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Jul 27, 2016lbeast rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
For me, a good mystery has a great story and interesting characters, with just enough details about the detective to make him (or her) appealing. Unfortunately, The Blackhouse is a melodrama about the unhappy detective and the mystery is a minor plot element. A trip to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides feels like a visit to a clan of Neanderthals who have managed to survive into the 21st century. Lots of grim, belligerent townsfolk in a grim, belligerent landscape. And the big climax is like a scene out of a Thomas Hardy novel, waves crashing, rain pouring down, lots of drama. However, I was intrigued enough to finish the book and will likely read the others in the trilogy.