The Cracked Mirror by Chris BrookmyreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Out 18th July 2024
FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW
THIS IS NOT THAT CRIME NOVEL
Ok so no spoilers, which makes this difficult to summarise; this is essentially multiple stories in one book, so we have the typical older lady sleuth detective who solves murders in a sleepy Scottish town: Penny Coyne and then we have the LAPD homicide detective Johnny Hawke who does what's necessary to get results, regardless of the trouble he gets in.
So our usual tropes, but this is not what you expect, yes their paths cross, but what happens then is not what you expect.
This is such a clever book, with so many layers, crossing multiple genres, but still has a lot of heart. Sometimes you're not sure who to trust or like, but I always had a soft spot for Penny and Johnny.
I absolutely loved that this was a fast paced book, and the way the story was told and unfolded. From the concept of the book to the execution this is a one of a kind book, that I'm still processing.
Yes there are a lot of characters, which would usually put me off, but they are so cleverly written, you only need to focus on the main characters and the plot.
This is my first time reading a Brookmyre book, but I'm certain it won't be the last.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
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