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musubi_mumma's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
waffel07's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
xsquared's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cherrie_bluhd's review
3.0
A tight, quick read full of interesting twists, turns, and complications. And yet, I had a hard time caring about the characters or understanding what the book was asking me to engage with. Perhaps I was supposed to empathize with the temptation of money and murder, but I don't know if the pull of those things was convincing enough -- it felt almost like the reader was just to understand the appeal of money (and the willingness to do anything for it) though no work was done around what the money would be used for. I know it wasn't intended to be the Crime and Punishment morality tale I might be asking it to be (or have preferred) but I only really felt curious about the plot on a surface level. I think greater character motivation development would have given the plot a little more urgency to me. I enjoyed it, but I don't think it has much re-readability.
zwrobertson's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Digital audiobook performed by James Naughton
Walter Huff is an insurance agent who heads out to a Spanish mansion in the hills above Los Angeles to renew – and hopefully upgrade – an automobile policy for Mr Nirdlinger. The client is not at home, and Mrs Nirdlinger asks Huff to return the next night, but before he leaves she also asks about accident insurance. Huff knows the woman is trouble – with a capital T – but he lets himself get reeled in and before you know it …
Cain is a master of the roman noir. His writing is every bit as seductive as the temptress at the heart of his story. You just know this is going to end badly but you cannot tear yourself away, you just HAVE to continue. His short declarative sentences and first-person narrative give an immediacy to his writing, and make the novel difficult to put down. And just when you think you’ve already gone over the cliff …. You find that Cain has one or two more surprises in store for you. The ending of this one is nothing short of chilling.
James Naughton does a superb job voicing the audiobook. His clipped delivery is perfect for Cain’s writing style.
Walter Huff is an insurance agent who heads out to a Spanish mansion in the hills above Los Angeles to renew – and hopefully upgrade – an automobile policy for Mr Nirdlinger. The client is not at home, and Mrs Nirdlinger asks Huff to return the next night, but before he leaves she also asks about accident insurance. Huff knows the woman is trouble – with a capital T – but he lets himself get reeled in and before you know it …
Cain is a master of the roman noir. His writing is every bit as seductive as the temptress at the heart of his story. You just know this is going to end badly but you cannot tear yourself away, you just HAVE to continue. His short declarative sentences and first-person narrative give an immediacy to his writing, and make the novel difficult to put down. And just when you think you’ve already gone over the cliff …. You find that Cain has one or two more surprises in store for you. The ending of this one is nothing short of chilling.
James Naughton does a superb job voicing the audiobook. His clipped delivery is perfect for Cain’s writing style.
feebeesbooks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Interested to see if the book or movie is better. Multiple jaw dropping moments for me.
jcovington0815's review
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.5
chitownbookworm's review
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0