Review by Mjh20 -- The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare
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Mjh20
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- Latest Review: The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare
Review by Mjh20 -- 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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The Dark Web Murders
The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Book 4
By Brian O’Hare
The Dark Web Murders is the fourth in this series but the first and only I have read. Without knowing any background on the characters, I did not feel like I was at a disadvantage jumping in so late in the run. I feel like this book easily stands on its own. The author has woven well-written murder mystery in which Inspector Jim Sheehan and his team of detective’s race to find a psychopathic killer who posts his or her exploits on the Dark Web.
The prologue gives us a glimpse into the sudden and accidental death of a young man recently processed into a penitentiary. From there we are introduced to Appellate Court Judge Trevor Neeson who is throwing a party to initiate twelve new patrons into “The Club.” The Judge excuses himself from the party to make a phone call. Readers learn of a blackmail campaign against the Judge. The mystery begins to deepen because not long after this, the Judge is discovered dead in his home.
Readers are introduced to the idea that The Club made of individuals who are concerned about the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland’s economy. The group is apparently trying to come up with a plan that would convince the British Government to keep Northern Ireland in the customs union even after Brexit. Beneath the surface of this façade, we come to the realization that the club members are multi-nationals with the commonality being the use of secrecy and power to indulge in hardcore and deviant sexual fantasies.
Four chapters into the book, we are introduced to Nemein (translation: To give what is due), a blogger on the Dark Web who is detailing the gruesome murders of what appears to be members of The Club. The Dark Web is a place full of human misery; a marketplace for pedophiles, human traffickers, drug dealers and hitmen. Nemein’s blog provides little if any clues to the police as to the true identity of the one wo has taken it upon him or herself to punish those they feel are corrupt.
I found the story a bit slow to get started in the beginning of the book. It took some reading to understand how the events described are tied together. When the story does get going though, it moves quickly. Murders, red herrings and the depraved blogging of a psychopath kept my interest. The story comes to a climax with Sheehan and the killer face to face. I was surprised by the identity of the killer. The motive was wrapped up nicely and the reader is not left with any questions.
Always appreciate when an author provides a list of the principal characters, though it usually means that the plot may be confusing. In this case, I did not feel overwhelmed by cast of characters, but it was still a nice touch. I also appreciated the glossary of abbreviations used in the book. The story takes place in Northern Ireland and so most readers in the U.S., including me, would not know the abbreviations.
I disliked most the degrading and horrifying sexually deviant theme that ran throughout the book. The thought of children as young as three or four being bought and sold to be used a sex object is repulsive to me. The author openly exposes the depravity of the human spirit and in the epilogue, he summarizes that regular people have the responsibility to vote people into places of power who are decent, free from perversion and not corrupted by their influence. Corruption is on the rise and the police, such as the character of Inspector Sheehan, work diligently to keep the country safe.
The first occurrence of a profanity happened on page 18, the fourth paragraph from the top of the page. The word was “f*ck”. The first occurrence of a scene depicting a sexual act was on page 17. The last paragraph of the page began an attempted shower rape scene.
I give it 4 out of 4 stars, even despite the dark thread that runs through. I like the mystery surrounding the identity of the killer. I enjoyed the conclusion and how everything was explained. I feel like anyone who can enjoy a good mystery despite the story’s dark undertones will be happy with their choice to read this book.
******
The Dark Web Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
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The Dark Web Murders
The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries Book 4
By Brian O’Hare
The Dark Web Murders is the fourth in this series but the first and only I have read. Without knowing any background on the characters, I did not feel like I was at a disadvantage jumping in so late in the run. I feel like this book easily stands on its own. The author has woven well-written murder mystery in which Inspector Jim Sheehan and his team of detective’s race to find a psychopathic killer who posts his or her exploits on the Dark Web.
The prologue gives us a glimpse into the sudden and accidental death of a young man recently processed into a penitentiary. From there we are introduced to Appellate Court Judge Trevor Neeson who is throwing a party to initiate twelve new patrons into “The Club.” The Judge excuses himself from the party to make a phone call. Readers learn of a blackmail campaign against the Judge. The mystery begins to deepen because not long after this, the Judge is discovered dead in his home.
Readers are introduced to the idea that The Club made of individuals who are concerned about the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland’s economy. The group is apparently trying to come up with a plan that would convince the British Government to keep Northern Ireland in the customs union even after Brexit. Beneath the surface of this façade, we come to the realization that the club members are multi-nationals with the commonality being the use of secrecy and power to indulge in hardcore and deviant sexual fantasies.
Four chapters into the book, we are introduced to Nemein (translation: To give what is due), a blogger on the Dark Web who is detailing the gruesome murders of what appears to be members of The Club. The Dark Web is a place full of human misery; a marketplace for pedophiles, human traffickers, drug dealers and hitmen. Nemein’s blog provides little if any clues to the police as to the true identity of the one wo has taken it upon him or herself to punish those they feel are corrupt.
I found the story a bit slow to get started in the beginning of the book. It took some reading to understand how the events described are tied together. When the story does get going though, it moves quickly. Murders, red herrings and the depraved blogging of a psychopath kept my interest. The story comes to a climax with Sheehan and the killer face to face. I was surprised by the identity of the killer. The motive was wrapped up nicely and the reader is not left with any questions.
Always appreciate when an author provides a list of the principal characters, though it usually means that the plot may be confusing. In this case, I did not feel overwhelmed by cast of characters, but it was still a nice touch. I also appreciated the glossary of abbreviations used in the book. The story takes place in Northern Ireland and so most readers in the U.S., including me, would not know the abbreviations.
I disliked most the degrading and horrifying sexually deviant theme that ran throughout the book. The thought of children as young as three or four being bought and sold to be used a sex object is repulsive to me. The author openly exposes the depravity of the human spirit and in the epilogue, he summarizes that regular people have the responsibility to vote people into places of power who are decent, free from perversion and not corrupted by their influence. Corruption is on the rise and the police, such as the character of Inspector Sheehan, work diligently to keep the country safe.
The first occurrence of a profanity happened on page 18, the fourth paragraph from the top of the page. The word was “f*ck”. The first occurrence of a scene depicting a sexual act was on page 17. The last paragraph of the page began an attempted shower rape scene.
I give it 4 out of 4 stars, even despite the dark thread that runs through. I like the mystery surrounding the identity of the killer. I enjoyed the conclusion and how everything was explained. I feel like anyone who can enjoy a good mystery despite the story’s dark undertones will be happy with their choice to read this book.
******
The Dark Web Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare
