'Garnethill' by Denise Mina follows the protagonist Maureen O'Donnell, a survivor of sexual abuse and a psychiatric patient, as she navigates through a murder mystery involving her lover's death. Maureen finds herself in danger as she uncovers shocking truths about her past and those close to her, all set against the gritty backdrop of Glasgow. The writing style is described as tense, disturbing, and very noir, delving deep into themes of mental illness, poverty, and domestic abuse while painting a vivid picture of the bleak Glasgow setting.

Characters:

Characters are richly drawn, with Maureen serving as a relatable protagonist who faces significant struggles, complemented by a cast that highlights themes of support and dysfunction.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines dark humor with an honest portrayal of deep, social issues, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a personal level.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a woman named Maureen who wakes up to find her lover murdered and must clear her name, all while navigating the complexities of her troubled past and family dynamics.

Setting:

The setting in Glasgow is vividly portrayed, contributing to the overall tone of the novel and enhancing the reader's immersion in the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is well-structured, allowing for gradual buildup and engagement, resulting in a captivating reading experience.

Maureen dried her eyes impatiently, lit a cigarette, walked over to the bedroom window, and threw open the heavy red curtains. Her flat was at the top of Garnethill, the highest hill in Glasgow, and t...

Notes:

The story centers around Maureen O'Donnell, who discovers her lover's mutilated body in her flat after a night of heavy drinking.

Maureen is a survivor of incest and has spent time in a psychiatric hospital, which affects how others perceive her during the investigation.

The police and many characters suspect Maureen of murder due to her troubled past and the circumstances surrounding her boyfriend's death.

Maureen decides to investigate the murder herself, believing that others might not seek the real killer, especially considering her history of abuse.

Denise Mina's writing style combines humor with dark themes, tackling serious issues like domestic violence and abuse realistically.

The setting of the novel is Glasgow, but some readers felt it lacked vibrancy and character representation.

The book balances serious subject matter with dry, sarcastic humor, making it accessible and relatable.

Despite being categorized as a mystery, the resolution of the murder feels secondary to the character development and social themes explored throughout the story.

Maureen is portrayed as a practical, independent woman with a complex relationship with her dysfunctional family, including an alcoholic mother and a drug dealer brother.

Garnethill is the first in a trilogy featuring Maureen O'Donnell, with many readers expressing a desire to explore subsequent books in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains content warnings for themes of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and mental illness.

From The Publisher:

'The most exciting crime writer to have emerged in Britain for years' Ian Rankin

GIRLFRIEND. WITNESS. MURDERER?

When psychiatric patient Maureen O'Donnell finds her boyfriend dead in her living room, she is thrown into a difficult situation. Glasgow police view her as both a suspect and an unstable witness - and even her mother is convinced of her involvement.

Feeling betrayed by friends and family, Maureen begins to doubt her own version of events. Panic-stricken, she sets out in pursuit of the truth and soon picks up a horrifying trail of deception and suppressed scandal. Then a second body is discovered. Maureen realises that unless she gets to the killer first, her life is in danger...

'One of the most original voices in crime fiction' Daily Mail

With an introduction by VAL McDERMID

*Don't miss Denise Mina's most recent thriller, the Costa 2020 shortlisted, THE LESS DEAD*

Ratings (3)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (3)

What can you read after
Garnethill?

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About the Author:

Denise Mina is the author of the Garnethill trilogy, the Paddy Meehan series and the Alex Morrow series. She has won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award twice and was inducted into the Crime Writers' Association Hall of Fame in 2014. The Long Drop won the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2017 as well as the Gordon Burn Prize and was named by The Times as one of the top ten crime novels of the decade. Conviction was the co-winner of the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019 and was selected for Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine Book Club. Denise has also written plays and graphic novels, and presented television and radio programmes. She lives and works in Glasgow.

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Garnethill

Denise Mina

Book 1 in the series:Garnethill