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outsmartyourshelf's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Two sisters: Erin, the older sister who struggles to take care of their mother when she develops cancer, & has felt overshadowed by her younger sister for most of her life - always prettier, more successful, & more valued by her parents, whilst Erin is mired in resentment. Adele, younger sister who has always felt judged by her older sibling, longs to be able to reach out & tell her that things aren't as great as they seem, but it never seems the right time. Adele is a struggling influencer/vlogger but when she posts a crowdfunding video online to help finance a move to Chateau Bellay in France, she is shocked when a mysterious benefactor reaches out & offers to buy it & let Adele & boyfriend, Jack, move in. They just have to agree to a few stipulations.
Erin is furious that Adele up & left to France, leaving her to deal with their mother's illness, but when she takes a turn for the worst, Erin sets out to find Adele & bring her home. When she reaches Chateau Bellay, however, no=one is home. Breaking a window to get in, Erin finds that none of Adele or Jack's things are inside & the chateau itself feels strangely unwelcoming. Neither Adele or Jack have been seen since New Year's Eve, & the people in the local village seem reluctant to talk to Erin about them both. What happened to her sister?
The narrative was split into two: Erin for the present, & Adele for the recent past. The first half of the book was very good, with Adele soon finding out that life at the Chateau is not all she dreamed it would be, as the cracks in her relationship with Jack are magnified. The uneasy atmosphere & tension are ramped up with the reader anxious to find out what is going on. The second half became a little over the top in places & Erin turned into that most annoying of female character tropes where they go off to confront a suspect without telling anyone where they are going, & promptly get into trouble. Overall though it was a good read even if very dark in content.
My thanks to NetGalley & publisher, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Erin is furious that Adele up & left to France, leaving her to deal with their mother's illness, but when she takes a turn for the worst, Erin sets out to find Adele & bring her home. When she reaches Chateau Bellay, however, no=one is home. Breaking a window to get in, Erin finds that none of Adele or Jack's things are inside & the chateau itself feels strangely unwelcoming. Neither Adele or Jack have been seen since New Year's Eve, & the people in the local village seem reluctant to talk to Erin about them both. What happened to her sister?
The narrative was split into two: Erin for the present, & Adele for the recent past. The first half of the book was very good, with Adele soon finding out that life at the Chateau is not all she dreamed it would be, as the cracks in her relationship with Jack are magnified. The uneasy atmosphere & tension are ramped up with the reader anxious to find out what is going on. The second half became a little over the top in places & Erin turned into that most annoying of female character tropes where they go off to confront a suspect without telling anyone where they are going, & promptly get into trouble. Overall though it was a good read even if very dark in content.
My thanks to NetGalley & publisher, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Blood, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Torture, and Stalking
alisonannk's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Pedophilia, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Classism, Death, Infidelity, Trafficking, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Torture, Sexism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Drug use, and Misogyny
Moderate: Body shaming, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Confinement, Vomit, Excrement, and Suicidal thoughts
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