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sophieannexx's review
4.5
i wasn't planning on reading this but my mum got it out the library so i gave it a go and i'm so glad i did. the actual mystery was very well-executed. there were a fair few red herrings but none of them were insignificant to the plot, and everything came together in the end in a way that made sense. all of the subplots were very interesting too, the way that information about the characters' lives and pasts would be hinted at and gradually revealed regardless of their relation to the main mystery was very effective in keeping the reader constantly invested.
the chapters towards the end from mary's point of view were incredibly unsettling to read. her recollection of the events leading up to caily's fall, and how convinced she is of the things she believes to the point of taking action in the way she does, both with caily and then later with herself and her husband, is honestly terrifying, but that's what makes it such a good reveal, it's the story of someone suffering from (what is most likely) dementia, which is one of the most terrifying things the real world has to offer.
my favourite thing about this book was the references to both caily and tegan's love of performing. as an aspiring musical theatre performer myself, i love to see my feelings about falling in love with being on stage put into words, and to see characters who love it the way i do. i also just love to unexpectedly be reading about the thing i love most in the world.
the final thing i will add is that i really liked the way that the final line of each chapter would be repeated or rephrased, often in a different context as the first line of the following chapter.
my favourite thing about this book was the references to both caily and tegan's love of performing. as an aspiring musical theatre performer myself, i love to see my feelings about falling in love with being on stage put into words, and to see characters who love it the way i do. i also just love to unexpectedly be reading about the thing i love most in the world.
the final thing i will add is that i really liked the way that the final line of each chapter would be repeated or rephrased, often in a different context as the first line of the following chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Dementia
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Pedophilia
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