Review of The Trafficking Murders

[Rob Carr]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Trafficking Murders" by Brian O'Hare.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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What would you do if you were promised a lifeline out of a life of struggle and poverty only to find that when you get there you have stumbled into something worse? That is the fate of Matei and Alina, who have found themselves trapped in a people trafficking ring.
 
What if, after the death of your friend, you decide there is no option but to get away from those controlling your life? Once you have left, where do you go next? How can you be safe from your former masters? That is the struggle of Lin Hui, on the run from those who have trapped her.
 
Trying to unpack it all is Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his team of detectives. After a young Chinese girl is found poisoned in someone's garden and they discover a series of people are missing, Sheehan and his team stop at nothing to get to the bottom of the mystery.
 
Brian O'Hare's The Trafficking Murders is a murder mystery novel set in Northern Ireland, where a people trafficking network has been operating. The book goes into the harsh realities of modern slavery and people trafficking while you try to piece together who the mysterious Shadow is who seems to be behind it all.
 
While the book is number 5 in the series, it stands alone. You do not need to have read the earlier books in the series to follow and enjoy the story.
 
I enjoyed the gradual development of the plot as I read through the book. The characters are relatable, and you find yourself rooting for them. Like any good mystery book, it has a grand reveal at the end where all of the pieces of the puzzle you are drip-fed through the book are finally put together.
 
Modern slavery is a huge problem globally, and the general public underappreciates how significant an issue it is. Many people believe slavery is something that was long ago dealt with in Western countries. It is great to see books like this picking it up as their theme and giving the issue wider public exposure.
 
The book is professionally edited. I didn't find any significant errors while reading it.
 
I didn't have anything significant I disliked about the book. However, in the early chapters, some of the characters are defined almost exclusively by their race as their defining feature. For example, one of the characters is initially described only as "a handsome black man". More detailed descriptions of the characters early on would have been good, so they are easier to visualise.
 
Overall, I rate The Trafficking Murders 5 out of 5 stars. It is a really enjoyable read that deals with an important topic, and there are no significant issues with the book.
 
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery or is concerned about issues with human trafficking.

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The Trafficking Murders
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[Sarah Zain]

The plot here may be not the favorite read for me .But the trafficking as a main topic moving the events is good choice if dealt with it well. And it seemed that's the case here . Well written review Rob I enjoyed reading it .

[Rob Carr]

The plot here may be not the favorite read for me .But the trafficking as a main topic moving the events is good choice if dealt with it well. And it seemed that's the case here . Well written review Rob I enjoyed reading it .

Thank you Sarah!

[Chinelo Valerie Hero]

Hey Rob, this is a nice review. All the questions you asked spiced up the review and piqued my curiosity and now I want to read the book.

[Rob Carr]

Hey Rob, this is a nice review. All the questions you asked spiced up the review and piqued my curiosity and now I want to read the book.

Thanks Cocoa, I hope you enjoy it!