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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
tense
fast-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
The Arrangement series was definitely a lot better than this one. It just didn’t hit the same way. It was a bit too unrealistic for me and it followed every classic thriller formula. Everything was wrapped up in the last 2 chapters and it was just too easy. Too much build up and not enough pay out imo.
TW: lots of child death. Also descriptions of child death
TW: lots of child death. Also descriptions of child death
Dark secrets, life-and-death choices, and child murder…..
Book Information
“The List” authored by Kiersten Modglin, is a 271-page mystery first published on October 31, 2016. The audio version is Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, David Bendena, and Michael Crouch and was released on August 22, 2023. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
A decade ago, Bates, South Carolina was forever changed by a mysterious list containing six names of people destined to die, with subsequent lists appearing every six months. Residents went to great lengths to avoid being on these lists, harboring dark secrets to protect themselves. As newcomers Connor and Jordyn Atwood move to Bates, they witness the town's extreme measures to safeguard their lives. With the enigmatic list maker controlling their fate, the Atwoods must decide whether to succumb to their new environment or fight to protect their newfound home, all while realizing that one rule governs them all: obey or find your name on The List.
My Thoughts
Kiersten Modglin's "The List" is a fast-paced and engaging read that doesn't demand too much mental exertion. This story held my interest from start to finish, making it an effortless page-turner.
However, there are aspects that left me feeling frustrated throughout the story. First, the recurring theme of characters making consistently poor decisions. This element became quite prevalent and detracted from my overall enjoyment.
One noteworthy caution for readers is the books focus on the murder of children, including babies. If you have sensitivities in this regard, you should skip this book.
While I can forgive some degree of implausibility in a story for the sake of its narrative, "The List" pushed the boundaries of credibility too far. The town's failure to put an end to the unfolding chaos felt completely implausible from start to finish.
Additionally, the reveal at the end was somewhat predictable, and the concluding events struck me as highly implausible. Unfortunately, this unexpected turn of events undermined the eerie atmosphere that had been skillfully crafted.
On a positive note, the book features multiple narrators, each with their unique pace and tone. This narrative technique added depth to the storytelling, and I particularly appreciated the ominous and cadenced voice employed in the "Him" chapters. The narration of those parts was perfect.
Recommendation
"The List" by Kiersten Modglin offers a fast-paced and easy-to-read story with multiple narrators that enrich the storytelling experience. However, the prevalence of poor decision-making, disturbing subject matter, and implausibility in many plot elements may hinder the overall enjoyment of this otherwise engaging novel. Recommended with caution if you are looking for a quick mystery.
Rating
3 Implausible Stars
Book Information
“The List” authored by Kiersten Modglin, is a 271-page mystery first published on October 31, 2016. The audio version is Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, David Bendena, and Michael Crouch and was released on August 22, 2023. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
A decade ago, Bates, South Carolina was forever changed by a mysterious list containing six names of people destined to die, with subsequent lists appearing every six months. Residents went to great lengths to avoid being on these lists, harboring dark secrets to protect themselves. As newcomers Connor and Jordyn Atwood move to Bates, they witness the town's extreme measures to safeguard their lives. With the enigmatic list maker controlling their fate, the Atwoods must decide whether to succumb to their new environment or fight to protect their newfound home, all while realizing that one rule governs them all: obey or find your name on The List.
My Thoughts
Kiersten Modglin's "The List" is a fast-paced and engaging read that doesn't demand too much mental exertion. This story held my interest from start to finish, making it an effortless page-turner.
However, there are aspects that left me feeling frustrated throughout the story. First, the recurring theme of characters making consistently poor decisions. This element became quite prevalent and detracted from my overall enjoyment.
One noteworthy caution for readers is the books focus on the murder of children, including babies. If you have sensitivities in this regard, you should skip this book.
While I can forgive some degree of implausibility in a story for the sake of its narrative, "The List" pushed the boundaries of credibility too far. The town's failure to put an end to the unfolding chaos felt completely implausible from start to finish.
Additionally, the reveal at the end was somewhat predictable, and the concluding events struck me as highly implausible. Unfortunately, this unexpected turn of events undermined the eerie atmosphere that had been skillfully crafted.
On a positive note, the book features multiple narrators, each with their unique pace and tone. This narrative technique added depth to the storytelling, and I particularly appreciated the ominous and cadenced voice employed in the "Him" chapters. The narration of those parts was perfect.
Recommendation
"The List" by Kiersten Modglin offers a fast-paced and easy-to-read story with multiple narrators that enrich the storytelling experience. However, the prevalence of poor decision-making, disturbing subject matter, and implausibility in many plot elements may hinder the overall enjoyment of this otherwise engaging novel. Recommended with caution if you are looking for a quick mystery.
