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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the first section of this book, but then it went downhill. I didn't love the pacing of the latter two sections; it felt like it delved into cement and geology not because those things were integral to the work, but because the author needed a certain number of words. Mostly, though, I think the author was trying to set us up to ask who was really culpable, and for the morals to be ambiguous, and he didn't succeed--finding out what really happened was not earth-shattering, nor did it change anything about how I viewed any of the characters, as the author clearly hoped it would. [Spoiler: In fact, it made me see Matthew as even worse, since he clearly tried to rape Hannah, and now she feels intense guilt about it. And we're supposed to feel any sympathy for him? Sure, he seems to have repented for the shooting. But not for the attempted rape. Nobody, including the author, seems to have examined that at all.]
I enjoyed the psychological thriller aspect of not knowing which involved party precipitated the events and in what manner. And although I didn’t agree with the relationships as they formed and progressed, I sympathized with the characters coming to terms with their desires. Mental health dysfunction is a struggle that can be so easily hidden, even from those close to the one suffering.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I really liked this book. The story was different and the characters had their own separate personalities and stories other than the story that brought them together. The story unfolding in the past and the present and then by the character each chapter made me think a bit to keep from getting confused but the different point of views really gave you a deeper understanding of the whole story.
Not exactly what I’d call a thriller. It was definitely interesting. But very sloppy and disjointed. There were several spots that I had to stop reading and shout, “what the hell is going on?!”
The first words set the stage to what I thought was going to be a brutally violent novel, but while there was more violence, it paled in comparison to the opening.
This was not exactly a whodunnit but more of a whydunnit and even then I shrugged at what I thought was a weak justification.
The first words set the stage to what I thought was going to be a brutally violent novel, but while there was more violence, it paled in comparison to the opening.
This was not exactly a whodunnit but more of a whydunnit and even then I shrugged at what I thought was a weak justification.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Bullying, Sexual content, Dementia
3 teenagers lives are shattered by one terrible event. This book looks at how decisions made before our brains are fully formed can have devastating consequences. It looks at how things pile on top of one another and lead to a horribly tragic event and how that changes each of their lives 20+ years later.
This book takes a hard look at perception and how even when we think we have all the pieces to a puzzle, we may put them together differently then others involved. Carrying anger and a need to get even forward covers your entire life.
The characters were well written and the story was compelling. There was something that kept me from connecting fully, thus the 3 star rating.
This is one that I will think about for awhile.
This book takes a hard look at perception and how even when we think we have all the pieces to a puzzle, we may put them together differently then others involved. Carrying anger and a need to get even forward covers your entire life.
The characters were well written and the story was compelling. There was something that kept me from connecting fully, thus the 3 star rating.
This is one that I will think about for awhile.
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An outstanding novel, amazingly written that will appeal to lovers of literary fiction as well as to lovers of psychological suspense. Grist Mill Road starts with the innocence of childhood and childish reactions to things they should not have to face. A terrible childhood crime changes the lives of three people. It changes them in ways they are aware of but even worse it affects their future in ways they can’t imagine. Especially since they are each hiding something very important about what happened leading up to that day. As their lives interesect twenty seven years later we see how each of the three has come to terms with what has happened, and a gripping plot with twists and turns takes this incredibly well written story to its ultimate conclusion.
I could not get into this book and I found the writing style hard to read. The no quotation marks made it really difficult to keep conversations straight and I was constantly having to reread them.
Grist Mill Road opens with a pretty graphic scene involving Hannah being shot repeatedly with a BB gun. If you don’t like graphic violence then definitely skip this one. The book then switches between 1982 and 2008 and between the 3 characters. Some chapters are written in the first person and others in the third and it just didn’t seem to flow very well. I also found the 2008 chapters so boring that I either zoned out or ended up skim reading. I didn’t connect with any of the characters which in turn made it difficult to care about their story. It’s such a shame because the synopsis sounded so interesting. Don’t think I’ll be reading more from this author in a hurry
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
Grist Mill Road opens with a pretty graphic scene involving Hannah being shot repeatedly with a BB gun. If you don’t like graphic violence then definitely skip this one. The book then switches between 1982 and 2008 and between the 3 characters. Some chapters are written in the first person and others in the third and it just didn’t seem to flow very well. I also found the 2008 chapters so boring that I either zoned out or ended up skim reading. I didn’t connect with any of the characters which in turn made it difficult to care about their story. It’s such a shame because the synopsis sounded so interesting. Don’t think I’ll be reading more from this author in a hurry
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review