Bloodlines, by Jan Burke, A-minus. Borrowed from the National Library Service for the Blind.This is my first Irene Kelly mystery, and I understand it to be pretty late in the series. But, knowing nothing about the series, it could stand alone pretty well. The book is in three parts. The first part occurs in the 1930’s. Con O’Connor, who is eight years old, sells papers on the corner. He meets his favorite reporter, Jack Corrigan, and Corrigan becomes his mentor. Eight-year-old Con sees some possible jury tampering going on, and tells Corrigan who covers it as a reporter. But Mitch goes free and carries a grudge against Con and many others as well. The big event of Con’s early life was that, in his teens, his sister, Maureen, went missing. Five years later she was found murdered in a grave with two other missing girls from that same period of time. Then, in 1958, Jack Corrigan, attending the birthday party of his god-daughter, Katie, is kidnapped, beaten and left to die. Con, now an adult reporter, finds him and brings him back. Jack claims that he saw a car buried, but he doesn’t remember where and no one can find such a car. That same night, Katie, her husband, and his parents all disappear and are never seen again. But Katie’s baby is not with them. He seems to have been kidnapped from his crib at home and his nurse was murdered. The second part begins in 1978. Jack Corrigan is dead now and Con, a famous reporter himself, grieves for him. Irene Kelly comes on board as a new reporter. Initially Con is contemptuous of her, but eventually takes her under his wing, just as Jack had done for him, and teaches her to be a crack reporter. Irene through investigative journalism, finds out what happened to Katie, her husband, and his parents. But the kidnapped baby is not found. The third part begins and ends in about 1998. By now, Con also is dead. Irene is a crack reporter and is training two young reporters. She is married to Frank, a police officer. Con’s son turns over his papers and journals to Irene, and as she goes through them, she begins to piece together all the things Mitch may be responsible for in the last 50 years. This book is actioned packed, particularly the last part. Burke is a very good writer, very good on police procedures. I will certainly seek out the rest of this series.
Bloodlines starts off with an interesting enough premise--hardbitten reporters investigating murder, kidnapping and a crime boss and everyone has something to hide. However, the narative jumped around too much. It starts off in 1958, with flashbacks all over the place. Irene Kelly, despite having her name on the cover doesn't appear until page 149 when the story skips ahead to 1978 and then makes another jump to 2000 when all the loose ends are neatly tied up.This is the first Jan Burke book I've read so I'm not familiar with her style or the Irene Kelly series. It was kind of weird reading an "Irene Kelly Novel" when she's not even mentioned for the first third of the book. I kept wondering when she'd be introduced. I guess I'm old fashioned. Or maybe it's from being a writer who feels bound to follow the rules regarding Point Of View. Most of us like to have just one point of view so as not to confuse the reader. I'd have preferred the story told through the eyes of just one character instead of three or four.Still, it kept my interest and that's a plus.
What do You think about Bloodlines (2006)?
Finally a book that was good!!This is one of the better Jan Burke novels that I have read. The story is interesting it's set in 1958, 1978 and 2000. Two couples go missing one night after they went out on their yacht. The older couple's bodies are found but their son and daughter in law disappear. On that same night their baby is kidnapped from their home and his nanny killed. Irene Kelly is a new reporter in 1978 and learns about the case from her mentor who was invovled in it in 1958. I couldn't put it down at some parts!
—Meagan
Bloodlines is so far top five in my list of favorite suspense novels. I practically never read a book twice but I know I will this one again for sure!Just as good as Bones, Angels and Demons, or better. Burke builds the plot and doesn't give anything away. The characters are so well developed that you identify each one of them and understand their background, their personalities, reasoning and even their feelings.Overall the book had great moments of bewilderment and sentiment. I grew very fond of the friendship between the two male characters Jack Corrigan and Conn O'Connor. The character building was precise and did not have to be elaborate, but it was enough to make them human, evil, lovable and imperfect.The story line is simple yet enthralling as it flashes to the past and reverts to the present developing and revealing the facts. It is intriguing, nerve racking and still offers a good amount of unsuspected laughs. I loved the characters and although the book is long, I still felt it could have continued a few more chapters to wrap the outcome of the inspiring and charming "Conn" character. One thing I was not completely satisfied with was the last chapter of the book and the appearance of the heroine Irene Kelly. It seems that her character is developed much faster than the rest. She is also not only smart and perceptive, but she seems extremely astute, sometimes too much. Also, I feel the ordeal between Irene and Mitch could have been abbreviated. It seemed almost whimsical when compared to the rest of the story, but overall Bloodlines is a fantastic read.
—Monica Ricardez
I have read everyone's ideas here and the general feeling that this book is great. However, I cannot get into it.The timelines are confusing. The characters are sterotyped. the writing is just darn corny at times. However, I will have another attempt. I am afraid since this review I have been hooked on the "Nordic" writers. I have read all of Johan Theorin, Asa Larrson and Henning Mankell. I am at present reading Silence of the Grave. orry but I am hooked, addicted or whatever, but I am enjoying it.
—Helen