Rating
3 Implausible Stars
This was one of my better experiences with Modglin books. Typically I find her thrillers either a little forgettable or batshit crazy and a good time. This was the latter.
The whole concept was insane. I was pleasantly surprised when it was revealed Connor was the mastermind behind it all - because he was a creepy guy obsessed with Melissa. I had been musing to myself "god this guy is fitting into the 'Rosemary's Baby' trope of ignoring obviously wrong things and telling his wife she's nuts....unless he's the killer...." Ta-da!
The epilogue was completely unnecessary and I assumed it existed to provide another twist and that Erin's husband had wanted her heart to be given to Connor so he could live and they could continue to work together...but nope.
Speaking of the organ donation, considering Jordyn wanted the group of townspeople to let Connor bleed out after he killed her sister, it was wild that she agreed to have Erin's heart donated to him. She wanted to make sure he was brought to justice but if he lived and the case fell apart...no justice. I'm not saying I would've let him die, but I am saying it felt inconsistent with Jordyn's previous actions and thought processes.
But it was a quicc, fun time, and I enjoyed myself. 3.5
The whole concept was insane. I was pleasantly surprised when it was revealed Connor was the mastermind behind it all - because he was a creepy guy obsessed with Melissa. I had been musing to myself "god this guy is fitting into the 'Rosemary's Baby' trope of ignoring obviously wrong things and telling his wife she's nuts....unless he's the killer...." Ta-da!
The epilogue was completely unnecessary and I assumed it existed to provide another twist and that Erin's husband had wanted her heart to be given to Connor so he could live and they could continue to work together...but nope.
Speaking of the organ donation, considering Jordyn wanted the group of townspeople to let Connor bleed out after he killed her sister, it was wild that she agreed to have Erin's heart donated to him. She wanted to make sure he was brought to justice but if he lived and the case fell apart...no justice. I'm not saying I would've let him die, but I am saying it felt inconsistent with Jordyn's previous actions and thought processes.
But it was a quicc, fun time, and I enjoyed myself. 3.5
dark
tense
fast-paced
This was one of my better experiences with Modglin books. Typically I find her thrillers either a little forgettable or batshit crazy and a good time. This was the latter.
The whole concept was insane. I was pleasantly surprised when it was revealed Connor was the mastermind behind it all - because he was a creepy guy obsessed with Melissa. I had been musing to myself "god this guy is fitting into the 'Rosemary's Baby' trope of ignoring obviously wrong things and telling his wife she's nuts....unless he's the killer...." Ta-da!
The epilogue was completely unnecessary and I assumed it existed to provide another twist and that Erin's husband had wanted her heart to be given to Connor so he could live and they could continue to work together...but nope.
Speaking of the organ donation, considering Jordyn wanted the group of townspeople to let Connor bleed out after he killed her sister, it was wild that she agreed to have Erin's heart donated to him. She wanted to make sure he was brought to justice but if he lived and the case fell apart...no justice. I'm not saying I would've let him die, but I am saying it felt inconsistent with Jordyn's previous actions and thought processes.
But it was a quicc, fun time, and I enjoyed myself. 3.5
The whole concept was insane. I was pleasantly surprised when it was revealed Connor was the mastermind behind it all - because he was a creepy guy obsessed with Melissa. I had been musing to myself "god this guy is fitting into the 'Rosemary's Baby' trope of ignoring obviously wrong things and telling his wife she's nuts....unless he's the killer...." Ta-da!
The epilogue was completely unnecessary and I assumed it existed to provide another twist and that Erin's husband had wanted her heart to be given to Connor so he could live and they could continue to work together...but nope.
Speaking of the organ donation, considering Jordyn wanted the group of townspeople to let Connor bleed out after he killed her sister, it was wild that she agreed to have Erin's heart donated to him. She wanted to make sure he was brought to justice but if he lived and the case fell apart...no justice. I'm not saying I would've let him die, but I am saying it felt inconsistent with Jordyn's previous actions and thought processes.
But it was a quicc, fun time, and I enjoyed myself. 3.5
emotional
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
This book was hard to stomach. "The List" has almost an apocalyptic vibe when it's brought to the main character, Jordyn's, attention that over the past 10 years, the kids in the town have been killed off, one posted hit list at a time. No one knows who is doing it, but no one is stopping it, even the police. It's horrifying to say the least.
I am not sure how the ending made sense? Also quite horrifying. I don't understand how the person behind it wasn't noticed? Thinking back through the whole book... What?!
I am not sure how the ending made sense? Also quite horrifying. I don't understand how the person behind it wasn't noticed? Thinking back through the whole book... What?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail