Review by Ruthie258 -- The 11.05 Murders by Brian O'Hare
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Ruthie258
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Review by Ruthie258 -- 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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I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4.
The genre of the book The 11:05 Murders by Brian O'Hare is C/T/M/H. The novel encompasses the mystery of a chain of murders that all occur every Tuesday at 11:05. The main character and her team fervently attempt to solve the case that hinted at connections to a rape incident in a college several years ago. As time passes them by like a whisper, the murderer is cunningly installing more obstacles and side roads to the investigation. Will the team be able to catch the perp? What is the significance of the time of the murders? Who exactly is the target? And why?
This novel takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride...is what I would say if I thought this book were deserving of such an understated comment. Brian O'Hare's prowess in superbly expressing emotions leaves the reader in his world, in his story. They are not cliché, but are so realistic to the point of disbelief. What was more mind blowing was the fact that Brian O'Hare made sure there were so many uncertainties in the investigation that the readers are forced to suspect no-one, but everyone. He has a way of prolonging suspense that doesn't dull, but amplify the effect.
The 11:05 Murders reiterates the universal truth that psychopathy is not obvious; one cannot assume one's sanity through their appearance, career or reputation. In fact, assuming one's sanity proves to be a dangerous fault that took it's toll on the whole police team in the investigation. This novel also provides the fact that an individual's past experiences do not control their future ones. The brief romance that buds in the novel is a depiction of the fact that some endings are beginnings in disguise. It also stresses the point that one should generally not be tied to their passed. All it brings is depression, anxiety, paranoia and, to the overt extreme, absolute madness.
The court scenes and the mystery in the novel are parallel to those of Jodi Picoult's in her masterpiece, "The Pact". More intricately designed would be the mystery and falsities and suspicions throughout the case. Similarly as in " The Pact" hysteria, depression, anxiety and insanity are all well expressed, in turn mustering a wonderful, heart-wrenching ending.
Honestly, this novel left me asking myself why I had never heard of Brian O'Hare and why he was not given the credit deserved of his mastery in writing and telling a story. Personally, the book gave me chills, frights and anxiety from start to finish. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Initially, I thought the plot ought to progress faster but then the steady progression is justified towards the end of the investigation.
However, I must urge the novel to be edited at least once more to sweep up the small errors. I will give a few examples of the errors I would appreciate would be edited (I took the initiative to edit the few I have pointed out below using parentheses):
1) Pg 57: "[The] old man's head cranked up and his eyes widened..."
2) Pg 58: "'Could you give me one of those cards? [And] I'll...'"
3) Pg 73: "His [head] jerked back to Allen again..."
4) Pg 83: "'Listen [to me], Sergeant...'"
5) Pg 103: "Jones's return greeting [seemed] to rumble from..."
6) Pg 115: "'...We'd landed a couple [of] new clients...'"
7) Pg 123: "'[Were those] your friends, do you think?'...''
8) Pg 135: "'Either way, from the leak forensics [we're] able to...'"
9) Pg 142: "...in a corner of the library with one [of] the university's laptops..."
10) Pg 145: "'Do [you] remember anything about them?'..."
11) Pg 158: "'Well, like I [said]...'"
12) Pg 184: "'...something that could later [be] found to be...'"
13) Pg 272: "'...there's a Mister Brannigan on the phone [who] would like to speak with you.'"
14) Pg 337: "He rose to his feet and walked over to the other [policeman]."
15) Pg 348: "He jumped from his seat so swiftly that [he] startled Allen."
16) Pg 350: "...time Sheehan and Allen [were] speeding toward it, however..."
I also believe it would've done the book some good if the perspective of the narration shifted to the viewpoint of the antagonist more than it did. I also feel that a deeper look into the motives of each suspect.
All in all, I enjoyed this book with a fervor I only have for exceptionally emotion-jerking books. I profusely recommend this book to anyone who has a love for books and a good story told the right way. Kudos, Brian O'Hare!!
