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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
This is one of those Psychological Thrillers that slowly chips away at your sense of reality, until you're not even sure who or what to trust.
Hannah, her husband Sam, and their daughter Lily are trying to rebuild their life in a seemingly idyllic Cornish Cottage, but something about the place feels wrong. Dead animals on the doorstep, mysterious knocking, whispers of the past Hannah has tried to outrun, cue the creeping dread.
What I loved most was the unreliable narrator aspect. Hannah's trauma-tinged memories make her perspective feel fragile it this layered, almost puzzle box feel. While there were a few things I wasn't wild about, the structure and pacing kept me invested.
⭐ 3.75/5 - dark, clever, and a little bit unhinged. This one messed me up, and I mean that as a compliment.
Hannah, her husband Sam, and their daughter Lily are trying to rebuild their life in a seemingly idyllic Cornish Cottage, but something about the place feels wrong. Dead animals on the doorstep, mysterious knocking, whispers of the past Hannah has tried to outrun, cue the creeping dread.
What I loved most was the unreliable narrator aspect. Hannah's trauma-tinged memories make her perspective feel fragile it this layered, almost puzzle box feel. While there were a few things I wasn't wild about, the structure and pacing kept me invested.
⭐ 3.75/5 - dark, clever, and a little bit unhinged. This one messed me up, and I mean that as a compliment.
Netgalley
Depois de ser traída pelo marido (Sam), Hannah decide ir com ele e a filha para Owl Cottage - cabana temática de coruja, para tentar restaurar a relação e salvar sua família. A criança acha tudo muito creep e começa a apresentar alguns comportamentos inquietantes como uma melhor amiga imaginária, ficar respondendo, brinquedos que aparecem quebrados, mas o que assusta Hannah são corujas mortas, notas misteriosas, aparentemente escritas pela própria letra, no livro de visitas, luzes sendo apagadas, batidas na porta, até uma vizinha morta (polícia sendo envolvida). Daí ela conta que está suspendendo algumas medicações e que elas podem causar alucinações, assim como ela desconfia de que o marido pode estar tentando assustá-la, porque ele descarta suas preocupações como se não importassem. No decorrer da história ela vai relembrando o acontecimento trágico que houve com o pai (morreu numa floresta com ela, por ela não conseguir ir atrás de ajuda com medo de se perder – pensei que era algo mais surpreendente). Há um casal de amigos com eles, que aparecem do nada, e percebe-se uma resistência de Hannah a ficar com eles, mas a amiga afirma que elas precisam conversar: Sam continua traindo-a, acha que o marido possa estar fazendo o mesmo e quer a separação. No fim, descobrimos que ambos são golpistas e que ela seduziu Sam para extorquir dinheiro, o cara estuprou Hannah por ser violento e para ter uma carta na manga, caso o dinheiro de Sam não fosse entregue. Mas Hannah o mata quando ele tenta estuprá-la novamente e Sam assume a culpa, chamando a polícia. Na investigação, a mulher é presa após seu passado ser investigado e a polícia confirmar se tratar de golpistas. Eram eles que estava assustando-a na cabana. Hannah decide dar ao marido uma segunda chance, pois ele também foi vítima. Um livro ok.
Depois de ser traída pelo marido (Sam), Hannah decide ir com ele e a filha para Owl Cottage - cabana temática de coruja, para tentar restaurar a relação e salvar sua família. A criança acha tudo muito creep e começa a apresentar alguns comportamentos inquietantes como uma melhor amiga imaginária, ficar respondendo, brinquedos que aparecem quebrados, mas o que assusta Hannah são corujas mortas, notas misteriosas, aparentemente escritas pela própria letra, no livro de visitas, luzes sendo apagadas, batidas na porta, até uma vizinha morta (polícia sendo envolvida). Daí ela conta que está suspendendo algumas medicações e que elas podem causar alucinações, assim como ela desconfia de que o marido pode estar tentando assustá-la, porque ele descarta suas preocupações como se não importassem. No decorrer da história ela vai relembrando o acontecimento trágico que houve com o pai (morreu numa floresta com ela, por ela não conseguir ir atrás de ajuda com medo de se perder – pensei que era algo mais surpreendente). Há um casal de amigos com eles, que aparecem do nada, e percebe-se uma resistência de Hannah a ficar com eles, mas a amiga afirma que elas precisam conversar: Sam continua traindo-a, acha que o marido possa estar fazendo o mesmo e quer a separação. No fim, descobrimos que ambos são golpistas e que ela seduziu Sam para extorquir dinheiro, o cara estuprou Hannah por ser violento e para ter uma carta na manga, caso o dinheiro de Sam não fosse entregue. Mas Hannah o mata quando ele tenta estuprá-la novamente e Sam assume a culpa, chamando a polícia. Na investigação, a mulher é presa após seu passado ser investigado e a polícia confirmar se tratar de golpistas. Eram eles que estava assustando-a na cabana. Hannah decide dar ao marido uma segunda chance, pois ele também foi vítima. Um livro ok.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
This book made me feel crazy and gave me insane nightmares 🤣 I don't know if that's a good sign or not honestly. It was creepy and mysterious but Hannah was a bit of a painfully whiney lead which impacted my enjoyment for sure. I was sure this would have a really mindblowing conclusion but it was pretty anti-climactic unfortunately.
Also note - there are some pretty distressing scenes and themes in the books so please check any content warnings before going into it.
Also note - there are some pretty distressing scenes and themes in the books so please check any content warnings before going into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
A bit disappointing. It felt like everything was wrapped up a bit too quickly in the end.
I'm adding 0.25 stars because the main character has aphantasia (like me!) and I rarely see that mentioned in a book.
I'm adding 0.25 stars because the main character has aphantasia (like me!) and I rarely see that mentioned in a book.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
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
OCD is not an adjective, nor is it a synonym for describing someone who is meticulous/a perfectionist/likes to do something.
“I’m a bit OCD…” No. That’s not how it works. OCD is not something you are.
To use it as such promotes unhelpful stereotypes and cheapens the experience of those who struggle with the condition. We do not choose our compulsions, nor do we choose the debilitating intrusive thoughts which accompany them.
In this book, Hannah likes to know that her bear is safe because it’s understandably treasured. She also likes to know that the door is locked at night. If one likes it, if it fits with a person’s values (which Hannah’s “compulsions”
clearly do) then it is NOT OCD. Please think twice before promoting harmful stereotypes in the future.
“I’m a bit OCD…” No. That’s not how it works. OCD is not something you are.
To use it as such promotes unhelpful stereotypes and cheapens the experience of those who struggle with the condition. We do not choose our compulsions, nor do we choose the debilitating intrusive thoughts which accompany them.
In this book, Hannah likes to know that her bear is safe because it’s understandably treasured. She also likes to know that the door is locked at night. If one likes it, if it fits with a person’s values (which Hannah’s “compulsions”
clearly do) then it is NOT OCD. Please think twice before promoting harmful stereotypes in the future.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Teresa Driscoll delivers page turners that keep me glued to my Kindle! This one was great- love a well done unreliable narrator. The twists were dark and unpredictable, and the story never lagged. An excellent thriller!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Death of parent