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ladrumm's review
4.0
My cousin recommended this book + I really enjoyed it. Gillian Flynn {author of Gone Girl} endorsed it + that makes sense as some of the twists + turns of this story are similar to those in Gone Girl.
I never had a problem getting into the storyline…it kept me interested and turning the pages. I think I finished this one in about three days. The ending left me wanting a little more, but I would definitely read more books from this author. I’m shocked that The Next Time You See Me is her debut novel.
I never had a problem getting into the storyline…it kept me interested and turning the pages. I think I finished this one in about three days. The ending left me wanting a little more, but I would definitely read more books from this author. I’m shocked that The Next Time You See Me is her debut novel.
renaekarissa's review
4.0
When I reached the middle of this book I had already given it three stars. I found the book interesting, but really slow. After I got a little past half-way, the book picked up a little. It didn't reach the five stars because the book was slower than I thought it was going to be, but still interesting.
the_resa_p's review
4.0
I recieved this book free from the publisher through Goodreads Giveaway program and I have to say this book really exceeded my expectations for it. As a debut novel I thought it would be good but rough, lacking the polish more experienced mystery writers have. But I was wrong. Jones writes her murder like a pro, weaving characters' stories throughout each chapter in a way that keeps you guessing as well as interested.
The novel has four main threads. The first is the story of Emily Houchens, the class "weird girl" who everyone makes fun of, but then it goes beyond that as the popular clique moves to outright hostility. But Emily bares it bravely, as she continues to go to school even though she knows she will be ostracized, mostly because she has a crush on the most popular boy in her class. Then Emily finds a body in the woods behind her house, and things start to change. The body becomes Emily's obsession. And her secret.
The second thread follows that of Susanna Mitchell, a Roma native who did everything the right way. She played by the rules, went to college only to come back and teach at the Roma middle school, and married young. Susanna is a dutiful wife and passionate teacher. The only problem with her pefect life is that she isn't happy, she's fallen out of love with her husband, and she's sick of the people in her small town. When Susanna's sister Ronnie goes missing she's the only one who cares.
The third thread follows that of factory worker Wyatt who has contented himself with a life alone, going to work, coming home, and spending quality time with his dog. Wyatt's life is uncomplicated, simple, the way he wants it to be. Wyatt prefers to take pleasure in thinking about the things that make other people happy than going out and getting happy himself. Then Wyatt has a heart-attack and everything starts to change.
The final thread is that of Ronnie, the bar hopping, former drug-addict sister of Susanna who is missing from page one. She is the driving force of the novel and the only thing that ties these three characters together.
Jones handles these mutliple story lines with ease, no one thread begins to outweigh the others, all of them are given equal importance, a balance that is difficult to find in many novels that try this technique. Jones also manages to weave more than mystery into her story. She manages a realistic coming-of-age story through Emily's voice and experiences without the nicely wrapped up ending that is becoming the norm for many YA stories. In fact, Emily's story is almost painfully realistic, as Jones makes the reader wonder if they would embrace Emily with open arms or turn their head so as to not get involved. Susanna and Wyatt's thread give us a more adult coming-of-age novel as attention is called to the fact that even adults don't have everything figured out.
All set to the background of a small town where everyone knows everyone (past, present, and presumed future) Jones has created a heartfelt mystery that gives you more than just a murder.
The novel has four main threads. The first is the story of Emily Houchens, the class "weird girl" who everyone makes fun of, but then it goes beyond that as the popular clique moves to outright hostility. But Emily bares it bravely, as she continues to go to school even though she knows she will be ostracized, mostly because she has a crush on the most popular boy in her class. Then Emily finds a body in the woods behind her house, and things start to change. The body becomes Emily's obsession. And her secret.
The second thread follows that of Susanna Mitchell, a Roma native who did everything the right way. She played by the rules, went to college only to come back and teach at the Roma middle school, and married young. Susanna is a dutiful wife and passionate teacher. The only problem with her pefect life is that she isn't happy, she's fallen out of love with her husband, and she's sick of the people in her small town. When Susanna's sister Ronnie goes missing she's the only one who cares.
The third thread follows that of factory worker Wyatt who has contented himself with a life alone, going to work, coming home, and spending quality time with his dog. Wyatt's life is uncomplicated, simple, the way he wants it to be. Wyatt prefers to take pleasure in thinking about the things that make other people happy than going out and getting happy himself. Then Wyatt has a heart-attack and everything starts to change.
The final thread is that of Ronnie, the bar hopping, former drug-addict sister of Susanna who is missing from page one. She is the driving force of the novel and the only thing that ties these three characters together.
Jones handles these mutliple story lines with ease, no one thread begins to outweigh the others, all of them are given equal importance, a balance that is difficult to find in many novels that try this technique. Jones also manages to weave more than mystery into her story. She manages a realistic coming-of-age story through Emily's voice and experiences without the nicely wrapped up ending that is becoming the norm for many YA stories. In fact, Emily's story is almost painfully realistic, as Jones makes the reader wonder if they would embrace Emily with open arms or turn their head so as to not get involved. Susanna and Wyatt's thread give us a more adult coming-of-age novel as attention is called to the fact that even adults don't have everything figured out.
All set to the background of a small town where everyone knows everyone (past, present, and presumed future) Jones has created a heartfelt mystery that gives you more than just a murder.
kaylyncatherine's review
2.0
First I would like to say I won this book from the giveaway.
I was really excited to read it based on the reviews, but I was disappointed. I didn't find the characters to be wholly believable, especially because it didn't seem like there was even one good trait about them.
I love to read tragedies so I know a sad book when I see it and I appreciate sad books but this one didn't do it for me.
I think I tried to read it like a murder-mystery rather than a book that wanted to get a few messages out about small towns and people. Maybe that's what ruined it for me so much. Especially the abundance of sexual images I was left with during some stories that I was not a fan of.
But the author had a nice style. I liked the voice and the overall way she told the story, but the story just needed work.
I was really excited to read it based on the reviews, but I was disappointed. I didn't find the characters to be wholly believable, especially because it didn't seem like there was even one good trait about them.
I love to read tragedies so I know a sad book when I see it and I appreciate sad books but this one didn't do it for me.
I think I tried to read it like a murder-mystery rather than a book that wanted to get a few messages out about small towns and people. Maybe that's what ruined it for me so much. Especially the abundance of sexual images I was left with during some stories that I was not a fan of.
But the author had a nice style. I liked the voice and the overall way she told the story, but the story just needed work.
maryam162424's review
3.0
*3.5 stars, I think* This was an interesting read. I'm not quite sure how I feel though. It was interesting to see the various characters with their own personalities but I think some parts of the story, like Susanna's affair with Tony, that made it seem... weird. Also the ending left me so confused because I was unsure if it was a flashback or the present. The characters and some of the few scenes that happened in the book are reasons why I liked this book. Good read.
nolo77's review
4.0
Brilliant book - until the final chapter. I did not like - I actually hated the final chapter. It did not make a lot of sense to me. I found myself re-reading the final chapter and left the book feeling left down by the ending. Pity!
keetha's review
4.0
This novel was different from most mysteries I've read, and I can't say why without giving away spoilers.
It was a compelling read, and I'll want to read more by the author.
It was a compelling read, and I'll want to read more by the author.
aqtbenz's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe a 3.5. Interesting, but quite weird and a bit anticlimactic.