4.5 out of 5 stars
On Amazon UK
On Amazon.com
On Goodreads
How I discovered this book: I read about it on Maria Savva's blog post about new self-published releases. I've read a novel by Darcia Helle that I liked very much; here is my review for Killing Instinct.
This is a novella length book, and quite a grisly read, as you can probably imagine. It starts with methods of execution from early history, then moves on to the invention of the guillotine, the electric chair and the lethal injection. Fascinating stuff. Darcia Helle has quoted passages from others, and used information from the medical records of some more recent executions.
The book is very well put together and researched, and includes personal detail of both victims and the people who invented these instruments of death. Because of its length it is obviously not an in-depth study, but Ms Helle puts the information over clearly and concisely, and I discovered much I didn't know, most of which made quite difficult reading; suffice to say that if you'd ever thought that lethal injection was a humane method, think again.
At the end, she discusses the executioners themselves. While making clear that she is against the death penalty, it is not at all preachy. What struck me most of all was that human beings are just as barbarous in the present day and in so-called civilised society as they were hundreds of years ago; they just have a better press.
Aside from being an interesting read, I think this book would be useful for research for any fiction writers needing such information for novels.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Supernatural/dark fantasy thriller
On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
Reviewed by me as a member of Rosie's Book Review Team
I
chose to read this book from the review team list because I had read another of
Darcia Helle's books, underworld crime thriller Killing Instinct, and loved it. Eli's Coming, however, comes under the genre
headings of supernatural/dark fantasy; I'd mistakenly thought it was a
psychological thriller with a supernatural slant, but the fantasy side of it is
the main element of the story. My error!
Amanda
becomes involved with the mysterious Eli who has secrets and demons, which are
revealed to the reader gradually; I liked the way Ms Helle did this, highly
effective, allowing just enough information to seep out at a time to maintain
interest. It worked! I thought the characterisation of the tormented,
isolated Eli was most convincing. There
is a more real life element to the beginning of the story, too, with Amanda's
frustration about her domestic situation, and her relationship with her
parents. Her mother has Alzheimer's;
this was represented with care and realism.
A
hint: at 99%, ie, after the end of the book, there is an information section about
the Native American people who were the inspiration for this story. I'd advise you skip to the end and read this
as soon as they are mentioned, as it will make the story mean more.
Ms
Helle is a competent writer and I would imagine that this book will fulfil all
the requirements of dark fantasy addicts.
Alas, I am not one, so I did not enjoy the book as much as I had hoped,
but this is not a reflection on the standard of the writing. I enjoyed the first 20% very much, when it
was more about Amanda and her father and friend, but the two elements did not
mesh well together, for me. Having
enjoyed Killing Instinct so much I would definitely read another of her books,
but will stick to her crime novels from now on.
KILLING INSTINCT by Darcia Helle reviewed HERE
4.5 out of 5 stars
Underworld crime thriller
On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
I bought this novel because I read a description of it in one of those lists of '50 indie books worth reading', and I'm glad I spotted it! Great story, about an organisation set up to satisfy the requirements of all manner of sickos (torture, rape, etc), and an excellent explanation of how the 'dark net' works, too - the underground internet. The book is extremely well put together, with no superfluous detail, no wandering from the plot. Darcia Helle has done something clever - she has written likeable hitmen. I loved Sean, who has that Jack Bauer thing going on.
The other thing that impressed me about this is that it's a pretty grisly novel written by a woman, and it's not girly at all. The women are the sort of women I want to read about. The guys are alpha males. This is actually the third in the Michael Sykora series, which I didn't realise until I was a little of the way in, but it's very neatly executed so it reads perfectly well as a stand alone. One of the elements that makes it so very readable is that the dialogue is terrific - always appropriate, realistic, sharp and sometimes amusing. I'll definitely be reading more of these books (starting with No Justice, which I believe is the first), and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good murder thriller and isn't too squeamish!
ELI'S COMING by Darcia Helle reviewed HERE
