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Nessun Dorma
Donna McCarthy, an ambitious estate agent, falls victim of a killer who leaves no trace of her body. Recently demoted DC Carter - overweight and a heavy drinker - believes his superiors are making a mistake when they suspect her husband. Donna’s sons embark on an intense search for their missing mother. They soon face the glaring possibility that she is not only missing but has been murdered.
But who is responsible? And why is there no evidence in the ex-mining town of Monkey Island? There can be only one the killer is from the island.
The killer’s resolve is sorely tested when he sees a woman who is the image of his first kill. Breaking his own MO, he seeks prey without proper planning. The lives of the killer, DC Carter and the McCarthys become hopelessly entangled, forcing them on a course to unearth Mrs McCarthy. Through love, loss and some crazy decisions, the McCarthy boys question whether revenge is a path worth taking.
But who is responsible? And why is there no evidence in the ex-mining town of Monkey Island? There can be only one the killer is from the island.
The killer’s resolve is sorely tested when he sees a woman who is the image of his first kill. Breaking his own MO, he seeks prey without proper planning. The lives of the killer, DC Carter and the McCarthys become hopelessly entangled, forcing them on a course to unearth Mrs McCarthy. Through love, loss and some crazy decisions, the McCarthy boys question whether revenge is a path worth taking.
323 pages, Paperback
Published April 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 27, 2023
A moving rollercoaster of a book. Sensitively drawn characters navigate the horror and despair resulting from the disappearance of a beloved wife, mother, sister and neighbour, while the abductor observes the fallout. Great story- telling. I loved this.
June 9, 2023
I was first drawn to this book by the cover and title - it looked dark and creepy sand the use of such a powerful song as the title really generated images before I'd even opened the book up.
This is set on Monkey Island which is a small and insular community, again generating that closed off atmosphere, everyone knowing your business and nowhere to escape to.
Donna goes missing and there are no clues as to what's happened to her. Her son's don't believe that she's dead and embark on a journey to uncover the truth of what's going on.
I loved that this was presented in sections led by each of the main characters. Each chapter allows us to see the events from different pov's, even some from the abductors view. This allows us to feel more connected to each character and understand the development better throughout.
I had a slight feeling that this was not the first book with this setting, and on delving a bit, discovered that the previous book was also set on Monkey Island. I don't think this had any bearing on the enjoyment of this story - but it has intrigued me and I will have to go back and add that book to my TBR now.
A really intricately weaved story that kept me guessing to the end and had me gripped throughout.
This is set on Monkey Island which is a small and insular community, again generating that closed off atmosphere, everyone knowing your business and nowhere to escape to.
Donna goes missing and there are no clues as to what's happened to her. Her son's don't believe that she's dead and embark on a journey to uncover the truth of what's going on.
I loved that this was presented in sections led by each of the main characters. Each chapter allows us to see the events from different pov's, even some from the abductors view. This allows us to feel more connected to each character and understand the development better throughout.
I had a slight feeling that this was not the first book with this setting, and on delving a bit, discovered that the previous book was also set on Monkey Island. I don't think this had any bearing on the enjoyment of this story - but it has intrigued me and I will have to go back and add that book to my TBR now.
A really intricately weaved story that kept me guessing to the end and had me gripped throughout.
May 22, 2023
I have to say I did like the cover of this book, dark and full of mystery.
I could say so much about this book but don't want to spoil it for you. I love how each chapter and section relates to a character in the book, even the killer, which I found I got to know the characters more. There are some strong characters you will find while reading the book.
There are a few twists that I didn't see coming and didn't expect.
I could say so much about this book but don't want to spoil it for you. I love how each chapter and section relates to a character in the book, even the killer, which I found I got to know the characters more. There are some strong characters you will find while reading the book.
There are a few twists that I didn't see coming and didn't expect.
May 25, 2023
This was such a good read, it is well written with characters that are well developed and a storyline that is compelling and full of mystery. If you like your reads on the darker side you will like this book.
Each chapter allows the reader to learn something new about the characters and really made me feel I was fully immersed in the book.
I can't say much without giving it away but all I can say is read this book you wont be disappointed
Each chapter allows the reader to learn something new about the characters and really made me feel I was fully immersed in the book.
I can't say much without giving it away but all I can say is read this book you wont be disappointed
May 25, 2023
The second visit from this author to Monkey Island takes a dark turn as the focus switches from adolescent anxiety to murder.
But this isn’t your ordinary ‘who dunnit / why dunnit’ police procedural. Instead the tale is told through the eyes of those impacted by the presumed murder of missing estate agent and mother-of-triplets, Donna McCarthy. Each chapter presents a different viewpoint and allows the story to explore complicated relationships – especially between men and boys who have lost the most significant female influence in their lives. There’s enough blood and gristle to satisfy fans of the genre but it’s the carefully constructed characters that give this story its spine. DJ Peat’s skill in maintaining the mystery while increasing the suspense effortlessly leads the reader into the next chapter, and the next. The clever use of music and lyrics throughout the text (both the familiar and fictional) helps progress the story and is a useful device to add emotion. The book sets the scene for (hopefully) more return trips to Monkey Island, where the DC Carter’s ‘dead babies’ backstory and the future of the McCarthy boys can be further explored.
