Reviews

Five Nights by Rachel Wolf

charlihammond's review against another edition

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4.0

Book 96:

Five Nights

Thank you to @netgalley, the author @rachelwolfauthor and the publisher @headofzeus for the advance copy to read.

Firstly, the cover for this book is so eye-catching and will make for a great read around the pool on holiday.

The story follows Emily as she is invited on a 5 night cruise with her lifelong best friend Belle who is now married to Mattia. Emily and Belle haven't seen each other for three years following a terrifying incident that they experienced together. However all is not what it seems on the boat as we follow an action packed plot full of secrets, lies and mystery.

The first half of the book is slightly slow and I found it quite repetitive with lots of recapping monologues on the things that had already happened in previous chapters. The style of writing didn't work so great for me either. It was very character based and I prefer a rich descriptive novel depicting the locations.

That said I imagine lots of people will adore this twisty page turner.

3.5 ⭐

the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Book Review: Five Nights by Rachel Wolf

Rating: 3 stars

In Rachel Wolf's Five Nights, readers are taken on a thrilling journey aboard a luxurious cruise with the scandalous Scarmado family. The story unfolds over five intense nights, each filled with suspense, secrets, and a looming sense of danger.

The novel kicks off with an enticing invitation to join the Scarmado family on their extravagant ship, setting the stage for a reunion between friends amidst a backdrop of opulence and mystery. As the nights progress, tensions rise, threatening notes appear, and a chilling death sets off a chain of events that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Wolf's writing effectively builds up the dynamics between the characters, particularly highlighting the complex relationships within the family and the gripping interactions between Belle and Emily. While the pacing may feel slow at times, especially during the initial stages of the story, the narrative picks up momentum as revelations unfold and chaos ensues.

Personally, I found Five Nights to be an engaging read with a good balance of suspense and drama. The only drawback I encountered was the prolonged periods of inactivity among the characters, characterized by mundane activities like drinking and quarreling. However, once the plot intensifies, the story truly shines with its twists and turns.

Overall, Five Nights offers a captivating tale of intrigue and betrayal set against a lavish backdrop, making it a worthy choice for readers seeking a blend of mystery and family drama. While it may have its moments of sluggishness, the novel ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion that will leave you questioning who can be trusted until the very end.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

gquartin's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

julittleton's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An easy and good read, the Scarmardo family is super messy and spoilt. The flashbacks to Viola and Mattia's marriage build to a predictable outcome in terms of the adult children being completely oblivious to their parents' happy facade. They're so wrapped up in enjoying the trappings of their wealth that they've never noticed anything else unless it directly affects them. Belle is a bit of a washy character. It's hard to truly see her as a wicked, scheming stepmother. Emily is a fine main character, hardy and flawed. It would have been good to see more of her with the eldest Scarmado son, but understandably, this would give away too much too soon!

andrea8385's review

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slow-paced

3.5

jordanwilde's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

Locked room mystery set on a luxury cruise line. Lots of twists and turns; some of them are a bit unbelievable, but still really enjoyed it. (If you enjoy the family drama of the show Succession, this one is for you.) 

peanutkiss's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

4.0

lisa350's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookswithlydscl's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

this is the kind of book that makes for a solid holiday read thriller - plenty of glitz, glam, secrets, twists and many many awful people. Disappointed by the ultimate who/why and it felt very convoluted, lots of missed opportunities for communication or miscommunication which got repetitive, but generally I enjoyed the ride to get there.

amberbridger's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

3.75

A lot happened in the last 20% of the book.