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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first book by this author and it was a solid mystery thriller. I liked how it bounced between the emails for flashbacks and the present with the varying perspectives. I also like when I’m not expecting the ending and there were a few twists that kept my interest. Finished this in one day and will be reading more by this author.
It was fine; I didn’t dislike it per se, but not as good as her other books. The “twists and turns” weren’t as great as her other books.
I don’t know why I still read Freida McFadden’s books.
They all have a very similar structure, and most of the twists are fairly obvious, especially having read three of her books prior to this one. The characters often are not who or what they initially appear to be.
So reading this, I wasn’t really ever surprised or caught off guard. This is also a book that I’ll likely forget about in the not-too-distant future. I read The Locked Door this year and cannot recall what happened in it, and this feels like it will be the same.
That saying, I can read these quickly and are entertaining enough in the moment. I wouldn’t say that McFadden has a nice prose in any way, but there is something about her writing that is easy to breeze through.
I want to say that this is my last read of her books, but the time will likely come where I just need a quick crappy thriller and I’ll pick up a new book of hers.
They all have a very similar structure, and most of the twists are fairly obvious, especially having read three of her books prior to this one. The characters often are not who or what they initially appear to be.
So reading this, I wasn’t really ever surprised or caught off guard. This is also a book that I’ll likely forget about in the not-too-distant future. I read The Locked Door this year and cannot recall what happened in it, and this feels like it will be the same.
That saying, I can read these quickly and are entertaining enough in the moment. I wouldn’t say that McFadden has a nice prose in any way, but there is something about her writing that is easy to breeze through.
I want to say that this is my last read of her books, but the time will likely come where I just need a quick crappy thriller and I’ll pick up a new book of hers.
mysterious
fast-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
this was a very easy read and kind of a perfect book to get stuck into and read within a few days (naturally i chose my busiest week at work to start). the writing it very easy, doesn’t make you think too much and gets you from plot a to plot b in no time at all.
i hated natalie. i actually despised everything she was and everything she stood for. there were no redeemable qualities about her at all. for instance, she fat shames her “friend” within the first 2 pages of the reader meeting her, she is cruel, self involved and just round a horrible character to read about. i was actually hopeful that she had murdered her coworker and had just forgot so she could go to jail because she deserved it. even at the end, without giving too much away, she feels as though she is owed something because something almost ruined her life?! awful awful character.
i didn’t mind dawn. i felt bad for her. she very clearly (or at least, this is how i interpreted it) was neurodivergent and so the fact that natalie targeted her was just plain awful. i enjoyed the emails between dawn and her friend mia and it was nice to see that narrative run alongside the present day one as we tried to understand what had happened to dawn.
i did guess a couple of the plot points however the twists at the end (in the epilogue not before) did shock me and i was pleased about that! i like to not know things in a murder mystery (only when it’s not anxiety inducing).
the writing and the plot did drag a little. sure the writing was very easy but it did start to get a bit repetitive and i found that some of the sentences were repeated within the same paragraph. but this was a good read and it was what i wanted after a few heavy books. i will likely pick up more by this author as i love a good mystery book and if it’s easy to get through, even better!
i hated natalie. i actually despised everything she was and everything she stood for. there were no redeemable qualities about her at all. for instance, she fat shames her “friend” within the first 2 pages of the reader meeting her, she is cruel, self involved and just round a horrible character to read about. i was actually hopeful that she had murdered her coworker and had just forgot so she could go to jail because she deserved it. even at the end, without giving too much away, she feels as though she is owed something because something almost ruined her life?! awful awful character.
i didn’t mind dawn. i felt bad for her. she very clearly (or at least, this is how i interpreted it) was neurodivergent and so the fact that natalie targeted her was just plain awful. i enjoyed the emails between dawn and her friend mia and it was nice to see that narrative run alongside the present day one as we tried to understand what had happened to dawn.
i did guess a couple of the plot points however the twists at the end (in the epilogue not before) did shock me and i was pleased about that! i like to not know things in a murder mystery (only when it’s not anxiety inducing).
the writing and the plot did drag a little. sure the writing was very easy but it did start to get a bit repetitive and i found that some of the sentences were repeated within the same paragraph. but this was a good read and it was what i wanted after a few heavy books. i will likely pick up more by this author as i love a good mystery book and if it’s easy to get through, even better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Suicide, Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Death, Infidelity
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book pretty fast, the twists weren’t like super duper shocking but I’ve read a decent amount of Frieda books so that could be why it didn’t feel as shocking. Still a good and fast read.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes