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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence, Police brutality, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Chevy Stevens wrote a good, tense, first novel that she has not been able to match so far. The writing style in this novel is so matter-of-fact and simplistic that it reads more like a bad teen novel. Though billed as a "thriller", the story never builds any real tension. The main character is somewhat annoying, especially in the flashback storyline when she's a whining teenager. The most successful section of the book is Toni's experience in prison from age 18 to 35 - sort of Orange is the New Black, but without the humor. Once she's out of prison, the storyline takes several unrealistic turns to an ending that's satisfying, only if you managed to find any of the characters believable. Disappointing.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed, and I liked that the story alternated between past and current events.
I have read and enjoyed all of her books. I can't say this was my favorite, but I stayed up to finish it in one night so, obviously a page turner. It is about an 18 year old girl wrongly convicted of her sisters murder. It switches between her life in prison and 15 years earlier, before her sister's murder. It also ends with a twist you don't see coming, which I always love. Will definitely recommend to friends and other avid readers.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
From Judy:
I have read all of Chevy’s novels and the second and third were somewhat of a let down from the break neck pace and plots twist of the first, Still Missing. In That Night she branches out into a little different territory. When we meet Toni she is in jail for the murder of her sister and the book moves back and forth between her incarcerated present and the teenage past that led up to her conviction. At about the mid point the book moves into the present as Toni tries to find out what really happened “that night”. I really thought she captured that teenage rebelliousness that is often misinterpreted and the relentless bullying that some girls can perpetrate. As usual Chevy throws in some plot twists and just when you think you might have it figured out she can still surprise you. A quick read for the summer.
****
From Cheryl:
***
I have read all of Chevy’s novels and the second and third were somewhat of a let down from the break neck pace and plots twist of the first, Still Missing. In That Night she branches out into a little different territory. When we meet Toni she is in jail for the murder of her sister and the book moves back and forth between her incarcerated present and the teenage past that led up to her conviction. At about the mid point the book moves into the present as Toni tries to find out what really happened “that night”. I really thought she captured that teenage rebelliousness that is often misinterpreted and the relentless bullying that some girls can perpetrate. As usual Chevy throws in some plot twists and just when you think you might have it figured out she can still surprise you. A quick read for the summer.
****
From Cheryl:
***
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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:
No