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beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
Maggie can not let go of her son, no matter if he is a grown man. In her eyes, she will always see him as her little boy, Ricky. Ricky goes by Rick and he does not need his mother following him everywhere.
In the middle of the night, Maggie hears loud knocking on her door. It is Rick's girlfriend's mother. She states that Charlene and her had a fight and Charlene did not return home. Soon it becomes apparent that something terrible has happened to Charlene. This causes a huge rift between Maggie and her husband, Jones. Jones is a cop, so his cop instincts kick in. Maggie is a mother who is protective of her son and believes that Rick would never do anything to harm Charlene. What is the truth?
I have read a few of Lisa Unger's books and they were good. I was feeling a kick for a good mystery/thriller, so I decided to go to my huge back list of books and selected Fragile. It sounded good. The opening scene got my attention. However, I knew after reading the opening scene kind of where this story was going to lead. This is why for first things, when I was lead to believe that the suspect was one person, I had a hard time believing it as I already knew it was not going to be that person. Second I was quickly turned off by the characters. Maggie with her over protectiveness. Ricky with his grouchy attitude and the rest of the characters (teens) were rude and mean to each other. Also, the constant switching of the many different voices was not smooth. For these facts, this is why I could not get into this book and gave up on it. In fact, I was ok with not knowing all the details leading up to Charlene's disappearance. Not this author's best work.
In the middle of the night, Maggie hears loud knocking on her door. It is Rick's girlfriend's mother. She states that Charlene and her had a fight and Charlene did not return home. Soon it becomes apparent that something terrible has happened to Charlene. This causes a huge rift between Maggie and her husband, Jones. Jones is a cop, so his cop instincts kick in. Maggie is a mother who is protective of her son and believes that Rick would never do anything to harm Charlene. What is the truth?
I have read a few of Lisa Unger's books and they were good. I was feeling a kick for a good mystery/thriller, so I decided to go to my huge back list of books and selected Fragile. It sounded good. The opening scene got my attention. However, I knew after reading the opening scene kind of where this story was going to lead. This is why for first things, when I was lead to believe that the suspect was one person, I had a hard time believing it as I already knew it was not going to be that person. Second I was quickly turned off by the characters. Maggie with her over protectiveness. Ricky with his grouchy attitude and the rest of the characters (teens) were rude and mean to each other. Also, the constant switching of the many different voices was not smooth. For these facts, this is why I could not get into this book and gave up on it. In fact, I was ok with not knowing all the details leading up to Charlene's disappearance. Not this author's best work.
hldonavant's review against another edition
2.0
Way too many points of view floating around and stories to keep up with. Had my head swimming. Figured it out way to quickly as well. Blah.
eperce's review against another edition
4.0
I like her writing style so easy to read but it definitely dragged in the end. Could have done the “tie up loose ends” in 5 pages, not 75!
lizella's review against another edition
4.0
Fragile is the most grounded book of Lisa Unger’s that I’ve read to date. While her other novels have more of a “thriller” feel, Fragile is about regular small town life, with characters that are familiar in their ordinary lives.
Unger’s writing style is used beautifully here by allowing different characters to carry the story forward through their perspectives. This method deepens the characters by allowing us to get internal and external perceptions about them. I also liked that the story included people in all phases of life, from teenagers to grandmothers. It gave a proper weight to the relationships and history at play within the story.
Fragile is a story of the murky middle ground between right and wrong and explores how the definitions can be twisted through compromises, circumstances and time. Instead of quick action, Fragilefocuses on the repercussions of consequences over a lifetime and how they can spread through a community in visible and hidden ways.
Unger’s writing style is used beautifully here by allowing different characters to carry the story forward through their perspectives. This method deepens the characters by allowing us to get internal and external perceptions about them. I also liked that the story included people in all phases of life, from teenagers to grandmothers. It gave a proper weight to the relationships and history at play within the story.
Fragile is a story of the murky middle ground between right and wrong and explores how the definitions can be twisted through compromises, circumstances and time. Instead of quick action, Fragilefocuses on the repercussions of consequences over a lifetime and how they can spread through a community in visible and hidden ways.
k_cavacini's review against another edition
5.0
I've really enjoyed all of Lisa Unger's books and Fragile was no different. I really enjoyed all of the characters and how the reader got to hear from each of the character's perspectives at different times throughout the novel. My favorite thing about Unger is how she keeps me guessing. I always think I know what's happening/going to happen and I'm always surprised. I highly recommend this book!
cheraford's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. Found the characters very well written
ifjanetranit's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good little small town mystery. The shifting points of view got a little tedious at times. I'm getting a little tired of this writing device/style. It works great for some authors, but it results in lazy storytelling for others.
megancrusante's review against another edition
3 chapters and I couldn't do it anymore. I hate abandoning books but I'd be mad at myself for wasting my time on this.
lee_ann_a's review against another edition
3.0
I started the Hollows series out of order, and began with the most recent book [b:Ink and Bone|27276336|Ink and Bone|Lisa Unger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464907792s/27276336.jpg|47328227] which I LOVED. Fragile fell a little short for me. Unger is a great writer, but there were slow spots in this book that I can't over look. Maybe it's because this is the introductory novel, and we are learning the background of the characters and the town. I'm definitely going to move forward with more of her work, but Fragile was just ok.
samalvarez823's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Lisa Unger's newest book, Under My Skin; I just had to read another of her books. And I'm SO glad I did!!
This book was excellent and begins a sort of Series dealing with The Hollows. Though the books aren't a series in the respect you have to read them in order, they are all intertwined and deal with characters from the beginning. For someone like me, who is OCD when it comes to my books, I recommend reading in order. The second book in the "series" is Darkness, My Old Friend. I'll begin that one soon and let y'all know how it goes.
The story deals with adults and the things they did as teenagers which, coincidentally interact with a current missing girl. Several main characters and the story goes by fast and forms really ghostly memories.
I enjoyed it thoroughly and give it 5 stars. Have y'all read anything by Lisa Unger? Let me know In the comments. I'll be reading the next few days while, Tropical Storm Gordon rolls through Louisiana.
As always, READ people and tell me what you're currently reading!!