Review by Sarah Tariq -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell

[Ashiyya Tariq]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Does pain has such a powerful impact that it unusually changes your behavior? Yes, it does. Forensic psychology teaches us this. Pancake Money by Finn Bell is a psychological crime thriller that revolves around pain and its impact on human behavior. According to forensic psychology, pain is the primary motivator to change behavior in a short-term. However, in a long-run, you can get more from this, which may be good (permanent required behavioral change) or bad (depression, post-traumatic stress, and addiction).

Dunedin is a peaceful city in New Zealand. But the sudden subsequent killings of three priests send a wave of terror in the citizen of this small town. All are in a quandary, the detectives and the citizens. Who is behind these brutal assassinations? Two detectives Bobby Ress and his partner Pollo Latu are appointed to determine the causes of these accidental deaths. They start their investigation from a compound, a church-run rehabilitation center and expand it to the Maori linked criminal gang of Manga Kahu. This murder mystery case takes many lives. Will the cops be able to solve these blind murder cases?

The book was an intense read from start to end. All took place within a weak. Each day starts with bearing a new mystery and ends with a hope to solve the unending enigmas. The author skillfully weaves an intricate relation between the mysterious crimes and the criminal mindset that works behind this all.

The special character of the book is Ann Bowlby who gives lectures in Forensic Psychology. Both Bobby Ress and Pollo Latu attend her lectures to reach the depth of the case. The author puts a very detailed and professional account on the topic that covers all technicalities in a quizzical way. The book is written in first person account mostly from the point of view of Bobby Ress, which sometimes creates hindrance in understanding the thoughts of other characters and disrupts the flow of a dialogue. However, the narrative used throughout the book holds professional touch, and the readers feel that they are watching the conversation between the real staff with profound knowledge of Forensic Psychology.

Under the thick plot of this crime thriller, we find some soft lining in form of the family of Bobby Ress. Eva and Em (daughter and wife) always remain conscious of him. Nevertheless, despite their apprehensions about the critical nature of the police job, they usher full support to him. The feelings of care and love they show for each other provide an in-depth view of cop’s life and the traumas from which the family has to get through renders a delicate touch to the story.

The book pulls the reader in through its intriguing and fast-paced storyline. It contains many violent and uncomfortable scenes. So I will recommend it to only adult readers. It touches many traditional and cultural aspects of New Zealand, like their old Maori tribe and Manga Kahu gang. The book sweeps around the case mysteries and Bowlby lectures to understand the complex points of the case; that is how pain motivates behavior and its consequent impacts on human life. I like that at the end of the book, the author has added the real account of many events and places in connection to the events discussed in the book and their relevance to this crime thriller.

In conclusion, the book is professionally edited and is worth-reading for detective minds. So I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to the fans of crime and psychological thriller, but not to those who are sensitive to violent scenes.

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

[Allyseria]

What an interesting book! I love that the author did a lot of research into their subject topic (which in this case, is forensic psychology), because it makes the story much more believable Thank you for the review!

[Jackie Holycross]

I love fast-paced crime thrillers. This sounds great.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

What an interesting book! I love that the author did a lot of research into their subject topic (which in this case, is forensic psychology), because it makes the story much more believable Thank you for the review!

Thanks for your feedback!

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I love fast-paced crime thrillers. This sounds great.

Thanks for your feedback!

[gen_g]

This sounds right up my alley, thanks for the review!

[Ashiyya Tariq]

This sounds right up my alley, thanks for the review!

Thanks for your feedback!

[Dolor]

I'm a fan of crime and psychological thriller. I am not sensitive to violent scenes, too. The forensic psychology has piqued my interest. I'd keep this book in my to-be-read shelf. Thanks to your succinct review.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I'm a fan of crime and psychological thriller. I am not sensitive to violent scenes, too. The forensic psychology has piqued my interest. I'd keep this book in my to-be-read shelf. Thanks to your succinct review.

Then it is absolutely for you .Thanks for your feedback.

[jcoad]

Sounds like not your typical murder mystery, cop book. I like the psychological twist and I don't think I've read a book set in New Zeland before, so that will be new. Thanks for the great review and insight!

[Rosemary Khathibe]

It seems I will learn a lot from the book. The fact that pain has an impact on human behaviour is one thing to go by. And since I'm a fan of crime and psychological thriller, I will add this book on my to-read list.

[EvaDar]

I definitely enjoy some psychological content, and I love the theme of pain causing certain behavioral adaptations. I will probably skip it because of the violence you describe. I really enjoyed reading your review and appreciate the introduction to this book.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

Sounds like not your typical murder mystery, cop book. I like the psychological twist and I don't think I've read a book set in New Zealand before, so that will be new. Thanks for the great review and insight!

No, it was a good read. I like this book. You can try this too. Thanks for your feedback!

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I definitely enjoy some psychological content, and I love the theme of pain causing certain behavioral adaptations. I will probably skip it because of the violence you describe. I really enjoyed reading your review and appreciate the introduction to this book.

Thank you so much for your feedback!

[Manang Muyang]

One of my favorite authors is Robin Cook. Two of his most interesting characters are a husband and wife team of forensic pathologists. I would be thrilled to meet a forensic psychologist in Ann Bowlby.

However, the title does not seem to connect with the horrors of the book. I always think of pancakes as a happy meal.