battling her own demons. Lonely and prone to drinking alone, she lives with her dog, Angus.
Daniel Rolston is the son of the man whom the Devine brothers murdered all those years ago. He was an only child until his parents decided to foster those in need of parents. He was the kind of boy whom others found easy to bully. His life is irrevocably changed when the Devine brothers come to live in his house. When his father is murdered, his mother never recovers and kills herself a few years later. Now, seven years have past, and Daniel, alone in the world – and damaged, realizes that the Devines have been freed…
Days after Ciaran Devine is released, Daniel Rolston is fatally stabbed. The Devine brothers are the chief suspects. DCI Serena Flanagan and her underling, DC Ballantine are put on the case. Will Ciaran remain loyal to his brother Thomas? Or, will he realize that he IS his own person and divulge the real truth? And… what IS the real truth?
A well crafted police procedural mystery, “Those we left behind” is one of those books that make a profound, positive impression on the reader. It does make for unsettling reading due to some disturbing scenes, but they are so well rendered that you can’t help but feverishly turn the pages. The author displays acute psychological understanding and the characters are written with empathy and candor. The setting is rendered in such a way that it displays the lingering partisan sentiment in Northern Ireland in the years following the “Troubles“. The conclusion portrays a fitting and satisfying resolution to the novel and the dustjacket is even more poignant after finishing the story.
“Those we left behind” is the first title I have read by Stuart Neville and is the first in a series featuring DCI Serena Flanagan. I now know that he is an author I will follow with alacrity and I look forward to following this series to its conclusion.
I received a digital copy of this novel from http://mysteriescrimethrillers.blogsp... in exchange for my candid review.
October 22, 2015
Thank you very much to Net Galley, the publishers for an advance copy of this great book.
When 12-year-old Ciaran Devine confessed to murdering his foster father it sent shock waves through the nation.
DCI Serena Flanagan, then an ambitious Detective Sergeant, took Ciaran's confession after days spent earning his trust. He hasn’t forgotten the kindness she showed him – in fact, she hasn't left his thoughts in the seven years he’s been locked away.
Probation officer Paula Cunningham, now tasked with helping Ciaran re-enter society, suspects there was more to this case than the police uncovered. Ciaran’s confession saved his brother Thomas from a far lengthier sentence, and Cunningham can see the unnatural hold Thomas still has over his vulnerable younger brother.
When she brings her fears to DCI Flanagan, the years of lies begin to unravel, setting a deadly chain of events in motion.
I hadn't read Stuart Neville before, and was immediately hooked. I thought 'Those We Left Behind' was a disturbing and fiercely clever, chilling, absorbing, tragic and suspensful story.
With an absorbing, wonderful main character in DCI Serena Flanagan, a haunted, bruised , compelling lead role, with support in the two Devine brothers, very menacing, chilling and dark characters.
A plot full of suspense , chills, tension and great twists, you just cannot stop reading !!
Highly recommended, a great five star book.
When 12-year-old Ciaran Devine confessed to murdering his foster father it sent shock waves through the nation.
DCI Serena Flanagan, then an ambitious Detective Sergeant, took Ciaran's confession after days spent earning his trust. He hasn’t forgotten the kindness she showed him – in fact, she hasn't left his thoughts in the seven years he’s been locked away.
Probation officer Paula Cunningham, now tasked with helping Ciaran re-enter society, suspects there was more to this case than the police uncovered. Ciaran’s confession saved his brother Thomas from a far lengthier sentence, and Cunningham can see the unnatural hold Thomas still has over his vulnerable younger brother.
When she brings her fears to DCI Flanagan, the years of lies begin to unravel, setting a deadly chain of events in motion.
I hadn't read Stuart Neville before, and was immediately hooked. I thought 'Those We Left Behind' was a disturbing and fiercely clever, chilling, absorbing, tragic and suspensful story.
With an absorbing, wonderful main character in DCI Serena Flanagan, a haunted, bruised , compelling lead role, with support in the two Devine brothers, very menacing, chilling and dark characters.
A plot full of suspense , chills, tension and great twists, you just cannot stop reading !!
Highly recommended, a great five star book.
April 3, 2017
After battling breast cancer DCI Serena Flanagan is back at work and thrown head first into an old case, one she is all to familiar with. When Ciaran and Thomas Devine, aged twelve and fourteen were brought in for the murder of their foster father it was her who got the confession out of younger brother Ciaran. While both were sent away for the crime it was Ciaran who got the harsher sentence. Seven years have passed and Ciaran is struggling to assimilate to life outside of juvinile detention. But it’s when he reunites with older brother Thomas that things begin to take a dark, violent turn. Probation Officer Paula Cunningham begins to doubt Ciaran’s confession and takes her suspicions to Serena, who had never felt right about the case to begin with. Could Thomas have been pulling the strings all along?
Neville is brilliant at creating very dark, gritty atmospheres and expertly balances two timeframes each narrated from different points of view. As usual his characters are strong, realistic and three dimensional however I found the ending to be quite predictable. 3.5 stars.
*Thank you Soho Crime & Edelweiss for this review copy.
Neville is brilliant at creating very dark, gritty atmospheres and expertly balances two timeframes each narrated from different points of view. As usual his characters are strong, realistic and three dimensional however I found the ending to be quite predictable. 3.5 stars.
*Thank you Soho Crime & Edelweiss for this review copy.
April 21, 2015
Really REALLY excellent Crime thriller - I've always loved this author's books and I was really pleased to see that this was going to be the start of a series. The main protagonist Serena was great so even better! I'm having a day off blogging today so full review will follow very soon :)
June 9, 2015
I received this from Edelweiss and Soho Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This was a strangely compelling book. More of a thriller and character study mash-up than a police procedural, Stuart Neville adeptly entwines two timelines and three main storylines, all tightly woven together with hidden agendas on the part of almost all of the characters introduced in this first book of a new series.
DCI Serena Flanagan was the lead investigator that drew a confession from then 12-year Ciaran Devine, who killed his foster care giver, and served a seven-year sentence in the juvenile system. His older brother, Thomas, served five years for his role in the murder. After their release, they find the world they knew is gone; it’s completely different than before, and they don’t respond to this change well. The son of the foster care giver also plays a huge role in this story, and the ties between these four main characters draw them inexorably towards the satisfying conclusion.
This is the first book I've read by Stuart Neville, but it definitely won't be the last!
This was a strangely compelling book. More of a thriller and character study mash-up than a police procedural, Stuart Neville adeptly entwines two timelines and three main storylines, all tightly woven together with hidden agendas on the part of almost all of the characters introduced in this first book of a new series.
DCI Serena Flanagan was the lead investigator that drew a confession from then 12-year Ciaran Devine, who killed his foster care giver, and served a seven-year sentence in the juvenile system. His older brother, Thomas, served five years for his role in the murder. After their release, they find the world they knew is gone; it’s completely different than before, and they don’t respond to this change well. The son of the foster care giver also plays a huge role in this story, and the ties between these four main characters draw them inexorably towards the satisfying conclusion.
This is the first book I've read by Stuart Neville, but it definitely won't be the last!
August 24, 2021
Πρώτη φορά Neville μετά τον εφιάλτη στην Αριζόνα. Οι εντυπώσεις που μου άφησε είναι πολυ καλές. Οι Τόμας και Κίαρον Ντιβαιν κατηγορουνται για τη δολοφονία του αναδόχου κηδεμονα τους και η ζωη τους αλλάζει μεσα σε μια νύχτα. Φυλακιζονται με την κατηγορία για φόνο ο ένας και για συνέργεια ο αλλος αλλα ίσως τα πράγματα να μην είναι οπως φαίνονται. Η Σερίνα Φλάναγκαν ειναι η επιθεωρητρια που αναλαμβάνει την υπόθεση τους και αυτη που σκαλίζει λιγο παραπάνω τα τετελεσμενα γιατί η διαίσθηση της της λεει πως αυτό που συμβαίνει ανάμεσα στα δυο αδερφια είναι κάτι παραπανω από αυτό που φαίνεται. Όταν φτάνει η ωρα της αποφυλάκισης το βάρος της υπόθεσης πέφτει ξανά πάνω στη Σερίνα και εκει ξεκινάει ενας καινούργιος αγώνας που την διαλύει. Στο μεταξύ μια περιπέτεια με την υγεία της και τον καρκίνο του μαστού την έχει κάνει πιο ευάλωτη και συναισθηματικη. Μεσα σε ολα βιώνει τα βλέμματα οίκτου και την απόρριψη. Η Σερίνα είναι απο τους πιο ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες βιβλιου που έχω συναντήσει. Ο Neville έχει αναπτύξει τις πτυχές της προσωπικότητας της με μαεστρία. Η γραφή του ειναι πολυεπίπεδη και σε ορισμένα σημεία σπαρακτικα αληθινή. Το βιβλιο μπορεί να ειναι αστυνομικο αλλα εχει κοινωνικές προεκτάσεις που το κανουν εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρον.
Εκτος απο τη Σερίνα πρωταγωνιστει και η Πολα Κανιγχαν η οποία είναι η επιμελήτρια συνοδός του Κίαρον που θα τον βοηθήσει να ενταχθεί στο κοινωνικό σύνολο μετα την αποφυλάκιση του. Οι δύο γυναίκες περνούν δια πυρός και σιδηρου για να φερουν εις πέρας την αποστολή τους. Κάποιες φορές κινδυνεύουν γιατί ο μεγάλος αδερφός του Κίαρον δεν αστειεύεται καθόλου. Οι ζωές τους καθώς και η ζωη του Κίαρον γίνονται δύσκολες.
Και εδώ ο Neville κερδίζει το στοίχημα. Ο τίτλος του βιβλίου χτυπάει διανα. Οι δεσμοι αιματος ανάμεσα στα δυο αγόρια είναι σχεδόν άρρηκτοι. Τόσο που ο Κίαρον έχει αφεθεί ολοκληρωτικά και φαίνεται σαν να μη μπορεί να βγει από το συναισθηματικό φαύλο κύκλο. Οι περιγραφές οταν συναντιουνται τα δύο αδερφια είναι σχεδόν σπαρακτικες. Τόσο έντονες σαν να συμβαίνουν στον ίδιο χώρο που διαβαζω. Η γραφη του σημαδεύει τον αναγνώστη χωρίς να είναι πολύπλοκη η βαρετή.
