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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Big Secret was telegraphed fairly early in the book, and as far as actual mystery goes, it's rather tame. The life Anna had before, in Brooklyn, with a single mother and teetering on the edge of poverty, is so very different than what she has as a summer nanny in the Hamptons. Not only is she living in the lap of luxury, she's not drinking and partying - but then there are weird memories to contend with and her resemblance to the Town Mystery, the disappearance of Zoe. Interspersed with the story of that summer are podcast transcripts by a high school senior determined to figure out what happened to her friend and transcripts from Anna's confession to the police. This isn't the first time I've read something like this, and the resolution to the whodunnit isn't as satisfying because it feels like only by chance it's solved not something that we readers could suspect all along, if only we were paying attention.
eARC provided by publishers.
eARC provided by publishers.
This was a great YA mystery. It does almost make you want to put it down as it begins very slowly. Beware that the beginning is slow but it does pick up pace fairly quickly. It is difficult to relate to Anna, but it depends on the reader. She was fine with my reading, the voice was also great. Once you are able to get into the story a bit, it also might get better in that regard. Easily can be read in one sitting.
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice. Clear shades of [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386605169l/17899948._SX50_.jpg|46663], but far enough from du Maurier to keep things a mystery to the end. Things get a little convoluted in order to make everything fall into place, but at least that meant that—although I guessed at some things along the way—there was plenty more that I hadn't worked out before it came up. I ended up zooming right through this, and I'm looking forward to more from Frick.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The beginning was confusing. I didn’t understand what was happening and how things were even possible. The twists don’t even happen until the very end, like literal last page. I hated that. Everything came to light at the end, and then, not even everything. Ugh. I didn’t really see them coming and happening though so.. Decently good!
dark
mysterious
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:
No
actually really liked this. last chapter would have made more sense if it was more maliciously intended if that makes sense
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was on some best audiobooks of 2020 lists and I agree - this was an enjoyable listening experience. The podcast elements were well done, though I must say I'm growing weary of unreliable narrators, especially when it's never fully explained why Anna's memory is so shot. While this was never a book that captured my FULL attention - I never wanted to pick up the paper book to see how it ended, and instead read a variety of other paper books while I was listening to this - I was always eager to get back to my commute or cleaning to hear what was happening next. There were a lot of red herrings and gothic elements, ultimately building to several tragic reveals.
Will likely appeal to teens interested in the full glut of unreliable narrator teen mysteries in the vein of We Were Liars.
Will likely appeal to teens interested in the full glut of unreliable narrator teen mysteries in the vein of We Were Liars.