Review by kleineklara -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell
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kleineklara
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- Latest Review: Pancake Money by Finn Bell
Review by kleineklara -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell
[Following is a volunteer review of "Pancake Money" by Finn Bell.]
4 out of 4 stars
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An engrossing, fast-paced novel, Pancake Money by Finn Bell grips its readers and doesn’t let them go until the very end. Set in New Zealand, this mystery thriller is centered on a gruesome crime that our main character, Detective Bobby Ress, and his partner, Detective Pollo, have to solve. However, the killer gives no time for Bobby and Pollo to solve this first murder, and the two are quickly pulled into a thrilling, complex case where there seems to be no motive and no suspects. Along the way, Bobby has to struggle with balancing his career as a detective and his family life.
Pancake Money is one of the most entertaining books I have read in quite a while. The main reason that I enjoyed this book was the way that the author was able to reveal complex discussions of human nature and motivation while also moving the plot forward. One of the ways that this is done is Bobby’s attendance at his Forensic Psychology class, where he is given valuable nuggets of information from his professor, Ann Bowlby. While the information Bobby learned from Bowlby is tantamount to solving the case, it also made me think about its implications long after I finished reading.
Another reason I enjoyed this story is due to Bell's talent for making interesting characters that I cared about. Bobby’s daughter, in particular, was one of the more unique characters that I’ve encountered. Bell takes care to craft these characters as fascinating, rather than unbelievable or caricatures. These characters, their interactions, and the effect they were having on the plot and on Bobby was well done. There are moments of very strong emotion and intensity that caused me to feel invested in Bobby, Pollo, and the outcome of their case.
Overall, this book was a fantastic read and a very entertaining journey. Because the plot is set in New Zealand, those who are not familiar with its culture, geography, and people may need to do a bit of research regarding the locations and cultures involved. However, Bell also includes a helpful reference at the end, with definitions and his reflections on certain elements within the novel. Another thing to be conscious of is that some readers may not like the gore or details included in the murders.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Pancake Money moves quickly and keeps constant intrigue without ever being confusing or too shallow of a plot. The outstanding cast of characters and perspectives kept me wondering if Bobby and Pollo would solve the case and what the killers’ real motive was. I wasn’t able to predict the identity of the killer and was surprised by who it ended up being, but this only added to my enjoyment. There were no elements that kept me from enjoying this novel. I would highly recommend it to fans of thriller, mystery, and crime novels or anyone who enjoys introspective and strong characters.
******
Pancake Money
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4 out of 4 stars
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An engrossing, fast-paced novel, Pancake Money by Finn Bell grips its readers and doesn’t let them go until the very end. Set in New Zealand, this mystery thriller is centered on a gruesome crime that our main character, Detective Bobby Ress, and his partner, Detective Pollo, have to solve. However, the killer gives no time for Bobby and Pollo to solve this first murder, and the two are quickly pulled into a thrilling, complex case where there seems to be no motive and no suspects. Along the way, Bobby has to struggle with balancing his career as a detective and his family life.
Pancake Money is one of the most entertaining books I have read in quite a while. The main reason that I enjoyed this book was the way that the author was able to reveal complex discussions of human nature and motivation while also moving the plot forward. One of the ways that this is done is Bobby’s attendance at his Forensic Psychology class, where he is given valuable nuggets of information from his professor, Ann Bowlby. While the information Bobby learned from Bowlby is tantamount to solving the case, it also made me think about its implications long after I finished reading.
Another reason I enjoyed this story is due to Bell's talent for making interesting characters that I cared about. Bobby’s daughter, in particular, was one of the more unique characters that I’ve encountered. Bell takes care to craft these characters as fascinating, rather than unbelievable or caricatures. These characters, their interactions, and the effect they were having on the plot and on Bobby was well done. There are moments of very strong emotion and intensity that caused me to feel invested in Bobby, Pollo, and the outcome of their case.
Overall, this book was a fantastic read and a very entertaining journey. Because the plot is set in New Zealand, those who are not familiar with its culture, geography, and people may need to do a bit of research regarding the locations and cultures involved. However, Bell also includes a helpful reference at the end, with definitions and his reflections on certain elements within the novel. Another thing to be conscious of is that some readers may not like the gore or details included in the murders.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Pancake Money moves quickly and keeps constant intrigue without ever being confusing or too shallow of a plot. The outstanding cast of characters and perspectives kept me wondering if Bobby and Pollo would solve the case and what the killers’ real motive was. I wasn’t able to predict the identity of the killer and was surprised by who it ended up being, but this only added to my enjoyment. There were no elements that kept me from enjoying this novel. I would highly recommend it to fans of thriller, mystery, and crime novels or anyone who enjoys introspective and strong characters.
******
Pancake Money
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: Pancake Money by Finn Bell
