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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Really great writing, captivating premise, unexpected twists. Loved it!!
Characters: Enjoyed the cast of characters, even the "unlikeable" ones. I'll remember them.
Plot: I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief and enjoy the plot as if it all could really happen, and I had to do quite a bit of that with this book. Personally, I don't mind that.
Writing: Engaging, clear, well-structured. It's so hard to do, and I think this author does it well.
The one thing I found problematic and a bit uncomfortable is the villain. When the villain was revealed, (though I thought it was well-written) my heart sank a little bit.
Overall, I will read more books by this author!
Characters: Enjoyed the cast of characters, even the "unlikeable" ones. I'll remember them.
Plot: I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief and enjoy the plot as if it all could really happen, and I had to do quite a bit of that with this book. Personally, I don't mind that.
Writing: Engaging, clear, well-structured. It's so hard to do, and I think this author does it well.
The one thing I found problematic and a bit uncomfortable is the villain. When the villain was revealed, (though I thought it was well-written) my heart sank a little bit.
Overall, I will read more books by this author!
Twisty and a bit out there, but it kept me turning pages quickly!
I felt this was the weakest of any of her novels that I have read, and I’ve read most of them.
I struggled to care about any of the characters and didn’t enjoy the paranormal aspects of it. But what I hated most of all was the odd unsatisfying ending!
I’m still a big fan of her works, but this is one I won’t read again.
I struggled to care about any of the characters and didn’t enjoy the paranormal aspects of it. But what I hated most of all was the odd unsatisfying ending!
I’m still a big fan of her works, but this is one I won’t read again.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When 4-year old Daniel Buck goes missing, his mother is frantic. As the weeks slowly slip by with no word on her missing son, Anna becomes paranoid with the last remembrance she has of him - five small footprints in the concrete outside. Every day she takes care to carefully polish and preserve them, while her husband and his boss look on.
Then Anna reads an ad for a psychic and decides to pay him a visit at a local church. When the psychic doesn't offer any help, Anna feels dejected - until she begins to have visions herself. Visions she cannot explain but she knows she must act on them. Everyone around her thinks she is slowly going mad, including her husband and the police - but is she?
Then Anna reads an ad for a psychic and decides to pay him a visit at a local church. When the psychic doesn't offer any help, Anna feels dejected - until she begins to have visions herself. Visions she cannot explain but she knows she must act on them. Everyone around her thinks she is slowly going mad, including her husband and the police - but is she?
Don't start this one late in the day. Feeling rather tired today after staying up way too late because I just had to finish this. What a unique book! This was my first book by Belinda Bauer, and immediately after finishing it, I downloaded one of her other ones, Blacklands.
The first chapter was an immensely clever way to start off this really intriguing journey. I have to admit I was worried initially whether this was going to stray off too far into supernatural territory for me because of the inclusion of a psychic and unexplained visions, but it never did.
The Shut Eye is the story of two children, 12-year-old Edie and 4-year-old Daniel, who have disappeared, their grieving, desperate parents and the DCI who failed to find Edie and has been haunted by this case ever since.
Taking into account this very somber setting, I was amazed by the amount of humor spread throughout the story. There were some really hilarious moments and some finely honed observations on our society. Very skilled writing and so ingeniously plotted, you have to pay attention to the little details. I am really impressed by Belinda Bauer's imagination and creativity.
I absolutely adored the cranky, cynical character of DCI John Marvel and would love to see more of him. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven mysteries sprinkled with some dark humor.
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you Grove Atlantic and Belinda Bauer.
The first chapter was an immensely clever way to start off this really intriguing journey. I have to admit I was worried initially whether this was going to stray off too far into supernatural territory for me because of the inclusion of a psychic and unexplained visions, but it never did.
The Shut Eye is the story of two children, 12-year-old Edie and 4-year-old Daniel, who have disappeared, their grieving, desperate parents and the DCI who failed to find Edie and has been haunted by this case ever since.
Taking into account this very somber setting, I was amazed by the amount of humor spread throughout the story. There were some really hilarious moments and some finely honed observations on our society. Very skilled writing and so ingeniously plotted, you have to pay attention to the little details. I am really impressed by Belinda Bauer's imagination and creativity.
I absolutely adored the cranky, cynical character of DCI John Marvel and would love to see more of him. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven mysteries sprinkled with some dark humor.
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you Grove Atlantic and Belinda Bauer.
Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhh
This is one of the most frustrating novels I have ever read. I seem to alternate with Belinda Bauer's novels - her first one was a complete delight but since then I've had very mixed feelings.
For this one the story telling is excellent, the characters beautifully drawn and there are odd pieces where a sentence really hits the spot. The plot is perfectly formed and complex - but - well, to explain would be far too much of a spoiler.
Apart from what to me is a near-fatal flaw though, this would have deserved five stars.
Perhaps that's a fault in the reader, not the novel.
This is one of the most frustrating novels I have ever read. I seem to alternate with Belinda Bauer's novels - her first one was a complete delight but since then I've had very mixed feelings.
For this one the story telling is excellent, the characters beautifully drawn and there are odd pieces where a sentence really hits the spot. The plot is perfectly formed and complex - but - well, to explain would be far too much of a spoiler.
Apart from what to me is a near-fatal flaw though, this would have deserved five stars.
Perhaps that's a fault in the reader, not the novel.