Broken Promise
By: Linwood Barclay
Rating: 3 of 5
I didn’t realize that “Broken Promise” was part of a series of books until I had started reading it. It refers to many things that have happened in previous books and ends with a cliff-hanger to be resolved in a future book. While I was able to read the book as a standalone novel, it felt as if I had stepped into the middle of a story and needed a little more background information to understand what was going on.
There is a basic story in this almost 500 page book with a mystery that I had solved in less than 100 pages (although not really the whodunnit which is part of the cliff-hanger.) As a mystery, it was a little lacking for me. I like to figure out the ending just ahead of or just behind the main sleuth in the story. In this case, it was pretty much evident what had happened almost as soon as the friction was introduced.
The writing style was good and I enjoyed a number of the characters. I must say that there are so many characters, I started getting confused. I’m not sure if that is because I had not read the previous books or because the author was putting so many characters and plot lines into this book. By halfway through, I really had to stop and think about who was who as I started each chapter (as each chapter switched to alternate plot lines.)
I still don’t get the title. I was unable to find a spoken promise that was broken but perhaps there is something a little deeper here that I missed.
In the end, it was an okay read. As I mentioned, I did enjoy the writing style. I wish the mystery had been tightened up a big (perhaps a few less clues?) Also, the book could have been the basis for two shorter books (300+ pages instead of 400+) so there was not so much going to and fro between characters. With a little more editing, I could really have enjoyed the book. As it was, it was okay. I think that if one likes this style, it would be of benefit to go back and read the prior books in the series so you have a better basis for understanding the town and the characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher.
I didn’t realize that “Broken Promise” was part of a series of books until I had started reading it. It refers to many things that have happened in previous books and ends with a cliff-hanger to be resolved in a future book. While I was able to read the book as a standalone novel, it felt as if I had stepped into the middle of a story and needed a little more background information to understand what was going on.