Review by Abacus -- The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare
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Review by Abacus -- The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Dark Web Murders" by Brian O'Hare.]
4 out of 4 stars
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In The Dark Web Murders, Brian O’Hare engages us on an evil ride through the nefarious activities of depraved men and women. The focus is acutely on DCI Jim Sheehan and his management of his eight officers. We hear the DCI’s most repeated piece of advice, “do not theorize until the evidence is in, or you will end up fitting the evidence to your theory.” But does the DCI follow his affirmed belief or is he thrown off the scent by the macabre and disgusting activities of rich and famous men and women?
Judge Neeson presides in the appellate court. He is perceived to be a severe judge who seems to enjoy parceling out harsh justice. He is nearly seventy years old and has acquired an illegal fortune over the years. What makes him tick: power over others. This man has no business being a judge. He loads the scales of justice for his peculiar barbaric pleasure. And he enjoys a sideline that sickens the hearts of the DCI’s team. The judge embodies evil in this world, but he has enemies and ends up dead.
The writing is energetic; embodying the urgency of the first few hours of an investigation to get as much information as possible. We learn from O’Hare that investigations start small and manageable. Then branch out into various possibilities; sometimes leading to a dead end and sometimes leading to more and more questioning. Then, more follow-up, more sharing of information, so that someone hearing the material for the first time may have a different thought process from the person collecting the data.
The characters are carefully developed. Lead Officers are frequently in teaching mode so that their less experienced partners can learn the ropes. For example, DS McCullough is a role model for DC McBride. McCullough knows how to bend the rules to obtain a suspect’s statement, just far enough to achieve the truth as quickly as possible. DC McBride has his exclusive contribution to make - being a bright and quick-witted young man with a future.
The plot focuses on teamwork and getting a sense from the witnesses whether they are likely to turn into suspects. Lots of team meetings allow us to observe how a case is established. We hear discussions between the teams as they examine the witnesses. And we often listen to their thoughts, before they are prepared to make fools of themselves with a way out motive or idea. You gain admiration for good teamwork, as often one person’s ideas spark of a train of thought from someone else. You also understand that annoying sensation of comprehending you know something but cannot trigger it to the forefront of your mind.
I rate The Dark Web Murders 4 out of 4 stars for showing us the inside of police work. It maintains interest. It never becomes mundane or boring. An ingenious plot, well-told, and keeps us guessing to the end. I recommend it to people who enjoy realistic or real police mysteries. Just a warning that the details of the murders are horrific and some people would choose not to read about such sadism.
******
The Dark Web Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
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In The Dark Web Murders, Brian O’Hare engages us on an evil ride through the nefarious activities of depraved men and women. The focus is acutely on DCI Jim Sheehan and his management of his eight officers. We hear the DCI’s most repeated piece of advice, “do not theorize until the evidence is in, or you will end up fitting the evidence to your theory.” But does the DCI follow his affirmed belief or is he thrown off the scent by the macabre and disgusting activities of rich and famous men and women?
Judge Neeson presides in the appellate court. He is perceived to be a severe judge who seems to enjoy parceling out harsh justice. He is nearly seventy years old and has acquired an illegal fortune over the years. What makes him tick: power over others. This man has no business being a judge. He loads the scales of justice for his peculiar barbaric pleasure. And he enjoys a sideline that sickens the hearts of the DCI’s team. The judge embodies evil in this world, but he has enemies and ends up dead.
The writing is energetic; embodying the urgency of the first few hours of an investigation to get as much information as possible. We learn from O’Hare that investigations start small and manageable. Then branch out into various possibilities; sometimes leading to a dead end and sometimes leading to more and more questioning. Then, more follow-up, more sharing of information, so that someone hearing the material for the first time may have a different thought process from the person collecting the data.
The characters are carefully developed. Lead Officers are frequently in teaching mode so that their less experienced partners can learn the ropes. For example, DS McCullough is a role model for DC McBride. McCullough knows how to bend the rules to obtain a suspect’s statement, just far enough to achieve the truth as quickly as possible. DC McBride has his exclusive contribution to make - being a bright and quick-witted young man with a future.
The plot focuses on teamwork and getting a sense from the witnesses whether they are likely to turn into suspects. Lots of team meetings allow us to observe how a case is established. We hear discussions between the teams as they examine the witnesses. And we often listen to their thoughts, before they are prepared to make fools of themselves with a way out motive or idea. You gain admiration for good teamwork, as often one person’s ideas spark of a train of thought from someone else. You also understand that annoying sensation of comprehending you know something but cannot trigger it to the forefront of your mind.
I rate The Dark Web Murders 4 out of 4 stars for showing us the inside of police work. It maintains interest. It never becomes mundane or boring. An ingenious plot, well-told, and keeps us guessing to the end. I recommend it to people who enjoy realistic or real police mysteries. Just a warning that the details of the murders are horrific and some people would choose not to read about such sadism.
******
The Dark Web Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Elizabeth's Garden by Phillip Leighton-Daly
