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readbycarina's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Child death, Child abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, and Blood
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Mental illness
jurgen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
asylumwalker's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
I started with the second book in this series, then read the third, and now I finally went back to the beginning. Apparently all of Tana French's books are great, and I hope to keep going and try and catch up. They're not the sort of books you want to read all in a row though. Like the others, this one was dark and rather slow going (not in a bad way at all!) and when I finished I felt like I had been through a lot. I like how complex her stories are, how disturbed the characters, and here particularly I was left with a feeling of dread about one of them - it's one of those characters who is so manipulative they just will never be held accountable and can continue to wreak havoc, like in My Sister The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite or My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier.
evanwilson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
testaroscia's review
4.0
Had me engrossed all the way till the end. Somewhat predictable in parts and I can see how it can be frustrating to some in terms of answers but French can write, the characters are fully fleshed out to the extent that a first person narrative can be. Will be looking to continue the series.
juliacecil's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
salgalruns's review against another edition
3.0
There are parts of this story that fit with the twisted psychological thriller that I love, but on a lower scale of OMG than others that I have read - more of a 3.5 read for me.
The bottom line to the story is that a young girl is found murdered in Ireland, and the case is assigned to Detectives Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox. She, of course, comes from a family that just doesn't seem quite right, and she is this ballerina who is headed off to an academy to pursue her dream of dancing. She seems to be the most adjusted one in the family itself, which adds even more sadness to the situation.
You quickly learn that Rob isn't really Rob, but in fact was also involved in an incident as a 12 year old child in which he survived and his two best friends were never found. Throughout the storyline, he is making connections to his own previous case, and there is enough data to make you wonder if the two cases are connected in some way.
Character analysis is what makes this story engaging, but also frustrating. Rob/Adam is experiencing his own demons as he is involved in this challenging case and has a nasty habit of pushing away those close to him. His partner Cassie continues to reveal more of herself as the story goes along and we start to see the emotional side of her as well (she's my favorite, btw). We are also introduced to Sam - the initial "3rd wheel" of the group, who quickly becomes a critical member of the team.
I know lots of folks have commented on the ending, and I have to say, it doesn't wrap up neatly the way I was sort of hoping it would. However, in retrospect, I think it ends the way it should - it's unsettling, which is where most of the characters take you as well. It isn't the type of book that you put it away with a sigh, but a book that you think about and perhaps get a bit creeped out about.
I'm going to try out some of the rest of the series and see where this goes.
The bottom line to the story is that a young girl is found murdered in Ireland, and the case is assigned to Detectives Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox. She, of course, comes from a family that just doesn't seem quite right, and she is this ballerina who is headed off to an academy to pursue her dream of dancing. She seems to be the most adjusted one in the family itself, which adds even more sadness to the situation.
You quickly learn that Rob isn't really Rob, but in fact was also involved in an incident as a 12 year old child in which he survived and his two best friends were never found. Throughout the storyline, he is making connections to his own previous case, and there is enough data to make you wonder if the two cases are connected in some way.
Character analysis is what makes this story engaging, but also frustrating. Rob/Adam is experiencing his own demons as he is involved in this challenging case and has a nasty habit of pushing away those close to him. His partner Cassie continues to reveal more of herself as the story goes along and we start to see the emotional side of her as well (she's my favorite, btw). We are also introduced to Sam - the initial "3rd wheel" of the group, who quickly becomes a critical member of the team.
I know lots of folks have commented on the ending, and I have to say, it doesn't wrap up neatly the way I was sort of hoping it would. However, in retrospect, I think it ends the way it should - it's unsettling, which is where most of the characters take you as well. It isn't the type of book that you put it away with a sigh, but a book that you think about and perhaps get a bit creeped out about.
I'm going to try out some of the rest of the series and see where this goes.
allikay14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Child death