Broken Silence by Danielle Ramsay

This month's book was one set locally. Whitley Bay to be precise complete with a front cover featuring a cafe I recognised (which quite excited me weirdly).

When I say local I mean very local, almost a tick box exercise of every pub, tourist spot and police station in the area. I quite liked it, name checking places I had been to, however some found it off putting 'we get you know the area, don't keep trying to prove it to us'

If I describe the book to you, you will probably appreciate the group's biggest criticism: 'Down and out cop, whose marriage has fallen apart, drinks too much, is hated by his superiors and still festers over his last case that went badly wrong has to restle with his demons to crack a brutal murder.' Pretty cliche ridden, huh?

It was such a shame as we all found the book very readable. The actual detective story was interesting, the killer wasn't identified until very nearly the end and we all finished the book which for us is unusual.

I did stop at one point to check I wasn't reading book number 2 or 3 of the series as it did at times feel like I had joined the party half way through. I wasn't the only one who felt this and whilst it does give an automatic book number 2 it was at times disorientating.

The book's main character Brady, other than being very cliched was also a bit of a let down. Some points about him were very laboured - his leg, we got that he had been shot. But why if he was from a rough part of town did he recognise expensive art when he saw it and had tickets to a musical event at the Sage (another local name check). It seemed incongruous with his 'don't give a shit attitude'. 

Brady's attitude was all encompassing, he was negative about Whitley Bay, Byker, lower classes, middle classes, just about everyone and everything. Whilst I did get Ramsay's point that Brady was cynical of society it just felt like it was needless bashing at times and I started to get a little defensive.

In its defence, I did find the description of Whitley Bay to be slightly dated. A lot of investment has gone on recently and whilst it does have its rough parts (where doesn't) signs of regeneration are now evident and the portrayal felt quite unjust. A member of the group who works with the police also noted the portrayal of the police force seemed a bit dated making us question when the book was actually first written. 

Other than Brady, I couldn't get away with Connor Brady's side kick. He was just too wishy washy, too nice 'yes you can smoke in my gleaming new car I don't mind' We did comment it was unusual for Connor not to be a woman, or at least for there not to be a more substantial female role. The psychiatrist seemed to have potential but ended up superfluous to the investigation and the introduction of Brady's ex wife seemed to be more for the set up of the next book rather than for the benefit of this one.

Did anyone else get annoyed by the woman Brady had an affair with being constantly referred to as 'D.C. Simone Jenkins'? (I'm sorry I can't remember if that is her exact name, my point being it was always her full title and name). Brady would never have referred to her by her full name yet Ramsay did numerous times. I get this was so the audience could keep track of who was who but for me it jarred.

I haven't mentioned about the victim and what a horrible life she lead, Brady's best friend, the local mafia (obviously another story there) or his complicated personal life including the seemingly authorising of a hitman for his father? (What a can of worms that is). The book certainly has plenty of talking points but during our meeting they mostly got lost in the cliche/Whitley Bay bashing criticisms. 

The group as a whole did say they would read another in the series which is unusual for the 6.5 score it achieved. Strangely readable for all its flaws. 

Next book is the brilliantly titled Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

PS Broken Silence is going to be a #passItOn book. Where will it be left? Who will find it? Let us know if it is you @crambookclub