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Blogs by Michiko Katsu
Brothers and Bones Review 5/24/2014 4:45:03 PM
Hankins successfully takes a hackneyed story line and stock characters and turns them into a suspenseful page turner. There are twists and turns and misdirection that keep you hooked almost from the start. Although the main protagonist, Charlie, is a little too inept at times it does make you root for him as the underdog who can’t catch a break. The dialogue is realistic with occasional sarcasm that lifts the intensity of the scene in the best way. All in all, absolutely worth your time.
Technically there are some areas of opportunity. First, of which, is the use of passive voice which so many authorities lecture writers on but few actually employ (including traditionally published, NYT Bestsellers). However, the more comfortable with active voice you become as a reader the more passive voice jumps out as a problem slowing down the experience. Also, the paragraphs were unnecessarily long at time and could have easily been broken up supporting an easier read.
Hankins is verbose and there are a few chapters and plot points that could have been removed entirely without hurting the story. In a mystery/thriller it’s imperative to create a detailed world and dynamic characters readers can get lost in but there is such a things as too much information. His (Charlie’s) excessive use of “as I said” as a reminder to the reader of previously mentioned elements and constant references to his amazing eidetic memory wares on the nerves and, again, is unnecessary.
The review may sound contradictory but I truly enjoyed reading this book. There is one twist and a misdirection that had me staying up way past my bedtime just to discover the truth. Technical issues aside, that’s saying a lot. At the end of the day story is what keeps readers engaged. Only those, like myself, who read critically rather than just for fun would even catch these issues let alone let them detract from the story.
More Blogs by Michiko Katsu • Brothers and Bones Review - Saturday, May 24, 2014 • Fear of Vulnerability - Wednesday, May 21, 2014 • Fear of Vulnerability - Monday, May 19, 2014