Η Σερίνα επιμένει με κάθε τρόπο γιατί η διαίσθηση της χτυπάει κόκκινα και εκεί που πλησιάζει μια ανάσα απο την αλήθεια γίνεται κάτι και απομάκρυνεται ξανά.
Οι σελίδες γυρνάνε και ενω ξέρουμε απο την αρχη το δολοφονο το ενδιαφέρον παραμενει αμείωτο μέχρι την τελευταία σελιδα.
Το 5ο αστερακι χάθηκε γιατί το τέλος μου άφησε μια πικρη γεύση.
Κατά τα αλλα περιμένω με αγωνία και τα επόμενα της σειράς.
Κύριε Neville μόλις κερδίσατε μια θέση στους αγαπημένους μου.
Εκτος απο τη Σερίνα πρωταγωνιστει και η Πολα Κανιγχαν η οποία είναι η επιμελήτρια συνοδός του Κίαρον που θα τον βοηθήσει να ενταχθεί στο κοινωνικό σύνολο μετα την αποφυλάκιση του. Οι δύο γυναίκες περνούν δια πυρός και σιδηρου για να φερουν εις πέρας την αποστολή τους. Κάποιες φορές κινδυνεύουν γιατί ο μεγάλος αδερφός του Κίαρον δεν αστειεύεται καθόλου. Οι ζωές τους καθώς και η ζωη του Κίαρον γίνονται δύσκολες.
Και εδώ ο Neville κερδίζει το στοίχημα. Ο τίτλος του βιβλίου χτυπάει διανα. Οι δεσμοι αιματος ανάμεσα στα δυο αγόρια είναι σχεδόν άρρηκτοι. Τόσο που ο Κίαρον έχει αφεθεί ολοκληρωτικά και φαίνεται σαν να μη μπορεί να βγει από το συναισθηματικό φαύλο κύκλο. Οι περιγραφές οταν συναντιουνται τα δύο αδερφια είναι σχεδόν σπαρακτικες. Τόσο έντονες σαν να συμβαίνουν στον ίδιο χώρο που διαβαζω. Η γραφη του σημαδεύει τον αναγνώστη χωρίς να είναι πολύπλοκη η βαρετή.
Η Σερίνα επιμένει με κάθε τρόπο γιατί η διαίσθηση της χτυπάει κόκκινα και εκεί που πλησιάζει μια ανάσα απο την αλήθεια γίνεται κάτι και απομάκρυνεται ξανά.
Οι σελίδες γυρνάνε και ενω ξέρουμε απο την αρχη το δολοφονο το ενδιαφέρον παραμενει αμείωτο μέχρι την τελευταία σελιδα.
Το 5ο αστερακι χάθηκε γιατί το τέλος μου άφησε μια πικρη γεύση.
Κατά τα αλλα περιμένω με αγωνία και τα επόμενα της σειράς.
Κύριε Neville μόλις κερδίσατε μια θέση στους αγαπημένους μου.
August 18, 2015
Serena Flanagan has returned to her job as Detective Chief Inspector with the Belfast Police Department after her fight with breast cancer. Almost immediately she is confronted with an old case, The Schoolboy Killer. Eight years ago a 12 year old boy, Ciaran, and his fourteen year old brother, Thomas, murdered their foster father. Ciaran is being released and his new probation officer wants to talk to her about him.
Flanagan has relied on a cancer survivor's group to help her with her struggle. When her friend, Penny, announces she has only a few months to live but wants to spend the time happily with her husband, Flanagan is saddened. When Penny and her husband are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, Flanagan begins to go off the tracks. The two cases converge in one mega ending.
Although I wouldn't say it was a mystery per se, it is a very readable book that deals with cancer, sibling attachments, the foster care system and what happens to the families left behind after a violent crime. This is a perfect book for a book club because there are so many topics to discuss. The novel is so authentic that the characters walk right off the page.
This book is so readable and interesting that I could barely put it down. I recommend it highly.
Flanagan has relied on a cancer survivor's group to help her with her struggle. When her friend, Penny, announces she has only a few months to live but wants to spend the time happily with her husband, Flanagan is saddened. When Penny and her husband are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, Flanagan begins to go off the tracks. The two cases converge in one mega ending.
Although I wouldn't say it was a mystery per se, it is a very readable book that deals with cancer, sibling attachments, the foster care system and what happens to the families left behind after a violent crime. This is a perfect book for a book club because there are so many topics to discuss. The novel is so authentic that the characters walk right off the page.
This book is so readable and interesting that I could barely put it down. I recommend it highly.
April 26, 2017
All I can say this is a dark gritty thriller that will blow your mind if you haven't read this the WHY NOT??
Whatever you do this year read this it will not disappoint.
Enough said.
Whatever you do this year read this it will not disappoint.
Enough said.
June 3, 2015
This is the first in a new crime series, featuring DCI Serena Flanagan. Flanagan has just returned to duty after having treatment for breast cancer and is unimpressed by the caseload she has inherited. However, one of her old cases is about to return and haunt her – not that she has even forgotten the events that happened seven years ago when a twelve year old boy, Ciaran Devine, confessed to murdering his foster father. Ciaran and his older brother, Thomas, were both suspects – but Ciaran insisted that he was responsible for the crime. Now, he is about to be released and join his brother and probation officer, Paula Cunningham, is charged with helping him re-enter society.
Although Ciaran confessed to the crime, it is obvious that he is completely under his elder brother’s control and Flanagan was uncomfortable with the outcome of the initial investigation. Her kindness towards Ciaran was important to him and he remembers Flanagan well. However, it is obvious that Flanagan is going to have problems convincing anyone – other than Paula – that anything was wrong with the investigation. With her husband distant from her, her best friend in her cancer support group discovering bad news and her attempts to discover the truth hampered by her colleagues Flanagan feels isolated and viewed with suspicion. However, someone else is interested in Ciaran’s release - the son of the man he admitted to killing all those years ago.
This is a really interesting opening book to a new series. I liked the character of Serena Flanagan, who was really believable; driven and committed to her work and yet torn between her career and home life. Paula Cunningham is also flawed, but sensitive, and I hope she appears in future books. As we meet the troubled Ciaran and the aggressive and dominating Thomas, we begin to realise why Flanagan was so concerned about the confession of Ciaran to the crime seven years ago. There are some interesting themes in this novel – for example, what causes a child to kill and how does childhood impact upon adulthood? I look forward to reading on in this series and think this is both an enjoyable personal read and a good choice for reading groups, with much to discuss. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Although Ciaran confessed to the crime, it is obvious that he is completely under his elder brother’s control and Flanagan was uncomfortable with the outcome of the initial investigation. Her kindness towards Ciaran was important to him and he remembers Flanagan well. However, it is obvious that Flanagan is going to have problems convincing anyone – other than Paula – that anything was wrong with the investigation. With her husband distant from her, her best friend in her cancer support group discovering bad news and her attempts to discover the truth hampered by her colleagues Flanagan feels isolated and viewed with suspicion. However, someone else is interested in Ciaran’s release - the son of the man he admitted to killing all those years ago.
This is a really interesting opening book to a new series. I liked the character of Serena Flanagan, who was really believable; driven and committed to her work and yet torn between her career and home life. Paula Cunningham is also flawed, but sensitive, and I hope she appears in future books. As we meet the troubled Ciaran and the aggressive and dominating Thomas, we begin to realise why Flanagan was so concerned about the confession of Ciaran to the crime seven years ago. There are some interesting themes in this novel – for example, what causes a child to kill and how does childhood impact upon adulthood? I look forward to reading on in this series and think this is both an enjoyable personal read and a good choice for reading groups, with much to discuss. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
November 11, 2015
This is a dark, intelligent, multilayered, psychological thriller. It dwells on huge issues in society such as the nature of foster care and why a child kills, cancer and family relationships. Kudos to Stuart Neville, a gifted writer, on creating a coherent and compelling story whilst developing characters you are totally engaged with and believe in. Located in Belfast, I was immediately drawn into the book and could not let go until it finished! It had an ominous feel that lent the book considerable atmosphere.
As a DS, Serena Flanagan, spent time with two boys who are sentenced to prison. Ciaran, the younger brother, confesses to murdering the foster father. However, she had misgivings as to whether that was true. Now a DCI with health problems, the two boys have been released. She is approached by Paula, a probation officer who voices her concerns about their relationship. Serena follows up.
The story is well crafted and intricately plotted. A fast paced narrative is suspense charged to keep you hooked. The exploration of challenging issues is done in an expert way, like the difficulties of fitting back into society after a lengthy prison sentence. This is the first Stuart Neville book I have read, it is not going to be the last! I am grateful to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for an ebook copy via netgalley.
As a DS, Serena Flanagan, spent time with two boys who are sentenced to prison. Ciaran, the younger brother, confesses to murdering the foster father. However, she had misgivings as to whether that was true. Now a DCI with health problems, the two boys have been released. She is approached by Paula, a probation officer who voices her concerns about their relationship. Serena follows up.
The story is well crafted and intricately plotted. A fast paced narrative is suspense charged to keep you hooked. The exploration of challenging issues is done in an expert way, like the difficulties of fitting back into society after a lengthy prison sentence. This is the first Stuart Neville book I have read, it is not going to be the last! I am grateful to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for an ebook copy via netgalley.
June 30, 2021
3.5 stars. I think this would have received a higher rating if I wasn't expecting something different. One of my favorite genre's is Irish mysteries, and I specifically love the Detective Sean Duffy series by Adrian McKinty and the Cormac Reilly series by Dervla McTiernan. Those We Left Behind is a much darker beast than the aforementioned series, I would even go so far as to say it could be classified as Irish Noir. The writing is brilliant and there were quite a few scenes (including the opening chapter) that had me physically tense up, more because of what was not said/described than by what was. As always with noir's I found most of the characters unlikable and the situation bleak and hopeless, which does not make for easy reading. But even though this was a deeply unsettling mystery and I can't say that I enjoyed it, I could not tear myself away from the story. I've already added the second in the series to my audio wish list.
The Story: Blood has always been thicker than water for two Northern Irish brothers caught in the Belfast foster system, but a debt of past violence will be paid by not just them, but also by those they left behind.
The Story: Blood has always been thicker than water for two Northern Irish brothers caught in the Belfast foster system, but a debt of past violence will be paid by not just them, but also by those they left behind.
October 24, 2023
4.5 ⭐️. Near perfection. Although I save 5 stars for the best of the best. An intriguing tale of two boys put into young offenders for the murder of their foster parent. Flanagan involved in the original investigation is convinced one brother is covering for the other. After their release years later, they become embroiled in more trouble. Was Flanagan right about the boys or did she make a fatal error of judgment ? I enjoyed this story from beginning to end and was never sure of how it would end up.
July 6, 2015
This was one of those 'read it all in one sitting' type books.
It is a masterful character study, each individual multilayered and complex. While compelling, I found that I had no real liking for any of the characters. But this is not written in a 'Gone Girl' or 'Girl on the Train' style, rather the people are understandable, even relatable, just not particularly appealing. At the end of the novel, I knew them well enough to know why they acted the way that they did but I didn't agree with how they handled their choices. For me, this way the most remarkable bit about the book. It's easy to make people seem disagreeable and unpleasant, it is harder to create in the audience a kind of compassion from a distance. The focus on unpredicatable characters was used well by Neville to keep me from guessing the way the story was going. Yet at the end it seemed that it could only have ended that way.
Definitely something different from the typical psychological thriller.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Soho Press for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
It is a masterful character study, each individual multilayered and complex. While compelling, I found that I had no real liking for any of the characters. But this is not written in a 'Gone Girl' or 'Girl on the Train' style, rather the people are understandable, even relatable, just not particularly appealing. At the end of the novel, I knew them well enough to know why they acted the way that they did but I didn't agree with how they handled their choices. For me, this way the most remarkable bit about the book. It's easy to make people seem disagreeable and unpleasant, it is harder to create in the audience a kind of compassion from a distance. The focus on unpredicatable characters was used well by Neville to keep me from guessing the way the story was going. Yet at the end it seemed that it could only have ended that way.
Definitely something different from the typical psychological thriller.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Soho Press for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2021
Τι παπ@ριά ήταν πάλι αυτή;;; 🥴
Ίσως το χειρότερο βιβλίο του '21 μέχρι στιγμής... Τώρα θα μου πείτε, «έχεις παρατήσει ήδη δύο, και αυτό ήταν χειρότερο;»...Ε ναι λοιπόν, ήταν! Και παίρνει δύο αστεράκια μόνο και μόνο επειδή η γραφή είναι καλή και επειδή ο συγγραφέας μου είχε αφήσει θετική εντύπωση σε προηγούμενό του βιβλίο.
Πλοκή για τον [μπιπ], και οι χαρακτήρες ακόμη χειρότερα, για τον [μπιπ]² (μπιπ στο τετράγωνο για όσους δεν το πρόσεξαν!)!!! Πόση ηλιθιότητα μπορεί να αντέξει κανείς σε ένα βιβλίο; Από την επιθεωρήτρια που "φτιάχτηκε" με τον 19χρονο εγκληματία, μέχρι και τον "δαγκανιάρη" αδελφό, οι χαρακτήρες είναι πάρε τον έναν και χτυπά το άλλον. Ευτυχώς ήταν μικρό και το τελείωσα, να δω και την πραγματικά αστεία (γελοία μάλλον!) κατάληξη της ιστορίας, γιατί αν ήταν 500 σελίδες θα το είχα παρατήσει σίγουρα.
Πραγματικά, τεράστια έκπληξη να έχει γράψει αυτό το βιβλίο ο ίδιος συγγραφέας που έγραψε το "Εφιάλτης στην Αριζόνα"!
Ίσως το χειρότερο βιβλίο του '21 μέχρι στιγμής... Τώρα θα μου πείτε, «έχεις παρατήσει ήδη δύο, και αυτό ήταν χειρότερο;»...Ε ναι λοιπόν, ήταν! Και παίρνει δύο αστεράκια μόνο και μόνο επειδή η γραφή είναι καλή και επειδή ο συγγραφέας μου είχε αφήσει θετική εντύπωση σε προηγούμενό του βιβλίο.
Πλοκή για τον [μπιπ], και οι χαρακτήρες ακόμη χειρότερα, για τον [μπιπ]² (μπιπ στο τετράγωνο για όσους δεν το πρόσεξαν!)!!! Πόση ηλιθιότητα μπορεί να αντέξει κανείς σε ένα βιβλίο; Από την επιθεωρήτρια που "φτιάχτηκε" με τον 19χρονο εγκληματία, μέχρι και τον "δαγκανιάρη" αδελφό, οι χαρακτήρες είναι πάρε τον έναν και χτυπά το άλλον. Ευτυχώς ήταν μικρό και το τελείωσα, να δω και την πραγματικά αστεία (γελοία μάλλον!) κατάληξη της ιστορίας, γιατί αν ήταν 500 σελίδες θα το είχα παρατήσει σίγουρα.
Πραγματικά, τεράστια έκπληξη να έχει γράψει αυτό το βιβλίο ο ίδιος συγγραφέας που έγραψε το "Εφιάλτης στην Αριζόνα"!
May 6, 2016
3.5 stars
We all have a list of authors whose books we wait for like the drunk outside a liquor store first thing in the morning. When they have the temerity to (gasp) leave beloved characters behind & start a new series, it can be tricky. It's like your brother showing up with a new girlfriend when you really liked the old one. Dynamics are shaken up, expectations are altered & you're out of your comfort zone.
But hey, this is the latest from Stuart Neville.....an author who has given me hours of enjoyment with his gritty tales from the streets of Belfast. When offered the chance to read a proof, I snatched it with both paws & ran.
In 2007, Serena Flanagan was a young DS working the case of a kid who killed his foster father. Ciaran Devine was just 12 years old when he confessed to stabbing the man who took in him & older brother Thomas. Serena forged a bond with him during the investigation & she's always had doubts as to which brother was actually responsible. Now 20, Ciaran is released to a halfway house. When parole officer Paula Cunningham witnesses the brothers' reunion, something about their relationship sets off alarm bells & she contacts Serena for advice.
And you soon understand why. In chapters that flash back to the original crime & those told from Ciaran's POV, the brothers' story unfolds. It's poignant & disturbing. Countless disappointments & betrayals by those who should have cared shaped the boys into a single entity, each unable to function without the other. Their experiences read like the checklist from a manual entitled "How to Create a Sociopath".
Thomas kept his nose clean while waiting for his brother. But with Ciaran's release comes a spate of violence, threats & murder. Serena is drawn back into their lives when someone from the original case is killed, unaware of the effect she triggers in their relationship.
This is more of a character driven story than the author's previous novels. Setting takes a back seat as the reader navigates the emotions, desires & agendas of those involved. We spend a lot of time in their heads as chapters are told in alternating points of view. Various crimes & investigations are ongoing but it's the personal lives of these people that forms the bones of the book.
It's difficult to rate because on one hand, you have a compelling story of the short, unfortunate lives of 2 young men. On the other, you have a supposedly seasoned cop who charges through her day making rookie mistakes & leaving pissed off colleagues in her wake. Her go-to strategy for dealing with people seems to be as a confrontational bully. This is where the novel fell apart for me. She becomes the latest in a long line of female detectives portrayed as ruled by emotion & determined to prove they have a bigger pair. With the addition of a troubled home life, the old trope is complete. I get that placing a character in a string of dangerous situations (by her own design) is an effective plot device but it left me wondering if she's as smart as we're told.
Some things haven't changed in terms of Neville's style. The crisp writing, characters who are fully realized from the opening pages, atmospheric settings & expert pacing. With a large cast it's ok if one of the peripheral characters sets your teeth on edge. When it's the MC, that's a problem. But it's my problem, not his.
With a less talented writer, I'd be tempted to say thanks for the memories & move on. But it's a testament to his ability that I'll pick up the next one in spite of a MC I can't fully buy into. That's how much I enjoy his prose.
So, as with my brother's new girlfriend, I'm willing to put in some effort to get comfortable with DCI Flanagan. Maybe when we get to know each other better, we'll reach an understanding & begin a beautiful friendship.
BTW, I'd like to applaud the cover art. I'm often influenced by the appearance of a book's cover (+ or -). Either way I like to see a connection between what's outside & what's inside. This picture is not only beautiful but very symbolic of the boys & a significant location in the story. Well done!
We all have a list of authors whose books we wait for like the drunk outside a liquor store first thing in the morning. When they have the temerity to (gasp) leave beloved characters behind & start a new series, it can be tricky. It's like your brother showing up with a new girlfriend when you really liked the old one. Dynamics are shaken up, expectations are altered & you're out of your comfort zone.
But hey, this is the latest from Stuart Neville.....an author who has given me hours of enjoyment with his gritty tales from the streets of Belfast. When offered the chance to read a proof, I snatched it with both paws & ran.
In 2007, Serena Flanagan was a young DS working the case of a kid who killed his foster father. Ciaran Devine was just 12 years old when he confessed to stabbing the man who took in him & older brother Thomas. Serena forged a bond with him during the investigation & she's always had doubts as to which brother was actually responsible. Now 20, Ciaran is released to a halfway house. When parole officer Paula Cunningham witnesses the brothers' reunion, something about their relationship sets off alarm bells & she contacts Serena for advice.
And you soon understand why. In chapters that flash back to the original crime & those told from Ciaran's POV, the brothers' story unfolds. It's poignant & disturbing. Countless disappointments & betrayals by those who should have cared shaped the boys into a single entity, each unable to function without the other. Their experiences read like the checklist from a manual entitled "How to Create a Sociopath".
