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sjexley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I haven't read a scary book in a long time and this one creeped me out! A mom and her two kids are home alone during a blizzard when she sees an intruder in the house. She grabs her sleeping kids and they rush to hide in a secret room. What happens next is nothing short of nightmares, and that's just the present day plot. This book jumps around bw the past and present and really had me unsure of who to believe. It was so suspenseful, I couldn't read parts of it fast enough! Do not recommend if you are anxious about intruders bc you may never sleep again. Also, this is the first book I've read that takes place during Covid but the pandemic ITSELF wasn't a huge character. It was interesting to read a story where it was referenced but not focused on.
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Terminal illness, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Body shaming
Minor: Blood
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Vomit, Gaslighting, Cancer, Death of parent, Sexism, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Death, Grief, Murder, Blood, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Stalking
astoriareader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SYNOPSIS
- A mother and her two, young children are home alone. Outside, there is a blizzard. Inside the mother has tucked her son back into bed in the middle of night.
- The mother hears some noises, including footsteps, and discover there is an intruder in the home.
- They live in New England in a house built in the 1700s, and there is secret tiny “room” or small space, which is hidden behind the paneling of a wall. She hurries there with her young kids. They hide & try to be as quiet as possible, while the mother tries to figure out what to do. Meanwhile, the intruder goes around the house looking for them, and at times, he talks out loud to them. The intruder sounds familiar to her.
MY THOUGHTS
- My favorite thriller, suspense of 2024. I know it’s only May, but there’s just no chance of a book surpassing this one.
- Atmospheric, claustrophobic.
- Excellent pacing.
- I can’t believe this was the author’s debut novel?! No notes. It’s perfect.
- The writing is outstanding, and some of the best I have read in a long time.
- I loved the main character’s running thoughts throughout the book.
- Since there is a lot of action & tension, I was surprised by how much backstory & character development are in this story.
- I could NOT put this down. It consumed all of my thoughts. I finished in under 24 hours. I stayed up late reading, then woke up early to read before work, then read on my lunch break, then read as soon as work ended😂
- My blood pressure was so high the ENTIRE time I was reading this book.
- I wanted to fight the police officers and the father-in-law!
- Super interesting themes intertwined. I loved how she explored cultural bias, gender bias, victim blaming, glorifying horrible people, and 👏🏼never👏🏼believing👏🏼women👏🏼!!!
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️THE best thriller of 2024. idc if it’s May - that’s a wrap, y’all. READ THIS NOW!!!!!! brb I still have tachycardia.
Thanks to Penguin Group Viking, Pamela Dorman Books, and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out now.
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, and Stalking
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, and Vomit
Minor: Cancer
thespinystacks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Stalking and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Vomit
Minor: Death
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