Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Friday 6 December 2013

Book Beginnings (14) The Blood Whisperer by Zoe Sharp


Gilion at Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays - The idea is 'to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.' Hash tag #BookBeginnings for twitter and a master linky list on the host's blog.


My book beginning 

The Blood Whisperer by Zoe Sharp




Prologue

She wakes to the smell of blood.

It saturates the air to lie metallic across her tongue - so fresh-spilt it has not had time to spoil.
She knows the scent well enough to be calm and yet also terrified. It is not that she is squeamish but the implications are clear to her.



Thoughts



I'm currently reading this one and it's really getting going, a dark and pacy story! I think this opening is really hard-hitting, and makes the reader very curious indeed to read on and know more about the situation - what re the implications that are mentioned? Whose blood is it? 



Synopsis 



The uncanny abilities of London crime-scene specialist Kelly Jacks to coax evidence from the most unpromising of crime scenes once earned her the nickname of The Blood Whisperer. Then six years ago all that changed. Kelly woke next to the butchered body of a man, the knife in her hands and no memory of what happened. She trusted the evidence would prove her innocent. It didn't. Now released after serving her sentence for involuntary manslaughter, Kelly must try to piece her life back together. Shunned by former colleagues and friends, the only work she can get is for the crime-scene cleaning firm run by her former mentor. But old habits die hard. And when her instincts tell her things are not as they appear at the scene of a routine suicide, she can't help but ask questions that somebody does not want answered. Plunged into the nightmare of being branded a killer once again, Kelly is soon fleeing from the police, Russian thugs and a local gangster. Betrayed at every turn, she is fast running out of options. But Kelly acquired a whole new set of skills on the inside. Now street-smart and wary, can she use everything she's learned to evade capture and stay alive long enough to clear her name? 





13 comments:

  1. Sounds like an exciting story and I agree that the opening is very compelling - happy reading !

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  2. The blood whisperer? It sounds like a bloody mystery story. I'm glad you've shared your insights of this story. It gives us overview of the story.

    Cheers,
    Study and Write

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  3. At the very least the book has a great title!

    I assume that the mystery of the murder that the protagonist was accused of will either be solved along the way, or if not, in a sequel.

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    1. It is a great title isn't it Brian! Thanks for commenting. I am enjoying this book.

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  4. Wonderful prologue. I can taste a metallic taste in my mouth as I read it.

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    1. It's so vivid isn't it! Thanks for commenting Tracy.

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  5. Ooh, this one sounds so good! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  6. Interesting opening, it definitely sets the tone of the novel!

    Thanks for dropping by my blog, happy reading :)

    - Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.net

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    1. Thanks for visiting Lianne. Glad you like this opening too.

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  7. Hi Linsday. I'm delighted you enjoyed the opening to The Blood Whisperer. When I wrote the first draft it didn't have this prologue and when I came to doing revisions I realised it needed something to connect the past to the present, so this was the result. It reconnects to a later chapter in the story and, I think, gives it more resonance. Thank you again for making TBW the subject of your blog!

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    1. Thanks very much for commenting Zoe. I am really enjoying your book! I do like this prologue, great opening.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. It's great reading your comments and I really appreciate them :)