Review by Sue Mulligan -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell
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Sue Mulligan
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Review by Sue Mulligan -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell
[Following is a volunteer review of "Pancake Money" by Finn Bell.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Pancake Money by Finn Bell is a story about many things, but mostly about survival. Detectives Bobby Ress and Pollo Latu are working the case of the gruesome murder of a priest in Dunedin, New Zealand, They are on a race against time to discover motive and the murderer before he strikes again. However, the more they investigate, people and events become more complex and interconnected. Police officers, Catholic Priests, a university professor and members of the Manga Kanu gang must find the common thread that links them in order to stop the killer in their midst. As more people become involved, the case starts to unravel until tragedy forces an unlikely partnership that uncovers a long-hidden truth.
On the surface, this is a forensic thriller. But as Bobby and Pollo dig deeper to find the murderer, we realize that this is not only about the motive behind the bizarre murder, but also about different types of family, loyalty, and survival.
What’s interesting is that part of what drives the plot is the dynamics among different kinds of family. The ties between traditional, cultural, gang, police and religious families produce tension, define differing ideas about love, pain, and sacrifice. These ties are ultimately required to solve the murders.
I like how the author’s style really adds atmosphere and authenticity to this story about forensic detectives on the trail of a killer. The plot tends to be expressed in part with straightforward dialogue and tutorials about the forensics. It reads like a police report. These parts are separated by surprisingly (and sometimes unsettlingly) specific description. Here, the protagonist’s thoughts range from the analytical to the philosophical, sometimes slipping into prose-like detail where the author perfectly captures elusive ideas. For example, he uses the term “crowded silence” to describe the moment when you suspect something is going to happen, and in the next moment, it does. The opposing meanings of these two words combine to describe the strange contradictory sensation of a moment like that perfectly. Bobby’s thoughts throughout the novel are peppered with them, presenting common ideas in new ways.
One thing that I like best about the story was the character Pollo. Beneath his tough detective’s exterior, and no-nonsense investigating, he displays a traditional Maori wisdom about human nature, and his dry sarcasm lightens some of the heavier parts.
If I had to describe one negative aspect of the novel, it would be the disturbing nature of the murders. Although, the fact that these methods of killing were historically carried-out intrigued me, the images they created made me uncomfortable. However, this is also a compliment to the author’s powers of description.
This is an excellent read for those who like forensic thrillers. I give this a 4 out of 4 stars for its multi-layered plot, realistic and descriptive language and unique perspective. The one negative aspect would not cause me to give this a 3 out of 3 stars because it’s not based on a flaw in the story itself, but on personal preference. I highly recommend reading Pancake Money by Finn Bell.
******
Pancake Money
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4 out of 4 stars
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Pancake Money by Finn Bell is a story about many things, but mostly about survival. Detectives Bobby Ress and Pollo Latu are working the case of the gruesome murder of a priest in Dunedin, New Zealand, They are on a race against time to discover motive and the murderer before he strikes again. However, the more they investigate, people and events become more complex and interconnected. Police officers, Catholic Priests, a university professor and members of the Manga Kanu gang must find the common thread that links them in order to stop the killer in their midst. As more people become involved, the case starts to unravel until tragedy forces an unlikely partnership that uncovers a long-hidden truth.
On the surface, this is a forensic thriller. But as Bobby and Pollo dig deeper to find the murderer, we realize that this is not only about the motive behind the bizarre murder, but also about different types of family, loyalty, and survival.
What’s interesting is that part of what drives the plot is the dynamics among different kinds of family. The ties between traditional, cultural, gang, police and religious families produce tension, define differing ideas about love, pain, and sacrifice. These ties are ultimately required to solve the murders.
I like how the author’s style really adds atmosphere and authenticity to this story about forensic detectives on the trail of a killer. The plot tends to be expressed in part with straightforward dialogue and tutorials about the forensics. It reads like a police report. These parts are separated by surprisingly (and sometimes unsettlingly) specific description. Here, the protagonist’s thoughts range from the analytical to the philosophical, sometimes slipping into prose-like detail where the author perfectly captures elusive ideas. For example, he uses the term “crowded silence” to describe the moment when you suspect something is going to happen, and in the next moment, it does. The opposing meanings of these two words combine to describe the strange contradictory sensation of a moment like that perfectly. Bobby’s thoughts throughout the novel are peppered with them, presenting common ideas in new ways.
One thing that I like best about the story was the character Pollo. Beneath his tough detective’s exterior, and no-nonsense investigating, he displays a traditional Maori wisdom about human nature, and his dry sarcasm lightens some of the heavier parts.
If I had to describe one negative aspect of the novel, it would be the disturbing nature of the murders. Although, the fact that these methods of killing were historically carried-out intrigued me, the images they created made me uncomfortable. However, this is also a compliment to the author’s powers of description.
This is an excellent read for those who like forensic thrillers. I give this a 4 out of 4 stars for its multi-layered plot, realistic and descriptive language and unique perspective. The one negative aspect would not cause me to give this a 3 out of 3 stars because it’s not based on a flaw in the story itself, but on personal preference. I highly recommend reading Pancake Money by Finn Bell.
******
Pancake Money
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin
