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kaitlyns22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, and Stalking
danielle_isreading's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
I’m not a big thriller person, though I think my library’s simply shelved this one as a mystery. Either way, this is outside my standard genres, but I enjoyed it overall.
The audiobook was really, really good—especially Chris and Ella’s narrators
I predicted a couple of the twists but was surprised by a couple others, which is a good mix.
The Chad Parke storyline…. I think the book would’ve been better without it. It was pointless, imo.
Overall, pretty solid I thought.
The audiobook was really, really good—especially Chris and Ella’s narrators
I predicted a couple of the twists but was surprised by a couple others, which is a good mix.
The Chad Parke storyline…. I think the book would’ve been better without it. It was pointless, imo.
Overall, pretty solid I thought.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia and Suicide
britttobegorey94's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was great read and very enjoyable. The only problem was that I guessed the ending very early on in the book. However I didn't have the full how's and whys so even though I knew who the murderer was, there was enough missing pieces to continue being intriguing.
Although I am not a pregnant woman, I am not fully convinced that Agent Keller could have done all the things she did at 8 months pregnant with twins but I'm not an expert on the matter.
Although I am not a pregnant woman, I am not fully convinced that Agent Keller could have done all the things she did at 8 months pregnant with twins but I'm not an expert on the matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Murder
laurenslittlelibrary_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I wasn’t completely blown away by this mystery/suspense. I feel like the villain could’ve been explored in more depth and that some of the side characters felt unnecessary to the story (like Rusty’s whole arrest). I did enjoy the multiple POV’s and the flashback chapter towards the end. I would’ve enjoyed a little more of the story from Jessie’s POV, but I liked how some of her side was portrayed between Ella and Sarah.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
soobooksalot's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Stalking, and Abortion
tanishah's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Abortion, Drug use, Gun violence, and Infidelity
lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love reading thrillers in the winter months and this was a great start to my reading year. It was well paced and twisty and the type of book that makes you constantly second guess what is going on. I listened to the audiobook and the multiple narrators really brought the characters to life, I would happily continue a series with Ella, Keller or Chris! Looking forward to see what Alex Finlay does next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder
katemreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An entertaining quick read that I feel neutral on. I can see why a lot of people like this. And overall I did enjoy this quick read but it felt like a weak thriller to me; more of a smaller thriller within a larger small town drama.
The book follows three perspectives and only one feels like it’s diving into the murders while the other two on are a separate journey that intersects with the cases. Those two felt more like a personal journey to resolve past issues from the first set of murders. I get why, but it felt more like the second set of murders opened old wounds and that was the main part of their journey rather than the thriller piece of being invested into the connection between the first set of murders and the second; if any at all.
There was also a character who was important to the story but kind of dropped out around the halfway point, only to return at the end. I felt their storyline was used as a plot device for these two perspectives mentioned above. While I can understand because this story isn’t about this person, the whole thing never would have occurred without them. I felt it was a bit of a disservice to use them to move the plot along for other characters and not explore deeper into their story. Some other aspects of the story also felt there for just the plot. Of course there are red herrings in thrillers, but I just wasn’t convinced on most of them. This led me to feeling I spent so many pages reading about something that ended up nowhere. Since I didn’t buy in in the first place, it felt like a cheap payout/investment. Speaking of, I guessed the “who done it” very early on. It felt a bit obvious to me which may have contributed to my skepticism with the red herrings; and lack of enjoyment of them.
On the positive side, I loved the FBI agent’s perspective! Her character and personality were so vivid and easy to picture. I enjoyed her storyline and the investigation. I have to say that the author seemed to clearly put a lot of work into learning about FBI protocols and investigating as well as the legal system; at least from what I can tell. Both of those aspects felt 100% authentic to me.
As much as it may sound like I didn’t like this book, it was a fun enjoyable read! Right after I read it I’d have given it 4 stars. Just the more I think about it the more I’m a bit unsatisfied with choices the author made; at least for my reading preference. Overall I’d recommend giving it a try!
The book follows three perspectives and only one feels like it’s diving into the murders while the other two on are a separate journey that intersects with the cases. Those two felt more like a personal journey to resolve past issues from the first set of murders. I get why, but it felt more like the second set of murders opened old wounds and that was the main part of their journey rather than the thriller piece of being invested into the connection between the first set of murders and the second; if any at all.
There was also a character who was important to the story but kind of dropped out around the halfway point, only to return at the end. I felt their storyline was used as a plot device for these two perspectives mentioned above. While I can understand because this story isn’t about this person, the whole thing never would have occurred without them. I felt it was a bit of a disservice to use them to move the plot along for other characters and not explore deeper into their story. Some other aspects of the story also felt there for just the plot. Of course there are red herrings in thrillers, but I just wasn’t convinced on most of them. This led me to feeling I spent so many pages reading about something that ended up nowhere. Since I didn’t buy in in the first place, it felt like a cheap payout/investment. Speaking of, I guessed the “who done it” very early on. It felt a bit obvious to me which may have contributed to my skepticism with the red herrings; and lack of enjoyment of them.
On the positive side, I loved the FBI agent’s perspective! Her character and personality were so vivid and easy to picture. I enjoyed her storyline and the investigation. I have to say that the author seemed to clearly put a lot of work into learning about FBI protocols and investigating as well as the legal system; at least from what I can tell. Both of those aspects felt 100% authentic to me.
As much as it may sound like I didn’t like this book, it was a fun enjoyable read! Right after I read it I’d have given it 4 stars. Just the more I think about it the more I’m a bit unsatisfied with choices the author made; at least for my reading preference. Overall I’d recommend giving it a try!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Death of parent
jennyoli96's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Murder, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
meganmc89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship