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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Just a wonderful read, a story that draws you with strong character development. Easy to love and have you entranced in their world. The writing allows it to come alive, awaiting the next page impatiently.
too many characters and a fairly predictable plot
I got pretty hooked on the storyline...I wanted to know whether Cameron was alive or dead and the who-done-it. There was a vagueness to her present story which all gets resolved at the very end. I really enjoyed reading the 'author's note' once the story was over. I have to admit, that at times, I felt that some of the chapters on her background were a little to much and was slowing the book down. That being said, it was a great read.
medium-paced
A bit boring, I didn’t connect with the main characters or plot. Nothing wrong with the book but I can’t pinpoint anything right. The story felt drawn out, and the ending rushed.
4.5 stars.
Set in 1993, When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain is a mesmerizing mystery.
When her marriage hits an extremely rough patch, San Francisco Detective Anna Hart returns to Mendocino to try to comes to terms with a heartrending loss. Having learned from her beloved foster dad that nature can help heal, she rents an isolated cabin and hikes familiar paths. Anna also convinces her childhood friend and current sheriff Will Flood to allow her to assist on a missing persons case. Fifteen-year-old Cameron Curtis has vanished without a trace or an explanation and Anna knows she can help locate her. In the course of the investigation, the police are alerted to another teenage girl who is also missing. Will Anna’s expertise in working cases involving missing teens lead them to the person responsible for the possible kidnappings?
Anna spent most of her childhood in foster care and she finally lucked out when she is placed with forest ranger Hap and his wife Eden. Although very guarded at first, she finally realizes they genuinely care about her. Despite this stable period in her life, Anna still never quite comes to terms with what happened just before entering foster care. As an adult, she is very dedicated to her job but her devotion to her career becomes point of contention between her and her husband. After tragedy strikes, Anna uses her job to keep her mind off her agonizing loss. But with her marriage in serious trouble, she hopes returning to Mendocino will help her put things into perspective and help her come to terms with recent events.
The investigation into Cameron’s disappearance is hindered by her actress mother’s desire for privacy. She does not want any type of publicity so Will and Anna must tread lightly when questioning people close to Cameron. The teenager’s best friend Gray Benson is extremely helpful but the search for the missing teen does not turn up anything new. Will and Anna are extremely frustrated by their lack of progress and Anna knows that time is running out if they hope to find Cameron alive. Anna unexpectedly stumbles across new information that breaks the case wide open. But will they find Cameron before it is too late?
When the Stars Go Dark is an atmospheric mystery with a multi-layered plot. At this point in her life, Anna is deeply troubled but cannot resist working on Cameron’s case. Will has his own troubles and he is a little out of his depth as he tries to find Cameron. Mendocino and the surrounding wilderness spring vibrantly to life and are very easy to visualize. This fictional missing person’s case incorporates real life events that occurred during 1993. With a shocking plot twist, Paula McLain brings this incredible mystery to an adrenaline laced conclusion. Greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Set in 1993, When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain is a mesmerizing mystery.
When her marriage hits an extremely rough patch, San Francisco Detective Anna Hart returns to Mendocino to try to comes to terms with a heartrending loss. Having learned from her beloved foster dad that nature can help heal, she rents an isolated cabin and hikes familiar paths. Anna also convinces her childhood friend and current sheriff Will Flood to allow her to assist on a missing persons case. Fifteen-year-old Cameron Curtis has vanished without a trace or an explanation and Anna knows she can help locate her. In the course of the investigation, the police are alerted to another teenage girl who is also missing. Will Anna’s expertise in working cases involving missing teens lead them to the person responsible for the possible kidnappings?
Anna spent most of her childhood in foster care and she finally lucked out when she is placed with forest ranger Hap and his wife Eden. Although very guarded at first, she finally realizes they genuinely care about her. Despite this stable period in her life, Anna still never quite comes to terms with what happened just before entering foster care. As an adult, she is very dedicated to her job but her devotion to her career becomes point of contention between her and her husband. After tragedy strikes, Anna uses her job to keep her mind off her agonizing loss. But with her marriage in serious trouble, she hopes returning to Mendocino will help her put things into perspective and help her come to terms with recent events.
The investigation into Cameron’s disappearance is hindered by her actress mother’s desire for privacy. She does not want any type of publicity so Will and Anna must tread lightly when questioning people close to Cameron. The teenager’s best friend Gray Benson is extremely helpful but the search for the missing teen does not turn up anything new. Will and Anna are extremely frustrated by their lack of progress and Anna knows that time is running out if they hope to find Cameron alive. Anna unexpectedly stumbles across new information that breaks the case wide open. But will they find Cameron before it is too late?
When the Stars Go Dark is an atmospheric mystery with a multi-layered plot. At this point in her life, Anna is deeply troubled but cannot resist working on Cameron’s case. Will has his own troubles and he is a little out of his depth as he tries to find Cameron. Mendocino and the surrounding wilderness spring vibrantly to life and are very easy to visualize. This fictional missing person’s case incorporates real life events that occurred during 1993. With a shocking plot twist, Paula McLain brings this incredible mystery to an adrenaline laced conclusion. Greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.
It's been a while since I stayed up past my bedtime to finish a book, but I had to know whodunnit, and once I found out I had to go back and read a bunch of parts over again so I could see how McLain dropped subtle clues that I completely missed. I was also incredibly touched by the main character's relationship with her dog. Overall the experience of reading this was just incredibly satisfying.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced