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asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I loved how this felt like a unique set up to a thriller; the victim survives and she's pretty sure she knows who her would-be murderer is. From where she goes into hiding, she has to piece together what she needs to take him down. It kept the book interesting, as did a parallel case that also subverted expectation.
I also enjoyed the way flashbacks and the different characters' perspectives started to flesh out the story. It built up a picture where Claire couldn't tell who to trust, even as I began to see that some of the players were (thankfully) on the right side. There were some predictable areas (hard to avoid when you have a suspect from page 1), but plenty of surprises alongside.
By the end the drama is ramped right up and it's very cleverly done. The corruption ran deep, and the resolution was possibly a little clean given how many people suffered, but I enjoyed getting sucked into the narrative and the gorgeous New England setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Rape
astoriareader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
SYNOPSIS
- Claire, an artist that makes shadow boxes, is attacked & left for dead at her house in a wealthy neighborhood in Connecticut. She isn’t sure who to trust. Her husband is her prime suspect. He is a prosecutor in the midst of trying to be elected governor.
- On the same day, Claire’s friend is murdered, and the teams investigating start to think the two incidents may be connected.
MY THOUGHTS
- This is my first novel by Luanne Rice, and I will absolutely be looking for more of her work.
- Fast paced. I devoured this one, and I finished in 24 hours. It starts off with an amazing opening, and thankfully, it remains strong through the last page.
- Expertly plotted. Characters & story line felt very realistic.
- Love a female protagonist.
- Writing was easy to read. Short chapters. Rice does a great job setting the scene, and it was easy to visualize everything that happens.
- Alternating POVs. We hear from Claire, as well as two brothers, Tom & Conor. Tom is a Coast Guard working on the friend’s murder, and Conor is part of LEO team investigating Claire’s incident.
- Alternating timelines. Chapters are labeled as being either before or after Claire’s attack.
- Rice did a nice job presenting living with an emotionally abusive partner. The flashbacks were nicely sprinkled throughout the story, and you can see how insidious abuse can be.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️a must read. finished in a day. female protagonist. multiple POVs. set in wealthy part of Connecticut. TW: abusive relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Death and Murder
cjxx26's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Death
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