Thomas kept his nose clean while waiting for his brother. But with Ciaran's release comes a spate of violence, threats & murder. Serena is drawn back into their lives when someone from the original case is killed, unaware of the effect she triggers in their relationship.
This is more of a character driven story than the author's previous novels. Setting takes a back seat as the reader navigates the emotions, desires & agendas of those involved. We spend a lot of time in their heads as chapters are told in alternating points of view. Various crimes & investigations are ongoing but it's the personal lives of these people that forms the bones of the book.
It's difficult to rate because on one hand, you have a compelling story of the short, unfortunate lives of 2 young men. On the other, you have a supposedly seasoned cop who charges through her day making rookie mistakes & leaving pissed off colleagues in her wake. Her go-to strategy for dealing with people seems to be as a confrontational bully. This is where the novel fell apart for me. She becomes the latest in a long line of female detectives portrayed as ruled by emotion & determined to prove they have a bigger pair. With the addition of a troubled home life, the old trope is complete. I get that placing a character in a string of dangerous situations (by her own design) is an effective plot device but it left me wondering if she's as smart as we're told.
Some things haven't changed in terms of Neville's style. The crisp writing, characters who are fully realized from the opening pages, atmospheric settings & expert pacing. With a large cast it's ok if one of the peripheral characters sets your teeth on edge. When it's the MC, that's a problem. But it's my problem, not his.
With a less talented writer, I'd be tempted to say thanks for the memories & move on. But it's a testament to his ability that I'll pick up the next one in spite of a MC I can't fully buy into. That's how much I enjoy his prose.
So, as with my brother's new girlfriend, I'm willing to put in some effort to get comfortable with DCI Flanagan. Maybe when we get to know each other better, we'll reach an understanding & begin a beautiful friendship.
BTW, I'd like to applaud the cover art. I'm often influenced by the appearance of a book's cover (+ or -). Either way I like to see a connection between what's outside & what's inside. This picture is not only beautiful but very symbolic of the boys & a significant location in the story. Well done!
April 23, 2015
A story of two brothers.... but one is a killer...
At twelve years of age Ciaran Devine confesses to murdering his foster father. He tells the police that his brother Thomas had tried to stop him.
He did it because the foster father was doing bad things to Thomas.
DCI Serena Flanagan was the police officer sent to get the truth about that night from the boy. She gains his trust but just when the real events are about to be disclosed something happens and she walks away...
But Ciaran still remembers her kindness.
Both brothers are now out of prison but local folk still remember the terrible crime. And some now want revenge.
Probation officer Paula Cunningham is sent to try and help Ciaran get back into the society and whilst getting to to know him, see's the hold Thomas has on him. She confides in Serena her fears.
Thomas is manipulative, controlling...
‘Look all you want,’ Thomas said to the boy. ‘When you’re not looking, that’s when I’ll come for you.’
Can Ciaran break away from his brother and start again?
This is a well written psychological thriller.
As I read about the brothers I felt this creepy sinister tone coming through.
Its also a story where events can map these boys life out forever.
Told in numerous POVs you get the feeling that Ciaran went to prison as a twelve year old and 7 years later he came out a twelve year old but now in an 19 year old body.
I did have a few small issues with the story but all in all a spine chilling read.
For Ciaran, Thomas is all he has....
***ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review***
April 4, 2019
“Those We Left Behind” by Stuart Neville
This is the first in The “DCI Serena Flanagan” Series
I really enjoy Stuart Neville’s writing, and had previously read his “Jack Lennon” series of books
This “DCI Serena Flanagan” series is exceptionally good, another of my 5 star books that I read in 2018
Those we left behind is a murder/mystery/police procedural novel which is dark, gritty and psychological, and O-SO good!
July 25, 2015
I would like to thank Net Galley for an advanced copy of the latest Stuart Neville novel in exchange for a honest review. I received a forward copy this morning and instantly started to read it and I couldn't put it down. I have just finished it in almost one sitting. This is the first Stuart Neville book I have read and it won't be my last. I believe that the detective DCI Serena Flanagan is set to be Stuart Neville's new detective series and I can only imagine that with the development of the characters the series will get stronger and stronger. I find normally that series grow on me but this was one got me right from the beginning. The book follows a young boy who is released back in the community after serving 12 years for confessing to the murder of his foster father.
Great novel by an author I plan to read more of.
Book due to be released June 26th 2015 by Random House UK.
Great novel by an author I plan to read more of.
Book due to be released June 26th 2015 by Random House UK.
June 28, 2015
We have a lot going on in this book which only stresses and enhances the book itself.
This is the first book in a new crime series and its a brilliant start. I can't wait for me now.
DCI Serena Flanagan has been having treatment for her breast cancer, she is now well enough to return to work. Her first case is not something she wanted but its been passed to her as they feel she has the more "expertise" to handle it, plus she knew about it years ago when this crime came to light.
Its one of the old cases she was involved in, this conclusion was not what she thought was a right one.
There were two brothers, one named Ciaran Devine and the other Thomas. It was Ciaran who confessed to murdering his foster father.
Serena always thought it wasn't as straight forward as that.
Ciaran is about to be released and its her job to help him to fit into society.
We have one time where he goes into a shop and doesn't know the value of money, feeling embarrassed he leaves far more than what he should pay. There are a lot of instances that we can see what we take for granted as its a daily learning process, someone out of daily life would find it very hard to fit in, we see that.
Serena comes across a very sensitive person wanting to help, she is dedicated, but she has flaws along with personal things going on.
This is not a straight forward case, it wasn't in the past and it isn't now.
With another persons help, Paula, then can unravel what went on before.
The scenes between the past with the murder of the foster father is a bit graphic but needs to be. Its all part of setting the scene.
This is a fab book one, and I can't wait for book 2
This is the first book in a new crime series and its a brilliant start. I can't wait for me now.
DCI Serena Flanagan has been having treatment for her breast cancer, she is now well enough to return to work. Her first case is not something she wanted but its been passed to her as they feel she has the more "expertise" to handle it, plus she knew about it years ago when this crime came to light.
Its one of the old cases she was involved in, this conclusion was not what she thought was a right one.
There were two brothers, one named Ciaran Devine and the other Thomas. It was Ciaran who confessed to murdering his foster father.
Serena always thought it wasn't as straight forward as that.
Ciaran is about to be released and its her job to help him to fit into society.
We have one time where he goes into a shop and doesn't know the value of money, feeling embarrassed he leaves far more than what he should pay. There are a lot of instances that we can see what we take for granted as its a daily learning process, someone out of daily life would find it very hard to fit in, we see that.
Serena comes across a very sensitive person wanting to help, she is dedicated, but she has flaws along with personal things going on.
This is not a straight forward case, it wasn't in the past and it isn't now.
With another persons help, Paula, then can unravel what went on before.
The scenes between the past with the murder of the foster father is a bit graphic but needs to be. Its all part of setting the scene.
This is a fab book one, and I can't wait for book 2
December 2, 2015
Solid thriller from Neville about the relationship between two brothers who serve time for the killing of their foster brother and the younger brother's relationship with the DCI who was both a friend and foe at the time of the killing several years ago. The younger brother is released, hooks up with the older brother released earlier, and trouble ensues. Not as good as Neville's The Ghosts of Belfast series, missing the grittiness and tension of those novels, but well-written and moves along nicely to a satisfying ending. It appears to be the beginning of a series involving DCI Flanagan. 3.5 stars and recommended.
July 23, 2016
Emotional crime writing at its best At the finish of this story there are some notes by the author in which he attempts to explain difficulties he experienced in the initial writing of "Those we left behind" In particular the story was originally intended for DI Jack Lennon but after some soul searching and some rewriting the reader was introduced to DCI Serena Flanagan....and what a brilliant accomplishment that has proved to be.
You see, on the one level, we have a murder from some years ago and two disturbed brothers Thomas and Ciaran Devine. Ciaran has been incarcerated in a young offenders prison but did he actually commit the murder or is there a more sinister and evil side to Thomas? This story is actually secondary to the emotional and turbulent life of Serena Flanagan.
At the very beginning we learn that Flanagan has returned to duty after an operation; a lumpectomy. As the story proceeds the question posed is one of her capability against the background of the personal trauma just experienced. I, as a male reader, can only imagine the insecurities that must surely surround this relatively young and career driven police woman. At the bottom of this dilemma is the question that seems to haunt Serena....does my husband Alistair still want me and find my attractive?....."You know, you don't have to touch me there. I can keep my top on. You can......She watched as Alistair blinked, his mouth moving, seeking the words to reflect his heart. He sighed as his desire to tell her the truth was defeated by his quiet nature. In the end, he said, "I'm tired, love. Let's get some sleep." He rolled over his back to her, and pulled the duvet up to his chin. "It's just a bit of scarring", Flanagan said, "hardly anything at all." He stayed silent. "I'm not some disfigured monster, for Christ's sake."
Ciaran has now been released and once again DCI Flanagan, with the prompting of his probation officer, has become involved as fresh fears and evidence become apparent. Ciaran has never known or experienced in his short life any type of love or affection. He is now confronted with a sympathetic attractive policewoman facing her own emotional battle and sadness within the family unit. I could almost feel the agony that Stuart Neville, so expertly portrayed, as these two damaged individuals found comfort in the presence of each other.....where exactly was he going with this storyline?
This is a brilliant, emotional, character driven thriller of the highest order. I so much want Flanagan to be happy and yet her insecurities and problems are what make Those We Left Behind a thriller not to be missed. Highly Recommended!
You see, on the one level, we have a murder from some years ago and two disturbed brothers Thomas and Ciaran Devine. Ciaran has been incarcerated in a young offenders prison but did he actually commit the murder or is there a more sinister and evil side to Thomas? This story is actually secondary to the emotional and turbulent life of Serena Flanagan.
