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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
This was a fun ride. I'm not terribly versed in Hitchcock films (I've seen Psycho and Rebecca multiple times but that's it), but I knew the premise would be a good time. And I was right. The atmosphere was creepy and engaging. It was very classic whodunnit in a lot of ways.
It did feel a little long at times but I was listening at a slower speed than usual so that may have accounted for it. The reveals for each character weren't the most mindblowing but nothing outright bad (Julius being sick and trying to make amends, TJ getting mixed up with bribes, Samira being pregnant and getting a divorce, Zoe being let go from her restaurant job and knowing that Alfred probably killed the teacher). Grace being the real essay writer and the one to push Dr. Scott was surprising. I figured we were building to Dr. Scott having been murdered and Zoe knowing but it was an unexpected full reveal.
Danny being Dr. Scott's widow was a pretty shocking twist! I figured it out only a little bit before. I assumed she was Alfred's supposedly dead mother. Her actually strangling him and framing Grace was a good revenge plot.
I was worried his death would be an accident caused by Samira and that would be the reveal but nope!
I will say that, while the opening Crow POV was intriguing, the ending one didn't add much other than making me feel sad for the crows. Who weren't utilized that much in the book.
As I said, I am by no means a Hitchcock connoisseur so it's possible I missed easter eggs, but I expected more homage to the films within the rooms maybe - themed spaces, etc. The birds were not a real part of the story. Samira's intruder when she left the shower wasn't enough like Psycho to feel like a themed experience. I just wanted a bit more. I also was disappointed when every creepy thing ended up being a prank or fake (boots behind the curtain, mannequin in the pond).
But all in all I had fun and now want to have a movie marathon. 3.75.
It did feel a little long at times but I was listening at a slower speed than usual so that may have accounted for it. The reveals for each character weren't the most mindblowing but nothing outright bad (Julius being sick and trying to make amends, TJ getting mixed up with bribes, Samira being pregnant and getting a divorce, Zoe being let go from her restaurant job and knowing that Alfred probably killed the teacher). Grace being the real essay writer and the one to push Dr. Scott was surprising. I figured we were building to Dr. Scott having been murdered and Zoe knowing but it was an unexpected full reveal.
Danny being Dr. Scott's widow was a pretty shocking twist! I figured it out only a little bit before. I assumed she was Alfred's supposedly dead mother. Her actually strangling him and framing Grace was a good revenge plot.
I was worried his death would be an accident caused by Samira and that would be the reveal but nope!
I will say that, while the opening Crow POV was intriguing, the ending one didn't add much other than making me feel sad for the crows. Who weren't utilized that much in the book.
As I said, I am by no means a Hitchcock connoisseur so it's possible I missed easter eggs, but I expected more homage to the films within the rooms maybe - themed spaces, etc. The birds were not a real part of the story. Samira's intruder when she left the shower wasn't enough like Psycho to feel like a themed experience. I just wanted a bit more. I also was disappointed when every creepy thing ended up being a prank or fake (boots behind the curtain, mannequin in the pond).
But all in all I had fun and now want to have a movie marathon. 3.75.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this novel. Great story telling and pace. So many unexpected twists and turns. It was like a Hitchcock film!
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a Hitchcock fan, I was very excited to dive into this book. A weekend reunion of college classmates at a hotel in which one of them has renovated it and made it to replicate a combination of Hitchcock movies, but of course it must have not only the look, but the actual feel of one of his movies. We hear from each character and learn about their current lives and are brought back to their college days together, but the ultimate twist is the end and so very Hitchcock like! I wanted to go re-watch every Hitchcock movie I've ever seen!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes