Reviews

Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day

mellabella's review against another edition

3.0

I don't get every new book being compared to Gone Girl. I didn't see similarities in The Black Hour. Professor Amelia Emmett is going back to work after being shot by a student she didn't know 10 months earlier. Her first day back a grad student named Nathaniel Barber shows up. He was referred to her as a teachers assistant by a colleague. Amelia is not in good shape when she fist meets Nathaniel. We are constantly reminded of the pain she's in. She also walks with a cane. The first half of the book is somewhat slow. Amelia isn't a very likable character. There aren't too many. Nathaniel is. But, his ulterior motives for wanting to be close to Amelia make you not like him fully. There were too many characters that had motives to be behind the shooting. If that makes sense. When I found out who it was, it was someone I least expected. Simply because it was a weak choice. If you can get past the first half, an enjoyable read.

blogginboutbooks's review against another edition

3.0

I've enjoyed several books by Rader-Day, so I decided to explore her backlist. This one was on sale at the bookstore, so I bought it. Unlike the others I've read by her, THE BLACK HOUR starts off slowly and takes some time to get going. Amelia is a sympathetic character, but she's not very likable. Nath is similar - even he admits he's boring. The novel's premise is intriguing, though, and that's what kept me reading. The action does pick up toward the end of the story. It just takes some patience on the reader's part to actually get to that point. When the killer is revealed, their motive seems a bit thin. All in all, then, I didn't love this one. I did finish it, but I'm not going to lie, I almost put it down several times. I'd give the book about a C+.

carolpk's review against another edition

3.0

This debut had all the makings of a read I'd love. Don't get me wrong, 3 stars are solid but I was hoping to rate it 4. What went wrong? I'm not quite certain. The Black Hour begins when Professor Amelia Emmett returns to teach her sociology class after a long hiatus due to being shot by a student. This leaves Emmett with a cane and reeling with questions as to what caused this particular student to shoot her. After all she didn't know this boy the one she has only seen while facing him in the corridor outside her office and in his grainy picture in the paper. She can't question Leonard Lehane as he took his life after trying to kill her. I want to know too but struggle throughout to make sense as clues are revealed to the answer. It seems clumsy at times though the writing is not. I never really got attached to the characters. I knew well before the end what that outcome would be but got totally bored in getting there. I did like thinking about the moral question of whether professors can have relationships with students and also the appeal of liaisons with huge age differences. I think Lori Rader-Day has potential in this genre. GoodReads voters have found this a better read than me giving it an average of 4 stars. The Black Hour received starred reviews from Library Journal, Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Make your own decision. I'll be waiting to read your comments.

emfg79's review against another edition

3.0

I listened to this whole thing and still don't know what the point is. This isn't a thriller. It isn't a character study of PTSD from a shooting. Mostly it's just not good. Bumped to three stars for Xe Sands narration.

eludemann's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed most of this book--the setting up of the mystery, the interplay of the characters, the writing style and pacing. So much of a mystery's success lies in its resolution, though, and this one really disappointed me. The criminal's motives seemed completely implausible, and the climax has not one--but TWO--people jump off boats for pretty much no reason when they can't swim.

madhatter360's review against another edition

4.0

A bit slow at times but over all a satisfying ending.

d_nice_'s review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I initially rated this a generous 3, but then I skimmed through some of the other reviews and was reminded of a pet peeve towards the beginning of the novel. The graduate student protagonist is total weak sauce. 

First of all, first year PhD students are not PhD candidates. You don’t earn the candidate title until you’re in your dissertation writing phase. I also found it hard to believe that a graduate-level sociology student accepted into a prestigious university was so inept at getting information from people. As a social science researcher, he should have basic training in conducting interviews. 

Also, how did the reporter not have better things to do than stalk two people for several weeks at a time. I found it unrealistic and creepy. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Gun violence

Minor: Car accident, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Mass/school shootings

lindajo's review against another edition

3.0

A fairly decent book for a debut by Lori. It started out slow but pick up towards the end.

themeparkghost's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

umpaola7's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0