Reflections

Brodie Farrell ##3

by Jo Bannister

Though Brodie Farrell runs a business called "Looking for Something?" she tries to avoid missing people cases. But she can't refuse when her friend in the police asks her to find the long-lost aunt of two girls after their mother is murdered and their father disappears. When an intruder breaks into the girls' home, Brodie must act quickly to save them from a dangerous, elusive murderer.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Jo Bannister lives in Northern Ireland, where she worked as a journalist and editor on local newspapers. Since giving up the day job, her books have been shortlisted for a number of awards. Most of her spare time is spent with her horse and dog, or clambering over archaeological sites. She is currently working on a new series of psychological crime/thrillers.

Reviews

[Carolyn Crocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brodie Farrell, finder, is plunged into the middle of family tragedy-- and echoes of the circumstances that brought her and Daniel Hood together. Absconded father, two daughters of a mother stabbed to death, and all who try to understand and help coalesce into a riveting climax in this ingeniously plotted mystery. And the humor sparkles throughout

"Hell, just getting born involves being shoved through a mangle, having your oxygen cut off and being slapped till you cry! After that, anything's an improvement." p.77


"'It'll do her good to see that for every ounce of inspiration it takes a pint of perspiration.' Jack Deacon would be the last man in England to go metric." p.171


"...Mrs John Farrell-- was quite a different person. So different Brodie herself was surprised. She no longer had regrets about the past. She liked her life. She liked being at the centre of her own existence instead of orbiting it at a polite distance." p. 175

[Carliss Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Bannister is nothing if not consistent - I love the Brodie Farrell series (this is one of those). The series is from the early 2000's and set in the UK. Those were times when the role of women was changing, and Brodie - a single mom finding her way forward and enjoying it (to her surprise) is no exception. The characters in Ms. Bannister's books are well drawn and very real - they have weaknesses and the relationships are not predictable, the emotions easily recognized in our own day to day but not typically inserted into fiction because they are so normal. These are not "instagram books." Ms. Bannister portrays her characters' interior life in an alarmingly insightful and recognizable (sometimes to our shame) way. I dearly love these books and strongly recommend them.

[Lex · Rating 2 out of 5]

** 2.75 stars**
I actually only read this while I was bored at work so it made the experience a little different I feel. anyway, I don’t think I really liked the style and the dialogue was kinda off to me and the people weren’t the most likable imo. but it was a decent plot! and kept me guessing a little bit. not my entire cup of tea but enjoyable enough. #effthemkids but also joking LMAO

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“‘Mrs Farrell’s going to be disappointed,’ said Charlie Voss. ‘She was convinced she’d cracked the case.’ Deacon looked round quickly but his open expression was innocent of mischief. All the same, Deacon was beginning to suspect that there was more to his sergeant than was printed on the label.”

[Dasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not liking the Brodie series as well as Ash and Best.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young girls have been left ALONE AFTER THEIR MOTHER IS BRUTALLY STABBED TO DEATH AND THEIR father has disappeared. Brodie Farrell is hired to find the women's estranged sister and persuade her to take the girls. Brodie's frined Daniel agrees to tutot the girls while the sister is tracked down. Everyone is convinced their father murdered their mother in a fit of rage over her latest affair with a very young man who lives across the road. Many unexpected truths come to light and it is shocking who the villians are.

[Mamatufy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brodie & Daniel are once again teamed up to help solve a mystery & maybe save some little girls. The case involves a man that seemingly murdered his philandering wife after she threw her many affairs in his face, leaving behind 2 scared & confused little girls. Daniel agrees to become the girls' tutor & live at the house with their aunt until the paperwork can be cleared for them to go & live in South Africa with their uncle. Things unwind in a shocking way leaving Brodie & Daniel at odds for the first time.

[Caren Krolik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another author that I hadn't heard of, but will be seeking out her other books. Well written, moves quickly, no long-drawn out chapters of non=sense. Good character base, easy to follow, easy to enjoy. Great twist, which I LOVE to find in books!!

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery packs a punch! A solid continuation of the series. Most mysteries series have a professional (or self-confessed amateur) sleuth as the protagonist because it's difficult to believe someone could repeatedly stumble over crimes accidentally. But so far Bannister has done an excellent job of weaving Daniel & Brodie into crimes believably.

That aside, this particular mystery packs a doozy of an emotional punch.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could easily have given this at least one more star except for the very last page. Found the book most captivating and interesting and could hardly put it down. I stayed up past my bedtime so as to finish it but the very last page was most disappointing. I felt as if the author had no idea how to finish it so just abruptly wrote whatever came to his mind. Terribly disappointing. But enjoyed the author so much I will definitely look for more of her books.......I think.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brodie finds things, but in this story she’s hired to find the Aunt of 2 young girls whose father is thought to have killed cheating wife. The 2 young girls are the murderers. Great read with unsettling, surprising ending.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy but well written.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting. Highly recommended.

[Linda Underwood]

Woman English private eye with her teacher friend and Isp. Deacon solve the mystery of amother stabbed to death. Dark.

[Sophie Houston]

Just brilliant - such an underrated author.

[Jane Auringer Danjin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Bannister series with Brodie Farrell, but one thing bothers me. Daniel Hood is constantly the victim of beatings, porter - mayhem. It seems overdone.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing, sad, and scary.

[Isabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wipe this author off the list.

[Langley Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent mystery

[Sherry Daut]

I love reading the reviews, but was really disappointed that one reviewer ruined it by telling us that the 2 girls murdered the mom. No need to read it now.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I thought this series was headed in a good direction but this book, while not awful, is not to my taste.

[Georgi Persons]

I liked it, but was troubled by how homeschooling was portrayed.