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thebookstackattack's review against another edition
2.0
I made it to 28%. I gave it a fair shot.
The lengthy explanations to EVERY LITTLE THING, are driving me wild. It takes away from the scene. It makes you focus on the wrong parts of the scene. I found myself skimming entire PAGES to finally move forward in said scene.
I’m sure it’s a great novel overall, however I’m not a fan of reading through overly described scenes for 98% of the novel just to get the very best bit at the end.
Maybe I’ll try again another time, for now, I have to put it down. Not enjoying it at all.
The lengthy explanations to EVERY LITTLE THING, are driving me wild. It takes away from the scene. It makes you focus on the wrong parts of the scene. I found myself skimming entire PAGES to finally move forward in said scene.
I’m sure it’s a great novel overall, however I’m not a fan of reading through overly described scenes for 98% of the novel just to get the very best bit at the end.
Maybe I’ll try again another time, for now, I have to put it down. Not enjoying it at all.
nemohcl's review against another edition
3.0
Yeah, actually interesting book. Pacing is also good. But the ending is veeeerrryyy annoying. Why was he alive? It was so unnecessary. It felt like 2013 movie ending.
Overall still worth reading.
Overall still worth reading.
erinequalspeace's review against another edition
2.0
The plot was okay, but I didn't really care about the characters too much. Familiar elements (a starlet's rise from obscurity to fame, amnesia, professional bad guy) didn't feel fresh or reinvented. Also, minor quibble, but every time PCH was referred to as "the PCH" took me out of the book for a moment. I don't know much about Sakey's background and haven't read any of his other books, but it may be a case of a non-LA guy writing what he thinks is an "LA" story . . . .
Would probably be a good airplane read because it's light and plot-driven.
Would probably be a good airplane read because it's light and plot-driven.
robinsbooks's review
4.0
4.5 stars
When Daniel Hayes wakes up cold and naked on a Maine beach, he can't remember who he is or why he should be there. Upon discovering an expensive car, clothes, gun, and ID that all seem to be his, he races back to California with the law hot on his trail. As his memory very slowly comes back he discovers his wife, an up and coming TV actress, has died in an auto accident and also finds out he wasn't a particularly likable fellow but still has no idea why he is wanted by the police and why a very, very bad guy trying to kill him...
This was a great psychological thriller and I believe Sakey deserves to be more widely read. I gave this a little less than 5 stars because I found the occasional Hollywood scripts a little distracting, but other than that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sakey to fans of James Patterson and Jonathan Kellerman.
E-book provided by Net Galley.
When Daniel Hayes wakes up cold and naked on a Maine beach, he can't remember who he is or why he should be there. Upon discovering an expensive car, clothes, gun, and ID that all seem to be his, he races back to California with the law hot on his trail. As his memory very slowly comes back he discovers his wife, an up and coming TV actress, has died in an auto accident and also finds out he wasn't a particularly likable fellow but still has no idea why he is wanted by the police and why a very, very bad guy trying to kill him...
This was a great psychological thriller and I believe Sakey deserves to be more widely read. I gave this a little less than 5 stars because I found the occasional Hollywood scripts a little distracting, but other than that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sakey to fans of James Patterson and Jonathan Kellerman.
E-book provided by Net Galley.
lisaarnsdorf's review
4.0
This was a fun, fast paced book that drew me in from go. The "big scandal" didn't seem to be a big enough motivator to me. And the ending was a little too pat. But the story was great and characters were like real people.
I think reading rather than listening would be better for this book based on the script-like scenes and the emails that were used.
I think reading rather than listening would be better for this book based on the script-like scenes and the emails that were used.
literaryfeline's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes I come across a book that reads like a movie. One that would be perfect for the big screen. Each scene and character is presented in such a way I can see it in my mind's eye. Marcus Sakey's The Two Death's of Daniel Hayes is one such book. The car chase, the action sequences, the angst and sense of betrayal. The doubt and frustration. And what's more, the characters are movie perfect. I was reminded most of Momento and No Country for Old Men as I read The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes.
A man wakes up on a beach, shivering from the wet and cold. He has no memory of who he is. He discovers a car with the name Daniel Hayes on the registration, which he assumes is him. He does the only thing he can think of to do, he follows the leads in front of him, hoping to regain his identity and past. He isn't sure he likes what he discovers: a dead wife that he may or may not have killed; a man searching for him and threatening his friends; the police, hot on his trail; and the public who has already convicted him.
The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes is one of those edge of your seat type books. It takes off at a run and doesn't let up until near the end. I confess I wasn't too sure about Daniel at first. And I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do in his shoes. I am not sure I would have immediately gone into flight mode the way he did--but then, I doubt I would find a gun in my glove compartment. The twists and turns weren't too difficult to see coming in all honesty. I really can't say too much more without giving something away I shouldn't.
I should point out that this particular book was on the Independent Literary Awards, short list in the Mystery category. As a result, I went into it with high expectations and a more critical eye than I usually do with the books I read. I mean, this was an award contender, right? I can see why it made the short list. The writing was good (although I wasn't a big fan of the screenplay narrative bits), the characters fully formed, and the story well told. It didn't quite hold that wow factor for me, but it was a good ride while I was reading. It certainly kept me flipping pages as fast as I could to reach the end. And I definitely would catch it in the theater if it made it to the big screen.
A man wakes up on a beach, shivering from the wet and cold. He has no memory of who he is. He discovers a car with the name Daniel Hayes on the registration, which he assumes is him. He does the only thing he can think of to do, he follows the leads in front of him, hoping to regain his identity and past. He isn't sure he likes what he discovers: a dead wife that he may or may not have killed; a man searching for him and threatening his friends; the police, hot on his trail; and the public who has already convicted him.
The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes is one of those edge of your seat type books. It takes off at a run and doesn't let up until near the end. I confess I wasn't too sure about Daniel at first. And I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do in his shoes. I am not sure I would have immediately gone into flight mode the way he did--but then, I doubt I would find a gun in my glove compartment. The twists and turns weren't too difficult to see coming in all honesty. I really can't say too much more without giving something away I shouldn't.
I should point out that this particular book was on the Independent Literary Awards, short list in the Mystery category. As a result, I went into it with high expectations and a more critical eye than I usually do with the books I read. I mean, this was an award contender, right? I can see why it made the short list. The writing was good (although I wasn't a big fan of the screenplay narrative bits), the characters fully formed, and the story well told. It didn't quite hold that wow factor for me, but it was a good ride while I was reading. It certainly kept me flipping pages as fast as I could to reach the end. And I definitely would catch it in the theater if it made it to the big screen.
michelledances's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book cover to cover, in less than 24 hours. It catches you right from the beginning, and just keeps getting better. I highly recommend it.
allyshay's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Story is shaky. Characters are more interesting than the plot line, which has some major holes and improbabilities. However, it's ok or a summer read, when you don't want to put too much thought into a book.
jbones's review against another edition
I found this book hard to get in to and it was due at the library before I finished it... I let it go! Interesting premise. Just had other things in my queue that I wanted to read more.