Totally loved the third in the trilogy of these books. So funny in places and just entirely entertaining. . This book brings the stories to a conclusion - for now anyway. I’m sure there are other adventures and mishaps awaiting the staff of the Stranger Times. I would like to see the DI lose the eye on a stalk, so he can move on and live happily ever after with Hannah!
These three books are so entertaining. I’d recommend anyone that needs a humour injection into their lives, rush out and buy them.

I started Love Will Tear Us Apart with some trepidation, remembering my reservations about the second in the series, which I reviewed at the start of 22. I need not have worried. C K McConnell swiftly sweeps us into the weird world of The Stranger Times. But with a jolt, as the reliable Hannah has disappeared off to pastures new. Indeed, as we find Hannah contemplating the oddities about her divorce proceedings, it seems she has a role to play still, thank goodness.

And thus the story unfolds. This is a well-crafted tale. There are parts for all our favourite characters, and new ones, both good and weird. The strange fare that is the meat of the Stranger Times newspaper is given full rein. We experience Loon Day for added entertainment. I was pleased to pick out the ‘correct’ fictional conspiracy theory, which sub-plot was excellently put together. There were shades of Stepford Wives, the Prisoner, and Harry Potter thrown in, (but JKR threw so much in, it’s hard to avoid her). The best thing is that there are no real twists: nothing comes out of left field. It’s all waiting for you, well-disguised and beyond belief.

It’s a thoroughly enjoyable mystery, and I’m looking forward to the next one. I hope this series will keep rolling off the presses as long as the newspaper!

Love Will Tear Us Apart is the third instalment of the Stranger Times series, about a Manchester-based newspaper whose staff investigate supernatural events and other oddities. While each is a complete story, you do need to read these in order, as there is little recap, much referencing of previous events and arcs that started in the previous books continue to be developed. I’ve read all three within three weeks, and think I would’ve struggled to recall who everyone was if they were much further apart. These are fun satirical urban fantasy novels that don’t take themselves too seriously and offer a refreshing take on the genre.

A few months after the events of This Charming Man, the staff are reeling from the sudden departure of amiable Assistant Editor Hannah - who has apparently decided to forgive her cheating husband, and unconvinced by her replacement, bossy Jelly Baby-proffering jolly-hockeysticks Betty. Meanwhile Vincent is behaving oddly - even for him, as his obsession with finding his deceased wife consumes him, and Stella just wants to get on with the job - which means tackling her first Loon Day!

It’s actually quite hard to explain what these books about without spoilers, as there’s a lot going on and the world McDonnell has created is being slowly revealed one layer at a time. Nothing is as it seems and we’re never quite sure who to trust - previously likeable characters are behaving suspiciously, and some who disgusted us at first are becoming strangely sympathetic. There are lots of zingy insults and snort-worthy oneliners. There’s clearly a lot more to come for our intrepid team, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Love Will Tear Us Apart is published on February 9th 2023.

I should've known by the fact that I hadn't enjoyed the first book, and the second was only marginally better, that this one also wouldn't have been for me. It's absolutely a personal thing - the humour falls very flat for me every time, I don't enjoy the characters (and always assume I'll warm to them eventually), and while the story itself was interesting, it wasn't quite enough to redeem this book for me.

Welcome to the third installment of The Stranger Times: Love Will Tear Us Apart. Very, very loosely based on A Picture of Dorian Gray (…did I say loosely?)

Read All About It… Read All About It… Dragon found to be living under Manchester (allegedly).

The team is back, and this time all hell has broken loose. The assistant editor, upped and left with no real explanation of why, or where she was going. The editor himself, is even more unhinged than normal, and has also disappeared location unknown.

Reg, and Ox in the search of the proverbial white elephant of Ox’s alter ego’s column of fantasy, and conspiracy. Which, Ox thought he had made all of it up, for a second wage from the paper.

Needless to say that the founders have their grubby immortal(ish) paws all over the sorry affair. Just where they sit with regards to humanity is still open for debate.

This carries on from the last installment.

It is excellently written and as ever the cast are strong and still developing into even more rounded (if you can call the corners they paint themselves into rounded). It flows with the Irish brogue, and is a pleasure to read.

McDonnell, has in my humble opinion, once again pulled a blue whale out of his top hat (if he as one that is…).

Do you need to read the previous installments, honest answer is no. My actual answer would be if you haven’t read them, go out and find them, you really have missed out on not only background, but a whole bellyfull of laughs and the tears that go with doing that much it hurts.

Status: Completed
Rating: 4.9/5.0

I discover CK McDonnell earlier this year, taken in by The Smiths reference but stuck around for the sci-fi-esque tale of a gang of _slightly strange_ individuals in Manchester so I was super pleased to be accepted for this next instalment! And I was not disappointed, we learn more about the characters and why they are the way they are! really enjoyed, wholeheartedly recommend!

Although I enjoyed this book, I missed the banter between Hannah and Banecroft. His irrationality regarding his wife's supposed death made him a far more sympathetic character, and I think we needed more of his douche-waffle ness to offset that.
Hannah's character managed to toe the line between wet-blanket and gumption-go-getter just enough to make her believable and I really enjoyed seeing her in another setting.
But as always it was the one-liners, the insults and the insane actions that kept me coming back. I love the authors sense of humour and the witty play on words.
As this was the first I've read before it comes out I miss the little articles which haven't been added yet. but the titles of them are enough to make me smile.
Love this series and cant wait to see what comes next.

