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The Dead Hour: A Novel by Denise Mina
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The Dead Hour: A Novel (original 2006; edition 2006)

by Denise Mina

Series: Paddy Meehan (2)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
6822633,462 (3.76)37
The domestic dispute in a wealthy suburb seems like nothing unusual. The elegant blonde bleeding in the shadows doesn't want help; and the well-dressed, ingratiating man at the front door tells investigative journalist Paddy Meehan everything's fine. Then he asks her to make sure nothing appears in the paper, slipping cash into her hand. The next morning Paddy sees on TV: the blond woman had been tortured, beaten, and left to die. The untraceable man was neither her boyfriend nor her husband. Soon Paddy begins to make connections, and after a suicide is pulled from the river, she finds links between the two deaths. It's the story she's dreamed of, but she'll lose all credibility if word gets out about the bribe, and her boss at the newspaper is impatient with her hunches. Only Paddy cares enough to pursue a brutal truth that could make her career--or kill her.--From publisher description.… (more)
Member:Jennifera66
Title:The Dead Hour: A Novel
Authors:Denise Mina
Info:Little, Brown and Company (2006), Hardcover, 352 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:*****
Tags:mystery, foreign author, policy mystery

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The Dead Hour by Denise Mina (2006)

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» See also 37 mentions

English (21)  Spanish (2)  German (1)  Swedish (1)  Norwegian (1)  All languages (26)
Showing 1-5 of 21 (next | show all)
I think I must have read this a long time ago - before I joined LibraryThing - because I remember the haunting and graphic description of Kate's physical deterioration. I have mixed feelings about this book: I thought the writing was excellent, but it was also very dark, and in the end it all amounted to not very much. Kate, about whom the whole plot turned, seemed such an unworthy character to have inspired the sacrifices others made for her. The characterization of Paddy was good; she is fully-rounded and I thought her relationship with her mother was particularly well done. I have the next in the series, but I think I'll read something more cheerful first. ( )
  pgchuis | Aug 21, 2023 |
I grabbed this because I had really enjoyed Denise Mina's book CONVICTION that I read last year. I saw this had a journalist as the lead and I was all in. The rating is exactly as Goodreads describes it, 3 stars for "Liked It." What I liked: loved the complexities of Paddy Meehan as our lead character, she felt real in all the messiness that real life is; I truly felt like I was in Scotland, again with all the complexities and messiness that implies; and overall I enjoyed following the mystery through. What brought my overall rating down: okay, I have a REAL dislike (actually may be hatred) of entitled young people acting reckless and insulting anyone as boring who actually behaves responsibly. And look, I know this a fiction and the character is created for purposes of the story but...I really hated one of the other main characters and so I found myself rooting against her. I also think the book is just a little long, it meanders some and tries to do too much overall. But in the end I liked it. I may go back to more in this series if I'm looking for a mystery with a good lead protagonist but for now I have too many other books to read! ( )
  MarkMad | Jul 14, 2021 |
Terrific Tartan noir with young Paddy Meehan getting in over her head again. Great on the sexual politics of a provincial newsroom in the 1980s with a few too many scenes following the physical breakdown of a coke-head on the run. Satisfying enough to hunt down the third in the series. ( )
  asxz | Mar 13, 2019 |
This continues the story of Paddy Meehan, now a journalist at the Glasgow Daily News after having been promoted from the ranks of the copyboys (or in her case, copygirl). There is upheaval at the paper, both technological and personal, and Paddy is trying to make her mark with a story. She finds a domestic dispute in which the man bribes her to stop her printing anything about it, and in which the woman winds up dead after being beaten and tortured. This becomes connected with other incidents, as well as with the police's strange reluctance to pursue the investigation along the expected avenues. Paddy is on her own if she wants to solve this case.

I really enjoyed both books in this series. I read primarily for the setting and the time period: Glasgow is once again evoked excellently in these pages. This book was also good for showcasing the relationship between Paddy and her mother, Trisha, and their differing perspectives on life. Trisha reminded me of all the relatives I know of only as "Aunties", my grandmother's aunts from Scotland who would have been contemporaries of Trisha, and so for that reason I was a bit wobbly reading the scene where Paddy and Trisha attend the schmaltzy concert, and the scene where Trisha brings Paddy provisions for an extended stay in a hotel during the latter stages of the investigation. And the ending prompted me to request the third book immediately. I have to know what happens next! ( )
  rabbitprincess | Jun 8, 2017 |
Paddy Meehan, a spirited night-shift journalist, is trying desperately to take home regular pay cheques to her Mum while establishing her career. She follows police calls to try to get a story that will give her a boost at the newspaper, a newspaper ruthlessly cutting back and paring costs. What a great character: smart, quick on the uptake, yet considerate of anyone in need, she has enough street smarts to spot fib or felon. This was a page-turner and kept my attention throughout, especially closing in on the exciting finish. Mina has created a feisty, strong female protagonist who has normal insecurities normal of a teenager carrying the responsibility of being the only wage-earner at home. Although the series is a mere three volumes. I hope someday Paddy makes a comeback. The atmosphere is truly Glaswegian. A cliffhanger at the end means I'll be starting the next in the series as soon as possible! ( )
1 vote VivienneR | Sep 12, 2016 |
Showing 1-5 of 21 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (2 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Denise Minaprimary authorall editionscalculated
Ahokas, JuhaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bonis, OristelleTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Risvik, KariTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Risvik, KjellTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
SĖwierkocki, MaciejTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Unnerstad, BoelTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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To Owen,
who knows how to make an entrance
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Paddy Meehan was comfortable in the back of the car.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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The domestic dispute in a wealthy suburb seems like nothing unusual. The elegant blonde bleeding in the shadows doesn't want help; and the well-dressed, ingratiating man at the front door tells investigative journalist Paddy Meehan everything's fine. Then he asks her to make sure nothing appears in the paper, slipping cash into her hand. The next morning Paddy sees on TV: the blond woman had been tortured, beaten, and left to die. The untraceable man was neither her boyfriend nor her husband. Soon Paddy begins to make connections, and after a suicide is pulled from the river, she finds links between the two deaths. It's the story she's dreamed of, but she'll lose all credibility if word gets out about the bribe, and her boss at the newspaper is impatient with her hunches. Only Paddy cares enough to pursue a brutal truth that could make her career--or kill her.--From publisher description.

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