Review by KitabuKitamu -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell

[KitabuKizuri]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Pancake Money" by Finn Bell.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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“Now taste itself is interesting. Of the five senses we’re born with, it’s the only one that works right from birth all the way to death. Everything else develops later. Everything else comes and goes. Get old enough and you’ll lose your sight, your hearing, even touch. But your taste will stay with you forever,” says Ben, on their way to the gravesite of a boy presumed to have committed suicide, while detective Bobby and he go to examine what they find. It has been a long week for the detective. A number of brutal killings so far, there is no clue where the alleged killers are nor is he closer to the reason they were carried out. He also lost his partner of several years along the way while pursuing answers to these puzzling questions.

At the burial site, they get clues to the reason Jones Maihi was so enraged during his late son's funeral. They pursue him to where they guessed he would be and once they caught up with him, got more than what they bargained for to unofficially ‘close the case’.

Pancake-Money is written by Finn Bell, an indie book set in New Zealand. The events therein span six days with each chapter assigned to the day these things take place. The character of detective Bobby Ress tells of these events in first person using simple prose. The author follows him through the days while he does the ordinary detective paperwork, interacts with his family/partners and follows him out in the field where most of the action is. This journey becomes an opportunity to get to know the main character (a lot of cop-talk) and those he relates with to a fairly good extent. I think the character development was well balanced in the book, although there wasn't much difference in verbal use of words from character to character.

I like the fact that the book is fast paced and is a quick read as well. The plot seems self-explanatory until reading to the end and the twist is so unexpected that it has to be explained to be understood. Even the opening chapter of the story did not make sense until the end. As the reader, one is drawn in more so by a curiosity of what would happen in every subsequent event. A bit of psychological analysis is explored and harmoniously ties with the plot, making the book a memorable read.

I also like the unique setting of the book, which the author uses to entice travelers to add to their bucket-lists. He also has a section in the end that he uses to expound on some of the things/themes that a reader would find him/herself researching while reading the book.

There were hardly any grammatical errors in the book. I would recommend it to those into investigative dramas/thrillers which have a theme (in this case, the reason why people do what they do. What motivates them most?) within a theme. I rate the book with 4 out of 4 stars. There may be some graphic description of violence and a hint or two of an adult situation.

...Ben suddenly says, “Did you know that in the Bible, in the original text, the root of the Hebrew word for ‘wisdom’ is the same as for ‘taste’?”

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Pancake Money
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Like KitabuKitamu's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Jackie Holycross]

It sounds great. I love crime novels especially with twist endings.

[KitabuKizuri]

It sounds great. I love crime novels especially with twist endings.

You definitely might like this one then! Thanks for taking a peek

[Jackie Holycross]

It sounds great. I love crime novels especially with twist endings.

You definitely might like this one then! Thanks for taking a peek

I just reviewed a great crime novel too. You might want to check it out.

[joycechitwa]

A comprehensive review about a detective in the quest of solving a murder. The whole book spans only six days! And the character Ben seems to have an unusual inkling about the sense of taste. Sounds like an interesting read with a twist ending!

[KitabuKizuri]

A comprehensive review about a detective in the quest of solving a murder. The whole book spans only six days! And the character Ben seems to have an unusual inkling about the sense of taste. Sounds like an interesting read with a twist ending!

Indeed it is, thanks for visiting...

[joycechitwa]

Indeed it is, thanks for visiting...

You're so welcome, KitabuKitamu. Hope to read more of your reviews!

[DAVID MWALIMU]

I am really having a good time reading this review,I like the fact that the book is fast paced and is a quick read as well. This is driving me to Amazon to sample it too.
Sweet Review!

[KitabuKizuri]

I am really having a good time reading this review,I like the fact that the book is fast paced and is a quick read as well. This is driving me to Amazon to sample it too.
Sweet Review!

Thanks Mwalimu.