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findingthefantasticstory's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
2.0
I was not a fan. I was expecting some sort of tense thriller but got something that, to me, just felt childish and easy.
I thought the book would focus on the MC terrorising the home owners, maybe holding them hostage etc but I never got that. It's basically just him being a peeping Tom. Obviously he has delusional thoughts about women as they mess him about. It just seemed the stereotypical male who hates women story.
I thought the book would focus on the MC terrorising the home owners, maybe holding them hostage etc but I never got that. It's basically just him being a peeping Tom. Obviously he has delusional thoughts about women as they mess him about. It just seemed the stereotypical male who hates women story.
nightingale25's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
3.5
readdrinkandbehappy's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-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
2.0
rosie_24601's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bbell99's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
2.75
darkpsychereads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - Dark comedy domestic thriller
Easy, slow, fun read with a strange ending. Writing isn't bad, but isn't compelling.
Plot: A serial killer watches residents from a joined attic system, knows their secrets and toys with their minds.
Review: An interesting premise that initially lured me (I'm a sucker for serial killer stories), but which slogged along into a disappointing space of cyclic self-commentary, and convenient plot twists. Brogan, the serial killer, is portrayed as this fun-loving killer with a split-personality disorder who's constantly engaged in back-and-forth comedic banter in his head. He survives his days hiding in an attic that connects three residences. Resident Elsie, the delusional solitary elderly woman; a middle-aged couple who barely make an appearance; and the young and passionate Fairbright couple, Martyn and Colette. Brogan spends most of his time voyeuring the couples most intimate moments through a peephole and destroying (or revealing the truth to!) their marriage.
Highlights: I thought the overall plot did have promise, could have been good. Brogan's journey actually takes an interesting turn. I thought the author represented mental health well, particularly around suicide. There's an ounce of humanity in here that does feel authentic. The arguments between the married couple feel authentic too. Also, learning about Brogan's backstory was much more gripping and atmospheric, and I would have preferred a glimpse of this earlier to nail down the character of Brogan better, and show what he's capable of. There were moments the writing and comedy was good. I liked Elsie's character, and thought the overall plot there was good.
Issues: I had trouble connecting to the mind of the serial killer, Brogan felt too normal. He had normal fears, desires and thoughts (ie. mundane). Most of the books observations are very mundane and filler, particularly every detail of needing to feed. The self-commentary took away the edge and made the comedy a bit cheesy/annoying. It should also be mentioned that it might be a bit stifling at first to get used to the inner monologue lacking any differentiation in formatting - eg. italics would be a good idea. There's moments of plot convenience that didn't quite sit well with me: sudden infidelities, an unlikely burglary, and some of the couple's secrets. Martyn's character was unlikable, and some of the Fairbrights' behaviour was unrealistic or just ill-timed. I also think people would use their logic to put things together a lot sooner. I was also disappointed because I felt like there could have been so many fun options for the plot to go! (I'll mention to publishers instead of here to avoid spoilers). And the ending wasn't satisfactory, it just felt strange and crudely assembled. Brogan's accusations also just don't feel justified, but maybe that's the point.
Notes on improvement: I would suggest less of the daily maintenance (twiddling thumbs and eating), more flashbacks or some kind of narration outside the house. Putting too much action in the house in a small amount of time becomes unrealistic, and not particularly exciting. The writing could also use some edits to avoid repetition, and less inner monologue. Also, worth considering alternatives to the lead up to the ending.
Maybe I just expected more Dexter, less perverted Master Chef, haha. I think I was just the wrong type of audience as I like dark, gritty, existentially absurd humour. But it may appeal to audiences wanting light comedy on the darker side.
Thanks to Netgalley, David Jackson and Serpent's Tail Books for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for an honest review!
TW: mention of animal abuse, mention of suicide
Easy, slow, fun read with a strange ending. Writing isn't bad, but isn't compelling.
Plot: A serial killer watches residents from a joined attic system, knows their secrets and toys with their minds.
Review: An interesting premise that initially lured me (I'm a sucker for serial killer stories), but which slogged along into a disappointing space of cyclic self-commentary, and convenient plot twists. Brogan, the serial killer, is portrayed as this fun-loving killer with a split-personality disorder who's constantly engaged in back-and-forth comedic banter in his head. He survives his days hiding in an attic that connects three residences. Resident Elsie, the delusional solitary elderly woman; a middle-aged couple who barely make an appearance; and the young and passionate Fairbright couple, Martyn and Colette. Brogan spends most of his time voyeuring the couples most intimate moments through a peephole and destroying (or revealing the truth to!) their marriage.
Highlights: I thought the overall plot did have promise, could have been good. Brogan's journey actually takes an interesting turn. I thought the author represented mental health well, particularly around suicide. There's an ounce of humanity in here that does feel authentic. The arguments between the married couple feel authentic too. Also, learning about Brogan's backstory was much more gripping and atmospheric, and I would have preferred a glimpse of this earlier to nail down the character of Brogan better, and show what he's capable of. There were moments the writing and comedy was good. I liked Elsie's character, and thought the overall plot there was good.
Issues: I had trouble connecting to the mind of the serial killer, Brogan felt too normal. He had normal fears, desires and thoughts (ie. mundane). Most of the books observations are very mundane and filler, particularly every detail of needing to feed. The self-commentary took away the edge and made the comedy a bit cheesy/annoying. It should also be mentioned that it might be a bit stifling at first to get used to the inner monologue lacking any differentiation in formatting - eg. italics would be a good idea. There's moments of plot convenience that didn't quite sit well with me: sudden infidelities, an unlikely burglary, and some of the couple's secrets. Martyn's character was unlikable, and some of the Fairbrights' behaviour was unrealistic or just ill-timed. I also think people would use their logic to put things together a lot sooner. I was also disappointed because I felt like there could have been so many fun options for the plot to go! (I'll mention to publishers instead of here to avoid spoilers). And the ending wasn't satisfactory, it just felt strange and crudely assembled. Brogan's accusations also just don't feel justified, but maybe that's the point.
Notes on improvement: I would suggest less of the daily maintenance (twiddling thumbs and eating), more flashbacks or some kind of narration outside the house. Putting too much action in the house in a small amount of time becomes unrealistic, and not particularly exciting. The writing could also use some edits to avoid repetition, and less inner monologue. Also, worth considering alternatives to the lead up to the ending.
Maybe I just expected more Dexter, less perverted Master Chef, haha. I think I was just the wrong type of audience as I like dark, gritty, existentially absurd humour. But it may appeal to audiences wanting light comedy on the darker side.
Thanks to Netgalley, David Jackson and Serpent's Tail Books for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for an honest review!
TW: mention of animal abuse, mention of suicide
caz8's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is a dark book and it kept me engaged.