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paoakalani's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
2.75
jacki_f's review against another edition
2.0
In movie parlance, a "high concept" script is one that can be easily pitched with a succinctly stated premise. The Three Day Affair is exactly that: the story of three long-term friends who spontaneously and inadvertently kidnap a teenage girl and then need to work how to extricate themselves from the mess that they have gotten themselves into. It's an intriguing premise and there's a nice little twist towards the end that elevates it, but ultimately this is a short story that (even though it's not a long book) has been stretched way beyond its merits.
The author has an engaging writing style that pulls the reader in. Where the book falls down is that it doesn't have enough loft to keep itself in the air. It simply doesn't make sense, either that the characters would get themselves into such a predicament or that they would feel unable to get themselves out of it. The more that the book went on, the more irritating this became.
As I've alluded above, the ending does somewhat redeem the book, but I can't shake the feeling that it would have been better as a novella or short story.
The author has an engaging writing style that pulls the reader in. Where the book falls down is that it doesn't have enough loft to keep itself in the air. It simply doesn't make sense, either that the characters would get themselves into such a predicament or that they would feel unable to get themselves out of it. The more that the book went on, the more irritating this became.
As I've alluded above, the ending does somewhat redeem the book, but I can't shake the feeling that it would have been better as a novella or short story.
cassf's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhat tedious at the beginning, but took several interesting twists at the end (at least one of which it could've done without).
sandin954's review against another edition
2.0
This was an underwhelming listen for me. I could just never buy into the basic premise and I really did not think the characters actions seemed realistic at all. I did enjoy some of the flashback scenes to the friends college days though. Listened to the audio read by Ray Chase who, while I won't say was part of the problem, definitely did not elevate the material.
backshelfbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book out of bias, because Kardos was an professor at my University.But I am SO glad I actually took the time to read it. It is beyond thrilling and entertaining. The book is paced so well, and it quickens as the characters' anxiety begins to heighten (as well as your own). I finished this book in one sitting, and I love that it's a can't-put-down thriller that sticks with you. I highly recommend!
addypap's review against another edition
4.0
Read right after Bluff, wasn't quite as good as Bluff, but did enjoy. He creates great characters. Vaguely reminded me of Very Bad Things movie.
terib's review against another edition
4.0
Twist at the end
It turns several places and my guesses were often wrong. While it seems slow, don’t give up. The final two sections are really surprising.
It turns several places and my guesses were often wrong. While it seems slow, don’t give up. The final two sections are really surprising.
nathanrester's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the hell out of this. It fits very snugly into the "grown men baring their souls under intense pressure and confined spaces" sub-genre, but it also scratches that broader crime-thriller itch. Kardos is a master at steadily twisting the knob to increase pressure and slowly drive the tension toward unavoidable violence. And while I wasn't as keen on the flashbacks interlaced throughout the primary narrative, those divergences are a necessary release valve to keep the reader from having a stroke.
Overall, if you're a fan of thrillers, mysteries, or crime novels, The Three-Day Affair is a great, twisty nail-biter that belongs on your to-read list. This tension is palpable and the characters are believable and compelling in their reasoning as well as their inevitable mistakes. There's even a great thematic vein about toxic behavior and how our closest friends are often oblivious to - and sometimes complicit in - our irrational, self-annihilating inclinations. Great stuff.
Overall, if you're a fan of thrillers, mysteries, or crime novels, The Three-Day Affair is a great, twisty nail-biter that belongs on your to-read list. This tension is palpable and the characters are believable and compelling in their reasoning as well as their inevitable mistakes. There's even a great thematic vein about toxic behavior and how our closest friends are often oblivious to - and sometimes complicit in - our irrational, self-annihilating inclinations. Great stuff.
robinsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Good solid suspense with a good twist that I thought I saw coming but really didn't...
anniebartelsollosy's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A good mystery