Resolution by Denise Mina

Resolution is the final book in Denise Mina’s Garnethill trilogy, two of which received Notable Books of the Year awards from New York Times Book Review. Featured protagonist, Maureen O’Donnell is forced to deal with more than her share of misery.  Abused by her father and raised by her alcoholic mother, Maureen has become an alcoholic herself and sells contraband cigarettes to get by.  She had spent some time in therapy and her psychologist, Angus Ferrell had helped her until it was discovered he had raped several patients and murdered Maureen’s boyfriend.  Maureen is to be the star witness at Ferrell’s trial but Ferrell is threatening to kill her and her loved ones if she testifies against him.

Meanwhile, Maureen befriends an elderly woman, Ella McGee at the flea market where she works.  Maureen helps Ella file a complaint against her son over unpaid wages.  Ella ends up in the hospital severely beaten and unexpectedly dies.  Suspicious of Ella’s son, Maureen learns the son’s place of business is a brothel, staffed with Polish sex slaves.  With the police unwilling to investigate, she covertly devises a dangerous plot against the son to vindicate Ella’s death.

Maureen feels her world closing in around her.  Threats from Ferrell, contempt from Ella’s son, hatred of her own father, and fear of repercussions from some of her own illegal activity, Maureen’s only escape is through a bottle.  Can she survive this hopeless abyss?

Resolution is my first Denise Mina novel and probably my last.  I had great expectations for Mina’s work since I heard she is one of C.J. Box’s favorites.  But this particular book just didn’t do it for me.  First, I couldn’t relate to the characters and therefore did not find them likable.  They seemed to dwell on a problem but not take any action… just fret about it… seemingly endlessly.  Second, I thought Mina tried to tackle too many social issues without any resolution (ironically the title of the book.)  Sexual slavery, child abuse, alcoholism, multiple murders, doctor abuse of patients, and relationships in dysfunctional families seems a bit much to cover in a single novel.  Finally, the Scottish slang appropriately used in the Glasgow, lower middle class setting, was lost on me.  Many times I just didn’t get the meaning.  So, thanks to C.J. Box for the tip and attempting to broaden my scope of fiction writers but the experience for me was only a reminder of how narrow my tastes have become.