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omerd84's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gabizago's review against another edition
5.0
I like the plot, even though I don’t love how it develops. An uncle has to take care of his nephew after his parents unexpectedly passed away. But the teenager has a not so great history with his family. He has to grieve his niece and yet at the same time accept that the boy is maybe a better person now. The first thing he does is enroll in his uncle’s fiction class. And some of the writings make the uncle wonder if he truly changed.
alisonp's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Nathan Oates’ debut, A FLAW IN THE DESIGN, is brilliantly crafted, beautifully rendered, and psychologically rich.
A haunting spine-chilling psychological thriller of familial ties that bind. An unputdownable tale of grief, envy, and obsession. A blending of suspense thriller and literary fiction, readers will be salivating for a sequel.
Seventeen-year-old Matthew's wealthy Manhattan parents have died in a suspicious car accident.
Matthew goes to live with his uncle, Gil, his wife, Molly, and two daughters, Ingrid and Chloe, in Vermont. Gil has concerns about taking in his nephew due to things from the past that were of concern. Since then, Gil has been estranged from his sister and her wealthy banker husband.
Gil is a creative writing professor. He is jealous of his handsome nephew with the multi-million dollar trust fund. He also has his own problems.
Matthew appears to be intelligent, charming, and helpful. Molly, an artist, is delighted with Matthew's knowledge of the art world.
All seems well UNTIL.
Then he signs up for a creative writing class and turns in spine-chilling disturbing stories about the deaths of his family. He is in Gil's classroom.
Alternating between the past and present, we learn more about these two characters.
Gil becomes resentful and obsessed. Is Gil the one with the problems, or is Matthew a monster in plain sight? Did Matthew kill his parents, and are they living with a sociopath? Is Gil coming unhinged and paranoid?
As the tension mounts between the two, driving Gil and Matthew to an explosive showdown and an ending that leaves us wanting a sequel.
From the stunning eerie front cover to the very last page, this one hooks you. Compelling and thought-provoking, I love literary thrillers, and A FLAW IN THE DESIGN checked all the boxes! Love the writing style.
Oates carefully unspools this dark, intimate tale of ambition, class, and family. A deliciously wicked game of cat and mouse with a jaw-dropping ending. Highly recommend. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
Thank you to #RandomHouse and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. #RandomHouseInfluencers
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 21, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
March 2023 Must-Read Books
A haunting spine-chilling psychological thriller of familial ties that bind. An unputdownable tale of grief, envy, and obsession. A blending of suspense thriller and literary fiction, readers will be salivating for a sequel.
Seventeen-year-old Matthew's wealthy Manhattan parents have died in a suspicious car accident.
Matthew goes to live with his uncle, Gil, his wife, Molly, and two daughters, Ingrid and Chloe, in Vermont. Gil has concerns about taking in his nephew due to things from the past that were of concern. Since then, Gil has been estranged from his sister and her wealthy banker husband.
Gil is a creative writing professor. He is jealous of his handsome nephew with the multi-million dollar trust fund. He also has his own problems.
Matthew appears to be intelligent, charming, and helpful. Molly, an artist, is delighted with Matthew's knowledge of the art world.
All seems well UNTIL.
Then he signs up for a creative writing class and turns in spine-chilling disturbing stories about the deaths of his family. He is in Gil's classroom.
Alternating between the past and present, we learn more about these two characters.
Gil becomes resentful and obsessed. Is Gil the one with the problems, or is Matthew a monster in plain sight? Did Matthew kill his parents, and are they living with a sociopath? Is Gil coming unhinged and paranoid?
As the tension mounts between the two, driving Gil and Matthew to an explosive showdown and an ending that leaves us wanting a sequel.
From the stunning eerie front cover to the very last page, this one hooks you. Compelling and thought-provoking, I love literary thrillers, and A FLAW IN THE DESIGN checked all the boxes! Love the writing style.
Oates carefully unspools this dark, intimate tale of ambition, class, and family. A deliciously wicked game of cat and mouse with a jaw-dropping ending. Highly recommend. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
Thank you to #RandomHouse and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. #RandomHouseInfluencers
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 21, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
March 2023 Must-Read Books
amanizaha's review against another edition
3.0
This reminded me of The Push by Ashley Audrain, but instead of mother and daughter, we have an uncle and his nephew; instead of the overarching theme of motherhood, an obsession with wealth.
Unfortunately, I don't have much else to say about this book. :/ I had expectations for a suspenseful cat-and-mouse story, but the storyline was too predictable and the two main characters did not – for me – have enough depth or nuance for this to read like a character study.
Two stars, and an added star for the writing.
Unfortunately, I don't have much else to say about this book. :/ I had expectations for a suspenseful cat-and-mouse story, but the storyline was too predictable and the two main characters did not – for me – have enough depth or nuance for this to read like a character study.
Two stars, and an added star for the writing.
jennakheder's review against another edition
I barely knew any of the characters. Everything was told from the most pessimistic and self deprecating person’s inner monologue. Terribly sad because the story had potential.
celticthistle's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A good read for cold dark days. A thriller that has great twists, but not a who dunnit. We know!
analea_lucille's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and Mental illness
laura13282's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
So disappointing. It’s certainly not a thriller and doesn’t have any twists. The plot is extensive dull. Im only glad it was a relatively short book so it didn’t drag on too much
katied_1030's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
eh