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spatterson12's review against another edition
2.0
2.5? More of a review to come
This has been sitting on my shelf for a year, and I finally decided it was time. I love Ruth Ware books, but felt intimidated by how long this one was compared to her other works and others I had in queue.
I immediately fell for this one. I loved the back and forth between before and after, trying to understand friendship dynamics and what led to the It Girl's death. Life was a little chaotic when I was reading this, but any free chance I had -- I was thinking of this story.
Until I got about 230 pages in and it fell flat.
When the book stopped flipping back to the past, I lost interest. I didn't quite understand what made April so special or why people liked her. She was an actor but she wasn't good? But still stole the show. She pulled mean pranks on those "closest" to her and got the others in the group to participate. I didn't quite understand what made her special.
Then, we dropped in her other month-named-sister for the journey. I could've done without her. I could've also done without a civilian trying to solve a case in a few weeks time.
Those last 200 pages turned into another book. One with too many red herrings and not enough character development from the school years.
I did believe the husband was responsible, especially when he laughed at and chased his pregnant wife into the streets? So, sure, I got bamboozled with it being the too nice plastic surgeon friend, but the moment that really killed it for me was when Hannah chose to take a nap and a bubble bath before going to the police. That was dumb.
I'm still hopeful for future Ware books.
This has been sitting on my shelf for a year, and I finally decided it was time. I love Ruth Ware books, but felt intimidated by how long this one was compared to her other works and others I had in queue.
I immediately fell for this one. I loved the back and forth between before and after, trying to understand friendship dynamics and what led to the It Girl's death. Life was a little chaotic when I was reading this, but any free chance I had -- I was thinking of this story.
Until I got about 230 pages in and it fell flat.
When the book stopped flipping back to the past, I lost interest. I didn't quite understand what made April so special or why people liked her. She was an actor but she wasn't good? But still stole the show. She pulled mean pranks on those "closest" to her and got the others in the group to participate. I didn't quite understand what made her special.
Then, we dropped in her other month-named-sister for the journey. I could've done without her. I could've also done without a civilian trying to solve a case in a few weeks time.
Those last 200 pages turned into another book. One with too many red herrings and not enough character development from the school years.
I did believe the husband was responsible, especially when he laughed at and chased his pregnant wife into the streets? So, sure, I got bamboozled with it being the too nice plastic surgeon friend, but the moment that really killed it for me was when Hannah chose to take a nap and a bubble bath before going to the police. That was dumb.
I'm still hopeful for future Ware books.
legallizzie's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cheeches's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
srnadeau's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this thriller! The characters were well written and I read it pretty quickly!
szilvicsanyi's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Ruth Ware never disappoints. She created a special setting again, the story is really captivating with intriguing characters to love and hate and there are a lot of twists and turns.
gdsunshine's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read. A little cliche at the end like it lost its energy at the 90% mark.
bettercallbekah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
kaitlinpetersen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
shelvedbycass's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
An EXCELLENT mystery/thriller that seamlessly interweaves the past and the present to create a gripping drama. Typically when I read books that jump between the past and the present, I get confused or don’t remember all the characters that were referenced. Ruth Ware does an amazing job picking up the story where the previous chapter left off and giving each character such an instantly distinctive personality.
I really enjoyed this book the whole way through. The writing is outstanding and so unlike every other Oxford based story. I have read only one other book by Ware (The Woman in Cabin 10) and it pales in comparison to this one!
I really enjoyed this book the whole way through. The writing is outstanding and so unlike every other Oxford based story. I have read only one other book by Ware (The Woman in Cabin 10) and it pales in comparison to this one!
lindseyannd's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not the biggest fan of RW writing style. Parts of this story seemed to drag on to add the classic misdirection. But ultimately I enjoyed this book! Almost a first for me with Ruth’s collection. Which is funny that I keep reading her stuff anyway. (I did guess the killer early on)