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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Shutter was one of the top books I read in 2024. I even read it twice! Exposure did not disappoint, but it wasn't as strong in my opinion.
This novel follows Rita's continued struggle against her ghosts while working on two crimes in two different cities and the serial killer's journal. This two crime, two city situation created a somewhat disjointed narrative. I appreciate the alternating points of view between Rita and the serial killer's journal. For me, the pacing was slow and inconsistent throughout the book.
Overall, this book felt more like a drama with a murder mystery happening in the background. The focus was on Rita's struggle to save herself from the ghosts and her toxic work environment. The mystery felt secondary. With that, Rita's journey through this obligation to justice she feels and the balance with her culture and healing was still poignant. Emerson is a talented writer.
This novel follows Rita's continued struggle against her ghosts while working on two crimes in two different cities and the serial killer's journal. This two crime, two city situation created a somewhat disjointed narrative. I appreciate the alternating points of view between Rita and the serial killer's journal. For me, the pacing was slow and inconsistent throughout the book.
Overall, this book felt more like a drama with a murder mystery happening in the background. The focus was on Rita's struggle to save herself from the ghosts and her toxic work environment. The mystery felt secondary. With that, Rita's journey through this obligation to justice she feels and the balance with her culture and healing was still poignant. Emerson is a talented writer.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Wow. I think I liked this even more than the first book by Emerson, Shutter, which I loved!
This main character and the side characters are so interesting and have great depth.
I love the sense of place, which Emerson does so well with the Northern New Mexican landscape, having grown up there. She really draws a realistic and rich setting.
This book has excellent plotting, tight pacing, and fantastic descriptions which bring the story to life in my mind.
I actually can't think of any other author or series that is exactly like this. The realistic and respectful depiction of Navajo culture married with a nail-biting thriller is unique to Emerson. Other authors who might be similar (other than the Navajo element) are Jane Harper and Louisa Luna.
This book series is so wonderful, I hope Ramona Emerson writes many more.
This main character and the side characters are so interesting and have great depth.
I love the sense of place, which Emerson does so well with the Northern New Mexican landscape, having grown up there. She really draws a realistic and rich setting.
This book has excellent plotting, tight pacing, and fantastic descriptions which bring the story to life in my mind.
I actually can't think of any other author or series that is exactly like this. The realistic and respectful depiction of Navajo culture married with a nail-biting thriller is unique to Emerson. Other authors who might be similar (other than the Navajo element) are Jane Harper and Louisa Luna.
This book series is so wonderful, I hope Ramona Emerson writes many more.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
There was very little development of the main character or her motivations in this sequel. I was mostly interested in this series because of the contrast of a photographer of crime scenes with the Navajo culture regarding death. While the Mc seems to have found some resolution, it seems to have just happened a quickly and we were not provided much view into her inner struggles or how she is going to deal with the ghosts around her.
Conversely, we saw way too much about the mind of the serial killer in this book.
Finally, for a mystery novel was no mystery, no police procedural, no conflict. But a lot of violence and graphic detail.
Conversely, we saw way too much about the mind of the serial killer in this book.
Finally, for a mystery novel was no mystery, no police procedural, no conflict. But a lot of violence and graphic detail.