Garnethill by Denise Mina

Garnethill by Denise Mina
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 352

Publisher - Carroll & Graf

Source - Amazon (ebook)

Blurb from Goodreads

Maureen O'Donnell wakes up one morning to find her therapist boyfriend murdered in the middle of her living room and herself a prime suspect in a murder case. Determined to clear her name, Maureen undertakes her own investigation and learns of a similar murder at a local psychiatric hospital.

She soon uncovers a trail of deception and repressed scandal that could clear her name - or make her the next victim.



My Review

Poor Maureen, life isn't exactly a bed of roses, recovering from a breakdown, in a relationship with a married doctor and zero support from her mother. She has a wee job that keeps her right, a good pal and a not bad relationship with her brother, things could be better but they can always be worse. After a boozy blow out with her pal she awakes with a hangover to find her boyfriend brutally murdered in her house. With a background of mental health Maureen finds herself up against almost everyone. The police officer in charge has little respect or patience for anything Maureen has to say, her brother isn't best pleased with the attention, her mother and sister are downright shocking in their behaviours and Maureen decides if no one will listen she will take matters into her own hands!

So there is a fair bit of depth to this book, we have a murder committed in "an unhinged" females apartment or at least that is what some of the characters would lead you to believe. Maureen's mother is so manipulative, calculating, self centred, dangerous and lacking moral fibre it is shocking. As the story goes on we find out what triggered Maureen and just how despicable her families attitude is. It also highlights just how hard it is for someone, a female, to be taken seriously or respected when they have a history of mental health.

There are a few positive relationships in the book but very overshadowed by so much nasty, small minded, unprofessional and unfeeling characters. Maureen may be vulnerable but she has an edge and strength to her that we see as the story unfolds.

I also liked the location for this book, Glasgow, I always find when you read about somewhere you have been you can visualise a bit better. I also think if you have never visited the city, Mina does a great job of conjuring it up really well that by the end of the book you could well convince yourself you have been.

Yet another book that will infuriate the reader, in parts, just for the shoddy behaviour of almost all of the characters against Maureen. It throws a light on some important issues and just how undermined and silenced people can be when people don't see the person but only their backgrounds. This was my first dance with this author, it won't be my last, 4/5 for me this time!

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