Review by briellejee -- Pancake Money by Finn Bell

[briellejee]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Mind over matter: this is always what people say to conquer their fears or to shake off nervousness. However, what would happen when the mind is irrational and has been through trauma? Do you still want it to take over? Finn Bell's Pancake Money explores the psyche of the mind and human behavior, as well as the life of police officers- with and without their uniforms. This book would surely rattle the well-disposed minds, provoke hidden emotions, and disturb the comfortable.

Detectives Bobby Ress and Pollo Latu is on high alert as a retired priest was found dead, murdered to be exact, with his body parts jumbled up together on a stake. With nothing but a dead body, they started to look for information from his close friend, another retired priest, whether he has enemies. However, they've arrived too late. They found the second victim's mangled body being staged, as if it was a distorted sculpture of some sort. Two priests. No leads. Is a serial killer on the loose? If so, then why do they only target retired priests? Is there going to be another victim? Why was it necessary to slice up the bodies and put them as if it was an act? Is it a warning? If yes, for who? As the two detectives work their way to find answers, secrets about the Catholic Church are starting to get turned up; secrets that are unbelievably and terrifyingly true.

This book has stayed true to its genre until the end as a thriller. The first page already got me hooked and also terrified. The plot builds up whenever new information or character turns up. What I liked most is that the reader wouldn't feel left out of the investigation. The author knows how to keep the reader interested in the story and at the same time involved in the process. Moreover, by telling the story from the perspective of Detective Ress most of the time, it showed how investigators see things. It was intriguing to know the struggles these professionals go through during a case: pursuing leads, cleaning up a crime scene, chasing (literally and figuratively) suspects, and conjuring up thoughts when leads lead to a dead-end.

The probable atrocious act of the Catholic Church highlighted in the book, though it may not come as a shock that sexual activity is happening inside the supposedly holy walls since this issue has been running in the real world, may have been one of the things that kept me on my toes. It was intriguing albeit disgusting to know more of this aspect, especially when the characters were priests themselves.
 
Furthermore, I think the compelling factor in this book is the discussion of the human mind and human behavior: how it works, how it breaks, and how it does both at the same time. Though it was just a few lectures in their Forensic Psychology class and it was not directly involved in the case, the discussion proved to be the most relevant piece of information, and it is fascinating enough to read.

The mind is such a complicated thing, and Pancake Money proved that. I have had my fair share of heart-breaking and awestruck moments while reading the book that left a lasting impression. There were a few errors such as lack of commas and wrong spelling of the names, but they didn’t affect the quality of the book. Thus, I give it a 4 out of 4 stars rating. The grotesque explanation of how the victims were murdered may not be suitable for people with a weak stomach; hence, if you think you can't handle the blood and the mangled bodies, steer clear of this book. However, if you're into crime thrillers and police work, I recommend this book.

I felt that Pancake Money had taught me that things in this world follow Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. With that said, I leave you one of the few things from this book that is still keeping me up at night:
 

Doesn't the pain we avoid outweigh the pain we cause? Isn't the good that we could do worth the sacrifice?

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Pancake Money
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[BelleReadsNietzsche]

Psychological thrillers are my favorite!

I think the compelling factor in this book is the discussion of the human mind and human behavior: how it works, how it breaks, and how it does both at the same time. Though it was just a few lectures in their Forensic Psychology class and it was not directly involved in the case, the discussion proved to be the most relevant piece of information, and it is fascinating enough to read.

I love it when novels incorporate this sort of thing.

Thanks for the review!

[briellejee]

Psychological thrillers are my favorite!

I think the compelling factor in this book is the discussion of the human mind and human behavior: how it works, how it breaks, and how it does both at the same time. Though it was just a few lectures in their Forensic Psychology class and it was not directly involved in the case, the discussion proved to be the most relevant piece of information, and it is fascinating enough to read.

I love it when novels incorporate this sort of thing.

Thanks for the review!

Same here! Sometimes it depends on how the author delivers it. Because I have read books with a topic about dark matter, and I tried really hard not to skip it. I guess this one was just written fascinatingly. Thanks for stopping by!

[Kristin Ransome]

Wow this book seems intriguing! I'm don't often read crime thrillers, but have been known to pick them up on occasion when they come highly recommended! I'm definitely adding this book to my reading list