The third volume of the Lewis trilogy switches focus onto a period of Fin's life heretofore skipped over, his later years at high school/college. A huge cast of new characters suddenly appears fully formed, of whom no mention had been made in the first two books. Considering that one, Whistler, is supposed to be a dear friend who previously saved his life, it is odd that he wasn't even mentioned before. I had the impression from the first two books that Fin's only real friend growing up had been Artair, deceased husband of former girlfriend Marsaili.

Not only that, but it now transpires that, while estranged from Marsaili at college through his own behaviour, Fin became heavily involved with a group of people who formed a Celtic music group, which at the beginning included Whistler. He spent a lot of time acting as a roadie for them, and was attracted to lead-singer Mairead, eventually having a fling with her. One of the band members went missing while flying a light aircraft, something which drives the main plot of the novel. I found it incredible that none of these characters had even been name-checked in the first two books. His involvement in trying to solve a cold case causes Marsaili to find him distant and non-involved despite their having resumed a physical relationship.

Other things I found unsatisfactory with the story was the resolution of a plotline that stemmed from the ending of book 2. I won't say more, to avoid spoilers, but the fate of a particular character was unnecessary and almost farcical, given that this fate would have been far more likely to befall one of the new characters given that person's past involvement with a drug-running family. And the solution to the loose end of the hit-and-run driver who killed the son from Fin's marriage to Mona is tacked on in a hasty epilogue. As I found this the least enjoyable of the trilogy, I can only rate it at 2 stars, since it would be unfair to award the same rating as book 2 which I think was better. ( )

Brilliant character driven murder mystery, atmospheric clever descriptive intelligent a real page turner riveting from first to last page, with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
As with the other two books in this series, there are numerous engaging flashbacks of our heroes early years on the island.

Why are there only three books in this excellent series. ( )

Awful. Badly written with a very weak story. Pish is the best word to describe it. Real car crash after the other books in the trilogy. ( )

Disappointed with both Books 2 and 3 after a promising start with Book 1. Far too much of the book (and Book 2) spent in reminiscing of teenage years with the sudden appearance of a new character, Whistler in Book 3. Despite Whistler being such a close friend of Fin in his teenage years he didn't rate a mention in Book 2 ?? And enough of randy teenage memories too !! Surely Fin's 15 years as a policeman could've provided more interesting back stories ?? ( )

Outstanding final book in the trilogy.
The wraps ups number of loose ends, the story is fantastic, and the quality of the writing is so much better than most books.
I will have to try one of the authors other series. ( )