Review by kdstrack -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell

[kdstrack]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Father Aldo Mucci has been murdered. Detectives Bobby Ress and Pollo Patu begin investigating. They are stumped. The killer has not left any clues. Soon after, Father Bern turns up dead. These priests had a reputation of serving the community. Who could organize and execute such gruesome acts? What motivation could anyone have to assassinate these priests? Can the detectives find the killers before more dead bodies appear?

Forensic psychologist lecturer, Ann Bowlby, educates the detectives on human motivation. Her lectures equip the detectives to probe into the criminal mind and catch killers. The themes discussed in her sessions will also compel the reader to reflect on the human condition. Can anyone be persuaded to commit a crime? Are we all capable of committing similar violent acts?

Pancake Money, by Finn Bell, is a crime thriller set in the small town of Dunedin, New Zealand. The author describes the setting well. He incorporates the culture, legends and history of the area, which he is thoroughly familiar with. I appreciated that fact that the author explained the meaning of Pancake Money in the first chapters of the book.

Bell achieves an exceptional development of the lead characters. Police detectives, Bobby and Pollo , work crime scenes together. After work, they spend time together as friends. Their strong friendship and friendly banter reflect the strong bond that unites them. Bell incorporates scenes from the family life of these main characters. Em and Eva fulfill a significant role in Bobby’s life. He struggles with the feeling that his irregular hours and dangerous work are affecting his family.

I enjoyed the way the author developed the plot. Bell maintains the suspense as he steadily includes more details about these tragic events. I thought the incorporation of priests, as the victims, added a dynamic element to the plot. Religious figures are leaders in the community. People entrust them with their most profound hopes and fears. When they are assassinated in such a brutal way, what does that signify for the rest of the population? How can people obtain comfort when the ones they look to for guidance are the targets of such grisly executions?

Each chapter covers one day of the week. That day’s activities appear under timed entries. With this format, the book reads like a detective's daily crime log. This allows the reader to be the detective and gather clues as the story progresses.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book is exciting, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. Bell keeps you in the dark until the very end. I recommend this book to readers who like well-written crime thrillers. I disliked some of the powerful crime scenes. These descriptions may be disturbing for sensitive readers.

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

[joycechitwa]

Sounds like a non-stop page turner. Also the fact that each chapter signifies a day in the story of how the detective goes about the work, just adds to the sense of urgency and mystery. I would be curious to know why in the world someone would target priests as murder victims, and whether they were brought to book eventually. Kudos on this!

[kdstrack]

Sounds like a non-stop page turner. Also the fact that each chapter signifies a day in the story of how the detective goes about the work, just adds to the sense of urgency and mystery. I would be curious to know why in the world someone would target priests as murder victims, and whether they were brought to book eventually. Kudos on this!

I thought the author did a good job a hooking the reader right from the very start with this kind of crime being committed in a small town. From there, he keeps it right to the end. Hope you will read this one. This is an author to follow!

[joycechitwa]

I thought the author did a good job a hooking the reader right from the very start with this kind of crime being committed in a small town. From there, he keeps it right to the end. Hope you will read this one. This is an author to follow!

Sure sounds like it! I better add this title to my "to read" shelves!

[Samy Lax]

I like how the author is thoroughly familar with the culture, legends, and history of the Dunedin area, and how he masterfully includes them in the book. These are the kind of things that hook me to any book and your review shows that this just might be my next read.

Thanks for the wonderful review!

[kdstrack]

I like how the author is thoroughly familar with the culture, legends, and history of the Dunedin area, and how he masterfully includes them in the book. These are the kind of things that hook me to any book and your review shows that this just might be my next read.

Thanks for the wonderful review!

The author shows his knowledge of the area. Hope you enjoy the book!