Review by FishyC26 -- A Woman to Blame
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FishyC26
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- Latest Review: A Woman to Blame by Vincent Panettiere
Review by FishyC26 -- A Woman to Blame
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Woman to Blame" by Vincent Panettiere.]
Vincent Panettiere’s A Woman to Blame is an engaging thriller that delves into the underworld and politics of criminal operations in Chicago. Police detective Mike Hegan spends his time away from the police station playing poker with friends, assuming the role of playful Uncle to his sister’s two children and planning his wedding. The stability and simplicity of his life is turned upside down one winter morning when a body is found in the University’s pool. Several weeks later a thoroughbred racing horse dies on the track and its young trainer is found dead on a beach not long after. Although the deaths of the horse and the trainer are ruled as a murder-suicide by the police, Hegan is not convinced and resists retirement to investigate their deaths. As Hegan and the dead trainer’s sister Portia team up to unravel the mystery, they find themselves caught up in a series of criminal activity that ultimately takes them to an island in the Caribbean where things are finally revealed in an action-filled race against the clock. A Woman to Blame is a novel filled with suspense, loss and mystery, leaving readers gripping the edges of their seats in anticipation until the very last page.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. The novel was very engaging throughout its entirety; however, I found the constant swapping between character perspectives rather confusing. The vast amount of perspectives paired with the misogynistic and somewhat disturbing scenes of violence resulted in a lower rating. There were several things that I really enjoyed in this book. The plot was very engaging and fast-paced, and I was truly surprised by the ending and revelation of the antagonist, which is everything one could want in a thriller. The main characters of Mike Hegan and Portia Sutherland were also extremely well-developed. Both were vulnerable and raw and had experienced a tremendous amount of loss. The pain that these characters shared was exceptionally captured by the author. Portia was an excellent character, and I thoroughly enjoyed the level of female empowerment that she exhibited. She was strong-willed and determined, yet also vulnerable and damaged.
Although these aspects of the novel were great, there were several elements that I disliked. I genuinely did not care for the rest of the characters in this book. Towards the beginning of the novel, there are several perspectives from the antagonist’s point of view, although I found them to be both confusing and overwhelming. It was difficult to sort out the various characters at first since every few paragraphs a new one was introduced. Furthermore, every single male character objectified women in this book, including the protagonist of the story. Whenever a female character is introduced from a male’s perspective, there is always a vulgar comment about her body and appearance. Although this is most likely intentional for many characters, especially the antagonists, it negatively impacted the main plot.
Additionally, there were several very graphic and disturbing scenes throughout the book, including more than one rape scene that was rather difficult to read. For these reasons I would gear the book towards an older and more mature audience. I would recommend this book to mystery and thriller lovers, or those who enjoy a fast-paced book filled with action and suspense.
Overall, Vincent Panettiere’s A Woman to Blame offers a thrilling tale filled with car chases, shootouts, and a degree of underlying romance. It is a great vacation-read due to its action and fast-paced plot that transports the reader into the underbelly of Chicago’s criminal operations, revealing that everyone, including the heroes, have something to hide.
******
A Woman to Blame
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Vincent Panettiere’s A Woman to Blame is an engaging thriller that delves into the underworld and politics of criminal operations in Chicago. Police detective Mike Hegan spends his time away from the police station playing poker with friends, assuming the role of playful Uncle to his sister’s two children and planning his wedding. The stability and simplicity of his life is turned upside down one winter morning when a body is found in the University’s pool. Several weeks later a thoroughbred racing horse dies on the track and its young trainer is found dead on a beach not long after. Although the deaths of the horse and the trainer are ruled as a murder-suicide by the police, Hegan is not convinced and resists retirement to investigate their deaths. As Hegan and the dead trainer’s sister Portia team up to unravel the mystery, they find themselves caught up in a series of criminal activity that ultimately takes them to an island in the Caribbean where things are finally revealed in an action-filled race against the clock. A Woman to Blame is a novel filled with suspense, loss and mystery, leaving readers gripping the edges of their seats in anticipation until the very last page.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. The novel was very engaging throughout its entirety; however, I found the constant swapping between character perspectives rather confusing. The vast amount of perspectives paired with the misogynistic and somewhat disturbing scenes of violence resulted in a lower rating. There were several things that I really enjoyed in this book. The plot was very engaging and fast-paced, and I was truly surprised by the ending and revelation of the antagonist, which is everything one could want in a thriller. The main characters of Mike Hegan and Portia Sutherland were also extremely well-developed. Both were vulnerable and raw and had experienced a tremendous amount of loss. The pain that these characters shared was exceptionally captured by the author. Portia was an excellent character, and I thoroughly enjoyed the level of female empowerment that she exhibited. She was strong-willed and determined, yet also vulnerable and damaged.
Although these aspects of the novel were great, there were several elements that I disliked. I genuinely did not care for the rest of the characters in this book. Towards the beginning of the novel, there are several perspectives from the antagonist’s point of view, although I found them to be both confusing and overwhelming. It was difficult to sort out the various characters at first since every few paragraphs a new one was introduced. Furthermore, every single male character objectified women in this book, including the protagonist of the story. Whenever a female character is introduced from a male’s perspective, there is always a vulgar comment about her body and appearance. Although this is most likely intentional for many characters, especially the antagonists, it negatively impacted the main plot.
Additionally, there were several very graphic and disturbing scenes throughout the book, including more than one rape scene that was rather difficult to read. For these reasons I would gear the book towards an older and more mature audience. I would recommend this book to mystery and thriller lovers, or those who enjoy a fast-paced book filled with action and suspense.
Overall, Vincent Panettiere’s A Woman to Blame offers a thrilling tale filled with car chases, shootouts, and a degree of underlying romance. It is a great vacation-read due to its action and fast-paced plot that transports the reader into the underbelly of Chicago’s criminal operations, revealing that everyone, including the heroes, have something to hide.
******
A Woman to Blame
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: A Woman to Blame by Vincent Panettiere
