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snl07002's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sofiya_gura's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kcp3321's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Story in a story in a story - loved this structure!
This one is going to be hard to both describe and review without giving anything away. But it was definitely worth the read and effort to write about.
What could easily have been just another murder mystery is made into something more by the clever structuring of the story - which is itself the creation of an author writing the book and discussing it chapter by chapter with a fan. Oh and the character in HER book is a writer writing a book too.
Confused? It's actually easy to follow.
The main action starts, wonderfully enough, in a public library, as a writer is observing those around her to use as potential characters in her own work. But true to form, there's a woman's scream, a lockdown, a body. And the writer speaks to the people she's been studying and friendships are formed. Though she tells us - the narrator/author of the murder story through her main character - that one of them is a murderer.
Now as we move through this mystery of working out who the dead woman is, how any of the characters might be connected to her, how the friendships/budding romances between the foursome develop, the writer of THEIR story also shares with us messages from a fan of hers (the author of the mystery is a well-known writer of the genre already). This fan, we learn, comes from the city in which the author is setting the story. Due to COVID lockdowns, she's stuck in Australia so he offers to help with geographical tips, language phrases, and comments about his own struggles to become a published author. His correspondent's words are never shared, only her chapters.
Gradually as the murder mystery itself moves through the usual red herrings, twists, amateur detective work, escalating violence, backstories and character development, its writer and fan/reader also develop their own plot, which sneaks up on the reader (us, in case you are lost in the maze or readers and writers involved in the layers by now!).
Ohh, it was great. I re-read a few pages now and then as some things were quite subtly placed in the pages to seem low-key and trivial. Which turns us (the reader of the writer of the writer - keep up!) into the detectives too.
What could have been a fairly standard murder mystery became something much more exciting and concentrated.
I hope I've kept this broad enough to tantalise without giving anything away. Apart from the fact that it's highly enjoyable, mind-twisting stuff that gives depth and finesse to this piece of fiction.
I'd recommend this for those who enjoy the genre but also those who might be weary of tropes and lazy plotting. This will give you something to get your detective teeth into.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
This one is going to be hard to both describe and review without giving anything away. But it was definitely worth the read and effort to write about.
What could easily have been just another murder mystery is made into something more by the clever structuring of the story - which is itself the creation of an author writing the book and discussing it chapter by chapter with a fan. Oh and the character in HER book is a writer writing a book too.
Confused? It's actually easy to follow.
The main action starts, wonderfully enough, in a public library, as a writer is observing those around her to use as potential characters in her own work. But true to form, there's a woman's scream, a lockdown, a body. And the writer speaks to the people she's been studying and friendships are formed. Though she tells us - the narrator/author of the murder story through her main character - that one of them is a murderer.
Now as we move through this mystery of working out who the dead woman is, how any of the characters might be connected to her, how the friendships/budding romances between the foursome develop, the writer of THEIR story also shares with us messages from a fan of hers (the author of the mystery is a well-known writer of the genre already). This fan, we learn, comes from the city in which the author is setting the story. Due to COVID lockdowns, she's stuck in Australia so he offers to help with geographical tips, language phrases, and comments about his own struggles to become a published author. His correspondent's words are never shared, only her chapters.
Gradually as the murder mystery itself moves through the usual red herrings, twists, amateur detective work, escalating violence, backstories and character development, its writer and fan/reader also develop their own plot, which sneaks up on the reader (us, in case you are lost in the maze or readers and writers involved in the layers by now!).
Ohh, it was great. I re-read a few pages now and then as some things were quite subtly placed in the pages to seem low-key and trivial. Which turns us (the reader of the writer of the writer - keep up!) into the detectives too.
What could have been a fairly standard murder mystery became something much more exciting and concentrated.
I hope I've kept this broad enough to tantalise without giving anything away. Apart from the fact that it's highly enjoyable, mind-twisting stuff that gives depth and finesse to this piece of fiction.
I'd recommend this for those who enjoy the genre but also those who might be weary of tropes and lazy plotting. This will give you something to get your detective teeth into.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
dembury's review
4.0
A very unique and fun mystery! I’m a big fan of the whole “locked room mystery in reverse” setup, and that coupled with the letters mixed in made such an intriguing dual plot. The final third sort of dragged a bit, and I couldn’t help but wish for a dash more creativity at the ending, but the whole thing had me making guesses and frantically trying to unravel the puzzle and that made for a fun time!
ejmott's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
burgsandbeans's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Not really much of a mystery, it feels like it shows its hand a little too early. Also, having two storylines made it feel like neither was fleshed out enough and the resolution for both was a little lacklustre. Overall a fine read, but not one I'd go back to anytime soon.
princessmeg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
envy4's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe I’m giving a five star review, but kept picking this up with enthusiasm. Enjoyed the ride fully and unabashedly. Read this while doing some travel from NC>LA>Bali. Lots of long flights and this kept me on the edge of my seat, hungry for more.