Too clever, too long. I love allusions and little easter eggs in a novel, but not when they are as contrived as the ones in this one. Horowitz did a great deal of research and planning to fit them all in, but will you recognize any of them? No, because each one is part of the puzzle the author builds.
While it is fun to search for easter eggs someone, even if not you, might recognize, it is annoying to have to have each one explained to you in a lengthy dissection at the end of the book.
I can admire the Horowitz's planning all of the details with extensive research of anything that could possibly amplify the lion/leo trope he has decided to use, the technique is more self-promoting than needed to advance the plot.
Most reviews are extremely positive, but I found the book manipulative and the pacing slow and a bit disjointed.
Read in Sept. Blog review scheduled for
Song of the Dead is the first in a series featuring Ben Westphall. It is one of the strangest mystery/crime books I've ever read. I certainly didn't know what to believe.
NetGalley/Harper Collins
Mystery/Thriller. Nov. 10, 2020. Print length: 608 pages.
from description:
Police detective Ben Westphall is burnt out and leading a quiet life in the North of Scotland. Things change when he is assigned to investigate the cold case of a UK national who disappeared in Eastern Europe under mysterious circumstances and who, despite being declared dead, has re-appeared, claiming to have been held for over a decade, various body parts having been harvested during that time. Westphall travels to Estonia, chasing leads and shadows that may lead to an international drugs and organ trafficking conspiracy.
Westphall is an oddity of ex-secret service, current police detective, and a "sensitive" to the paranormal. Or is he a burned out middle-aged man with mental problems? Interesting premise: a man who was declared dead and identified by both his girlfriend and his parents, turns up alive. Missing a few body parts.
So...I didn't exactly love it, but I might try another one in the series. I guess I'm curious about Westphall.
Crime/Thriller. 2016. Print length: 272 pages.
I have yet to read my ARC of Moonflower Murders, and now I'm not looking forward to it quite so much. Ack!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm in the minority on this one, but for me The Moonflower Murders was a disappointment.
DeleteOnce in a blue moon, I like being manipulated by a plot (depending upon how it's done). Let's hope this is one of those times!
DeleteI guess they can't all be 5-star reads, can they?
ReplyDeleteOf course, I can always wish for 5-stars. I'm an optimist in that way. :)
DeleteI tend to be bookishly optimistic about everything I read, too.
DeleteThat Horowitz novels sounds way too frustrating for me. The last thing I need is an overcomplicated mystery in such of a gimmick that might get it some press...and that's what this sounds like.
ReplyDeleteI agree, too, on Song of the Dead; that's a truly weird plot. I don't think I've ever run into anything similar to it. I like the premise, but not really keen on mysteries with a paranormal explanation for what's happened. Too big a genre-mash for me.
Moonflower is definitely gimmicky...and long. Song of the Dead was weird all right!
DeleteWhat a disappointment. These two books sound like it might be an intriguing read. Will keep your thoughts in mind should I want to read them at some point.
ReplyDeleteI didn't abandon either one, so that's something! Got your postcard, Melody. Yay!
DeleteI had a copy of that Horowitz mystery but, I ended up donating it unread.
ReplyDeleteI hope whoever ended up with it enjoyed it more than I did. :)
DeleteMoonflower Murders sounds like a frustrating read. Bummer.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly didn't work for me, but others seem to have been more impressed. :/
DeleteHmmm, I don't think I'll be rushing out to get a copy of Moonflower Murders. I'm in the middle of Magpie Murders and in spite of all the glowing reviews, I'm finding it a bit slower and plodding. I feel like I've been reading it for months and now that I'm halfway in, I can't call it quits. Too much time invested to not see it to the end. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to read Magpie Murders, now I'm glad I didn't bother. There were parts of Moonflower Murders that kept me interested enough to keep reading, but generally it was plodding.
DeleteI've read three mysteries by Horowitz (The Magpie Murders and his two Hawthorn novels) and found them entertaining. I will probably read Moonflower Murders too! He is a gimmicky writer but I find I am more forgiving of mysteries than I am of any other genre.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Ruthiella. There are many more positive than negative reviews. It wasn't a good fit for me. I read House of Silk and Moriarty by Horowitz several years ago, but haven't read The Magpie Murders or the Hawthorn novels.
DeleteWestphall is a sensitive? You have such a nose for interesting characters (and introducing me to them!)
ReplyDelete