Review by raluca_mihaila -- The Trafficking Murders

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 15 Jan 2021, 13:06

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

4 out of 4 stars

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The Trafficking Murders is an engaging mystery thriller that happens in Northern Ireland. The book is the fifth installment of a series, but it works just fine as a standalone. The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series presents different cases solved by The Serious Crime Unit; the team of detectives led by Chief Inspector Sheehan must deal with a distinct serial killer in each book.

Alina Balauru, a poor farm girl from Romania, can't believe how lucky she is! An elegant and rich man appears out of nowhere and promises her a good job in Ireland to help her family. However, she ends up on a steamship, in a container, together with other unfortunate girls. During her voyage, she meets Matei, another victim, a bright young man that does his best to encourage her to stay positive. In the meantime, the police find an Asian Jane Doe killed and thrown in a back yard. Besides, more victims appear during the investigations; Chef Inspector Sheehan and his team relentlessly chase Shadow, a mysterious villain that seems to be involved in every murder.

My favorite thing about this book was the educational side. The author presents various tactics used by the trafficking industry to lure girls, boys, women, and men. The victims are not necessarily poor or uneducated; sometimes, the promise of a better life looks like an acceptable solution for any desperate person. The author did a great job with the foreward that presented the modern slavery and people trafficking industry; that created an excellent set-up for the novel.

I also loved the writing style and the banter between colleagues that managed to insert humor despite the serious theme. The characters are well developed, and the reader gets just enough information about the possible suspects. I felt like I was part of the investigation team, and I appreciated that I could formulate my own theories about the obscure Shadow. If the reader gets confused by too many characters, the provided list of the names is handy.

The Trafficking Murders by Brian O'Hare deserves a full rating of four out of four stars. There is nothing I disliked about this book, and I enjoyed it immensely. I recommend the novel to any thrillers, crime mystery, or police investigation enthusiasts. I would also advise teen parents to read it to find more about the methods used by the traffickers. The book serves as a cautionary tale, so young people should not avoid it. However, a delicate audience should be aware there are sensitive topics like sexual abuse or violence; however, the acts are not explicit.

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The Trafficking Murders
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shravsi · Post by **shravsi** » 17 Jan 2021, 05:48

I am glad there is humor in such a serious themed book. I too hope this book serves as a cautionary tale. Nice review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 17 Jan 2021, 06:04

This seems like a great thriller with a well-constructed story that shows the criminal tactics used in human trafficking. Thank you for your great review!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 17 Jan 2021, 07:11

shravsi wrote: ↑17 Jan 2021, 05:48 I am glad there is humor in such a serious themed book. I too hope this book serves as a cautionary tale. Nice review.

I am glad you feel the same way! Thank you for your feedback and for stopping by!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 17 Jan 2021, 07:12

NetMassimo wrote: ↑17 Jan 2021, 06:04 This seems like a great thriller with a well-constructed story that shows the criminal tactics used in human trafficking. Thank you for your great review!

Indeed, it is! Thank you for your visit!

Goodness C N · Post by **Goodness C N** » 17 Jan 2021, 08:07

I wonder how the Inspector will tackle the serial killer that'd be encounter. Great review you've got here.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 17 Jan 2021, 09:03

I'm glad the author is bringing attention to this horrible crime. I hope teenagers and their parents read it to educate themselves about it, so they can avoid becoming victims. Thanks for a great review!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 17 Jan 2021, 09:29

Godspraise Precious wrote: ↑17 Jan 2021, 08:07 I wonder how the Inspector will tackle the serial killer that'd be encounter. Great review you've got here.

Thank you for your comment! I an curious to read your feedback, if you have the chance to read the book.

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 17 Jan 2021, 09:31

Prisallen wrote: ↑17 Jan 2021, 09:03 I'm glad the author is bringing attention to this horrible crime. I hope teenagers and their parents read it to educate themselves about it, so they can avoid becoming victims. Thanks for a great review!

It is very necessary, indeed! Thank you so much for your comment!

Ayindelaw · Post by **Ayindelaw** » 17 Jan 2021, 10:13

Wow! This is an expertly written review, Raluca. A book with real utility. Surely worth recommending

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 17 Jan 2021, 11:28

Ayindelaw wrote: ↑17 Jan 2021, 10:13 Wow! This is an expertly written review, Raluca. A book with real utility. Surely worth recommending

Thank you very much for your kind comment. I appreciate it!

Justine Ocsebio · Post by **Justine Ocsebio** » 18 Jan 2021, 01:39

A thriller novel that features human trafficking as its theme. With well-developed characters, this sounds like a great read.

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 18 Jan 2021, 03:20

lavenderbooks20 wrote: ↑18 Jan 2021, 01:39 A thriller novel that features human trafficking as its theme. With well-developed characters, this sounds like a great read.

Thank you for your comment, and I hope you'll get the chance to read it!

18 Jan 2021, 04:17

I like that the book not only shines a spotlight on human trafficking but it also empowers the reader by sharing tricks and strategies used to lure victims. How unfortunate that human trafficking is so rife! I enjoyed reading your review Raluca!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 18 Jan 2021, 04:25

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑18 Jan 2021, 04:17 I like that the book not only shines a spotlight on human trafficking but it also empowers the reader by sharing tricks and strategies used to lure victims. How unfortunate that human trafficking is so rife! I enjoyed reading your review Raluca!

Spreading the information about their tricks is something we should all do. Thank you for stopping by!