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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
A bit of a waste of my time. I found the story to be far-fetched and reaching to be believable. I will try one more Gudenkauf before giving up on this author.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Eh
This is by far my least favorite HG (I’ve read all her books). It is sharp departure from her previous books which tend to be emotionally charged. This is more of a crime thriller with a investigative reporter as the detective. I didn’t like any of the characters and found myself disconnected and annoyed by the MC, which didn’t help. It was fine, I suppose. The murderer wasn’t believable and became cartoonish. In loath suddenly maniacal characters who make long winded confessions. I grabbed it for around $3 during an audible sale so I suppose I can’t complain too much!
SUMMARY: Sarah has been married to Jack for 20 years. She’s finally going to his hometown because his aunt (who raised him 15-18) has fallen and is in critical condition. Once there, sarah finds out Jack has told her many many lies over the years. For example, he said his parents died in a car crash when his mother was brutally murdered and his father was believed to be the culprit (he fled town). Jack also never mentioned his real name to her (he claims he did) or that his cousins wife was his longtime serious high school squeeze (he said he’d never had a relationship before), among other lies.
Conveniently, Sarah is also a former investigative journalist so she begins to dig into the story to try to find out what happened to jacks mother and to aunt Julia, whose accident is looking less like an accident. She finds out things she doesn’t want to but does uncover the truth.
This is by far my least favorite HG (I’ve read all her books). It is sharp departure from her previous books which tend to be emotionally charged. This is more of a crime thriller with a investigative reporter as the detective. I didn’t like any of the characters and found myself disconnected and annoyed by the MC, which didn’t help. It was fine, I suppose. The murderer wasn’t believable and became cartoonish. In loath suddenly maniacal characters who make long winded confessions. I grabbed it for around $3 during an audible sale so I suppose I can’t complain too much!
SUMMARY: Sarah has been married to Jack for 20 years. She’s finally going to his hometown because his aunt (who raised him 15-18) has fallen and is in critical condition. Once there, sarah finds out Jack has told her many many lies over the years. For example, he said his parents died in a car crash when his mother was brutally murdered and his father was believed to be the culprit (he fled town). Jack also never mentioned his real name to her (he claims he did) or that his cousins wife was his longtime serious high school squeeze (he said he’d never had a relationship before), among other lies.
Conveniently, Sarah is also a former investigative journalist so she begins to dig into the story to try to find out what happened to jacks mother and to aunt Julia, whose accident is looking less like an accident. She finds out things she doesn’t want to but does uncover the truth.
Once I picked this book up I did not put it down until it was finished in the wee hours of the morning. A mystery with so many plot turns and twists it will leave you turning pages as quickly as possible. Sarah and Jack return to his hometown after Jack's aunt Julia falls down the stairs. It becomes clear to Sarah that she knows very little of her husbands past. As Sarah tries to solve an old murder, every character becomes a suspect. A fast paced and well thought out mystery that will keep you engaged.
At it's heart this book begs the question "can you really trust the people closest to you"?
For me this book had promise, but I just couldn't connect with the characters. I had figured out who the true villain was well before the climax, although there was a solid red herring in there too.
For me this book had promise, but I just couldn't connect with the characters. I had figured out who the true villain was well before the climax, although there was a solid red herring in there too.
This was an easy enjoyable mystery that reveals just enough to keep you guessing until the end. The characters are likable and the story is well written. I would recommend this one for anyone who loves a good "who-dunnit". Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to review an advance copy.