At the very beginning we learn that Flanagan has returned to duty after an operation; a lumpectomy. As the story proceeds the question posed is one of her capability against the background of the personal trauma just experienced. I, as a male reader, can only imagine the insecurities that must surely surround this relatively young and career driven police woman. At the bottom of this dilemma is the question that seems to haunt Serena....does my husband Alistair still want me and find my attractive?....."You know, you don't have to touch me there. I can keep my top on. You can......She watched as Alistair blinked, his mouth moving, seeking the words to reflect his heart. He sighed as his desire to tell her the truth was defeated by his quiet nature. In the end, he said, "I'm tired, love. Let's get some sleep." He rolled over his back to her, and pulled the duvet up to his chin. "It's just a bit of scarring", Flanagan said, "hardly anything at all." He stayed silent. "I'm not some disfigured monster, for Christ's sake."
Ciaran has now been released and once again DCI Flanagan, with the prompting of his probation officer, has become involved as fresh fears and evidence become apparent. Ciaran has never known or experienced in his short life any type of love or affection. He is now confronted with a sympathetic attractive policewoman facing her own emotional battle and sadness within the family unit. I could almost feel the agony that Stuart Neville, so expertly portrayed, as these two damaged individuals found comfort in the presence of each other.....where exactly was he going with this storyline?
This is a brilliant, emotional, character driven thriller of the highest order. I so much want Flanagan to be happy and yet her insecurities and problems are what make Those We Left Behind a thriller not to be missed. Highly Recommended!
November 23, 2019
Το "Δεσμοί αίματος" είναι το πρώτο από τα δύο βιβλία της σειράς "DCI Serena Flanagan" του Stuart Neville. Όμως, για αρκετούς από εσάς, είμαι βέβαιη πως το όνομα της Σερίνα Φλάναγκαν δεν σας είναι καθόλου άγνωστο. Σε περίπτωση που δεν μπορείτε να θυμηθείτε από που την γνωρίζετε, επιτρέψτε μου να σας βοηθήσω, προτείνοντάς σας να ανατρέξετε στη σειρά βιβλίων του ίδιου συγγραφέα, "Jack Lennon", και όσον αφορά το εν λόγω βιβλίο, λίγο πιο συγκεκριμένα, στο "Πέπλο σιωπής", το τέταρτο και τελευταίο βιβλίο της σειράς, όχι μόνο επειδή η Σερίνα έπαιξε πολύ ενεργό ρόλο σε αυτό, αλλά γιατί αποτελεί, επί της ουσίας, prequel του συγκεκριμένου, με ό,τι μπορεί αυτό να συνεπάγεται.
Η Σερίνα, αφού πέρασε ένα πολύ σοβαρό πρόβλημα με την υγεία της, το οποίο την κράτησε για αρκετό καιρό εκτός Υπηρεσίας, επιστρέφει στην ενεργό δράση, έχοντας να αντιμετωπίσει ένα σωρό ανοιχτές υποθέσεις, μα και την λύπηση που βλέπει στα μάτια των συναδέλφων της, κάτι που αποτελεί βαρύ ψυχολογικό φορτίο στις πλάτες της. Όμως, σαν να μην έφταναν όλα αυτά, μια υπόθεση από το παρελθόν έρχεται να την ταράξει ακόμα περισσότερο, σε μια τόσο ευαίσθητη κι ευάλωτη για εκείνη στιγμή της ζωής της, όταν ο δεκαεννιάχρονος πλέον Κίαρον Ντιβάιν, που πριν από εφτά χρόνια καταδικάστηκε για την δολοφονία του πατριού του την οποία και ομολόγησε, κάτι που έδωσε πολλά ελαφρυντικά στον μεγαλύτερο αδερφό του που επίσης βρέθηκε στον τόπο του εγκλήματος, βουτηγμένος μεσ' τα αίματα, αποφυλακίζεται.
Από τότε που κατάφερε ν' αποσπάσει την ομολογία του, η Σερίνα, ήταν βέβαιη πως ο Κίαρον δεν έλεγε όλη την αλήθεια, παρά την είχε διαμορφώσει έτσι ώστε να μπορέσει να προστατεύσει τον μεγαλύτερο αδερφό του που τον είχε σαν θεό. Ένας μεγαλύτερο αδερφό που ασκούσε, κι εξακολουθεί να το κάνει, τεράστια επιρροή πάνω του, κάνοντάς τον να μοιάζει με μαριονέτα στα χέρια του, πράγμα που δεν τον καθιστά διόλου ασφαλή τώρα που θα επανέλθει στον έξω κόσμο. Πολύ περισσότερο δε, από τη στιγμή που ο γιος του δολοφονημένου πατριού τους έχει ορκιστεί να πάρει την εκδίκησή του. Γιατί όταν ένας κύκλος αίματος ανοίγει και αυτός τροφοδοτείται από αρρωστημένα ένστικτα, μα και από μια εκδικητική μανία, δεν μπορεί παρά να μην κλείσει ποτέ. Και, άραγε, μέχρι που μπορεί να είναι ικανός να φτάσει κανείς για την οικογένειά του; Μπορεί να γίνει φονιάς έτσι απλά, ή υπάρχουν βαθύτερα κίνητρα που πυροδοτούν αυτές τις εκρήξεις βίας;
Πέραν της έτσι κι αλλιώς πολύ ενδιαφέρουσας ιστορίας, αυτό που πραγματικά με κέρδισε στο "Δεσμοί αίματος" δεν είναι άλλο από την ψυχολογική ανάλυση των χαρακτήρων και των ιστοριών που ο καθένας φέρει μαζί του. Ο Neville, χωρίς ίχνος εμπάθειας μα και με μεροληψία συνάμα, βάζει τον καθέναν από αυτούς στο μικροσκόπιο προσκαλώντας μας, όχι να επιλέξουμε πλευρά και να ταχτούμε υπέρ κάποιου συγκεκριμένα, αλλά να κατανοήσουμε τον διαταραγμένο εσωτερικό κόσμο του καθενός, βλέποντας τη ζωή και την πραγματικότητά τους μέσα από το δικό τους, προσωπικό πρίσμα, ακόμα κι αν σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις αυτό είναι καλειδοσκοπικό. Ο Τόμας είναι ένας εμφανώς ψυχασθενής άνθρωπος, με τραύματα του παρελθόντος που κανείς δεν προσπάθησε να επουλώσει, αφήνοντάς τον να μεγαλώσει μέσα στον θυμό και στην οργή. Ο Κίαρον, από την άλλη, έχει μέσα του μια βαθιά ευγένεια, κάτι που συγκρούεται έντονα με τις πράξεις του. Νιώθει καθήκον και υποχρέωση να προστατεύσει τον αδερφό του, αλλά την ίδια στιγμή τον συγκινεί η Σερίνα και ο τρόπος που τον προσεγγίζει, με κατανόηση και τρυφερότητα, κάτι που τον κάνει να αισθάνεται λίγο πιο ανθρώπινος.
Δύο άνθρωποι που εξαρτώνται με λάθος τρόπο ο ένας από τον άλλον, και που όταν ο ένας τολμάει να κάνει κάτι που πάει κόντρα στα θέλω του άλλου, πέραν της συναισθηματικής χειραγώγησης που έτσι κι αλλιώς υπάρχει, βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπος και με την σωματική βία που του ασκεί, πράγμα που δεν είναι ευχάριστο να το διαβάζεις, ειδικά όταν αποτυπώνεται με τόσο ρεαλισμό, αλλά που αποτυπώνει με μεγάλη ακρίβεια την πραγματικότητα ενός άρρωστου μυαλού και την εκρηκτική βία που αυτό κρύβει μέσα του όταν νιώθει πως χάνει τον έλεγχο. Και ανάμεσά τους, μια γυναίκα που προσπαθεί να ξαναβρεί τον εαυτό της μέσα σε μια ζωή που μοιάζει να την έχει ξεχάσει, και με ανθρώπους που αντί να την αγκαλιάσουν, είτε την λυπούνται είτε αδιαφορούν, πράγμα που την βυθίζει όλο και πιο πολύ σε μια ατέρμονη μοναξιά την στιγμή που δεν την έχει διόλου ανάγκη.
Συνοψίζοντας, έχουμε ένα αστυνομικό θρίλερ που περισσότερο από τη δράση, δίνει έμφαση στην αντίδραση και στις ψυχολογικές προεκτάσεις που προκύπτουν από τις πράξεις των ηρώων της. Ένα μυθιστόρημα με σφιχτή πλοκή, που προκαλεί έντονα συναισθήματα, και που παρά το γεγονός πως ορισμένες στιγμές μας κάνει να νιώθουμε κάπως αμήχανα, εκτιμάμε, στο τέλος, την αλήθεια και την ειλικρίνειά του. Χαρακτήρες που ο συγγραφέας έχει προσεγγίσει με ενσυναίσθηση και κατανόηση, κάτι που περιμένει και οι αναγνώστες του να κάνουν, κι ας μην μας το λέει. Είναι κάτι που το αντιλαμβανόμαστε από τις πρώτες κιόλας σελίδες, όχι επειδή έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια υπόθεση παιδιών, αλλά γιατί έχουμε να κάνουμε με ανθρώπους που χρειάζονταν βοήθεια και δεν την έλαβαν όταν έπρεπε, με καταστροφικά για όλους αποτελέσματα.
Η Σερίνα, αφού πέρασε ένα πολύ σοβαρό πρόβλημα με την υγεία της, το οποίο την κράτησε για αρκετό καιρό εκτός Υπηρεσίας, επιστρέφει στην ενεργό δράση, έχοντας να αντιμετωπίσει ένα σωρό ανοιχτές υποθέσεις, μα και την λύπηση που βλέπει στα μάτια των συναδέλφων της, κάτι που αποτελεί βαρύ ψυχολογικό φορτίο στις πλάτες της. Όμως, σαν να μην έφταναν όλα αυτά, μια υπόθεση από το παρελθόν έρχεται να την ταράξει ακόμα περισσότερο, σε μια τόσο ευαίσθητη κι ευάλωτη για εκείνη στιγμή της ζωής της, όταν ο δεκαεννιάχρονος πλέον Κίαρον Ντιβάιν, που πριν από εφτά χρόνια καταδικάστηκε για την δολοφονία του πατριού του την οποία και ομολόγησε, κάτι που έδωσε πολλά ελαφρυντικά στον μεγαλύτερο αδερφό του που επίσης βρέθηκε στον τόπο του εγκλήματος, βουτηγμένος μεσ' τα αίματα, αποφυλακίζεται.
