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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
dark
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:
No
Alex Marks escaped to New York City for a fresh start. Her self-isolating world is upended when her writer hero, Francis Keen, is brutally murdered. Francis was the woman behind the famous advice column "Dear Constance," and her words helped Alex through some of the darkest times of her life. When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies, never expecting to get the job. This intriguing premise sets the stage for a gripping thriller that blends personal growth with a suspenseful murder mystery. Alex's unexpected new role as the advice columnist for "Dear Constance" is a forced transformation and the catalyst to search for the truth behind Francis's death. She begins to receive strange, potentially threatening letters at the office, turning everyone around her into a threat, including her boss, editor-in-chief Howard Dimitri, who works late and drinks too much. The narrative effectively keeps readers on edge, wondering who can be trusted and what secrets are being kept. The plot thickens as Alex digs deeper into the mystery and must also face her hidden past. The novel offers a blend of mystery, suspense, and personal growth. The murder is somewhat predictable, but the book does shed light on the abuse of power and how abuse in the workplace is challenging to report.
I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books.
I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
slow-paced
While it didn’t completely blow me away, it kept me hooked, and I’d recommend it to thriller enthusiasts looking for a twisty, intriguing story.
Like others have said, not reading the description of the book before reading it makes it sooo much better. I feel like it gives away too much and would make me impatient as a reader, waiting to hit all the plot points. Luckily, I went in pretty blind and this book kept me glued to it. I loved the characters and the way it portrayed the more serious subject matter in a realistic way (and without romanticizing things that shouldn’t be).
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the premise of this book. It felt almost comfortable and literary at first, before unsettling things came into play. One slight pet peeve was that I felt like Lucy was too obvious - not who she was necessarily, but how she fit in. I think that reveal came a bit too early and was too heavy-handed. Overall the book was a page-turner and I wasn’t sure who did what until the end.
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes