Who Would Like This Book:
If you love gritty crime fiction with complex characters and a strong sense of place, Exile is for you. Denise Mina masterfully paints the bleak realities of Glasgow and London, with Maureen O'Donnell standing out as a fiercely flawed but relatable heroine. The writing sparkles with dark humor and vivid descriptions, and fans of psychological depth, damaged leads, and social realism will find a lot to dig into here. Perfect for those who want their mysteries to tackle tough topics with compassion and wit.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This book isn't for the faint of heart - its unflinching look at trauma, addiction, and poverty can get very bleak, and some readers found it overwhelmingly dark. The plot can be convoluted at times and, if you haven't read Garnethill first, you might feel lost with the backstory and character motivations. The large cast of minor characters may also be hard to keep track of, and Maureen’s sometimes reckless decisions frustrated a few people.
About:
Exile, the second book in Denise Mina's Garnethill trilogy, follows protagonist Maureen O'Donnell as she investigates a murder mystery spanning from Glasgow to London. The plot delves into themes of addiction, abuse, and the dark underworld of crime, all set against the backdrop of Glasgow's economically troubled streets and London's dangerous neighborhoods. Mina's writing style effectively captures the gritty atmosphere of the cities, while her characters, especially the flawed yet courageous Maureen, drive the story forward with their compelling arcs.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of domestic abuse, substance abuse, mental illness, and violence.
From The Publisher:
A BODY IS FOUND ON THE BANKS OF THE THAMES.
MAUREEN O'DONNELL NOW HAS TWELVE HOURS TO CATCH A KILLER...
The last time Maureen O'Donnell saw Ann Harris, she was staying in the Glasgow Women's Shelter, drunk and with two broken ribs. A month later, Ann's mutilated body is washed up on the banks of the Thames.
No one seems to care what happened to her, and Maureen is the only person who thinks Ann's husband is innocent. With her personal life in turmoil, she runs away to London and starts to piece together Ann's final days. But time is not on her side. Maureen needs twelve hours to put things right, and she doesn't care what it costs...
'Confirms Mina's place in the premier division...Atmospheric [and] intense' Guardian
*Don't miss Denise Mina's most recent thriller, the Costa 2020 shortlisted, THE LESS DEAD*
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What can you read after
Exile?
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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