Official Review: The 11.05 Murders by Brian O'Hare

[Jhirsch1230]

Review of The 11:05 Murders by Brian O’Hare

The 11:05 Murders is a Mystery / Detective novel based in Northern Ireland. Recently transferred Detective Sergeant Denise Stewart has had a rough few months. While her promotion is nice, she’s in a new police station, with a new boss and colleagues and a variety of problems facing her. First, she has to testify against her corrupt former Inspector. Second, after swearing off men, she has a plethora of them chasing her and finally, her first case seems to be the work of a serial killer. And why is a mysterious informant calling her and offering her insights into the case? Is he trying to help her or hurt her?

The 11:05 Murders is a fast paced, enjoyable story. Detective Stewart and the host of other characters are relatable and easy to like. The book is fun and draws the reader in almost immediately. The author uses imagery and description beautifully painting a vivid picture of the world and the characters. There is a darkness in the writing, especially in the writing of the antagonist that is both uncomfortable and intriguing. O’Hare seamlessly brings the reader into the mind of a sociopath.

While there are some issues, the storytelling overcomes most of them. However, for the reader who craves perfection, this is likely not for you. First of all, the beginning of the book is rough. When readers enter the mind of a sociopath, it could be expected that this would be the most edited and perfected section of the book. However, the writing heaves and jerks. While the reader gets a taste of the darkness, the lack of flow breaks the illusion.

Second, in the scenes that feature Sgt. Stewart, there are examples of a bouncing narrator. The author is telling the story from Stewart’s perspective when suddenly, the perspective shifts to another character. For example: “His gaze became an unashamed leer as he noted the trim figure, the blond hair, the exceptionally pretty face.” There are several examples of this throughout the story.

Third, the story takes entirely too long to develop. In the first 100 pages only a single murder happens. Given that this is a book about a serial killer, this is too long. The book does well with pace, but given that the synopsis of the book describes a series of murders, these should happen near the beginning and close together in the writing. Finally, and this is a pet peeve more than anything else, the majority of the characters are beautiful or charismatic or exceptional in some way.

I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. This is a good book for readers looking for a fun detective story and more specifically, would like a taste of a detective novel in the United Kingdom. Unlike the inept detectives of Scotland Yard in the Sherlock Holmes stories, these police officers are talented and capable. While it has its flaws, it is still enjoyable.

[katiesquilts]

Review of The 11:05 Murders by Brian O’Hare

The 11:05 Murders is a Mystery / Detective novel based in Northern Ireland. Recently transferred Detective Sergeant Denise Stewart has had a rough few months. While her promotion is nice, she’s in a new police station, with a new boss and colleagues and a variety of problems facing her. First, she has to testify against her corrupt former Inspector. Second, after swearing off men, she has a plethora of them chasing her and finally, her first case seems to be the work of a serial killer. And why is a mysterious informant calling her and offering her insights into the case? Is he trying to help her or hurt her?

The 11:05 Murders is a fast paced, enjoyable story. Detective Stewart and the host of other characters are relatable and easy to like. The book is fun and draws the reader in almost immediately. The author uses imagery and description beautifully painting a vivid picture of the world and the characters. There is a darkness in the writing, especially in the writing of the antagonist that is both uncomfortable and intriguing. O’Hare seamlessly brings the reader into the mind of a sociopath.

While there are some issues, the storytelling overcomes most of them. However, for the reader who craves perfection, this is likely not for you. First of all, the beginning of the book is rough. When readers enter the mind of a sociopath, it could be expected that this would be the most edited and perfected section of the book. However, the writing heaves and jerks. While the reader gets a taste of the darkness, the lack of flow breaks the illusion.

Second, in the scenes that feature Sgt. Stewart, there are examples of a bouncing narrator. The author is telling the story from Stewart’s perspective when suddenly, the perspective shifts to another character. For example: “His gaze became an unashamed leer as he noted the trim figure, the blond hair, the exceptionally pretty face.” There are several examples of this throughout the story.

Third, the story takes entirely too long to develop. In the first 100 pages only a single murder happens. Given that this is a book about a serial killer, this is too long. The book does well with pace, but given that the synopsis of the book describes a series of murders, these should happen near the beginning and close together in the writing. Finally, and this is a pet peeve more than anything else, the majority of the characters are beautiful or charismatic or exceptional in some way.

I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. This is a good book for readers looking for a fun detective story and more specifically, would like a taste of a detective novel in the United Kingdom. Unlike the inept detectives of Scotland Yard in the Sherlock Holmes stories, these police officers are talented and capable. While it has its flaws, it is still enjoyable.

Thank you for posting your review! It was a pleasure to read.
I didn't really notice the bouncing narration... although I read it quite a while ago, so I might have just forgotten! Without giving away too many spoilers, what did you think of the ending?

[NikkyT]

I absolutely loved this book, it's made me want to buy his other ones. In fact I'll get on amazon as its payday!

[katiesquilts]

I absolutely loved this book, it's made me want to buy his other ones. In fact I'll get on amazon as its payday!

Awesome! So glad to hear that.

[Colleen0701]

I must have received s draft copy or an unedited version. I am battling to find two stars for it. There are glaring inconsistencies, grammar faults, and things that just don't make sense. Such as Fitzpatrick being described as the quarterback of the rugby team. There is no such position.

[Jusil]

The 11.05 Murderers is generally a good book. I've read through it and gave it 4 stars. Brian ;the author is really creative...big up!

[Colleen0701]

That's why I want to speak privately to a moderator. I may indeed have a different copy to the version offered here. If so I will recommend it with pleasure. As things stand now the unprofessional editing and glaring mistakes are costing it. The pace isn't smooth either, it jerks along. The concept is excellent but the execution is sloppy. At least in my version. I will speak to a moderator before posting my review.

[Izesicle]

I agree with the critique on the female lead. She was all prickly feminist then became a damsel in distress all of a sudden.

[katiesquilts]

That's why I want to speak privately to a moderator. I may indeed have a different copy to the version offered here. If so I will recommend it with pleasure. As things stand now the unprofessional editing and glaring mistakes are costing it. The pace isn't smooth either, it jerks along. The concept is excellent but the execution is sloppy. At least in my version. I will speak to a moderator before posting my review.

Colleen, it's strange that our copies are so different! However, I'd like to remind you that Brian O'Hare is not an American author. He is Irish and uses British English. I also had a problem with the way some of the sentences were ended, but in British English it's common to put the period after the apostrophe of a quote, and of course he might use words with different meanings than we are used to.

I'm saying this assuming that you're American and not used to that writing style (I had certainly never encountered it before I came to OBC!) but if that's not the case, then I'm not sure what to tell you.

[Colleen0701]

No, I'm British and the writing style is certainly not the problem. We do not put the period (full-stop) outside quotation marks. I already checked to make sure he was not American. However his editor is. I have many mistakes in my version, not just grammatical, but also editorial, and this book was professionally edited by an American. I used the example above of rugby - there is no quarterback position in rugby. There is also no judge, jury or "Your Honour" in the British or Irish legal system. There is a magistrate and a chief magistrate, a high court judge is addressed as "My lord or my lady." The jury in the lower court are just figureheads. In the high court, the magistrate would be assisted by three other magistrates. Police procedural - no country in the world outlines the victim's body in chalk anymore - forensics don't allow it. And how do you outline a body on a carpet? The Irish also don't have social security cards. I apologise, but the deal is that I must be honest in my review. I aim to do so, however I take no pleasure in tearing anyone apart, and I will not do that to the author. What criticism I do have will be delivered in a constructive manner. You imply you may have had a different version, that is why I will first check with a moderator.

[samsononlinebookclub]

This story will keep you clued to the book as you want to know what happens in the next chapter, No guessing unless you keep reading.

[katiesquilts]

No, I'm British and the writing style is certainly not the problem. We do not put the period (full-stop) outside quotation marks. I already checked to make sure he was not American. However his editor is. I have many mistakes in my version, not just grammatical, but also editorial, and this book was professionally edited by an American. I used the example above of rugby - there is no quarterback position in rugby. There is also no judge, jury or "Your Honour" in the British or Irish legal system. There is a magistrate and a chief magistrate, a high court judge is addressed as "My lord or my lady." The jury in the lower court are just figureheads. In the high court, the magistrate would be assisted by three other magistrates. Police procedural - no country in the world outlines the victim's body in chalk anymore - forensics don't allow it. And how do you outline a body on a carpet? The Irish also don't have social security cards. I apologise, but the deal is that I must be honest in my review. I aim to do so, however I take no pleasure in tearing anyone apart, and I will not do that to the author. What criticism I do have will be delivered in a constructive manner. You imply you may have had a different version, that is why I will first check with a moderator.

Hmm, you have a lot of good points... I'm not really sure about the differences in American and British terminology etc., but I will say that bodies are still outlined if the person is alive when they are found and need to be taken to a hospital before photos can be taken of the crime scene/body-positioning. Of course, that still doesn't change the fact that the novel was wrong (as I'm fairly sure that all the bodies were found dead, but it's been a while since I read the book), but it is still a practice.

[Izesicle]

Those koalas are super cute! Anyway, I agree with your review in that there was no lack of possible suspects. I think that was the biggest strength of the novel. I gave it 2 out of 4 stars.

[MoseyProse]

It's interesting reading all of these reviews about the 11.05 Murders. I'm in the middle of writing my own, actually. I'm glad to see there are some other people who had issues with the book too. I don't want my review to seem harsh. It was an interesting plot, but there are some glaring problems I need to address.

[Ekwy]

Following is the Official Online review of "The 11.05 Murders" by Brain O'Hare

The 11.05 Murders is a captivating piece of writing and story-telling. The story starts with a scene of a party in the University, which happened 12 years ago. A blond young, shy and beautiful girl is seen as a prey by a boy in the party and he decides to do the unspeakable to her. He tells two of his buddies, because they are not really friends. Unaware of his devious plan they arrange a room for a night of fun and pleasure only to meet the shock of their life. Trapped in such situation makes them accomplices.

After 12 years, A blond beautiful lady is promoted to be a Detective Sergent in the Lisburn City Police Station after testifying and putting her former boss in prison. Same night a gruesome murder is committed. A social climber is killed in his house at 11.05pm. Two other guys dies in same manner at the exact time of 11.05pm.

So many enemies made along in the course of work. Making so many suspects at the wake of every murder. The writer was very creative in bringing his characters to life and making almost every character was well used. Detective Tom Allen, was one of my favourite characters and would keep you guessing what his actual attitude would be. The murder being an unlikely character slips when talking but goes unnoticed. The Chief Inspector Sheeham, does what he always do best when put in a tight corner. He connects the dots! You will eventually find the connections and put your bet on the culprit and scream Eureka!!!

I will like to rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. If there was 3.5 rating, that would be good for this book. I really enjoyed the story flow that I couldn't drop the book. His descriptions of certain scenes were so vivid and imagery, that it was easy to picture the scenes in my head. This book will actually make you walk through the story as a Detective.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys suspense and thriller because of the spine chilling and moving in the unknown. Not knowing what next. The horror scenes weren't so deep in terms of describing or elaborating on it. Also the little scenes with a romantic spark were more conservative and traditional. Making it a book, you wouldn't mind your young ones reading.