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faithgeer20's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
3.0
Broken is considered a shocking thriller according to the blurb, but I didn't quite get that from it. It just didn't have that oomph I expect in a good thriller, and I wasn't at all shocked - not even once. I suppose I would label it a mystery, but it isn't particularly mysterious either. The villain is sufficiently unhinged, but it was just all too predictable for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad story by any means, it's just not a memorable story either. I feel like it needed more suspense to drive home the creepy story that it had the potential to be. Basically, if you don't mind knowing the answers from the start, then this book will most likely work much better for you than it did for me. As it stands, it was just an okay read - it was all right for a whiling away a couple of hours, but it's not really a standout book that I'll think about later.
philomath_in_phila's review against another edition
3.0
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Magnolia (Maggie) is not surprised when her estranged twin sister is murdered by her abusive husband. She travels to Beaumont Cove, the town where her sister and Mike lived. Mike protests his innocence, and, at first, she does not believe him. Wandering around town and looking into her sister's time there, she begins to have doubts. Hiring a local PI, Maggie looks into her sister's murder and wonders if Mike is telling the truth.
Broken by John Rector is a short, quick read. It is 284 pages. The story flows well, but I did not connect with the characters. The town is supposed to feel creepy, but it came across as similar to a New Jersey tourist town during the off-season, devoid of tourists. The "big reveal" from one of the characters' past was not surprising, although it did explain his actions.
The cover and description of the book made it seem as if the story was going to be scary or suspenseful. It was neither. While it was worth reading, the book felt too short and not fully fleshed out.
According to Goodreads, Rector's short fiction won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.
This 200-word review will be published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.
Magnolia (Maggie) is not surprised when her estranged twin sister is murdered by her abusive husband. She travels to Beaumont Cove, the town where her sister and Mike lived. Mike protests his innocence, and, at first, she does not believe him. Wandering around town and looking into her sister's time there, she begins to have doubts. Hiring a local PI, Maggie looks into her sister's murder and wonders if Mike is telling the truth.
Broken by John Rector is a short, quick read. It is 284 pages. The story flows well, but I did not connect with the characters. The town is supposed to feel creepy, but it came across as similar to a New Jersey tourist town during the off-season, devoid of tourists. The "big reveal" from one of the characters' past was not surprising, although it did explain his actions.
The cover and description of the book made it seem as if the story was going to be scary or suspenseful. It was neither. While it was worth reading, the book felt too short and not fully fleshed out.
According to Goodreads, Rector's short fiction won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.
This 200-word review will be published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.
megs004's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick horror thriller read. Lily, Maggie’s twin sister, was murdered and Maggie is now determined to find out the truth and demand justice. I wish there was a little more suspense as it was easy to guess who the killer was at the beginning of the book but Rector gave us a great page turner story.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to Thomas & Mercer for giving me a free kindle copy for a honest review
jupitershallemerge's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
this was really really good! I didn't even notice that I was at the end of the book. such a fast read and very gripping
this was really really good! I didn't even notice that I was at the end of the book. such a fast read and very gripping
onceupon_a_bookdream's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 Stars
[I received a copy from Netgalley for an honest review]
"People don't change, Sheriff. They are who they are. It's the people around us who bring out our true nature. We're all each other's angels and demons."
Broken is a new crime thriller by author John Rector. The story of Maggie who is facing the death of her twin sister Lilly. What seems like the result of abuse gone to far turns out to be more than what it seems. Lilly tries to piece together what happened to her sister and finds herself in a disturbed individuals sights.
I devoured this book, it was easy to picture the off season boardwalk of Beaumont Cove and it gave off some creepy vibes. It switches from the heroine Maggie's prospective and that of our villain. Maggie was smart, realistic, very relatable and easily imagined. Our villain was more than slightly disturbed, and we get to watch as he looses grip on reality. My only dislike of the book was that we know who his name and who is from the very beginning. But it was still interesting to watch his mental deterioration and Maggie piecing everything together and trusting her gut instincts.
[I received a copy from Netgalley for an honest review]
"People don't change, Sheriff. They are who they are. It's the people around us who bring out our true nature. We're all each other's angels and demons."
Broken is a new crime thriller by author John Rector. The story of Maggie who is facing the death of her twin sister Lilly. What seems like the result of abuse gone to far turns out to be more than what it seems. Lilly tries to piece together what happened to her sister and finds herself in a disturbed individuals sights.
I devoured this book, it was easy to picture the off season boardwalk of Beaumont Cove and it gave off some creepy vibes. It switches from the heroine Maggie's prospective and that of our villain. Maggie was smart, realistic, very relatable and easily imagined. Our villain was more than slightly disturbed, and we get to watch as he looses grip on reality. My only dislike of the book was that we know who his name and who is from the very beginning. But it was still interesting to watch his mental deterioration and Maggie piecing everything together and trusting her gut instincts.
booknallnight's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly there wasn't anything shocking or thrilling about this book. You know who the killer is from the very beginning and the ride from there to the end when he's caught was lackluster.
The writing wasn't bad but the characters were bland and I just didn't care one way or other about any of them. At least it was a quick read.
I received this E-ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. Any opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
The writing wasn't bad but the characters were bland and I just didn't care one way or other about any of them. At least it was a quick read.
I received this E-ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. Any opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
megs004's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick horror thriller read. Lily, Maggie’s twin sister, was murdered and Maggie is now determined to find out the truth and demand justice. I wish there was a little more suspense as it was easy to guess who the killer was at the beginning of the book but Rector gave us a great page turner story.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to Thomas & Mercer for giving me a free kindle copy for a honest review
kempfme's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
aimeedarsreads's review
Twins Maggie and Lilly have been estranged since Lilly betrayed Maggie and abandoned their hometown in Colorado with her abusive boyfriend, Mike.
Lilly and Mike got married and settled in the lonely seaside town of Beaumont Cove, but before the twins reconciled, Lilly was violently murdered and Mike arrested.
Maggie made the long trip to settle Lilly’s affairs, but when she sees Mike, something tells her his claims of innocence may be true. Extending her stay to find out, though, might be a deadly mistake.
The build up to Lilly’s murder was slow, yet it was clear who was responsible for her death. The end of the book was full of exciting action but it was so quick and unexplained, it strained belief. I also wanted more backstory into a key character to understand their motivation.
However, Beaumont Cove was vividly presented, and the book had an interesting cast of secondary characters, particularly Ava, the boardwalk psychic and Clayton, the gruff but soft-hearted private investigator.
Thanks to @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lilly and Mike got married and settled in the lonely seaside town of Beaumont Cove, but before the twins reconciled, Lilly was violently murdered and Mike arrested.
Maggie made the long trip to settle Lilly’s affairs, but when she sees Mike, something tells her his claims of innocence may be true. Extending her stay to find out, though, might be a deadly mistake.
The build up to Lilly’s murder was slow, yet it was clear who was responsible for her death. The end of the book was full of exciting action but it was so quick and unexplained, it strained belief. I also wanted more backstory into a key character to understand their motivation.
However, Beaumont Cove was vividly presented, and the book had an interesting cast of secondary characters, particularly Ava, the boardwalk psychic and Clayton, the gruff but soft-hearted private investigator.
Thanks to @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.