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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I liked the characters, their voices, the setting, the premise. But then, I figured out the dang mystery too early. I don't usually do that. But, maybe I'm alone, it was too obvious. And then I got annoyed with our investigative reporter, all of the otherwise likeable cops, just everyone for not seeing that obvious dang answer, so my enjoyment took a dip.
Ok, I've read quite a few mysteries in the past two years, in this modern rotating narrator style like Girl On the Train, also with England as a setting and delightful accents in the audiobook. That all worked just fine. The audiobook was well done as the various female POV characters were all distinct enough to keep straight. And, I'll be honest here, the last time I remember figuring out the mystery so early was when I read Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which was excellent despite me knowing "who did it" for at least half of the book. I'm not usually someone who guesses all of the plot twists in books. And, now I see, I'm glad that I don't.
I did not like this as much as I had enjoyed the author's earlier book, The Widow, which was written in a similar style. And kudos to neither of these books having the word "Girl" in the titles, well done. It was interested. I'm glad I read it. I liked the investigative journalist character and her angle in investigating this cold case. But I'd wished she'd caught on sooner.
Ok, I've read quite a few mysteries in the past two years, in this modern rotating narrator style like Girl On the Train, also with England as a setting and delightful accents in the audiobook. That all worked just fine. The audiobook was well done as the various female POV characters were all distinct enough to keep straight. And, I'll be honest here, the last time I remember figuring out the mystery so early was when I read Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which was excellent despite me knowing "who did it" for at least half of the book. I'm not usually someone who guesses all of the plot twists in books. And, now I see, I'm glad that I don't.
I did not like this as much as I had enjoyed the author's earlier book, The Widow, which was written in a similar style. And kudos to neither of these books having the word "Girl" in the titles, well done. It was interested. I'm glad I read it. I liked the investigative journalist character and her angle in investigating this cold case. But I'd wished she'd caught on sooner.
Oh my God, I couldn’t put this down once I started it. Incredible, just incredible, it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was quite the rollercoaster of a book. It begins in such a way where the reader assumes the entire plot of the book and it seems oddly simple. It takes a rather long time for any major twists to happen, maybe 75% of the way through, but it is definitely worth it to push through to the end. The writing style was a bit difficult for me to follow as it bounces from character to character POV. I would read it again just to pick up on more details.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
I like the reporter. Sassy yet knew ethical boundary. So this is definitely fiction. Ending a little predictable but still an interesting read with some twists and turns.
Audio book. I enjoyed the different perspectives and the audio book was read really well. Problem is I knew what had happened very earlier on it was very predictable.
sad
tense
medium-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
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Could have saved myself reading the last 80 pages or so. Easy to see where it was going.