Review by rhendel -- The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare

[rhendel]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Dark Web Murders" by Brian O'Hare.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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The Dark Web Murders by Brian O’Hare is the fourth book in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series. This installation follows Detective Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and the rest of his team as they try to hunt down a vicious serial killer attacking a seemingly random array of men. When the team discovers the killer is posting all of the gruesome details online, the race to find him intensifies before he can carry out his entire plan.
 
I’ve read another one of the books in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read The Dark Web Murders and it did not disappoint! This book was thrilling, suspenseful, unpredictable, and engaging from the first page. I read a lot of crime thriller books and am often able to figure out the twists and the ending early on. While reading The Dark Web Murders, there were several times I thought I had figured out what was coming next or how it would end, and each time I was wrong. 
 
Something I really like about the Inspector Sheehan series is how well-developed the characters are. While the recurring characters have had several books to develop, new characters introduced in this installation of the series were developed quickly. That made it easier for me to connect to the characters and feel more engaged in the story. I also enjoyed how detailed Brian O’Hare’s writing is. The level of detail included in the book made the crimes seem realistic and amplified my investment in the story.
 
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the subtle inclusion of misogyny by some characters. For instance, the medical examiner seems to be hitting on Detective Denise Stewart whenever they’re in the same room together. Additionally, one of the other detectives on the squad often underestimates Detective Stewart’s capabilities because she’s a woman. While some of these instances are directly addressed and Detective Stewart continuously proves herself to be a top detective, I wished there was a more progressive view of female competency in law enforcement.
 
Overall, I rate The Dark Web Murders 3 out of 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading it because it was a suspenseful book that was engaging from the first chapter. There were a few small typos in the book, but not enough to impact my ability to read or enjoy it. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy crime thrillers or suspenseful murder mysteries, however, I would caution readers that there are explicit descriptions of sexual assault, violence, and pedophilia which may be upsetting.

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The Dark Web Murders
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