I read this in ebook format via NetGalley. As a fan of the previous Stranger Times books I was very keen to read this next instalment and it did not disappoint.
The staff of the Stranger Times get caught up in more high jinx that are the result of the continuing story.
While this is a third instalment, I would say that a new comer to the series would be able to read this and be able to go back to the other books to pick up the story line quite easily.

The development of Bancroft’s storyline is very touching and sweet without being saccharine or overplayed.
Certainly recommend this book and series as a fun and lighthearted reading that keeps you smiling.

I really enjoyed this instalment. Mysterious goings on that I wasn't expecting, the characters had me hooked. A brilliant read although some grim moments, but they just added to the plot.

I hereby request, nope, beg the publisher to give me direct access to the ARC of the fourth book when and if they become available. Seriously, I wasn't even aware of this series until an ominous email from netgalley informed me that the entire available series was up for request. Acting on a hunch, I requested them all and now I want more.

Ramble done, I read them back to back and let me tell you, these are some well written stuff. We learn more about the characters who are now firmly established after their whirlwind introduction in book one. The tone is darker here as things turn sinister but oh wow do I want more.

love will tear us apart

Third in the ‘The Stranger Times’ series this is another great mash-up of crime and fantasy, with a lot of added humour. In this instalment Hannah, who was divorcing her serial cheating husband, suddenly gets back with him and leaves her job and the staff at the Stranger Times with no notice.

There is more about hack Stanley, and junior reporter Stella also features, but the real star is Banecroft, the Editor, who is even more strange than usual. Banecroft still believes his wife has not died and may even be right. Or not.

I particularly enjoyed Hannah’s story in this book. She has really developed as a character and is showing her bravery. As usual, well written and fast paced and just enough humour.

I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher but my views are my own.

I liked all the interesting characters and dynamics, but thought it was a bit long winded (although can see that this is just the authors style). I haven't read the previous books in the series, which I would recommend. I would buy the previous books and would return to this book then.

It’s been a while since I read the first Stranger Times novel so I struggled to remember half the crazy characters who people the pages of Love Will Tear Us Apart, C.K McDonnell’s third book. For this reason I feel it definitely doesn’t work as a standalone title. Some parts of the story are genuinely laugh out loud funny, others feel rather contrived. I’m sure this title will please the many Stranger Times’ fans but unfortunately I struggled with it. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC.

Love will tear us apart by C. K. McDonnell

Thank you Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld publishers for the e-book arc for an unbiased review.

I'm a huge fan of CK McDonnell (also writing under Caimh McDonnell).

Love will tear us apart us the 3rd installment of The Stranger Times series, and by far this has been my favourite.
Caimh has the type of humour that, for example if you're a Terry Pratchett or Jodie Taylor (author not .... yeah if you Google you'll understand the caveat) fan, these books are an absolute must in my opinion.

Once again we are treated to the utterly bizarre and wonderful world of The Stranger Times. We have turmoil, with Hannah leaving as editor. The audit has Grace up to her neck in it. Banecroft is being absolutely more batshit than usual, and Stella is struggling. The Founders looking to get at them - and lastly Betty as new assistant editor is just .... strange. She is a new addition and her appearance doesn't miss a beat. In fact I loved her as it all went on.

If you're a fan of the series already, then this is a must have.
Of you've not read the series already, then please start at the beginning, because it truly is a marvellous addition to any who enjoy Urban fantasy humour with a twist.

Easily 5/5 stars 🌟

It took me longer to get into this one as some of the usual cast are in different locations, so it needed to gain momentum. That said, there is plenty to be going at and it is full of the humour expected of this series. The gang are joined by a couple of new editions (Zeke 🥰) to keep things fresh and as always, great to hear so many places I know in Manchester referenced. I hope there's going to be another because I'm so invested in these characters now.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review

I had "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on my Kindle for a long time before I started reading it. I loved the first two books in the series so much that I wanted this one to last (and, yes, there was a worry that this may be the end). This is by far the best balanced of the three books. There's some real gut-wrenching moments among the humour that threw me. I love the writing, the humour, the characters, and the story. If you haven't read any "Stranger Times" books yet, you're missing out.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

A strange story, both engaging and witty. However, there were many references to the previous two books and I felt I'd have enjoyed this one more if I'd read the first two. Still a good read though.

This is a hidden gem of a series and one which needs more publicity!! It’s quirky, fun and fast paced. The characters are relatable and the humour is perfect. Definitely a winner so far for me

Third novel in the series. A little quirky, but I did enjoy it. Thank you for letting me read it. I think this was my favourite in the series.

The third in this very entertaining series, read them in order though.
Here we have the team at The Stranger Times in a bigger mess than usual. Editor Banecroft is acting odder than usual and Assistant Editor Hannah has quit and seems to be back with her rather unpleasant husband. And, for a paper that just deals with weird stuff, things seem weirder than ever.
The Stranger Times is almost the border between the world of normality and those from a darker side who want to control the world. Can a bunch of inept “reporters” hold back a tide of evil when even the biscuits have run out?
Once again this is clever and witty writing, underpinned by some great characters and brilliant dialogue.