Book Review: The Book of Killowen

Title: The Book of Killowen

Author: Erin Hart

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 354

The Book of Killowen is the fourth in Erin Hart's absorbing mystery series, following pathologist Nora Gavin and archaeologist Cormac Maguire as they unravel the threads of Ireland's ancient past in modern-day crime. The new book begins with the thuggish discovery of a ninth-century bog body jammed into the trunk of a car with the corpse of a minor TV celebrity. Hart's narration is an invitation into a world where history and mystery meet, creating a riveting tale that one cannot help but dive into headfirst.

Summary

The plot follows Nora and Cormac as they trace the connection between the ancient bog body and the contemporary murder of Benedict Kavanagh. Their work unravels not just the mystery of Kavanagh's death but also deals with aspects of fame, identity, and time. While Hart has constructed a really intriguing premise, to some readers the repetitious use of bog bodies connected with modern murders can tend to become a bit too predictable. Nevertheless, mixing past and present remains a real series draw.

Especially between the protagonists, character dynamics are an essential feature, while in this volume, secondary character development is a bit poor. Mainly, the investigation is conducted by Stella Cusack, whose character could have been developed to more detailed; therefore, readers feel a shortage of substance with regard to the supporting cast.

Analysis

Writing Style

Erin Hart's writing is accessible and engaging; the visual has made The Book of Killowen a quick read. The prose flows well, building the sense of urgency in the investigation and bringing into view the Irish landscape with all the historical significance attached. The pace is rapid; the reader is kept enthralled at times, as many will find the book hard to put down. Hart's ability to integrate historical elements with modern mysteries remains one of her strong points.

Character Development

One of Hart's strengths has been her character development, especially of secondary figures. Earlier books, such as the first two in the series, Haunted Ground and Lake of Sorrows, gave excellent arcs to supporting characters that enhanced the story even further. In The Book of Killowen, though, while Nora and Cormac remain well-developed, Stella Cusack does feel less fleshed out. Although she is central to the investigation, her character is not as richly and complexly drawn as in the previous novels, which detracts from the overall impact of the story for some readers. This may be because the supporting cast around her is denied a greater share of attention.

Structure of the Plot

The storyline of The Book of Killowen is interesting and well-connected, having different secrets and subplots that finally lead to satisfactory conclusions. Hart smoothly introduces various threads into the plot, keeping readers interested, though a few feel predictable. The solution to the different mysteries does help round out a sense of completeness to it all. Along the way, there are places where the readers will wish for a more defined ending to some of the arcs, but the evidence to do that is left to them to interpret should they so choose.

Themes and Messages

Some of the major themes explored in the novel are the interaction between past and present, the results of fame, and identity issues. Hart resolves the themes through the story with considerable ease, thus making one reflect on how history impacts people's contemporary lives. The bog bodies being related to modern murders are metaphors for how the past influences the present—a theme which will run deep in the series.

Critique

While strong as a mystery in its own right, there are weaknesses in The Book of Killowen that are not seen quite so much in Hart's other works. Readers who have been reading through the series might get a little frustrated with the bog body motif being predictable. A lack of character development in supporting roles, specifically with Stella Cusack, may make the read feel shallow at times.

Despite these critiques, the book is an enjoyable read and lives up to the high standards of storytelling and atmospheric detail Hart has established. The resolution of the mysteries is satisfying, even when some elements feel un- or under-resolved.

Conclusion

The Book of Killowen is a good entry in Erin Hart's series, offering up a typically sound mystery with engaging aspects of historical intrigue. While this does not rise to the level of some of her prior novels, it does provide enough suspense and depth to be worth the interest of readers. Series readers will enjoy the follow-through of the Nora and Cormac saga, but perhaps it's time for something new or a bog body break to renew the series.

Overall, I recommend The Book of Killowen to readers who enjoy mysteries with a mix of past and present and also to those readers who enjoy character-driven stories with great settings. It is an engrossing read, one that will leave the reader anxious to see what Hart writes in the future.