Review by bluehawaii -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell
Posted: 16 Apr 2019, 10:59
[Following is a volunteer review of "Pancake Money" by Finn Bell.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Pancake Money by Finn Bell is a haunting, meditative wild-ride of a noir murder mystery. Set in New Zealand, it's told from the perspective of a principled, slightly green police detective who, along with his older, more cynical partner, is attempting to uncover a horrific murder spree of elderly Catholic priests in Dunedin.
The protagonist, Bobby, had a baby in high-school with his now-wife. They are happily married, and his child, who is reaching puberty, is severely agoraphobic. Bobby's wife and daughter are his reasons for living and believing the world is somewhat just and sensible. We watch as he grapples with these murders that plunge him into humanity's dark and senseless underbelly.
His detective partner is an experienced, grizzled Samoan officer with a chip on his shoulder. Bobby is currently taking an intense criminology course about the nature of criminality and the human response to pain which bleeds into the story's themes. Someone is torturing and killing elderly Catholic priests in the city who have a secret or two up their sleeves (like any good whodunnit, this story has plenty of twists).
The novel is about the question of whether this world is basically good or just a wilderness full of pain and disorder, and it allows you to draw your own conclusions about that. Heavy and dark, this mystery will wrap its sad tentacles around you. I liked most how thoughtful and perfectly atmospheric it is and I disliked most its relentless dreariness. There is rarely any relief for the reader's sense of dread.
This fast-paced whirlwind of a plot takes place over a week. You can actually feel the severe physical, and, over time, psychological exhaustion of the cops as they try to get ahead of the death-count and figure out what's taking place in their city. Gripping and truly gruesome, this book is meant to haunt.
The mystery is satisfying but leaves us without a full emotional resolution. Pancake Money doesn't give any tidy wrap-up to its quest for the meaning of existence. But I believe that's on purpose. All of the characters are sharply written and two-dimensional and the book's world is vivid and believable.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because it is a well-written, well-edited and absorbing mystery that will leave an impression long after you're finished with it. Readers who enjoy a murder mystery with depth and substance, as well as some solid style will enjoy this read. However, keep in mind that the material is deeply depressing and savage in its brutality. Please take note that there is talk of disturbing abuse. I would suggest reading it all in one go and then enjoying some comedy to cleanse your palate.
******
Pancake Money
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like bluehawaii's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Pancake Money by Finn Bell is a haunting, meditative wild-ride of a noir murder mystery. Set in New Zealand, it's told from the perspective of a principled, slightly green police detective who, along with his older, more cynical partner, is attempting to uncover a horrific murder spree of elderly Catholic priests in Dunedin.
The protagonist, Bobby, had a baby in high-school with his now-wife. They are happily married, and his child, who is reaching puberty, is severely agoraphobic. Bobby's wife and daughter are his reasons for living and believing the world is somewhat just and sensible. We watch as he grapples with these murders that plunge him into humanity's dark and senseless underbelly.
His detective partner is an experienced, grizzled Samoan officer with a chip on his shoulder. Bobby is currently taking an intense criminology course about the nature of criminality and the human response to pain which bleeds into the story's themes. Someone is torturing and killing elderly Catholic priests in the city who have a secret or two up their sleeves (like any good whodunnit, this story has plenty of twists).
The novel is about the question of whether this world is basically good or just a wilderness full of pain and disorder, and it allows you to draw your own conclusions about that. Heavy and dark, this mystery will wrap its sad tentacles around you. I liked most how thoughtful and perfectly atmospheric it is and I disliked most its relentless dreariness. There is rarely any relief for the reader's sense of dread.
This fast-paced whirlwind of a plot takes place over a week. You can actually feel the severe physical, and, over time, psychological exhaustion of the cops as they try to get ahead of the death-count and figure out what's taking place in their city. Gripping and truly gruesome, this book is meant to haunt.
The mystery is satisfying but leaves us without a full emotional resolution. Pancake Money doesn't give any tidy wrap-up to its quest for the meaning of existence. But I believe that's on purpose. All of the characters are sharply written and two-dimensional and the book's world is vivid and believable.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because it is a well-written, well-edited and absorbing mystery that will leave an impression long after you're finished with it. Readers who enjoy a murder mystery with depth and substance, as well as some solid style will enjoy this read. However, keep in mind that the material is deeply depressing and savage in its brutality. Please take note that there is talk of disturbing abuse. I would suggest reading it all in one go and then enjoying some comedy to cleanse your palate.
******
Pancake Money
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like bluehawaii's review? Post a comment saying so!