Customer Reviews
INTENSE, ATYPICAL, REAL-TIME THRILLER - By: 100wordreviewer, 01 Dec 2008 
"Blood Memory" is unusual. The action takes placein the deepest south continuously over a period of several days as severely-damaged heroine "Cat" Ferry's investigation of a series of murders leads her to re-examine the story of her own life & family,in turn resolving the murders. It's intense stuff, revolving around child abuse, & the plotting is idiosyncratic - lots of improbable developments, chases & coincidences, numerous deaths, & a host of characters emerging throughout the narrative - my favourite is Big Leon on p.492 - to fulfil a niche role. There are few "aha" moments, & many of the characters are stereotypical. Despite all this, the plot moves forward at a good rate, & the rich mix of mysteries, & Cat's own struggle to overcome her well-drawn demons, are enough to maintain the tension & keep us reading.
Pro: unusual narrative style, readable. Con: daftin places.
Bad memory - By: Claire Giffen, 11 Sep 2008 
I have just struggled to finish this book, & can truly say that I wish I had never started it. I was originally intrigued by the idea of a male author writing as a womanin the first person. However, Cat Ferry behaves far too much like a man, & it didn't work for me. The book felt like a man's cliched idea of how a woman with a troubled past might behave.
Given that this was supposed to be a thriller, the suspense didn't work for me either. There were far too many implausible moments throughout the book designed to build suspense, but many of them were just plain silly - the river escape episode stands outin particular. The constant to-ing & fro-ing from one storyline to another was irritating, & I found it broke rather than added to the suspense. Also, it doesn't take much to work out the ending right from the start (don't read the acknowledgements at the beginning of the book until you've finished it).
I found the characters very cliched: the strong Southern grandfather, Sean (the cheating cop), Pearlie (the 'house' slave), nice Michael, kind Dr Hannah & so on. Whilst Iles has a very active imagination with the implausible plotting, he seemed to struggle with the characterisations.
The book was far too long & incredibly repetitivein places. I lost count of the times I had to go through Cat's dream of the ride over the hill with her grandfather - I found this part particularly irritating as it was clear (to the reader at least) what was going to happen when she did go over the top. It also needed some serious editing - p334 is only half a page, but Iles manages to use 'smile' four times, & 'okay', 'wise' & 'strong(er)' three times each.
I had the feeling throughout that Iles was writing this with one eye on the potential mini series/Hollywood film rights - I could almost picture the actors (Jodie Fosterin particular) he hadin mind, & could hear the possible soundtrack to go with it (lots of dramatic drumming & violins).
Unfortunately, this book will stayin my mind as a bad memory, & I certainly won't be holding my breath (as Cat so often does) when it hits the screen.
A great thriller - By: R. Gilmartin, 29 Aug 2008 
I am a big fan of crime thrillers & this book definately hits the mark! I picked this book up on holidayin Portugal & the splendid writing kept me transfixed & out of bed until it was finished. It is how you might imagine a very old money familyin America might well behave....power, secrets & lies, I was completely engrossed how the story was to unfold... for all you fellow thiller readers this book one for the list
Back on target - By: Michael Watson, 16 Jun 2008 After Dead Sleep, I didn't think I would be enjoying this book. But, this isin a different league.
A complex tale of latent child abuse brings together a series of murders, each embeddedin a family history most would want undisturbed. That this unfolding of the pain locked inside the children leads to why seemingly disconnected deaths occurred is a tribute to the author's ability to keep you turning the page.
If you like the atmosphere of New Orleans (well, the surrounding districts), a good investigation via another feisty but troubled civilian, murder, violence & coursing through it all, a grown-up child's love for her dead father, this book will hit the spot. The author is back on my 'read list'!
Slightly flawed, but still impressive - By: johnverp, 14 Sep 2007 
A seriously troubled forensics expert tries to deal with demons from her past while at the same time being involvedin a serial murder case which appears to have some linkage to her personal history.
As usual, the book is superbly written, for the most part, & has Iles' usual great insights. He has clearly done his research again & deals with the issues of repressed memories & sexual abusein a fascinating way. He thus delivers quite an intriguing plot even if one of the endings seems to come out of nowhere.
Interestingly, reviews on the US site are more critical than those here & I do agree with two of the negative observations made. Firstly, the book is far too long - I read the annoying 500 page small-print version, but I understand the standard paperback was over 700 pages. Secondly, there are quite a few implausible elements, but these do not "shipwreck" what is otherwise a very good story. But really, for instance, having the time & ability to listen to 4 detailed voice-mail messages while struggling to survivein a torrential storm on a log being swept away on a river, while wounded & trying to escape a killer...???
Overall, despite the book being slightly flawed, Iles has used a topical theme to deliver a well-written & well-constructed story. 9/10
