The Ruin

Picked this up with very specific goals...looking for a fun mystery audiobook—ideally set in the UK/Europe as I find uk mysteries feel less police-y than American ones, even when the main characters are technically still the police—as an easy escapist thing to listen to on my walks to and from work this week. This exactly fit the bill. The characters were genuinely enjoyable. I often find the endings of mystery novels to be real let downs and this one thankfully did not have that problem for me at least. The ending is slightly contrived, but it did feel like you could have figured it out as the reader, which is a step above many (it wasn't completely out of left field, but it was still surprising enough to be fun). The narrator of the audiobook, Aoife McMahon, is excellent.

This review is for the audiobook version. Interesting story. The three stars are just my view, just like this review. The story was good enough to keep me listening to the end but I wasn't that invested in it. It's not a bad story, it just didn't grip me as I'd hoped.

I liked this book. Sort of a mashup of Tana French and Benjamin Black. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.

I found this book on Candace's list of books she has read and decided to check it out from the library in audiobook format, and was immediately caught up and drawn in to the story. I have already started the second book in the series. Great twists and turns and an intriguing story with interesting characters you want to get to know more about, talk to and ask if they would like to go for a hike.

I was even more intrigued by the author's treatment of the subject of child welfare/human services and the history of a system that may be necessary, but often, if not always evolves out of the moralistic “concerns” of “well meaning white (usually) women,” and is harmful as well as condemning of those who don't conform to “traditional” values. I appreciated the honest approach and discussion of just how judgmental and negative this system can be, and that this is not just the case in America. I believe I would have enjoyed the story even if I didn't have a personal tie to the field, but it definitely made it more specifically interesting to me.

This author has a lot of similarities to one of my favorite authors, Tana French. Maybe not quite as awesome as Tana French, but similar in some ways to the Dublin Murder Squad series, however I would say French's series is a 5 out of 5 and McTiernan is more of a 4.5 out of 5. While I truly enjoyed The Ruin, the character development does not have quite as much depth as French's series, but I think this starts to improve with the second in the series, and now I realize there are also 2 other prequels I have not read, but will be adding to my holds list ASAP.

All in all, a really great “ride” that had me listening late into the night and not wanting to fall asleep. While I am sure reading the books myself would also be great, as with French's series, I really love listening to the audiobooks which are read by a Aoife McMahon whose excellent storytelling/acting is really wonderful and contributes to drawing me on and enjoying the ride so much more! Also I would have had no idea how to pronounce Aisling's name had it been for the audiobook.

this started off so well and then quickly went downhill. the book moved too slowly and the characters were far too unlikable.

Would have given a 5 but ending left some questions unanswered! But still a good mystery! DN