Those We Left Behind

At the finish of this story there are some notes by the author in which he attempts to explain difficulties he experienced in the initial writing of "Those we left behind" In particular the story was originally intended for DI Jack Lennon but after some soul searching and some rewriting the reader was introduced to DCI Serena Flanagan....and what a brilliant accomplishment that has proved to be.

You see, on the one level, we have a murder from some years ago and two disturbed brothers Thomas and Ciaran Devine. Ciaran has been incarcerated in a young offenders prison but did he actually commit the murder or is there a more sinister and evil side to Thomas? This story is actually secondary to the emotional and turbulent life of Serena show more Flanagan.

At the very beginning we learn that Flanagan has returned to duty after an operation; a lumpectomy. As the story proceeds the question posed is one of her capability against the background of the personal trauma just experienced. I, as a male reader, can only imagine the insecurities that must surely surround this relatively young and career driven police woman. At the bottom of this dilemma is the question that seems to haunt Serena....does my husband Alistair still want me and find my attractive?....."You know, you don't have to touch me there. I can keep my top on. You can......She watched as Alistair blinked, his mouth moving, seeking the words to reflect his heart. He sighed as his desire to tell her the truth was defeated by his quiet nature. In the end, he said, "I'm tired, love. Let's get some sleep." He rolled over his back to her, and pulled the duvet up to his chin. "It's just a bit of scarring", Flanagan said, "hardly anything at all." He stayed silent. "I'm not some disfigured monster, for Christ's sake."

Ciaran has now been released and once again DCI Flanagan, with the prompting of his probation officer, has become involved as fresh fears and evidence become apparent. Ciaran has never known or experienced in his short life any type of love or affection. He is now confronted with a sympathetic attractive policewoman facing her own emotional battle and sadness within the family unit. I could almost feel the agony that Stuart Neville, so expertly portrayed, as these two damaged individuals found comfort in the presence of each other.....where exactly was he going with this storyline?

This is a brilliant, emotional, character driven thriller of the highest order. I so much want Flanagan to be happy and yet her insecurities and problems are what make Those We Left Behind a thriller not to be missed. Highly Recommended! show less

I've enjoyed getting into Stuart Neville's work and the first of his Flanagan series is a pretty good addition. It's not perfect, though, with the problem being the 'star' player's behavior throughout.

The 2nd of a pair of young man who had murdered their foster-father (they were both found at the scene and questions remain about who did the actual killing) is released from juvenile prison with concerns all around about how he'll function in today's world. DCI Serena Flanagan, who was involved in the original investigation and had developed a bit of a rapport with the youngster, has returned to the force after breast cancer surgery and inserts herself into the young man's probation process. A sub-plot involves the murder-suicide of one show more of Flanagan's friends from the breast cancer support group she attends.

I have a couple problems with Flanagan's behavior throughout, but never having been in law enforcement I'm not sure how relevant my concerns are.... First, she had developed, and seems to continue, a creepy relationship with the young man, supposedly in an attempt to get him to 'fess up about the original crime (and subsequent others by he and his brother after they were reunited). The 2nd is her almost total disregard of authority. She disregards direct orders and otherwise does pretty much whatever she wants in her search for justice. Again, crime literature is chock full of police who go against the rules, but this seemed to be a stretch.

Things wrap up a little melodramatically at the end. I look forward to checking into the progress of the Flanagan character in subsequent additions to the series. show less

I've enjoyed getting into Stuart Neville's work and the first of his Flanagan series is a pretty good addition. It's not perfect, though, with the problem being the 'star' player's behavior throughout.

The 2nd of a pair of young man who had murdered their foster-father (they were both found at the scene and questions remain about who did the actual killing) is released from juvenile prison with concerns all around about how he'll function in today's world. DCI Serena Flanagan, who was involved in the original investigation and had developed a bit of a rapport with the youngster, has returned to the force after breast cancer surgery and inserts herself into the young man's probation process. A sub-plot involves the murder-suicide of one show more of Flanagan's friends from the breast cancer support group she attends.

I have a couple problems with Flanagan's behavior throughout, but never having been in law enforcement I'm not sure how relevant my concerns are.... First, she had developed, and seems to continue, a creepy relationship with the young man, supposedly in an attempt to get him to 'fess up about the original crime (and subsequent others by he and his brother after they were reunited). The 2nd is her almost total disrespect for authority. She disregards direct orders and otherwise does pretty much whatever she wants in her search for justice. Again, crime literature is chock full of police who go against the rules, but this seemed to be a stretch.

Things wrap up a little melodramatically at the end. I look forward to checking into the progress of the Flanagan character in subsequent additions to the series. show less

I received this from Edelweiss and Soho Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This was a strangely compelling book. More of a thriller and character study mash-up than a police procedural, Stuart Neville adeptly entwines two timelines and three main storylines, all tightly woven together with hidden agendas on the part of almost all of the characters introduced in this first book of a new series.

DCI Serena Flanagan was the lead investigator that drew a confession from then 12-year Ciaran Devine, who killed his foster care giver, and served a seven-year sentence in the juvenile system. His older brother, Thomas, served five years for his role in the murder. After their release, they find the world they knew is gone; it’s show more completely different than before, and they don’t respond to this change well. The son of the foster care giver also plays a huge role in this story, and the ties between these four main characters draw them inexorably towards the satisfying conclusion.

This is the first book I've read by Stuart Neville, but it definitely won't be the last! show less

W.O.W. and holy applesauce this was a great book and a great start to this series! The entire time I am reading it I am thinking "this would make a great BBC detective program". When I began the book, I thought it sounded a lot like [b:Humber Boy B|23332827|Humber Boy B|Ruth Dugdall|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427126403s/23332827.jpg|42885558], but was quickly dissuaded of that notion. This book takes off and does not stop until the very last sentence (which sets up the next book, hooray!). I will definitely add this author to my must read list. Highly recommend.

In Belfast, nineteen-year-old Ciaran Devine, who was convicted of the gruesome bludgeoning murder of his foster father some seven years earlier, is about to be released from the Young Offenders Centre. His older brother, Thomas, convicted as an accessory in the crime, has already been released.
DCI Serena Flanagan, had developed a rapport with Ciaran during the initial investigation of David Rolston’s murder. She believed, and is still convinced, that Thomas actually committed the murder and then persuaded his younger brother to confess.

Despite some apprehension and a media focus on the discharge, the decision has been made and Ciaran is to be freed --- and reunited with his brother. Thomas seems to have a dark and dangerous show more influence over him; Ciaran looks to him for approval and acceptance. But the yet-to-be-revealed darker side of their relationship is about to be exposed . . . and it spells danger for the son of the murdered man, the inspector, and the probation officer. For, despite what each of them believes to be the truth, none have yet to recognize the terror that is about to be unleased.

Crisp writing, well developed characters, and steadily-building suspense keep the pages turning in this fast-paced psychological thriller that leads to a climax readers won’t see coming until it’s upon them.

Recommended. show less

Those We Left Behind is my first Neville book, and I'll likely read more. I whipped though this book in a few hours, curious about the outcome. However, it had something that I really dislike in crime novels,and having it in the very first of a series (not sure if this is meant to be the first of a series, but I'm thinking it is) puts me off.

****Spoiler Alert***
When the main detective/character is put in danger by the perp, and/or, even worse, the detective's family, I get irate. Especially when that character is a woman. Go there in the first book of the series? Then what's left?