But this isn’t your ordinary ‘who dunnit / why dunnit’ police procedural. Instead the tale is told through the eyes of those impacted by the presumed murder of missing estate agent and mother-of-triplets, Donna McCarthy. Each chapter presents a different viewpoint and allows the story to explore complicated relationships – especially between men and boys who have lost the most significant female influence in their lives. There’s enough blood and gristle to satisfy fans of the genre but it’s the carefully constructed characters that give this story its spine. DJ Peat’s skill in maintaining the mystery while increasing the suspense effortlessly leads the reader into the next chapter, and the next. The clever use of music and lyrics throughout the text (both the familiar and fictional) helps progress the story and is a useful device to add emotion. The book sets the scene for (hopefully) more return trips to Monkey Island, where the DC Carter’s ‘dead babies’ backstory and the future of the McCarthy boys can be further explored.
June 4, 2023
Donna McCarthy, was a successful estate agent and did all she could to please her clients. On Good Friday, she had an appointment to meet a client and she always arrived fifteen minutes early. She messaged her boss to say she was there but when the client arrived, she was gone. Her husband and three sons went away that lunchtime for an overnight stay to watch a football match. The next day they were called back from the football match as their mum had been reported as a missing person. They even suspected her husband of burying her in the back garden so got a search warrant to check it. The family were not impressed at the mess the garden was left in. There was a massive search of Monkey Island but no sign was found of her, not even by the police dogs. The killer even joined the search, he thought it was great fun joining in and watching the family, how they reacted and were treated by people.
DC Carter was doing some of the legwork on the case. He could still prove he has it if he solves this case. He was once a DI but got demoted down to DC.
The killer works on the motto of working to plan and knowing his intended victim. Like on Donna, he followed her for a year at least but on his second which looked so similar, he breaks this rule. Could this be his downfall? Also, he likes to keep track of the family and how they are doing.
This is a great book to read, grabs you from the start. It’s written in a diary style, each chapter by a different person. I quite like these sorts of books. It's well written and very descriptive, right from the start. I found it hard to put down.
DC Carter was doing some of the legwork on the case. He could still prove he has it if he solves this case. He was once a DI but got demoted down to DC.
The killer works on the motto of working to plan and knowing his intended victim. Like on Donna, he followed her for a year at least but on his second which looked so similar, he breaks this rule. Could this be his downfall? Also, he likes to keep track of the family and how they are doing.
This is a great book to read, grabs you from the start. It’s written in a diary style, each chapter by a different person. I quite like these sorts of books. It's well written and very descriptive, right from the start. I found it hard to put down.
May 22, 2023
This is one of those books that I saw and liked the sound of, and have been blown away by.
This is by no means an easy read, when Donna McCarthy, a wife and mother of triplet boys goes missing, it follows the family as they try and navigate coming to terms with her disappearance, and the assumption she is dead.
The story is told through the eyes of each boy, the husband, and the abductor. It gives quite a unique slant on a topic covered multiple times in crime ficiton.
The fact the brothers are triplets is a clever device, each with their own personalities, neat and controlled, versus energetic, versus angry and aggressive. At the same time they are experiencing the world at the same time, the changes that come with being teenagers, and a strong bond that no one can possibly ever fully understand unless they also one of three.
You can feel the mix of support and oppressiveness from the closed community of the small island and you know all along that the killer is one of those people. Clues are given early on but I had no clue.
I particularly liked the use of music to portray the feeling of the family. Not being allowed it in the house any more as it felt like a betrayal, and the use of football to highlight the differences in the brothers and their level of anger to the situation.
I found I couldnt read this fast enough, and couldnt wait to get back to it when I was forced to put it down. Cant wait to check out more by this author.
This is by no means an easy read, when Donna McCarthy, a wife and mother of triplet boys goes missing, it follows the family as they try and navigate coming to terms with her disappearance, and the assumption she is dead.
The story is told through the eyes of each boy, the husband, and the abductor. It gives quite a unique slant on a topic covered multiple times in crime ficiton.
The fact the brothers are triplets is a clever device, each with their own personalities, neat and controlled, versus energetic, versus angry and aggressive. At the same time they are experiencing the world at the same time, the changes that come with being teenagers, and a strong bond that no one can possibly ever fully understand unless they also one of three.
You can feel the mix of support and oppressiveness from the closed community of the small island and you know all along that the killer is one of those people. Clues are given early on but I had no clue.
I particularly liked the use of music to portray the feeling of the family. Not being allowed it in the house any more as it felt like a betrayal, and the use of football to highlight the differences in the brothers and their level of anger to the situation.
I found I couldnt read this fast enough, and couldnt wait to get back to it when I was forced to put it down. Cant wait to check out more by this author.
May 2, 2023
This is an excellent read, especially the way the chapters follow the perspective of individual characters. This, to me, enabled a great (albeit sad and macabre at times) story to be packed with detail and emotion, whilst easily maintaining attention.
I enjoyed the link to the Authors previous book, which also helped in establishing the social setting and insular atmosphere of Monkey Island (reminds me of somewhere), and the storyline was great at giving plenty intrigue but giving nothing away - it keeps you guessing throughout.
Hopefully there will be another from 'The Island'...
I enjoyed the link to the Authors previous book, which also helped in establishing the social setting and insular atmosphere of Monkey Island (reminds me of somewhere), and the storyline was great at giving plenty intrigue but giving nothing away - it keeps you guessing throughout.
Hopefully there will be another from 'The Island'...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews