Review by Asile -- The 11.05 Murders by Brian O'Hare
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Asile
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Review by Asile -- The 11.05 Murders by Brian O'Hare
[Following is a volunteer review of "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare.]
3 out of 4 stars
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The 11:05 Murders by Brian O’Hare is the second book in the series “Inspector Sheehan Mysteries”. The book takes place in Ireland and opens with an event that had taken place 12 years in the past. As the prologue ends and the story begins there are already questions forming as the main character is introduced into her role. Thus, begins a complex series of murders that all tie together and draw from a tragic past. Suspects come crawling out of the woodwork placing themselves into the pull of revenge, brutality, cowardice, and bad alibis.
Brian O’Hare has a knack for keeping things interesting. I enjoyed the constant action and twists within the story. Even if you were sure who the killer was, the author never gave it away until the very end. I also enjoyed the positive and negative aspects of the policing world. Going from crooked cops and anti-feminist to the righteous need for fair treatment and justice are merely one such polarity. The police work alone is shown throughout the book. It definitely shows how much is involved, from the dregs of paperwork and constant foot work to the action-packed world of chasing a killer. Everything gives a better understanding on why cases take so long to close.
There were a couple of things that did bug me as a reader. The Author failed to tie loose ends on many of the side characters. It would have been nice, even as an epilogue, to describe and finish what actually happened to them. For example, Mrs. Weir. Though her story could probably fill a whole book, it would have been nice to hear more about her fate. The same could be said about this mysterious mole in the station. The characters knew who it was, but the reader did not. Also, was like a tease.
The other issue I had was with the characters. The author did so great of a job depicting each character that it could be easy for someone who studies them or reads mysteries a great deal to figure out their motive and intent.
There were a few typos throughout the book. For the most part, they did not distract from the story. However, the culture, dialect, and brogue sometimes caused a moment of pause and a need to reread just to make sure that what was read, was in fact how the text was supposed to be in comparison to a typo. The typos are as follows:
1) “She just wanted to know if you could you just go up” (Prologue). Remove the second you.
2) “Turned said” (Two). Should be Turner.
3) “though” (33, 40, and 49). All three chapters have this error. It should be “through”.
4) “plashed” (52). Should be splashed.
The author was very well spoken and had a large vocabulary. There were a few words that I did need to look up. Some of the words and phrases might have contributed to the difference of different countries and/or culture.
Overall, I rate the book 3 out of 4. Despite the typos, the book seemed very dependent on which way the author wanted to take the story. There were times where it seemed to struggle between who the killer was. Though guiding a reader to misdirection is what most movies and authors strive to, this book almost felt like the author was forcing you to see everything; unfocused.
Still, if you like murder mysteries and intrigue mixed with a puzzle of facts versus evidence, this is the book for you. It shows many types of personalities and displays the sides of people who are pushed to the brink. This action-packed novel never stops until the killer is caught. With Captain Sheehan as Sherlock Holmes, “The game’s afoot” (56).
******
The 11.05 Murders
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3 out of 4 stars
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The 11:05 Murders by Brian O’Hare is the second book in the series “Inspector Sheehan Mysteries”. The book takes place in Ireland and opens with an event that had taken place 12 years in the past. As the prologue ends and the story begins there are already questions forming as the main character is introduced into her role. Thus, begins a complex series of murders that all tie together and draw from a tragic past. Suspects come crawling out of the woodwork placing themselves into the pull of revenge, brutality, cowardice, and bad alibis.
Brian O’Hare has a knack for keeping things interesting. I enjoyed the constant action and twists within the story. Even if you were sure who the killer was, the author never gave it away until the very end. I also enjoyed the positive and negative aspects of the policing world. Going from crooked cops and anti-feminist to the righteous need for fair treatment and justice are merely one such polarity. The police work alone is shown throughout the book. It definitely shows how much is involved, from the dregs of paperwork and constant foot work to the action-packed world of chasing a killer. Everything gives a better understanding on why cases take so long to close.
There were a couple of things that did bug me as a reader. The Author failed to tie loose ends on many of the side characters. It would have been nice, even as an epilogue, to describe and finish what actually happened to them. For example, Mrs. Weir. Though her story could probably fill a whole book, it would have been nice to hear more about her fate. The same could be said about this mysterious mole in the station. The characters knew who it was, but the reader did not. Also, was like a tease.
The other issue I had was with the characters. The author did so great of a job depicting each character that it could be easy for someone who studies them or reads mysteries a great deal to figure out their motive and intent.
There were a few typos throughout the book. For the most part, they did not distract from the story. However, the culture, dialect, and brogue sometimes caused a moment of pause and a need to reread just to make sure that what was read, was in fact how the text was supposed to be in comparison to a typo. The typos are as follows:
1) “She just wanted to know if you could you just go up” (Prologue). Remove the second you.
2) “Turned said” (Two). Should be Turner.
3) “though” (33, 40, and 49). All three chapters have this error. It should be “through”.
4) “plashed” (52). Should be splashed.
The author was very well spoken and had a large vocabulary. There were a few words that I did need to look up. Some of the words and phrases might have contributed to the difference of different countries and/or culture.
Overall, I rate the book 3 out of 4. Despite the typos, the book seemed very dependent on which way the author wanted to take the story. There were times where it seemed to struggle between who the killer was. Though guiding a reader to misdirection is what most movies and authors strive to, this book almost felt like the author was forcing you to see everything; unfocused.
Still, if you like murder mysteries and intrigue mixed with a puzzle of facts versus evidence, this is the book for you. It shows many types of personalities and displays the sides of people who are pushed to the brink. This action-packed novel never stops until the killer is caught. With Captain Sheehan as Sherlock Holmes, “The game’s afoot” (56).
******
The 11.05 Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Like Asile's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner
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Mallory Whitaker
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Great review, Asile! I like your thoughts about how the author seemed to be of two minds about who the killer should turn out to be. There were definitely some serious misdirects in the book that almost seemed a little TOO much. I think he may have just been using the red herring technique a little too strongly. I thought there were some parts that focused way too much on people who didn't end up being part of the bigger plot.
Latest Review: Color Me American by Silvia Sama-Lambiv
