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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
I'm not sure what to think of this book. The gripes I had with it in the first sections from author Gage Chandler's perspective (chiefly, that he went on and on about his investigative process) felt justified by the final section. What I thought the book would be about, a true crime writer who immersed himself too deeply into a case, turned out to be the jumping-off point for ethical questions around how we tell stories, who they serve, and what happens to those who are written about. This is a richly plotted and intellectual book that also serves horror. More for me to unpack as I continue to process.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
It occurred to me about 300 pages in that there wasn’t really a plot, it was just convoluted. By that time I was too far in and just finished it.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love John Darnielle’s music so much so I really wanted to read this one. However, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but I still thought it was pretty good. It just felt a little disjointed to me, but the writing itself was very good. I enjoyed how it was a “true” crime book, as it was presented as a true crime story but was a work of fiction. I’d be interested to read more of his stuff, but the Mountain Goats are still far and away my favorite thing John Darnielle is known for.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this because I’m a Mountain Goats fan. I’m so glad I did because I’m now also a fan of John Darnielle’s fiction. There’s something in the prose that strikes me in a similar way to the lyrics that first caught my attention.
If I were just judging the first half of the book it would be a five star. Unfortunately there are some sections in the back half that really dragged for me. Some of them were worth the effort to get through and others weren’t.
I’ve never fully gotten into true crime despite its popularity recently with the exception of being SUPER interested in the mythical satanic ritual stuff of the satanic panic. This book tackles both those subjects and throws in a bit of the muddy morality of telling these stories for money.
If I were just judging the first half of the book it would be a five star. Unfortunately there are some sections in the back half that really dragged for me. Some of them were worth the effort to get through and others weren’t.
I’ve never fully gotten into true crime despite its popularity recently with the exception of being SUPER interested in the mythical satanic ritual stuff of the satanic panic. This book tackles both those subjects and throws in a bit of the muddy morality of telling these stories for money.