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Book Recommendations
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The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan
The book’s front cover reads, “No one is innocent in this story.” While not exactly true, the protagonist and main characters were not likable. Hanna, the protagonist, is a determined, intelligent young woman with a narrow focus. Fortunately, she matures throughout the story, but I still found her selfish. Her antics cause problems for others.
I listened to the audiobook, and several times considered stopping the narrative and returning the book. Generally, I prefer books with relatable protagonists with an emotional connection. However, I continued with the story and found my perseverance rewarded.
The novel was short on legal terminology, for which I was grateful. In fact, the reader does not enter a courtroom until near the conclusion. Although I did not like Hanna, her character arc was original and refreshing. The author avoided the generic pitfalls of a young woman discovering a place in the world.
McTiernan delivered an original story with twists and turns like an amusement park rollercoaster. The best twist came in the final chapter. From the beginning chapters, I would have classified this book as a legal thriller with no originality. Thank you, McTiernan, for proving me wrong. Highly recommend.