Από τότε που κατάφερε ν' αποσπάσει την ομολογία του, η Σερίνα, ήταν βέβαιη πως ο Κίαρον δεν έλεγε όλη την αλήθεια, παρά την είχε διαμορφώσει έτσι ώστε να μπορέσει να προστατεύσει τον μεγαλύτερο αδερφό του που τον είχε σαν θεό. Ένας μεγαλύτερο αδερφό που ασκούσε, κι εξακολουθεί να το κάνει, τεράστια επιρροή πάνω του, κάνοντάς τον να μοιάζει με μαριονέτα στα χέρια του, πράγμα που δεν τον καθιστά διόλου ασφαλή τώρα που θα επανέλθει στον έξω κόσμο. Πολύ περισσότερο δε, από τη στιγμή που ο γιος του δολοφονημένου πατριού τους έχει ορκιστεί να πάρει την εκδίκησή του. Γιατί όταν ένας κύκλος αίματος ανοίγει και αυτός τροφοδοτείται από αρρωστημένα ένστικτα, μα και από μια εκδικητική μανία, δεν μπορεί παρά να μην κλείσει ποτέ. Και, άραγε, μέχρι που μπορεί να είναι ικανός να φτάσει κανείς για την οικογένειά του; Μπορεί να γίνει φονιάς έτσι απλά, ή υπάρχουν βαθύτερα κίνητρα που πυροδοτούν αυτές τις εκρήξεις βίας;
Πέραν της έτσι κι αλλιώς πολύ ενδιαφέρουσας ιστορίας, αυτό που πραγματικά με κέρδισε στο "Δεσμοί αίματος" δεν είναι άλλο από την ψυχολογική ανάλυση των χαρακτήρων και των ιστοριών που ο καθένας φέρει μαζί του. Ο Neville, χωρίς ίχνος εμπάθειας μα και με μεροληψία συνάμα, βάζει τον καθέναν από αυτούς στο μικροσκόπιο προσκαλώντας μας, όχι να επιλέξουμε πλευρά και να ταχτούμε υπέρ κάποιου συγκεκριμένα, αλλά να κατανοήσουμε τον διαταραγμένο εσωτερικό κόσμο του καθενός, βλέποντας τη ζωή και την πραγματικότητά τους μέσα από το δικό τους, προσωπικό πρίσμα, ακόμα κι αν σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις αυτό είναι καλειδοσκοπικό. Ο Τόμας είναι ένας εμφανώς ψυχασθενής άνθρωπος, με τραύματα του παρελθόντος που κανείς δεν προσπάθησε να επουλώσει, αφήνοντάς τον να μεγαλώσει μέσα στον θυμό και στην οργή. Ο Κίαρον, από την άλλη, έχει μέσα του μια βαθιά ευγένεια, κάτι που συγκρούεται έντονα με τις πράξεις του. Νιώθει καθήκον και υποχρέωση να προστατεύσει τον αδερφό του, αλλά την ίδια στιγμή τον συγκινεί η Σερίνα και ο τρόπος που τον προσεγγίζει, με κατανόηση και τρυφερότητα, κάτι που τον κάνει να αισθάνεται λίγο πιο ανθρώπινος.
Δύο άνθρωποι που εξαρτώνται με λάθος τρόπο ο ένας από τον άλλον, και που όταν ο ένας τολμάει να κάνει κάτι που πάει κόντρα στα θέλω του άλλου, πέραν της συναισθηματικής χειραγώγησης που έτσι κι αλλιώς υπάρχει, βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπος και με την σωματική βία που του ασκεί, πράγμα που δεν είναι ευχάριστο να το διαβάζεις, ειδικά όταν αποτυπώνεται με τόσο ρεαλισμό, αλλά που αποτυπώνει με μεγάλη ακρίβεια την πραγματικότητα ενός άρρωστου μυαλού και την εκρηκτική βία που αυτό κρύβει μέσα του όταν νιώθει πως χάνει τον έλεγχο. Και ανάμεσά τους, μια γυναίκα που προσπαθεί να ξαναβρεί τον εαυτό της μέσα σε μια ζωή που μοιάζει να την έχει ξεχάσει, και με ανθρώπους που αντί να την αγκαλιάσουν, είτε την λυπούνται είτε αδιαφορούν, πράγμα που την βυθίζει όλο και πιο πολύ σε μια ατέρμονη μοναξιά την στιγμή που δεν την έχει διόλου ανάγκη.
Συνοψίζοντας, έχουμε ένα αστυνομικό θρίλερ που περισσότερο από τη δράση, δίνει έμφαση στην αντίδραση και στις ψυχολογικές προεκτάσεις που προκύπτουν από τις πράξεις των ηρώων της. Ένα μυθιστόρημα με σφιχτή πλοκή, που προκαλεί έντονα συναισθήματα, και που παρά το γεγονός πως ορισμένες στιγμές μας κάνει να νιώθουμε κάπως αμήχανα, εκτιμάμε, στο τέλος, την αλήθεια και την ειλικρίνειά του. Χαρακτήρες που ο συγγραφέας έχει προσεγγίσει με ενσυναίσθηση και κατανόηση, κάτι που περιμένει και οι αναγνώστες του να κάνουν, κι ας μην μας το λέει. Είναι κάτι που το αντιλαμβανόμαστε από τις πρώτες κιόλας σελίδες, όχι επειδή έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια υπόθεση παιδιών, αλλά γιατί έχουμε να κάνουμε με ανθρώπους που χρειάζονταν βοήθεια και δεν την έλαβαν όταν έπρεπε, με καταστροφικά για όλους αποτελέσματα.
April 5, 2021
Those We Left Behind by Stuart Neville is tense and gut-wrenching in a fashion rarely seen in modern crime novels. This is Noire at its finest.
"...What do you want to know?' Flanagan asked.
Cunningham opened the notebook, readied her pen. 'I understand you conducted nost of the interviews with Ciaran.'
'That's right. You should be able to access the transcripts that were submitted by the prosecution.'
'Yes, I have them. But I wanted your impression of him. What did you feel about him?'
Flanagan looked away, hoped her discomfort didn't show. She examined the back of her left hand. Her wedding and engagement rings. The small scar from when, as a child, she'd tried to crawl beneath barbed wire into the field behind her grandfather's house to see the pony with the sagging belly and matted coat.
'Well, my first impression,' Flanagan said. 'My first impression was the blood on the wall..."
Seven years ago, twelve year old Ciaran Devine confessed to the brutal murder of his foster father and it sent tremors of horror throughout Belfast. He was quickly dubbed "schoolboy killer" by the media and though he said over and over again that his older brother Thomas had tried to stop him, the blinding rage inside of the boy could not be contained. Now, he was scheduled to be released.
"...There, where he'd retreated into the corner, what remained of David Rolston. One arm hooked up and over his head at an unnatural angle making him look like a rag doll that had been thrown in a childish rage. Skull fragments. Flaps of skin, strands of hair. One eye gone, the other open and dull.
On the stained carpet, between his splayed legs, a cast iron bookend in the shape of a cat. It's pair remained on the dresser beside the body, books spilling onto the floor.
'Dear Christ,' Purdy said. 'Children did this. Children..."
DCI Serena Flanagan, an ambitious Detective Sergeant at the time, took Ciaran's confession days after the killing. He has not forgotten her kindness and she has never forgotten the young boy. Nor did she ever truly believe the confession. Now with the release coming, Flanagan must re-visit the case and her own part in it.
Paula Cunningham is the Probation Officer assigned to Ciaran and charged with helping him re-enter society. Paula soon begins to suspect that there is far more to the case than what the police uncovered. She soon begins to doubt Ciaran's guilt and begins to notice the unnatural hold his brother Thomas has over Ciaran.
Now a cloud of doubt hangs over Ciaran, and DCI Flanagan, just returning back to the force from her own personal trauma, must dig through the past and the lies and the truth. But secrets have a way of protecting themselves and the secrets of this case will do so in blood.
Stuart Neville writes Irish crime novels with visceral reality that will touch the very marrow of the reader. It is uncomfortable at times, but it is just this level of truth that makes it so compelling. Flanagan is an unconventional hard as nails Detective whose own life unravels as the case does and Paula soon finds herself much deeper in dark water than she is ready for.
But it is the character of Ciaran that Neville does so beautifully. Tragic and vulnerable and yet overwhelmingly dangerous. The dynamic between the brothers is loving and parasitical. The reader keeps wanting to believe in Ciaran's innocence but the story throws in just enough doubt to keep you on edge.
In the end, it is hard to see who wins.
One hell of a good book!
"...What do you want to know?' Flanagan asked.
Cunningham opened the notebook, readied her pen. 'I understand you conducted nost of the interviews with Ciaran.'
'That's right. You should be able to access the transcripts that were submitted by the prosecution.'
'Yes, I have them. But I wanted your impression of him. What did you feel about him?'
Flanagan looked away, hoped her discomfort didn't show. She examined the back of her left hand. Her wedding and engagement rings. The small scar from when, as a child, she'd tried to crawl beneath barbed wire into the field behind her grandfather's house to see the pony with the sagging belly and matted coat.
'Well, my first impression,' Flanagan said. 'My first impression was the blood on the wall..."
Seven years ago, twelve year old Ciaran Devine confessed to the brutal murder of his foster father and it sent tremors of horror throughout Belfast. He was quickly dubbed "schoolboy killer" by the media and though he said over and over again that his older brother Thomas had tried to stop him, the blinding rage inside of the boy could not be contained. Now, he was scheduled to be released.
"...There, where he'd retreated into the corner, what remained of David Rolston. One arm hooked up and over his head at an unnatural angle making him look like a rag doll that had been thrown in a childish rage. Skull fragments. Flaps of skin, strands of hair. One eye gone, the other open and dull.
