Review by raluca_mihaila -- The Dark Web Murders

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Post Reply
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Review by raluca_mihaila -- The Dark Web Murders

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Dark Web Murders" by Brian O'Hare.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


The Dark Web Murders is an excellent crime story that will engage you from the first page to the last; it reminded me of a classic Agatha Christie mystery. The book is the fourth installment of a series, but it works just fine as a stand-alone. Each story revolves around a different case, and the investigation team is the only connection.

The Serious Crime Unit detectives from Northern Ireland have a complicated murder case; Judge Trevor Neeson suffered a sudden and violent death. Detective Chief Inspector Sheehan leads the search for the killer and tries to navigate through a flood of suspects. The honorable judge has made a lot of enemies in court, and he also ran a secret club where he fulfilled the seedier desires of the rich and famous. However, more crimes ensue, all with the same gruesome modus operandi. On the positive side, the police discover a helpful hint that may be very useful. Under the name of Nemein (also known as Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance), the killer publishes a blog on the Dark Web. He or she gives grim details of each murder, together with a philosophical manifesto, meant to justify his or her actions. What is the connection between the murders, and who is this psychopath?

Brian O'Hare has an excellent writing style that keeps the reader engrossed in the hunt for the killer. I loved how I felt part of the investigation team while receiving some extra hints from the author. It was exactly my kind of mystery, where I could create my own pool of suspects. However, the answer is not in your face, and the writer will offer a couple of false leads to make it harder.

The characters are well-developed, and the reader gets much information about their appearance and personality. The internal monologue that completes the third-person point of view is very convenient. I appreciated the dynamic of the unit and the way I discovered the relationships between partners. Sheehan is a proficient detective and an outstanding leader. Stewart, the only female police officer in the team, struggles to affirm herself as an equal.

The book is a captivating read of 297 pages, divided into 39 chapters, with a prologue and an epilogue. Also, there is a handy introduction presenting all the characters (with a short description) and a glossary that explains the police service acronyms.

There is nothing I disliked about the book regarding the content or the presentation. I found only a minor punctuation error, so the editing is professional.

The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare gets a full rating of four out of four stars. It is an exciting thriller that will appeal to people who love crime mysteries and police investigations. I advise caution for the youngsters or the delicate audience; they will encounter murder, violence, including against animals, and some non-borderline profanities.

******
The Dark Web Murders
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
User avatar
Elvis Best
Posts: 1272
Joined: 12 Oct 2017, 02:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 86
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-elvis-best.html
Latest Review: Teething Problems by Mark Fletcher

Post by Elvis Best »

I read this crime mystery novel some time ago and really enjoyed it. The part where the killer wrote blogs on the dark web really creeped me out, though. I' 'm glad you enjoyed the novel. Great review!
User avatar
Prisallen
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 5678
Joined: 27 Feb 2019, 18:57
Favorite Book:
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 233
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-prisallen.html
Latest Review: Nirvatra by April Thomas

Post by Prisallen »

Since I love mysteries and crime dramas, I think I would enjoy this one based on your review. Great job!
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

Prisallen wrote: 22 Dec 2020, 07:38 Since I love mysteries and crime dramas, I think I would enjoy this one based on your review. Great job!
I think we have a similar taste, based on your reviews :). Enjoy it, and thank you for your comment!
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

Elvis Best wrote: 22 Dec 2020, 07:18 I read this crime mystery novel some time ago and really enjoyed it. The part where the killer wrote blogs on the dark web really creeped me out, though. I' 'm glad you enjoyed the novel. Great review!
It was creepy, but in the same time arrogant of the killer. Thank you for your feedback and your comment!
A Y reviews
Posts: 188
Joined: 09 Jul 2020, 03:57
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 17
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-a-y-reviews.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz

Post by A Y reviews »

Me Hare is a good story teller and I am sure this one is no different. And your review is cool; concise yet insightful. Well done.
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

A Y reviews wrote: 22 Dec 2020, 16:05 Me Hare is a good story teller and I am sure this one is no different. And your review is cool; concise yet insightful. Well done.
Indeed, he is. Thank you so much for your feedback!
User avatar
Anusha Thatavarthi
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 814
Joined: 07 May 2020, 09:05
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 138
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-anusha-thatavarthi.html
Latest Review: Like My Mother Before Me by Naley Gonzalez

Post by Anusha Thatavarthi »

I reviewed this book and absolutely loved it. I too formed my pool of suspects but I didn't suspect the real killer. Thanks for the great review!
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

anua24060 wrote: 22 Dec 2020, 23:43 I reviewed this book and absolutely loved it. I too formed my pool of suspects but I didn't suspect the real killer. Thanks for the great review!
I must say that I had the killer on my short list, together with another one. That was the best I could do :). Thank you for your comment!
User avatar
AvidBibliophile
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2679
Joined: 30 Aug 2019, 12:53
Currently Reading: Gold Digger
Bookshelf Size: 483
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-avidbibliophile.html
Latest Review: How I Became Santa Clause by Chris Kringle

Post by AvidBibliophile »

Irish detectives, secret clubs, and darkly psychotic manifestos would certainly combine to create quite the crime thriller! Thank you for providing such a thorough analysis of this one. 👨🏻‍⚖️
Sararob06
Posts: 289
Joined: 05 Oct 2020, 20:20
Currently Reading: Anna Karenina
Bookshelf Size: 162
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sararob06.html
Latest Review: The Vanished by Pejay Bradley

Post by Sararob06 »

I love crime stories and usually prefer true crime but this sounds so interesting! Thank you for your detailed review!
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”