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stephanie_jmc's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Another book club read and probably the earliest I’ve ever started /finished a book club book - I usually am racing to read them the days before we meet ! This one gets a 6.2/10.
Honestly, the book was very intriguing at first. I raced through the first 120 pages or so pretty quickly - and then maintained my pace because I was committed to finishing the book fast. But it gets very repetitive and boring. A nonstop cycle of chapters that alternate between 5 characters, all of which seem to always end on cliff hangers with very minimal, if any, progress happening in the book. Nothing really happens until the last 30ish pages and then it all happens really fast. The ending was annoying as well but I really can’t expand on that more without giving spoilers. There’s also not really a whole lot of “fair” hints to make it fun to try and guess who did it. (Guessing who did it is my favourite part about mystery books).
It’s possible that because this was also a mystery “who dun it” book that does not remotely measure up to the mystery book I just read/posted about, I’m being a bit harsher on this novel as a result. The writing is simple, it does keep you wondering, but ultimately was kind of a “meh” book overall. I wouldn’t recommend against it, but I also wouldn’t actively promote it. If you’re really into mysteries / cliff hangers - you might like this book !
Honestly, the book was very intriguing at first. I raced through the first 120 pages or so pretty quickly - and then maintained my pace because I was committed to finishing the book fast. But it gets very repetitive and boring. A nonstop cycle of chapters that alternate between 5 characters, all of which seem to always end on cliff hangers with very minimal, if any, progress happening in the book. Nothing really happens until the last 30ish pages and then it all happens really fast. The ending was annoying as well but I really can’t expand on that more without giving spoilers. There’s also not really a whole lot of “fair” hints to make it fun to try and guess who did it. (Guessing who did it is my favourite part about mystery books).
It’s possible that because this was also a mystery “who dun it” book that does not remotely measure up to the mystery book I just read/posted about, I’m being a bit harsher on this novel as a result. The writing is simple, it does keep you wondering, but ultimately was kind of a “meh” book overall. I wouldn’t recommend against it, but I also wouldn’t actively promote it. If you’re really into mysteries / cliff hangers - you might like this book !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Death, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Eating disorder, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Incest, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, and Suicide attempt
jennysides's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Incest, and Pedophilia
georgialouise1997's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
Fast and enjoyable but unfortunately the ending was a bit anti-climatic for me. Loved the writing style, so much build up and nearly every character was hiding something which added to the suspicion and suspense making me not want to stop reading.
I did not guess the ending but to me it felt it came from no where and felt like such an “oh ok?” moment. Sadly its what prevented this being a 5* for me.
With the ending being how it was, parts of the story did feel a bit unnecessary.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed and thought it was so gripping.
I did not guess the ending but to me it felt it came from no where and felt like such an “oh ok?” moment. Sadly its what prevented this being a 5* for me.
With the ending being how it was, parts of the story did feel a bit unnecessary.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed and thought it was so gripping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Child death, Death, and Pedophilia
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Pedophilia, Self harm, and Sexual assault
kaithebookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Wow wow wow! I didn’t see that twist coming but now it all makes sense 🤯
Ok here’s my review: I think this was definitely slow-pace for me. It didn’t start to pick up until about the last 60 pages. I would consider this one a slow burn with the anticipation building slowly to the end. I don’t normally like to read books like that as I like my books to be a page-turner within the first chapter. HOWEVER, I think the plot itself was intriguing enough to keep the pages turning. I didn’t feel a connection with Ella (sorry!) nor with anyone really besides Sarah. I wish she had gotten another chapter at the end, but here we are. Overall, I recommend if you’re into slow-burn books.
Ok here’s my review: I think this was definitely slow-pace for me. It didn’t start to pick up until about the last 60 pages. I would consider this one a slow burn with the anticipation building slowly to the end. I don’t normally like to read books like that as I like my books to be a page-turner within the first chapter. HOWEVER, I think the plot itself was intriguing enough to keep the pages turning. I didn’t feel a connection with Ella (sorry!) nor with anyone really besides Sarah. I wish she had gotten another chapter at the end, but here we are. Overall, I recommend if you’re into slow-burn books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
booksofautumn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
hannahelizza556's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Ella Longsfield is travelling by train when she overhears two young men flirting with two teenage girls. She thinks nothing of it until she hears that the men are fresh out of prison, her maternal instincts become on high alert. But, just as Anna has decided to call for help, something stops her. The next day, one of the girls – Anna Ballard – has disappeared. No trace of evidence is uncovered and no suspects to tie them to the supposed abduction and possible murder of Anna Ballard.
Ella is wracked with guilt fearing that she is to blame for Anna’s disappearance, failing to do what she should have done that day on the train. Someone starts sending Ella letters to her… “I am watching you…” One year on and an appeal is brought to the attention of the general public. It becomes clear to the reader that Anna’s friend Sarah hasn’t been telling the whole truth about what happened that fateful night, nor have Anna’s parents as deeper secrets are uncovered. Who is responsible for Anna’s murder? Who knows where she is?
The themes explored in this book are harsh and bring light to real issues that happen in daily life. Themes include teenage abduction, physical violence and murder, all of these themes are central to the book. Mental illness and suicide is also explored throughout, particularly feelings towards guilt and trauma. Domestic violence is also explored in regards to physical and emotional abuse. Sex is also a central theme to the book and is threaded throughout.
Ella is wracked with guilt fearing that she is to blame for Anna’s disappearance, failing to do what she should have done that day on the train. Someone starts sending Ella letters to her… “I am watching you…” One year on and an appeal is brought to the attention of the general public. It becomes clear to the reader that Anna’s friend Sarah hasn’t been telling the whole truth about what happened that fateful night, nor have Anna’s parents as deeper secrets are uncovered. Who is responsible for Anna’s murder? Who knows where she is?
The themes explored in this book are harsh and bring light to real issues that happen in daily life. Themes include teenage abduction, physical violence and murder, all of these themes are central to the book. Mental illness and suicide is also explored throughout, particularly feelings towards guilt and trauma. Domestic violence is also explored in regards to physical and emotional abuse. Sex is also a central theme to the book and is threaded throughout.
I read this book within three days as I just couldn’t put it down. The different points of view put across in this book added to the tension and suspense I felt overall for this book. I kept trying to guess who the killer was, it turns out all my guesses were totally wrong. The killer really was hidden until the end of the book and the possibility of another murder was imminent.
This book was my first read of 2021 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to read more of Teresa Driscoll’s books again. Unlike some crime books this one doesn’t focus on the gory, blood side to the investigation but the aftermath and the effect it has on the family members and friends. I would recommend this book to all readers, new and old to the crime genre section of the book store.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Pedophilia, and Violence
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