On the stained carpet, between his splayed legs, a cast iron bookend in the shape of a cat. It's pair remained on the dresser beside the body, books spilling onto the floor.
'Dear Christ,' Purdy said. 'Children did this. Children..."
DCI Serena Flanagan, an ambitious Detective Sergeant at the time, took Ciaran's confession days after the killing. He has not forgotten her kindness and she has never forgotten the young boy. Nor did she ever truly believe the confession. Now with the release coming, Flanagan must re-visit the case and her own part in it.
Paula Cunningham is the Probation Officer assigned to Ciaran and charged with helping him re-enter society. Paula soon begins to suspect that there is far more to the case than what the police uncovered. She soon begins to doubt Ciaran's guilt and begins to notice the unnatural hold his brother Thomas has over Ciaran.
Now a cloud of doubt hangs over Ciaran, and DCI Flanagan, just returning back to the force from her own personal trauma, must dig through the past and the lies and the truth. But secrets have a way of protecting themselves and the secrets of this case will do so in blood.
Stuart Neville writes Irish crime novels with visceral reality that will touch the very marrow of the reader. It is uncomfortable at times, but it is just this level of truth that makes it so compelling. Flanagan is an unconventional hard as nails Detective whose own life unravels as the case does and Paula soon finds herself much deeper in dark water than she is ready for.
But it is the character of Ciaran that Neville does so beautifully. Tragic and vulnerable and yet overwhelmingly dangerous. The dynamic between the brothers is loving and parasitical. The reader keeps wanting to believe in Ciaran's innocence but the story throws in just enough doubt to keep you on edge.
In the end, it is hard to see who wins.
One hell of a good book!
November 10, 2017
Stuart Neville's The Ghosts of Belfast blew me away when I read it a couple of years ago, and several of his other books have been on my Want-To-Read list since. So I was looking forward to listening to the audio book of the first Serena Flanagan novel, with the second waiting in the wings. However, my first experience with DCI Flanagan will be my last.
The plot is a good one - an orphan, Ciaran Devine, who confessed to murdering his foster carer is released after serving his time, 2 years after his older brother Thomas, also implicated in the murder, has been freed. Daniel Rolston, the son of the victim understandably still bears a grudge and joins the main cast along with Ciaran's probation officer Paula Cunningham and, of course, DCI Flanagan.
Much of the novel focuses on the relationship between the Devine brothers and how it affects their view of the world and others in it. The mental torture that Daniel Rolston's character suffers as he struggles to live a normal life while being haunted by the Devines also features heavily during the early part of the book. The tension when any of these three characters are centre stage is the strongest part of the book.
What just about ruins the novel is the weakness of the central character, DCI Serena Flanagan. Neville pays lip service to her background by slotting in the occasional scene of family strife without digging very deep. What really grates is the way she acts throughout the story, bearing in mind that she is an experienced detective with some seniority. She is incredibly stupid and every time that she has to choose between a good decision and a bad one she goes for the latter. The main plot thread is dragged along by her incompetence and it made for a frustrating listen.
Audio narrators can be down to personal taste and it didn't help that I found the narrator of Those We Left Behind to be intrusive rather than enhancing the story. Throughout the novel I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars, but every time I started to get hooked Flanagan would do something stupid and annoy me. The climax showed promise for a while but ended up being a bit ridiculous. On a scale of 10 I might have given 5, and I will read Stuart Neville's work again, but not if it features DCI Serena Flanagan.
The plot is a good one - an orphan, Ciaran Devine, who confessed to murdering his foster carer is released after serving his time, 2 years after his older brother Thomas, also implicated in the murder, has been freed. Daniel Rolston, the son of the victim understandably still bears a grudge and joins the main cast along with Ciaran's probation officer Paula Cunningham and, of course, DCI Flanagan.
Much of the novel focuses on the relationship between the Devine brothers and how it affects their view of the world and others in it. The mental torture that Daniel Rolston's character suffers as he struggles to live a normal life while being haunted by the Devines also features heavily during the early part of the book. The tension when any of these three characters are centre stage is the strongest part of the book.
What just about ruins the novel is the weakness of the central character, DCI Serena Flanagan. Neville pays lip service to her background by slotting in the occasional scene of family strife without digging very deep. What really grates is the way she acts throughout the story, bearing in mind that she is an experienced detective with some seniority. She is incredibly stupid and every time that she has to choose between a good decision and a bad one she goes for the latter. The main plot thread is dragged along by her incompetence and it made for a frustrating listen.
Audio narrators can be down to personal taste and it didn't help that I found the narrator of Those We Left Behind to be intrusive rather than enhancing the story. Throughout the novel I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars, but every time I started to get hooked Flanagan would do something stupid and annoy me. The climax showed promise for a while but ended up being a bit ridiculous. On a scale of 10 I might have given 5, and I will read Stuart Neville's work again, but not if it features DCI Serena Flanagan.
February 12, 2017
Unputdownable and very suspenseful, but the two main female characters were almost indistinguishable for me, and some moments in the plot were pretty unlikely.Also, I felt the ending was a bit of an anti-climax. The writing is quite good, but I think this novel could have been better. Still, it is very enjoyable to read.
April 25, 2020
God, I really did not like the main character DCI Serena Flanagan. And what was going on between her and Ciaran? And the story itself, I guess I was supposed to weep for Ciaran, and to a lesser extent brother Thomas, but I just couldn't. Then there's Cunningham, the probation officer ... just another weak character. And the male Detectives, who were ineffective at best. I have read two other Neville books which I found enjoyable, Collusion and especially The Ghosts of Belfast, but I'm afraid I won't be reading any further Serena Flanagan novels.
October 9, 2015
Great characters and pacing. Looking forward to reading more by Stuart Neville!
March 31, 2021
Eίναι περίεργη για μένα αυτή η χρονιά. Για πρώτη φορά από τότε που με θυμάμαι, δεν έχω την όρεξη και τον χρόνο να διαβάσω πολύ. Από τον Γενάρη μέχρι σήμερα, έχουν προκύψει αρκετά θέματα εργασίας, μερικά ζητήματα υγείας και άλλα προσωπικά θέματα πάσης φύσεως, που δεν με αφήνουν να καταπιαστώ με το διάβασμα τόσο όσο είχα συνηθίσει στο παρελθόν. Από την άλλη, με πλήρη συνείδηση κι εγώ έχω δώσει προτεραιότητα σε άλλα θέματα και προς το παρόν έχω βάλει τα βιβλία σε δεύτερη μοίρα.
Οπότε, θα ήθελα πολύ αυτά τα λίγα βιβλία που έχω διαβάσει μέχρι τώρα να μου αρέσουν τρελά, να με ικανοποιήσουν τόσο πολύ που να πω ότι ναι, τα ευχαριστήθηκα από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος, να τους βάλω 4στερα και 5στερα και να 'χω να τα θυμάμαι. Με το βιβλίο του Neville, δεν συνέβη αυτό. Ούτε καν πλησίασε σε αυτό. (Να σημειωθεί εδώ ότι το συγκεκριμένο το έπι��σα στα χέρια μου γιατί έφτασε σε μένα το δεύτερο της σειράς και θεώρησα καλό, μιας και είχα κι αυτό εδώ, να το διαβάσω πρώτο, ώστε να γνωρίσω τη Σερίνα Φλάναγκαν και τον κόσμο της από την αρχή.)
Δεν υπήρξε τίποτα σ' αυτό το βιβλίο που να με κερδίσει.
- Το είδος; Αστυνομικό -της προκοπής- δεν το λες (και ας το κατέταξα κι εγώ σε αυτή την κατηγορία). ΚΑΝΕΝΑ μυστήριο, ΚΑΜΙΑ αγωνία, ΚΑΜΙΑ ένταση, ΚΑΜΙΑ ανατροπή, ΑΔΥΝΑΜΗ αστυνομική δράση. Περισσότερο θυμίζει ένα χρονογράφημα μιας σύντομης περιόδου στη ζωή των δύο αδελφών και σίγουρα θυμίζει περισσότερο δισέλιδο άρθρο σε στήλη εφημερίδας με το κοινωνικό/αστυνομικό ρεπορτάζ παρά βιβλίο.
- Οι χαρακτήρες; Κενοί, αδιάφοροι και ρηχοί, χωρίς καμία εμβάθυνση στον ψυχισμό τους (άντε, με μια μικρή εξαίρεση στην περίπτωση του Κίαρον). Κακότροποι, απότομοι, προβληματικοί, αρνητικοί, κακόμοιροι, ψυχοφθόροι για τον αναγνώστη, μεμψίμοιροι.
- Η πλοκή; Απόλυτα προβλέψιμη, καθόλου ανατρεπτική, τέρμα αδιάφορη. Εξαρχής αποκαλύπτονται οι ένοχοι, εξαρχής είναι ολοφάνερο γιατί έγιναν όλα και γιατί εξελίχθηκαν έτσι όπως εξελίχθηκαν, εξαρχής προβλεπόταν η συγκεκριμένη κατάληξη. Απλά, δεν θα μπορούσε να γίνει αλλιώς. Στην περίπτωση των αδελφών, ήταν μονόδρομος.
- Το τέλος; Ακόμα κι αυτό, λειψό. Και δεν ξέρω αν μπορεί να δικαιολογηθεί με την πρόφαση ότι το επόμενο βιβλίο πιάνει το νήμα από εκεί όπου το άφησε το πρώτο. Θα το ξέρω αυτό όταν διαβάσω το δεύτερο (γιατί ναι, θα του δώσω μια ευκαιρία για να δω αν αξίζει να ασχοληθώ ξανά με την επιθεωρήτρια Φλάναγκαν ή να πούμε μια και καλή αντίο). Απότομο λοιπόν το τέλος, με ανοιχτά μέτωπα σε επαγγελματικό και προσωπικό επίπεδο για την ηρωίδα. Για όσους το διάβασαν και ξέρουν σε τι αναφέρομαι, θα πω μόνο πως ούτε καν στις τελευταίες σειρές δεν μας δόθηκε η ικανοποίηση για ένα κομμάτι της πλοκής που περιμέναμε κάτι να συμβεί και τελικά συνέβη.
Για τους χαρακτήρες, τώρα... Εντάξει, τι να πω; Τα αντιπάθησα σφόδρα τα αδέλφια Ντιβάιν. Ο μεγάλος αδελφός, ο Τόμας, είναι ακριβώς το είδος του "κακού" χαρακτήρα που ΔΕΝ αντέχω με τίποτα: είναι κακός απλά γιατί έτσι! Χωρίς καμία δικαιολογία. Όχι γιατί κακοποιήθηκε μικρός ή έχει απύθμενα ψυχολογικά ή κάποιος τον πείραξε, απλά γιατί έτσι. Γιατί "κάποια πράγματα είναι έτσι όπως είναι και δεν μπορεί κανείς να κάνει κάτι γι' αυτά". ΟΚ, το ξέρω. Συμβαίνει παντού. Στη λογοτεχνία όμως -και μάλιστα όταν έχεις φτάσει σε τέτοια ακραία επίπεδα τον ήρωά σου- όχι δεν το δέχομαι. Θέλω εμβάθυνση και βαθύ ψυχογράφημα στους χαρακτήρες. Τον Κίαρον στην αρχή τον λυπήθηκα και συνέχισα σχεδόν μέχρι το τέλος του βιβλίου να νιώθω έτσι, όπου εκεί πια το έχασε για μένα και μπήκε στην ίδια κατηγορία με τον αδελφό του. Δεν συγχώρεσα την ψυχρότητα και την αδιαφορία του. Κι αν κάποιοι στενοχωρήθηκαν με το τέλος, εμένα προσωπικά, σε ό,τι αφορά τα αδέλφια Ντιβάιν, αυτό με ικανοποίησε (και μάλλον ήταν και το μόνο).
Από την άλλη, η Σερίνα Φλάναγκαν μάλλον δεν θέλησε ή δεν πρόλαβε να ξεδιπλώσει τον χαρακτήρα της. Δεν την έμαθα. Κι ό,τι έμαθα από αυτήν δεν μου άρεσε. Αρχικά νόμιζα πως ο καρκίνος που πέρασε ευθυνόταν κατά βάση για τη συμπεριφορά της, όμως απ' ό,τι φάνηκε στην αφήγηση δεν είναι αυτό που επηρεάζει την γενικότερη συμπεριφορά της. Τη βρήκα κακομαθημένη, εκνευριστική, αδίστακτη και ψυχρή. Ελπίζω στο δεύτερο βιβλίο να δω μια διαφορετική γυναίκα, αλλαγμένη ή εξελιγμένη, διαφορετικά θα τολμήσω να πω ότι δεν της αξίζουν ούτε και όσα ήδη έχει.
Επειδή αρκετό χρόνο αφιέρωσα ήδη γράφοντας εντυπώσεις γι' αυτό το βιβλίο (απλά ήθελα να αιτιολογήσω κάπως το "σκληρό" ένα αστεράκι) θα πω και το μόνο καλό που βρήκα σε αυτό: κυλάει γρήγορα. Πάλι καλά, προσωπικά δεν με ταλαιπώρησε και πολύ. Αυτό του το δίνω και ήταν και το μόνο πράγμα που μου άρεσε τελικά από αυτό.
Οπότε, θα ήθελα πολύ αυτά τα λίγα βιβλία που έχω διαβάσει μέχρι τώρα να μου αρέσουν τρελά, να με ικανοποιήσουν τόσο πολύ που να πω ότι ναι, τα ευχαριστήθηκα από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος, να τους βάλω 4στερα και 5στερα και να 'χω να τα θυμάμαι. Με το βιβλίο του Neville, δεν συνέβη αυτό. Ούτε καν πλησίασε σε αυτό. (Να σημειωθεί εδώ ότι το συγκεκριμένο το έπι��σα στα χέρια μου γιατί έφτασε σε μένα το δεύτερο της σειράς και θεώρησα καλό, μιας και είχα κι αυτό εδώ, να το διαβάσω πρώτο, ώστε να γνωρίσω τη Σερίνα Φλάναγκαν και τον κόσμο της από την αρχή.)
Δεν υπήρξε τίποτα σ' αυτό το βιβλίο που να με κερδίσει.
- Το είδος; Αστυνομικό -της προκοπής- δεν το λες (και ας το κατέταξα κι εγώ σε αυτή την κατηγορία). ΚΑΝΕΝΑ μυστήριο, ΚΑΜΙΑ αγωνία, ΚΑΜΙΑ ένταση, ΚΑΜΙΑ ανατροπή, ΑΔΥΝΑΜΗ αστυνομική δράση. Περισσότερο θυμίζει ένα χρονογράφημα μιας σύντομης περιόδου στη ζωή των δύο αδελφών και σίγουρα θυμίζει περισσότερο δισέλιδο άρθρο σε στήλη εφημερίδας με το κοινωνικό/αστυνομικό ρεπορτάζ παρά βιβλίο.
- Οι χαρακτήρες; Κενοί, αδιάφοροι και ρηχοί, χωρίς καμία εμβάθυνση στον ψυχισμό τους (άντε, με μια μικρή εξαίρεση στην περίπτωση του Κίαρον). Κακότροποι, απότομοι, προβληματικοί, αρνητικοί, κακόμοιροι, ψυχοφθόροι για τον αναγνώστη, μεμψίμοιροι.
- Η πλοκή; Απόλυτα προβλέψιμη, καθόλου ανατρεπτική, τέρμα αδιάφορη. Εξαρχής αποκαλύπτονται οι ένοχοι, εξαρχής είναι ολοφάνερο γιατί έγιναν όλα και γιατί εξελίχθηκαν έτσι όπως εξελίχθηκαν, εξαρχής προβλεπόταν η συγκεκριμένη κατάληξη. Απλά, δεν θα μπορούσε να γίνει αλλιώς. Στην περίπτωση των αδελφών, ήταν μονόδρομος.
- Το τέλος; Ακόμα κι αυτό, λειψό. Και δεν ξέρω αν μπορεί να δικαιολογηθεί με την πρόφαση ότι το επόμενο βιβλίο πιάνει το νήμα από εκεί όπου το άφησε το πρώτο. Θα το ξέρω αυτό όταν διαβάσω το δεύτερο (γιατί ναι, θα του δώσω μια ευκαιρία για να δω αν αξίζει να ασχοληθώ ξανά με την επιθεωρήτρια Φλάναγκαν ή να πούμε μια και καλή αντίο). Απότομο λοιπόν το τέλος, με ανοιχτά μέτωπα σε επαγγελματικό και προσωπικό επίπεδο για την ηρωίδα. Για όσους το διάβασαν και ξέρουν σε τι αναφέρομαι, θα πω μόνο πως ούτε καν στις τελευταίες σειρές δεν μας δόθηκε η ικανοποίηση για ένα κομμάτι της πλοκής που περιμέναμε κάτι να συμβεί και τελικά συνέβη.
Για τους χαρακτήρες, τώρα... Εντάξει, τι να πω; Τα αντιπάθησα σφόδρα τα αδέλφια Ντιβάιν. Ο μεγάλος αδελφός, ο Τόμας, είναι ακριβώς το είδος του "κακού" χαρακτήρα που ΔΕΝ αντέχω με τίποτα: είναι κακός απλά γιατί έτσι! Χωρίς καμία δικαιολογία. Όχι γιατί κακοποιήθηκε μικρός ή έχει απύθμενα ψυχολογικά ή κάποιος τον πείραξε, απλά γιατί έτσι. Γιατί "κάποια πράγματα είναι έτσι όπως είναι και δεν μπορεί κανείς να κάνει κάτι γι' αυτά". ΟΚ, το ξέρω. Συμβαίνει παντού. Στη λογοτεχνία όμως -και μάλιστα όταν έχεις φτάσει σε τέτοια ακραία επίπεδα τον ήρωά σου- όχι δεν το δέχομαι. Θέλω εμβάθυνση και βαθύ ψυχογράφημα στους χαρακτήρες. Τον Κίαρον στην αρχή τον λυπήθηκα και συνέχισα σχεδόν μέχρι το τέλος του βιβλίου να νιώθω έτσι, όπου εκεί πια το έχασε για μένα και μπήκε στην ίδια κατηγορία με τον αδελφό του. Δεν συγχώρεσα την ψυχρότητα και την αδιαφορία του. Κι αν κάποιοι στενοχωρήθηκαν με το τέλος, εμένα προσωπικά, σε ό,τι αφορά τα αδέλφια Ντιβάιν, αυτό με ικανοποίησε (και μάλλον ήταν και το μόνο).
Από την άλλη, η Σερίνα Φλάναγκαν μάλλον δεν θέλησε ή δεν πρόλαβε να ξεδιπλώσει τον χαρακτήρα της. Δεν την έμαθα. Κι ό,τι έμαθα από αυτήν δεν μου άρεσε. Αρχικά νόμιζα πως ο καρκίνος που πέρασε ευθυνόταν κατά βάση για τη συμπεριφορά της, όμως απ' ό,τι φάνηκε στην αφήγηση δεν είναι αυτό που επηρεάζει την γενικότερη συμπεριφορά της. Τη βρήκα κακομαθημένη, εκνευριστική, αδίστακτη και ψυχρή. Ελπίζω στο δεύτερο βιβλίο να δω μια διαφορετική γυναίκα, αλλαγμένη ή εξελιγμένη, διαφορετικά θα τολμήσω να πω ότι δεν της αξίζουν ούτε και όσα ήδη έχει.
Επειδή αρκετό χρόνο αφιέρωσα ήδη γράφοντας εντυπώσεις γι' αυτό το βιβλίο (απλά ήθελα να αιτιολογήσω κάπως το "σκληρό" ένα αστεράκι) θα πω και το μόνο καλό που βρήκα σε αυτό: κυλάει γρήγορα. Πάλι καλά, προσωπικά δεν με ταλαιπώρησε και πολύ. Αυτό του το δίνω και ήταν και το μόνο πράγμα που μου άρεσε τελικά από αυτό.
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