Author: Julie Ann James
Release Date: May 6, 2016
Series: –
Genre: Suspense | Mystery
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 186
Publisher: Peppertree Press

Rating: ★★★

Blurb:

James takes her engaging characters to the gritty streets of Dublin, Ireland, where they become unsuspecting pawns in a twisted, tainted psychotic game of pure adulterated revenge from an unexpected and wicked mastermind. It is said to be true, that all families, have long-hidden secrets buried deep within their souls and locked away from all who might just go digging. Irish Jewel uncovers such a dark secret, so horrific that it could forever change lives when divulged. As the shocking truth surfaces, revealed for all to see, move across this chilling game board to determine where the grimy bread crumbs will end up…The suspense could kill you…

REVIEW

I liked reading The Irish Jewel by Julie Ann James. It began with a great opening scene and I was drawn into the book from the start. The pacing  was good and the story had a great flow to it and as a result, it was an exceptionally fast read.

I enjoyed the author’s writing and the flow was good too, but I felt like something was missing from the story. At more than one place I began questioning the main plot itself. And that is really off-putting, to say the least.

The characterization lacked a touch of perfection. All the characters felt one-dimensional and I was not able to feel a connection with either of the leads. Though they were interesting enough to make me want to know what happened to each one of them, but that was it.

The ending was not bad, but I would have preferred a clearer ending (about how the sane brother got out of the police custody or the mental institution or wherever it was he was taken after his arrest.) It was neither surprising nor unsatisfactory. It just felt flat, more or less like the plot itself.

Having said what I had to, this book might be preferred by readers who likes reading light mysteries, but as someone who reads thrillers and suspense novels round the clock (and as someone who also writes them,) it simply wasn’t for me.

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