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karensweeney's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tamara_danielle's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hollidayreadswithme's review
4.0
The Dead Ex is a really interesting read because the women who do not seem connected are connected and it’s hard to figure out how. At the end of part 2, you do and it’s a doozy.
We start out by seeing Vicki’s point of view in the present. Her husband, David has left her for his secretary and she lives in a seaside town doing aromatherapy massages. At first, I’m looking at this and I’m thinking, oh great, another thriller that centers around a jilted ex. But I was so totally wrong.
Scarlet, who is an 8-year old girl who has been drug running for her mother, gets caught and has to go into foster care. Which is a nightmare in and of itself.
This book uses the slow burn to titillate and torment you. It felt too slow to me because I was ready for the action of it all but I see the point of it. Because when the fast points hit, they hit hard.
I was not ready for the reveals, the twists. It was shocking, frustrating, confusing in the best ways.
4 stars out of 5.
We start out by seeing Vicki’s point of view in the present. Her husband, David has left her for his secretary and she lives in a seaside town doing aromatherapy massages. At first, I’m looking at this and I’m thinking, oh great, another thriller that centers around a jilted ex. But I was so totally wrong.
Scarlet, who is an 8-year old girl who has been drug running for her mother, gets caught and has to go into foster care. Which is a nightmare in and of itself.
This book uses the slow burn to titillate and torment you. It felt too slow to me because I was ready for the action of it all but I see the point of it. Because when the fast points hit, they hit hard.
I was not ready for the reveals, the twists. It was shocking, frustrating, confusing in the best ways.
4 stars out of 5.
livrawds's review
3.0
I liked the characters of Scarlet and Helen as they were the most interesting I found myself only near the end rooting for Vicki as she was really unlikeable and I didn’t like how the world seemingly was all about David’s flat character and he was barely there the twist became clear and didn’t hit too hard. However I did like the fully fledged out backstory leading up to the events that follow. Probably won’t pick up another Jane Corry as was underwhelmed by it.
teresaalice's review
3.0
3.5 - 3.75 stars. Like I’ve said before, I really dislike the unreliable narrator, though this one wasn’t nearly as bad as previous ones.
sabsyoder's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
reillsreads's review
3.0
Love books where characters are mysteriously interwoven into each other's lives. This one took longer to figure out and was less exciting than I imagined, but filled with great emotion and turmoil.
cheekylaydee's review against another edition
4.0
Another absolute belter from Jane Corry. Masterful story-telling which left me guessing til the final pages, which is exactly what I look for in my books.
Vicki's ex is not a nice man. Constant cheating, lying and downright bullying were the basis of his relationship with him, and yet, despite that, she still can't quite let him go. David is now married to someone else, his former secretary Tanya (cliche!) but Vicki still can't help phoning his mobile just to hear his deep velvety tones down the answer phone, travelling from Penzance to London for a doctor's appointment and popping in just because she was 'passing by'.
So when David disappears, who is no.1 suspect? Yep, that's right, and with her epilepsy "conveniently" causing blackouts and periods of forgetfulness, even Vicki's not entirely sure if she may have had something to do with David's disappearance.
That's just a basic outline, but the plot thickens, with so many different avenues and perspectives to explore that Jane managed to pull a fast one on me and I really wasn't expecting the outcome. Highly recommended if you want to be surprised!
Vicki's ex is not a nice man. Constant cheating, lying and downright bullying were the basis of his relationship with him, and yet, despite that, she still can't quite let him go. David is now married to someone else, his former secretary Tanya (cliche!) but Vicki still can't help phoning his mobile just to hear his deep velvety tones down the answer phone, travelling from Penzance to London for a doctor's appointment and popping in just because she was 'passing by'.
So when David disappears, who is no.1 suspect? Yep, that's right, and with her epilepsy "conveniently" causing blackouts and periods of forgetfulness, even Vicki's not entirely sure if she may have had something to do with David's disappearance.
That's just a basic outline, but the plot thickens, with so many different avenues and perspectives to explore that Jane managed to pull a fast one on me and I really wasn't expecting the outcome. Highly recommended if you want to be surprised!