******
The 11.05 Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Like Ruthie258's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
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I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4.
The genre of the book The 11:05 Murders by Brian O'Hare is C/T/M/H. The novel encompasses the mystery of a chain of murders that all occur every Tuesday at 11:05. The main character and her team fervently attempt to solve the case that hinted at connections to a rape incident in a college several years ago. As time passes them by like a whisper, the murderer is cunningly installing more obstacles and side roads to the investigation. Will the team be able to catch the perp? What is the significance of the time of the murders? Who exactly is the target? And why?
This novel takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride...is what I would say if I thought this book were deserving of such an understated comment. Brian O'Hare's prowess in superbly expressing emotions leaves the reader in his world, in his story. They are not cliché, but are so realistic to the point of disbelief. What was more mind blowing was the fact that Brian O'Hare made sure there were so many uncertainties in the investigation that the readers are forced to suspect no-one, but everyone. He has a way of prolonging suspense that doesn't dull, but amplify the effect.
The 11:05 Murders reiterates the universal truth that psychopathy is not obvious; one cannot assume one's sanity through their appearance, career or reputation. In fact, assuming one's sanity proves to be a dangerous fault that took it's toll on the whole police team in the investigation. This novel also provides the fact that an individual's past experiences do not control their future ones. The brief romance that buds in the novel is a depiction of the fact that some endings are beginnings in disguise. It also stresses the point that one should generally not be tied to their passed. All it brings is depression, anxiety, paranoia and, to the overt extreme, absolute madness.
The court scenes and the mystery in the novel are parallel to those of Jodi Picoult's in her masterpiece, "The Pact". More intricately designed would be the mystery and falsities and suspicions throughout the case. Similarly as in " The Pact" hysteria, depression, anxiety and insanity are all well expressed, in turn mustering a wonderful, heart-wrenching ending.
Honestly, this novel left me asking myself why I had never heard of Brian O'Hare and why he was not given the credit deserved of his mastery in writing and telling a story. Personally, the book gave me chills, frights and anxiety from start to finish. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Initially, I thought the plot ought to progress faster but then the steady progression is justified towards the end of the investigation.
However, I must urge the novel to be edited at least once more to sweep up the small errors. I will give a few examples of the errors I would appreciate would be edited (I took the initiative to edit the few I have pointed out below using parentheses):
1) Pg 57: "[The] old man's head cranked up and his eyes widened..."
2) Pg 58: "'Could you give me one of those cards? [And] I'll...'"
3) Pg 73: "His [head] jerked back to Allen again..."
4) Pg 83: "'Listen [to me], Sergeant...'"
5) Pg 103: "Jones's return greeting [seemed] to rumble from..."
6) Pg 115: "'...We'd landed a couple [of] new clients...'"
7) Pg 123: "'[Were those] your friends, do you think?'...''
8) Pg 135: "'Either way, from the leak forensics [we're] able to...'"
9) Pg 142: "...in a corner of the library with one [of] the university's laptops..."
10) Pg 145: "'Do [you] remember anything about them?'..."
11) Pg 158: "'Well, like I [said]...'"
12) Pg 184: "'...something that could later [be] found to be...'"
13) Pg 272: "'...there's a Mister Brannigan on the phone [who] would like to speak with you.'"
14) Pg 337: "He rose to his feet and walked over to the other [policeman]."
15) Pg 348: "He jumped from his seat so swiftly that [he] startled Allen."
16) Pg 350: "...time Sheehan and Allen [were] speeding toward it, however..."
I also believe it would've done the book some good if the perspective of the narration shifted to the viewpoint of the antagonist more than it did. I also feel that a deeper look into the motives of each suspect.
All in all, I enjoyed this book with a fervor I only have for exceptionally emotion-jerking books. I profusely recommend this book to anyone who has a love for books and a good story told the right way. Kudos, Brian O'Hare!!
******
The 11.05 Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Like Ruthie258's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Randy Love...at your service" by Shay Carter
