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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Fast-paced mystery that starts with a rumour and examines how that can influence events. It has multiple threads, and suspicion is cast on a lot of characters. I did guess some things but it was still enjoyable. I enjoyed the different family dynamics in this book. The narrator is good and it was easy to listen to.
A little bit predictable, with way too many undeveloped characters, way too many italics, and a tendency to throw key points in at the last minute, making the whole thing rather disappointing.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD. I was debating whether I should give this 4 or 5 stars but I have succumbed to this thought since I just finished the book.
1. The writing in here is great. As a debut novel, Lesley Kara does an amazing job. The premise is amazing and the connection between Jo and Michael is not awkwardly described as other novels. This is a major thing for me.
2. I think books that remind you of personal things in your life or maybe reading the book during a particular time can also cloud your view of your book. I resonated with Alfie as he reminded me of my younger sisters rough time at school and feeling helpless.
3. The book played out like a literal movie for me and that was AMAZING. Constantly darting my mind about who Sally was was a rollercoaster. Is it Kay? Is it Liz? Is it Sonia? WHO IS IT?? I felt the same feelings as the protagonist.
4. The only let down in a way was who Sally ended up being because I just didn’t expect it at all. But as I continued to read on, it made the stereotypical movie like scene really become vivid in my head. I could see it all playing out completely.
I rated this 5 stars because I wanted to find out the truth. I felt Jo’s irrationality relatable with my BPD self. I related to the protagonist so it resonated with me. If you’re not dramatic as me or Jo then I can see why you wouldn’t like it. Overall read the damn book and read a physical copy if you can.
Update: I changed my stars leave me alone
1. The writing in here is great. As a debut novel, Lesley Kara does an amazing job. The premise is amazing and the connection between Jo and Michael is not awkwardly described as other novels. This is a major thing for me.
2. I think books that remind you of personal things in your life or maybe reading the book during a particular time can also cloud your view of your book. I resonated with Alfie as he reminded me of my younger sisters rough time at school and feeling helpless.
3. The book played out like a literal movie for me and that was AMAZING. Constantly darting my mind about who Sally was was a rollercoaster. Is it Kay? Is it Liz? Is it Sonia? WHO IS IT?? I felt the same feelings as the protagonist.
4. The only let down in a way was who Sally ended up being because I just didn’t expect it at all. But as I continued to read on, it made the stereotypical movie like scene really become vivid in my head. I could see it all playing out completely.
I rated this 5 stars because I wanted to find out the truth. I felt Jo’s irrationality relatable with my BPD self. I related to the protagonist so it resonated with me. If you’re not dramatic as me or Jo then I can see why you wouldn’t like it. Overall read the damn book and read a physical copy if you can.
Update: I changed my stars leave me alone
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Joanna has moved to a small seaside town, Flintstead-on-Sea with her small son Alfie. At the school gates Joanna hears a rumour about a convicted child killer Sally McGowan living amongst them. Joanna then tells her book club what she has heard.
With this book now a tv drama I wanted to read it before I watch. I did quite enjoy this snappy thriller and felt it was what I needed to read.
The book was a quick read with shortish chapters. Lots of characters in this one to keep up with. Which one however is Sally. That was the fun as Sally could have been one or two of them. When it was the final reveal I didn't see that coming and never guessed.
This is the debut novel for the author and on the enjoyment of this one I would read more in the future.
With this book now a tv drama I wanted to read it before I watch. I did quite enjoy this snappy thriller and felt it was what I needed to read.
The book was a quick read with shortish chapters. Lots of characters in this one to keep up with. Which one however is Sally. That was the fun as Sally could have been one or two of them. When it was the final reveal I didn't see that coming and never guessed.
This is the debut novel for the author and on the enjoyment of this one I would read more in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really enjoyed the book, a nice easy read however gets you thinking without too much confusing detail! Brilliant twist at the end
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Too many characters that didn’t add to the plot and were just hard to keep track of, I don’t think they help build the world much really.
Die Protagonistin Joanna und ihren Sohn Alfie mochte ich sehr, das Setting gefiel mir ebenfalls, Flinstead hatte für mich ein totales Beach-/LA-Feeling sowie eine sehr entspannte Atmosphäre. Das Buch las sich sehr schnell, ständig kam es zu Situationen mit anderen Frauen, die merkwürdig erschienen, wodurch neue Verdächtigungen gestreut wurden. Dadurch bekam man selbst schnell das Gefühl in einer Kleinstadt zu sein, wo plötzlich jeder jeden verdächtigt und das Buch blieb spannend. Wer am Ende wirklich Sally McGowan war, überraschte (SPOILER), es enttäuschte mich zunächst aber auch ein bisschen, dass es Joannas Mutter war. Später stellte sich allerdings ja heraus, dass alles eigentlich ein Unfall war, was mir dann wieder besser gefiel. (SPOILER ENDE) Außerdem war das Finale im verfallenen Haus noch einmal sehr aufregend.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5 first half was slow and I thought predictable, but there was good twist