The menacing atmosphere of Nikki and Susan’s gritty Glasgow—a side of the city previously unknown to Margo—effectively supports the novel’s themes of reconciliation, class divides, and violence against women. Mina is a master of the genre, with wide appeal, especially for those who appreciate character-driven stories with literary weight, like those of Tana French, Karin Slaughter, and Laura Lippman.
... a personal crisis that explodes into a compelling thriller ... Mina’s novel stands out in a genre that commodifies the dead bodies of women. Her characters are nuanced, complicated and never stereotypes, and her portrayal of the world of sex work isn’t lurid or voyeuristic. Furthermore, Margot is not the middle-class savior some would mistakenly believe that these women need. And although Margot’s mother was a victim of a violent crime, Mina juxtaposes her murder with the stalking of Margot’s best friend, Lilah, showing that women are the subjected to violence by the men in their life at every socioeconomic level ... at once a gripping thriller and an examination, and vindication, of a group of women who are often faceless, unsympathetic victims.
Mina’s concern with the effects of class on individual lives is evident, as Margo learns about sex workers, coming to admire Susan as she ferrets out the reason for her death. As the plot gains speed to a startling and abrupt end, readers will be left agasp and wanting more.
Just as Margo tries the reader’s patience through her lack of street smarts, so her birth family fails to live up to her conventional expectations. But as “The Less Dead” progresses, Margo learns things she never expected, about the persistence of family traits and her own capacity for heroism.
Mina has written both compelling series and well-constructed stand-alone mysteries. The Less Dead is a terrific example of the latter. Although some readers may come away surprised by its lack of tidy conclusions and resolutions, the ambiguity --- as well as the complexity of the characters and the setting --- results in a novel that feels more authentic as a result.
... riveting ... Mina is matchless at building suspicion and creeping dread. Susan might have been a victim, but the novel is filled with strong, resourceful women who won’t let her life and death render her 'less' ... A bold and bracing twist on the fallen-woman-as-victim story.
... disappointing ... Mina skips most of the everyday details of Margo’s career, using her identity as a doctor only as a vague plot device, and leans too heavily into the sordid details of life on the streets. A new violent death trails away without ongoing impact. This garish story offers shock without substance under the thinnest guise of compassion.
