Order, order!
A brutal murder has been committed and Robert Macrae is guilty… or is he? Well, yes. There’s not actually much doubt about that. But that is not the heinous crime we are here to discuss. No, ladies and gentlemen, the book recounting this murder hereby stands accused of being a cracking good read.
*Murmurs in the gallery*
Let’s call the prosecution to the stand, shall we…
Thank you your honour. What I personally found so compelling about His Bloody Project was how it was reminiscent of so many other great Scottish works. It was in the vein of Confessions of a Justified Sinner– atmospheric and layered. It held references to other works, most notably Ossian, famous for being a hoax, which not only dated the story, but also created a reminder not to trust the source material.
The opening frame really helped to set the scene and present this long-standing literary tradition. I particularly liked how it went on to present the tale through multiple lenses. All the different voices muddled together and created a compelling account. It was great to feel like I was piecing together all the clues as the details built up.
One of the most significant pieces of evidence was the parent’s story. The mother’s reputation allowed for uncanny elements to arise and gave the story an air of the gothic. The father, a never-had-it-so-good kind of man, was rough round the edges and reminded me of the patriarch in House with a Green Shutters. Notably, both men refused their sons an education and, more significantly, came to represent the hopelessness of being trodden underfoot by authority. His presence in the story added further to the haunting tones, particularly in the mirroring with his children, as doubling is always a popular technique in gothic literature.
However, the greatest point of interest was the protagonist and confirmed murderer. I observed a peculiarity in his nature- wavering between seeming incredibly guilty and remarkably innocent. His actions in his childhood denoted some savagery… but also a desire to protect and save. There were hints throughout of odd dealings- but nothing concrete. Indeed, it is a strange account, overladen with inconsistencies.
Very good, very good. Now, in the interest of fairness, let’s call the defence to the stand (which oddly enough is going to discuss the book’s flaws):
That said, by the end of the book, the only mystery remains was whether the crime was sexually motivated or revenge driven. Other than wondering who the primary victim was, there was little left upto the imagination. It was a pity in my view- it could have done with a tad more intrigue and questions left unanswered.
All in all, I find the defendant: guilty as charged. *Murmurs in the docks*. I hereby hand down the sentence of:
4/5 bananas
Okay- so I hope you enjoyed my silliness! And have you been accosted by this book? What evidence can you bring to the table? Report to me in the comments!
Fun and lovely review matey! Arrr!
x The Captain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!! Xx
LikeLike
Fun review! I loved this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Glad you did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the non-normal book reviews that people do. I try but unless I’m really feeling it and hopped up on caffeine, I simply don’t have enough creativity.
I bet a line of coke would do it!
Man, if only I’d been older in the 80’s when everyone thought coke was good for you 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
hehe I definitely came up with this when I was topped up on caffeine 😉 hahaha those were the days 😉 brain damage without the forewarning 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this review 😊 Shame that the ending of the book didn’t quite win you over but it sounds great nonetheless 😊💚💛💙💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!! 😊 Yeah it was!! 😊❤💜💛💚💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Creative and fun! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!
LikeLike
This is a fantastic review. Despite the ending it sounds good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! It was!
LikeLike
This sounds great! I’m off to look into this now. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant!! X
LikeLike
Love this review! I’ve had this book on my shelf for a couple of years – sounds like I should pick it up soon! Particularly excited that it is reminiscent of Confessions of a Justified Sinner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!! Great!! Yeah I really liked that about it (and psyched that you’re familiar with it!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome! ❤ Your reviews are always so creative! 🙂 And yesss, I read it at uni and found it really interesting (and creepy).
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah that’s awesome!! So did I!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome review. Lol. Loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this creative review!!! Give me more LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!! I’m really glad you liked it!!
LikeLike
Oh, this review is so much fun! I loved it! I am pretty sure this book is waiting on my Kindle…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you think so! Brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved how you approached this review, it’s always fun to read a review that is written in a slightly different form.
I haven’t read the book yet (guilty Your Honour 😉) but am intrigued now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! Really appreciate that! haha!! I’m glad 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe! totally love the silliness! 😁 There can never be enough of it in my humble mind, your honour. 😉💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh I’m so glad you thought so!! 😁 hehehe!! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of this book before. I love the silly post about it, though! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!
LikeLike
Waaahhhh time-out! This is insanely creative! I love how you write!!! 😮 Naaah, but for real…. When can I get my hands on one of your books??? I think I’d drool with love for anything you’d come up with. 😮
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thank you so much!! I’m so glad you liked this- that’s such a sweet thing to say!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person