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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
tense
medium-paced
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me a minute to get used to the format, but i ended up really enjoying it. I listened to the audio book so I was doubly confused trying to keep everyone straight, and it was a very large cast of characters. I found each twist 'believable' in the realm of the story, and it was a really fun read. Everything was tied up nicely in the end and i felt very satisfied with the conclusion.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book really engaging, especially the second half. I think format was interesting. It really felt like I was reading the transcript of a Netflix true crime documentary.
The only reason I don't rate it higher isI think the characters were a little one-note and underdeveloped. The producer Nick is the biggest offender here: just a showbiz guy being kind of a jerk for the sake of the show. But we never really get a perspective on his motivation for doing this. Fame? Money? Probably both? It's unclear, and most of the other characters are given the same surface level treatment.
That being said, this still turned out to be a very compelling story. I read this in about 3 days in a few sittings.
The only reason I don't rate it higher is
That being said, this still turned out to be a very compelling story. I read this in about 3 days in a few sittings.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I’m not sure exactly what it was about this book that made it such a struggle to get through. I normally love mystery novels, and I love crime documentaries but I seriously considered DNF-ing this one at least three or four times. I’ve never left a book unfinished before, so I pushed myself to the end, but it was rough.
I think part of my disappointment came from having high expectations. I was genuinely excited about the unique format: the news clippings, interview transcripts, charts, and the documentary style presentation. It all sounded so interesting. But ironically, I think the format is what made it harder for me to stay engaged. I found myself losing focus easily. Eventually, I had to switch to the audiobook just so I wouldn’t fall asleep while reading. I kept zoning out and didn’t even care to rewind the audiobook when I missed parts, so much of it felt repetitive or irrelevant.
There were way too many characters introduced early on. I tried to keep track of their backgrounds and resume, but most of that information ended up being unnecessary. All you really needed to know was their name and job title.
The central mystery was definitely intriguing, but it felt so drawn out. The “experts” on the panel kept throwing around wild theories and accusing each other without any solid evidence, it became frustrating to follow. And the fact that one of the sisters was arrested despite them not being 100% sure? That really didn’t sit right with me.
There were so many loose ends that either shouldn’t have been in the book or should have been resolved or linked to the case but they weren’t. For instance, Caroline’s other child. They made a huge deal about it but nothing came from it. Or Mitch being a rapist, I agree with another review saying he could have been her drug dealer and the story would have been the same.
There was just soo much going on at the same time, as if the author wanted 10 different plot twists in one book that just didn’t hit right.
There were so many loose ends that either shouldn’t have been in the book or should have been resolved or linked to the case but they weren’t. For instance, Caroline’s other child. They made a huge deal about it but nothing came from it. Or Mitch being a rapist, I agree with another review saying he could have been her drug dealer and the story would have been the same.
There was just soo much going on at the same time, as if the author wanted 10 different plot twists in one book that just didn’t hit right.
I’m proud that I finished a book, but I wouldn’t recommend this one unless I knew someone specifically enjoyed this kind of unconventional format. It just wasn’t for me.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked the format, I thought it was lots of fun. Plot wise, I wouldn't say I was at my most Jessica Fletcher making predictions, but a lot of the reveals were little thoughts that I'd had at some point and thus wasn't too surprising. I liked it a lot.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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