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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a fun read! I loved the changing perspectives with each chapter! It was quick, smart, and surprising!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very twisty, and delicious. Do you root for any of the characters? No. Does it leave you feeling warm and fuzzy? No, but it is oddly satisfying.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
dark
tense
medium-paced
dark
medium-paced
Found the first half to be soooo creepy I almost had to stop. But then the twists and turns hooked me. Definitely a wild story.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Look Closer by David Ellis is a tightly wrought con-thriller that hooked me early on and kept me turning the pages until the end. Set in Chicago, the story weaves a complex tapestry of deception, murder, and hidden motives through the eyes of multiple narrators — none of whom can be trusted.
He does this in a non-linear timeline that requires a bit of a learning curve, even if it becomes evident that the technique is critical in revealing the truths behind the layers of lies. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it because of the timeline. Still, as the story developed, I fell into it and discovered something truly masterful about the author’s writing, especially as he did such a great job catching me off guard. Ellis’s legal background also shines through, adding authenticity to the plot’s intricate details, especially around the $20 million trust fund at the story’s core.
The characters, although not particularly likable, are compelling, deeply flawed, and well-drawn. They mostly feel human, even if they enjoy leaning into a complex and occasionally convenient plot. The pacing is relentless, and the final reveals are satisfying and clever.
I wasn’t thrilled with the decision to make Jane (a detective) the only one of the principal characters to be written in the third person (everybody is first person), but I understand the reasoning nonetheless. I also thought some plot threads felt slightly overstretched, and a few character decisions broke with believability. However, overall, this is a smart and addictive read that thriller fans will love.
I highly recommend it for those who love a twisty, high-stakes mystery and an inventive, non-conventional structure. I read this as part of a book club pick and was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to Ellis. He is a fine author who is very capable of writing a tense thriller, even if he doesn’t always deliver an emotional depth that would make his work one of my all-time favorites.
He does this in a non-linear timeline that requires a bit of a learning curve, even if it becomes evident that the technique is critical in revealing the truths behind the layers of lies. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it because of the timeline. Still, as the story developed, I fell into it and discovered something truly masterful about the author’s writing, especially as he did such a great job catching me off guard. Ellis’s legal background also shines through, adding authenticity to the plot’s intricate details, especially around the $20 million trust fund at the story’s core.
The characters, although not particularly likable, are compelling, deeply flawed, and well-drawn. They mostly feel human, even if they enjoy leaning into a complex and occasionally convenient plot. The pacing is relentless, and the final reveals are satisfying and clever.
I wasn’t thrilled with the decision to make Jane (a detective) the only one of the principal characters to be written in the third person (everybody is first person), but I understand the reasoning nonetheless. I also thought some plot threads felt slightly overstretched, and a few character decisions broke with believability. However, overall, this is a smart and addictive read that thriller fans will love.
I highly recommend it for those who love a twisty, high-stakes mystery and an inventive, non-conventional structure. I read this as part of a book club pick and was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to Ellis. He is a fine author who is very capable of writing a tense thriller, even if he doesn’t always deliver an emotional depth that would make his work one of my all-time favorites.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated