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bantambookworm's review
4.0
I have never read anything by Jack Jordan before and I finished Night By Night wondering why it had taken me so long. Jordan's writing is so sharp and the descriptions so vivid that from the beginning, I actually felt as if I was there. I could hear every sound, see every move and sense every little bit of tension. Jordan immediately drew me in and I couldn't let go until I knew what had happened to Finn.
The central character Rose, is someone for whom I instantly felt sympathy. She has been through so much heartbreak and I could feel her exhaustion and all the emotions that went with it seeping through the pages.
As the plot of Night By Night gathers pace, the build up of tension is very impressive. I could feel the fear experienced by those who were targeted, but like them, I could not work out who the perpetrator was or how they had done what they did. At times, I began to wonder what had really happened and it is testament to Jordan's writing that he was able to play with my mind in that way. I was surprised when I discovered the truth, and finish Night By Night rather exhausted by such an amazing roller-coaster ride!
The central character Rose, is someone for whom I instantly felt sympathy. She has been through so much heartbreak and I could feel her exhaustion and all the emotions that went with it seeping through the pages.
As the plot of Night By Night gathers pace, the build up of tension is very impressive. I could feel the fear experienced by those who were targeted, but like them, I could not work out who the perpetrator was or how they had done what they did. At times, I began to wonder what had really happened and it is testament to Jordan's writing that he was able to play with my mind in that way. I was surprised when I discovered the truth, and finish Night By Night rather exhausted by such an amazing roller-coaster ride!
faysieh's review
3.0
I did and I didn't like this book.
Rather graphic portrayal of homophobia within the police force and how the lack of acceptance within families can lead to suicide. This therefore makes the book heartbreakingly sad but also quite difficult to digest as parts are extremely brutal.
The start of the book is an incredible feat of storytelling. Rose suffers from insomnia. As a real-life sufferer the descriptions of overwhelming tiredness and fatigue were so evocative. I was feeling Rose's pain along with her. And then there is a tradegy, caused by Rose's condition which is written beautifully, poetic anguish and suffering seeps through the pages. My heart broke along with Rose's and I found her husband and child's rejection of Rose very hard to take.
Mixed up in this tale of loss and tradegy is a mystery that Rose becomes unwittingly caught up in when someone bumps into her, drops something and she discovers and keeps hold of what turns out to be a local journalist's journal. Her investigations are her way of becoming whole again but this is where the plot sometimes becomes far fetched and disappointing. Yes, it does have twists and turns, yes you do want to find out if Rose really is mad or there is real evil lurking, but sadly the book seems to lose its way and the brutality leaves the reader not really wanting to carry on. There are some glimmers of light for a future that isn't completely full of torment for Rose but it is the sinister and cruel way men have been taken from their families which leaves a very bitter taste of bile in one's throat. Read it knowing a health warning is attached!
Rather graphic portrayal of homophobia within the police force and how the lack of acceptance within families can lead to suicide. This therefore makes the book heartbreakingly sad but also quite difficult to digest as parts are extremely brutal.
The start of the book is an incredible feat of storytelling. Rose suffers from insomnia. As a real-life sufferer the descriptions of overwhelming tiredness and fatigue were so evocative. I was feeling Rose's pain along with her. And then there is a tradegy, caused by Rose's condition which is written beautifully, poetic anguish and suffering seeps through the pages. My heart broke along with Rose's and I found her husband and child's rejection of Rose very hard to take.
Mixed up in this tale of loss and tradegy is a mystery that Rose becomes unwittingly caught up in when someone bumps into her, drops something and she discovers and keeps hold of what turns out to be a local journalist's journal. Her investigations are her way of becoming whole again but this is where the plot sometimes becomes far fetched and disappointing. Yes, it does have twists and turns, yes you do want to find out if Rose really is mad or there is real evil lurking, but sadly the book seems to lose its way and the brutality leaves the reader not really wanting to carry on. There are some glimmers of light for a future that isn't completely full of torment for Rose but it is the sinister and cruel way men have been taken from their families which leaves a very bitter taste of bile in one's throat. Read it knowing a health warning is attached!
steph1rothwell's review
4.0
This is the first book I have read by Jack Jordan and I’m certain it won’t be the last. If I have a bad nights sleep, I struggle throughout the day. I can’t imagine what it is like to have insomnia. Or how to cope with what happened to her family because of it. It was a book that had me feeling tense but not for the reasons I expected. The crimes committed were horrific, even though there wasn’t much detail about the killing, it is more about what each of the victims experienced in the events leading up to their deaths. The main reason I felt so tense was because of the level of hatred throughout. Not only towards Finn and the others but also towards Rose. I found it very difficult to understand why nobody had any sympathy for what happened to her.
Most of the novel focuses on Rose but there are also small parts that concerns others. Finn is the most common one, as the notes from his journal were revealed. But the others are as disturbing, one of them towards the end is more upsetting that the others.
I have never read anything like this book before. The level of hatred towards most of the characters is at times draining but equally fascinating. It is also sadly, believable with the society that we live in. It is at times, emotional, reading about Rose’s life. she has nobody who she can turn to, everybody in the town knew what happened to her and she was increasingly isolated and mistrusted, especially by her own family.
An intriguing and heartbreaking novel that is different to most books I have read recently.
Most of the novel focuses on Rose but there are also small parts that concerns others. Finn is the most common one, as the notes from his journal were revealed. But the others are as disturbing, one of them towards the end is more upsetting that the others.
I have never read anything like this book before. The level of hatred towards most of the characters is at times draining but equally fascinating. It is also sadly, believable with the society that we live in. It is at times, emotional, reading about Rose’s life. she has nobody who she can turn to, everybody in the town knew what happened to her and she was increasingly isolated and mistrusted, especially by her own family.
An intriguing and heartbreaking novel that is different to most books I have read recently.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
5.0
When we meet Rose, I didn’t envy her one bit. An insomnia sufferer who is struggling to function. Her life seems to be on a downwards spiral with her husband and daughter hardly talking to her and she is literally just existing.
Well that all changes when she comes into possession of a journal. Like Rose, I was very intrigued when reading what was inside and Rose finds herself getting a purpose in life and making it her mission to solve the disappearance of a complete stranger to her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the direction that the author takes the reader in the story. Dealing with homophobia and bigots among other things. Sadly it is something that is very much about today and it actually made for some quite emotional reading in part. It also tackles dealing with grief and trying to mend bridges. There was so much that kept my attention and had me turning those pages, dying to know more.
Rose is an unreliable narrator, adding to the suspense and intrigue and I didn’t have a clue who to trust. The author totally had me hoodwinked and I was blinded by Rose’s opinions and thoughts and felt bad by the end for thinking bad of certain characters.
Night By Night is a truly gripping read. It is deliciously dark, taking unexpected turns that ensured I wasn’t putting my Kindle down anytime soon as I had to know the mystery surrounding Finn. For me it was a very refreshing story line, not having really read anything along the same lines. Another brilliant offering by the author that I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone.
Well that all changes when she comes into possession of a journal. Like Rose, I was very intrigued when reading what was inside and Rose finds herself getting a purpose in life and making it her mission to solve the disappearance of a complete stranger to her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the direction that the author takes the reader in the story. Dealing with homophobia and bigots among other things. Sadly it is something that is very much about today and it actually made for some quite emotional reading in part. It also tackles dealing with grief and trying to mend bridges. There was so much that kept my attention and had me turning those pages, dying to know more.
Rose is an unreliable narrator, adding to the suspense and intrigue and I didn’t have a clue who to trust. The author totally had me hoodwinked and I was blinded by Rose’s opinions and thoughts and felt bad by the end for thinking bad of certain characters.
Night By Night is a truly gripping read. It is deliciously dark, taking unexpected turns that ensured I wasn’t putting my Kindle down anytime soon as I had to know the mystery surrounding Finn. For me it was a very refreshing story line, not having really read anything along the same lines. Another brilliant offering by the author that I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone.
zoeamac's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, and Stalking
ravegr01's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Homophobia, and Child death
leannelovesbooks's review
5.0
Another brilliant book by Jack Jordan. I would say he has topped his previous book with this one.
It is about an insomniac who ends up in possession of a journal and she decides to find out what happened to the owner. She is made to look like she is going made with her behaviour but won’t give up. I was gripped. I read the book in one sitting.
It is written really well. I think the opening chapters about what the main character Rose went through and how it impacted her life is handled well. I know what I’m like on little sleep, let alone what insomnia must be like, so it is written well. Rose is a good narrator for the story. Her troubled life and how she is determined to succeed made this a very enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to more by Jack Jordan.
It is about an insomniac who ends up in possession of a journal and she decides to find out what happened to the owner. She is made to look like she is going made with her behaviour but won’t give up. I was gripped. I read the book in one sitting.
It is written really well. I think the opening chapters about what the main character Rose went through and how it impacted her life is handled well. I know what I’m like on little sleep, let alone what insomnia must be like, so it is written well. Rose is a good narrator for the story. Her troubled life and how she is determined to succeed made this a very enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to more by Jack Jordan.
lcapewell's review
4.0
Wow! This book kept me gripped from start to finish! When Rose discovered the journal of Finn Matthews; detailing his stalker and the fears for his safety Rose takes it to the police. But when the police aren't interested she takes matters into her own hands, which had devastating consequences as missing Finn is a secret someone wants to keep well and truly hidden.
I absolutely loved this book and it had so many unexpected twists and turns! Sometimes with crime novels I figure out who the killer is, but I didn't at all with this one which is exactly what I want in a book! To have an ending that was so unexpected and left me constantly guessing what was going to happen next, well it was incredible and I would definitely recommend this book to read!
I absolutely loved this book and it had so many unexpected twists and turns! Sometimes with crime novels I figure out who the killer is, but I didn't at all with this one which is exactly what I want in a book! To have an ending that was so unexpected and left me constantly guessing what was going to happen next, well it was incredible and I would definitely recommend this book to read!
raven_pine's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe how hooked into this book I got.
The first 50 pages I wasn’t keen and wanted to DNF but I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and read 100 pages before making the final decision and I’m really glad I did.
This is about Rose who is a severe insomniac and after an accident was rejected by her family and her only friend. The book then jumps to years later where we learn more about the events that day and the anguish she suffered. Meanwhile Rose is also trying to deal with her life falling apart around her and fighting a battle to investigate the disappearance of Finn, a man she learns about while reading a journal that detailed horrific abuse and a lack of care of anyone around him because of homophobia.
This book is amazing and far exceeded my expectations
The first 50 pages I wasn’t keen and wanted to DNF but I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and read 100 pages before making the final decision and I’m really glad I did.
This is about Rose who is a severe insomniac and after an accident was rejected by her family and her only friend. The book then jumps to years later where we learn more about the events that day and the anguish she suffered. Meanwhile Rose is also trying to deal with her life falling apart around her and fighting a battle to investigate the disappearance of Finn, a man she learns about while reading a journal that detailed horrific abuse and a lack of care of anyone around him because of homophobia.
This book is amazing and far exceeded my expectations