Welcome to Litsy!

Māori detective Hana Westerman is sent a mysterious video that leads her to head up the investigation of two murders that quickly multiply. It‘s hard to stop a killer when he has centuries-old retribution as his goal.
Full of Māori history and culture, I highly recommend the audiobook so you can hear how the names and words are pronounced.

I really enjoyed this thriller set in New Zealand and deep within the Māori culture, traditions, and particularly the history that comes from centuries of racism following the British colonizers theft of their native land and sacred spaces. The audio was fantastic and added to the suspense. I‘ll admit to driving white knuckled thru some tense scenes!

Another new-to-me author. This mystery takes place in New Zealand and has a strong focus on Māori culture and identity. The audiobook is great and has two narrators. This is book one and I‘m not sure if this will be a continuing series, but the next one comes out in May.

#ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024

I liked this one. Fast paced, interesting plot.

Taking a wee rest from my other book (proper books are a struggle with the new varifocals 🤓) and really enjoying this one. Could be a movie, very exciting 😀

Michael Te Arawa Bennett has given us a mystery that is full of details about the spiritual power and the historical tragedies that characterize Māori life. Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman, who caries the shame of a rookie involvement in the suppression of her people, is chasing a Māori killer who seeks justice for a historical wrong. Hana, and the author ask, “On which side lies evil?”
Beautifully written. I hope we see a series!

“His hands move quickly as he polishes the sheet of silver plated copper to a perfect mirror finish.”

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Māori detective Hana finds a body posed in an intriguing way, kicking off a murder investigation. But when someone else turns up dead, it seems to be connected, possibly the work of a serial. This book explodes off the page, no mere police procedural murder mystery, but an exploration of colonialism and the deep pain and anger remaining in the Māori people. I thought this own voices book was fantastic.

Excellent crime fiction set in Auckland, NZ, the author examines the injustice of colonisation and the long-term effects on future generations of the Maori people. An impressive protagonist, a villain with a cause who you can sympathise with, a family story and a tensely plotted story made it all such a compelling read that I finished it in less than a day. #bibliophile#litsylove#alwaysreading#crimefiction#newzealand

I have read Bennett's books before and they were a lot better than this one. It was slow and just didn't keep my attention. At least I can mark it off and move on to another book, that will be hopefully better.

Netgalley ARC Published on January 10, 2023

Next book. It will be #3 in #JoyousJanauryReadathon. Netgalley ARC I am behind on. Surprise, Surprise!😂

Clever, innovative crime writing from a New Zealand author. Better the Blood not only presents a compelling narrative about crime in the present, but also explores the far reach of sticky tentacles of New Zealand's colonial legacy. Bennett leans heavily on historical moments to influence the plot of this novel, which strengthens the commentary offered by this narrative on the complex nature of a modern colonial nation.

Book Review!

I loved this book!

I loved the characters and the storyline in this book.

This is a great crime novel but also a novel about colonisation impacts on the Maori people.

This book hooked me in just with the blurb...and it more than lived up to my expectations.

This is a book you don't want to miss!