My Review for The Dark Web Murders (Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #4) by Brian O'Hare

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. This review is for The Dark Web Murders (Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #4) by Brian O'Hare which I reviewed in  February 2021 for Online Book Club. I was hooked from the Prologue and just had to keep turning those pages. 

The Dark Web Murders details a series of killings by someone who, it is evident from the outset, is some sort of psychopath. There are a wide variety of characters in the book, and you need to be on your toes to remind yourself who they are and what relevance they have to the story. However, a list of characters has been provided at the beginning of the book if the reader wanted to check back at any time. As the author takes the reader on an incredibly descriptive journey, Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his Serious Crimes Unit set out to identify the killer.

The author’s descriptive writing entices you further and further into the story, and much of it is extremely dark, with each killing outlined in minute detail by the killer, as he writes his blog on the Dark Web for his loyal followers to read and enjoy. There is a side story alongside the killings, which becomes linked with the main story as the book progresses, and this too is explained in great and disturbing detail by the author.

As in O’Hare’s other Sheehan mysteries, as the story continues, the author’s descriptive style guides us through the Belfast police procedures, and therefore most things that you think you may not understand become clear. The author is from Northern Ireland and some US readers may find certain police terminology confusing. The author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of acronyms that are commonplace in police forces in the UK, for guidance.

The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was how O’Hare was so descriptive in his writings. I enjoyed the graphic detail, although sometimes I shuddered as I tried to imagine some of the things that were described. The crime is complex, and careful readers will notice the clues and try to solve the mystery alongside the Chief Inspector’s team.

There really wasn’t anything I disliked about the book and I can’t wait to read more of Brian O’Hare’s novels.

I was unsure whether such a thing as ‘The Dark Web’ existed or whether it was simply part of the story, so I must admit that I did Google it, only to find out that it is definitely a real thing. I didn’t delve too much into anything as I didn’t want the police to come knocking on my door!

I think the book would appeal to readers who enjoy a gritty crime novel but should know that there are certain things contained within the book that might disturb some people and is definitely not for younger readers.

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My Review for The Given(Interland Series Book #1) by Gary Clark

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This review is for The Given (Interland Series Book #1) by Gary Clark. I was given this as an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) by the author, and it was a privilege to read it. I reviewed this in February 2021. Described as a Young Adult dystopian fantasy novel, it drew me in from the outset, and I couldn’t put it down, turning the pages with enthusiasm as I needed to see what happened next!

Jay has just turned 18, and her powers are becoming stronger. She isn’t yet aware of all this entails, however, she is aware that in the society she lives in, having the powers she does isn’t a good thing. Jay and others like her have enemies who are known as Readers, and her Dad, who also has some level of power, is arrested by the Readers and taken away from his family. As the Readers also become aware of Jay, she has no alternative other than to go on the run, and try and find the Interland - the place of legends that her Dad is convinced exists, where she will be safe. Along with her brother Sammy and her two best friends, Cassie and Stitch, she sets out on her journey.

The author’s descriptive writing ensures that your journey along with Jay and experience her travels with her. I was fearful when she was, overjoyed at the same things as her, and downright angry when someone or something got in her way.

The story also briefly follows Jay’s Dad on his journey, and a few chapters are devoted to him, but the majority of the book, as it should, focuses on Jay as her powers develop and she sets out to solve the mystery of the Interland.

The thing I enjoyed most about the book was the feeling that there may be people out there, in the real world, with powers the same as Jay. In my mind, if an author can make you feel like this, then they have drawn you steadily into the world they have created and enfolded you into the story.

The only thing I disliked about the book was that as this was an ARC, there may be a wait for the next instalment, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for Jay.

As the book is advertised as a book for Young Readers, as you would expect, there is no profanity or erotic scenes, and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fantasy novel and who likes to escape into another world for a while.

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