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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story turned out to be much more complicated than I initially thought, from the synopsis. Luna and Owen meet in college and become inseparable. Their relationship is unusually close but strictly platonic. Somehow, they become entangled in two separate deaths, one in college and one a decade and a half later. The story is told in dual timelines, and we learn details about both situations and secrets little by little. The marriages that are portrayed are extremely dysfunctional and unhealthy. Neither Luna nor Owen seemed terribly concerned about infidelity or even death.
The plot is fast-paced and kept me intrigued throughout. The cliffhangers were clever and not contrived.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC
The plot is fast-paced and kept me intrigued throughout. The cliffhangers were clever and not contrived.
Spoiler
It did seem that the author had run out of juicy twists by the end, and the actual reveal was quite anticlimactic. There were so many people who were potential suspects, and the actual guilty party was someone not even mentioned before. There was no way the reader could have figured it out, and it was a bit of a cop-out. We also never even hear from the perspective of the criminal. That was the only reason I docked a star from the rating.Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC
3.5 (almost 4) /5, Really unique and solid thriller.
Overview:
- Platonic soulmates
- Fucked up rich people
- Generational trauma
- a prickly, dark main female character
- Murder mystery
- Multi timeline and multi POV
The Accomplice tells the story of Luna and Owen; two best friends in a deeply toxic codependent relationship that comes before all others. When Owen's wife is killed, the past starts to catch up with the pair, causing everyone around them to ask questions about their unique relationship.
This book should be a TV show. It's written like a TV show. The pacing spans multiple timelines, provides multiple POVs without being overwhelming or odd, and isn't so much about a single mystery as a mystery creates friction in the world of a group of friends. This isn't a negative, but if you go in looking for a straightforward thriller/mystery experience, you may not get what you are looking for.
The characters are the absolute hi light of this story. Owen is a guy from a deeply wealthy, dysfunctional family. Luna is highly secretive, withdrawn person with her own deep traumas. She is the crown jewel of the series; being both icy and private while showing signs of warmth and genuine goodness. Luna is such a multi faced character whose deeply influenced by her past, and this is very meticulously shown in great detail. She's a very unique character not just in thrillers, but overall I haven't encountered a female lead in a book as engaging and creative as her in some time.
Owen and Luna's inner circle includes their two friends, Owen's brother, and the families of Owen, Luna, and his deceased wife. You might think this is a lot of characters, and you are right...but they are all distinct. All interesting. I really love it when a thriller is able to give every single character no matter how minor something that makes you care about them. I walked out of this book liking them all.
The mystery is a little all over the place and leaves something to be desired. It's not bad, but this is more of a character drama than a thriller so it's marketed in a bit of an odd way. Again, it feels like a TV show. The book itself isn't long, but it feels like the author had way more to say about different characters and plot beats, so for awhile you are watching these scenes wondering how they all fit together...and sometimes they don't.
You get random romance storylines, storylines about both characters dysfunctional families, etc, and they are just there as padding/not adding anything to the story. The upside is that all of these interactions are genuinely entertaining and interesting- just not always ideal for this storytelling format. I wouldn't call them bad, just jarring at times. I actually LOVED all of these interactions, but wrapped up in the theme of the book it was sometimes just sort of confusing/weird.
I repeat myself: this should be a TV show. It would be perfect for HBO/fans of Mare of Eastown or True Detective. If you like gritty character driven HBO shows with added mystery just read this.
The Accomplice should not be overlooked. It's a damn shame there isn't more hype for it. Pick this one up if you are in the mood for something different.
Overview:
- Platonic soulmates
- Fucked up rich people
- Generational trauma
- a prickly, dark main female character
- Murder mystery
- Multi timeline and multi POV
The Accomplice tells the story of Luna and Owen; two best friends in a deeply toxic codependent relationship that comes before all others. When Owen's wife is killed, the past starts to catch up with the pair, causing everyone around them to ask questions about their unique relationship.
This book should be a TV show. It's written like a TV show. The pacing spans multiple timelines, provides multiple POVs without being overwhelming or odd, and isn't so much about a single mystery as a mystery creates friction in the world of a group of friends. This isn't a negative, but if you go in looking for a straightforward thriller/mystery experience, you may not get what you are looking for.
The characters are the absolute hi light of this story. Owen is a guy from a deeply wealthy, dysfunctional family. Luna is highly secretive, withdrawn person with her own deep traumas. She is the crown jewel of the series; being both icy and private while showing signs of warmth and genuine goodness. Luna is such a multi faced character whose deeply influenced by her past, and this is very meticulously shown in great detail. She's a very unique character not just in thrillers, but overall I haven't encountered a female lead in a book as engaging and creative as her in some time.
Owen and Luna's inner circle includes their two friends, Owen's brother, and the families of Owen, Luna, and his deceased wife. You might think this is a lot of characters, and you are right...but they are all distinct. All interesting. I really love it when a thriller is able to give every single character no matter how minor something that makes you care about them. I walked out of this book liking them all.
The mystery is a little all over the place and leaves something to be desired. It's not bad, but this is more of a character drama than a thriller so it's marketed in a bit of an odd way. Again, it feels like a TV show. The book itself isn't long, but it feels like the author had way more to say about different characters and plot beats, so for awhile you are watching these scenes wondering how they all fit together...and sometimes they don't.
You get random romance storylines, storylines about both characters dysfunctional families, etc, and they are just there as padding/not adding anything to the story. The upside is that all of these interactions are genuinely entertaining and interesting- just not always ideal for this storytelling format. I wouldn't call them bad, just jarring at times. I actually LOVED all of these interactions, but wrapped up in the theme of the book it was sometimes just sort of confusing/weird.
I repeat myself: this should be a TV show. It would be perfect for HBO/fans of Mare of Eastown or True Detective. If you like gritty character driven HBO shows with added mystery just read this.
The Accomplice should not be overlooked. It's a damn shame there isn't more hype for it. Pick this one up if you are in the mood for something different.
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Vomit
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Drug use, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Grief, Abortion
At first, I really thought I had a DNF on my hands; however, as the story evolved I started to enjoy it more and more. The more Lutz dove into her characters, the better their stories became and the more sense everything made. The beginning was definitely choppy and moving in all directions but Lutz did a good job reigning all that in for a complete, well-rounded thriller. 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.
mysterious
The Accomplice is my first novel by Lisa Lutz, but I can already tell it won't be my last. The Accomplice is a well-written, twist-filled psychological suspense. Offering multiple alternating POV chapters and time periods, The Accomplice asks us the question; how well do we truly know those closest to us? Best friends, Luna and Owen are at the heart of this novel and their friendship is well portrayed. When Owen's wife turns up dead and questions start to come up about another death that occurred in their shared past, we see things start to unravel and suspicions cast. I really liked the character of Luna and how the story teases us about her past in bite sized pieces just enough to keep you turning the pages needing to know what happened. I read most of this book in one sitting. A well-crafted suspense novel about secrets, trauma and friendship. I'd highly recommend this book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another excellent mystery from Lisa Lutz. Also a well narrated audiobook.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes