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jhow2's review
2.0
Based on the description, I was expecting to read more about the complex relationship between the main character and her best friend/“formidable adversary”, and I was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t more text devoted to it. I had a hard time getting invested in this book and the characters.
emiliefox's review
3.0
Great suspense. A little slow going at times, but some things I really, really liked in this book, this story. A nice little surprise ending, or at least something I didn't see coming. Plenty to think about with respect to the characters, after the pieces all came together. I almost wanted to listen again once I got to the end (book on CD), knowing now what I didn't know the first time.
naardvark's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
susanob's review
4.0
A page turner! If you liked this book, you'll also like "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova. Both stories of intelligent women with Alzheimer's disease.
wsk56's review
4.0
Partly a literary mystery, partly a depiction of Alzheimer's and partly the story of a family, this wonderful first novel by Alice LaPlante succeeds at all of these things. It is a difficult book to read, heartbreaking and poignant, but also impossible to put down. LaPlante has created an intriguing character with Dr. Jennifer White, a retired orthopedic surgeon and Alzheimer's sufferer. Her best friend Amanda has been murdered and Dr. White is a suspect. However, she does not remember anything about the murder and, at times, believes her friend is still alive. Through her sporadic memories, we learn about the history of the Dr. White's family and their friendships with Amanda and her husband Peter. As her dementia worsens, her visions and flashes of memory provide clues to the mysteries surrounding Amanda's murder. The novel is brilliantly constructed and the plot provides structure to the narrative. I will look forward to LaPlante's next project!
bwebber's review
4.0
Really good book. But really hard to read emotionally. Told from the perspective of an early onset Alzheimer's patient and it takes a while to get used to the jumping around and changing of perspective. One page she is very lucid and the next she thinks she is 18. Half murder mystery/half super depressing.
ula_j's review
3.0
A murder mystery told from the point of view of a successful doctor deteriorating through dementia. Its a bit 'Memento' without the tattoos and much more family involvement. It could've been even more complex but it provides an insight into what life might be like living with Alzheimer's. So it's a bit sad but an interesting way to write about family and friendship dynamics that spanned many decades.