Review by Amdeary -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell

[Amdeary]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Pancake Money by Finn Bell follows a team of detectives in Otago, New Zealand, over the course of a life changing week of murders, escaped convicts, and mysteries…

Detective Bobby Ross is young, but he’s learned enough to know when things are bad. And he can tell from the get-go that this week would be one for the books. He and his partner, an older Samoan detective named Pollo, are assigned to the murder of a local Catholic priest. But it’s no ordinary murder; the sheer violence and excessive nature seem to defy everything Ress knows of criminal profiling. As the case progresses, they discover another Catholic priest, also elaborately murdered. As if a serial murderer isn’t enough, Ress and Pollo must also deal with a convict who broke out of custody while attending his son’s funeral. But why would a hardened gang criminal, only 3 weeks away from release, jeopardize it all after seeing his son’s dead body? And who would want to murder retired Catholic priests, with nothing to apparently gain from any of them? The answer unravels secrets both decades old and freshly buried, and Ress will need every bit of his experience and courage to face the truth.

Bell’s thriller starts strong, and doesn’t waver a bit throughout the read. I finished the novel in about 3.5 hours, but the length of the read does not match the impact of the novel. It has been a very long time since I have been so touched and engaged by any novel, let alone one in the crime/thriller genre.

One of the most effective elements of Pancake Money is the author’s tone. He writes in the voice of Bobby Ress, and he sounds every bit the brusque, to-the-chase police detective. However, there is a haunting poetic quality to his writing style that blurs the blunt lines to something softer, and more beautiful. It reminded me a lot of some of the traditional gothic literature or classic film noir. It sets a dreamy, moody tone that, for a fan of the aforementioned genres, is easy to get consumed in.

Overall, the book has breached my selective list of “novels I suggest everyone should read.” I am very picky, and I am very familiar with the crime genre, so I could solve the mystery early on; however, it was really more of a hunch, and a good chunk of the novel had me so engrossed that I forgot there were mysteries to solve at all. The crimes are deranged, the mood is desperate, and I found the whole thing utterly lovely. I would give the book 4 out of 4 stars for its excellent atmosphere, engaging mystery, and well-developed characters. This book is certainly something more than just Pancake Money.

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Pancake Money
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[chelhack]

After reading the review I am happy to begin this book Pancake Money. I am curious to know why the inmate broke out of jail when he only had three weeks until the day he is to be released.