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ewally's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a real page-turner for me, as in I finished it in about 5-6 hours. I literally could not put it down! Normally I can almost always guess early on “who-dunnit” when watching crime shows or reading books, so I really love a book that has me trying to piece things together the entire time and still being surprised at the end. Like many books I’ve read recently, it switches between different time periods almost every chapter. At first I was worried about getting confused by this, but that was not an issue at all. It’s very easy to follow. I also loved the incorporation of journal entries, because it allowed me to become even more immersed in the story. While there were some points throughout the book where I wished I had some more context or explanation, overall I really liked it. A very spooky, thrilling novel for sure!
mainereading's review against another edition
4.0
In the beginning it was a bit slow, but I stuck with it, and I'm so glad that I did. 'The Winter People' is fantastic! It had me guessing and trying to uncover the mysteries throughout the whole book. I had so much fun reading this! But, around the end of the book I was a little disappointed. There were a few things that I didn't really like. Please don't let me discourage you from reading 'The Winter People' because it's fantastic, and I recommend giving it a read. There was just a few things in the end I would have liked to be different.
kglynn's review against another edition
3.0
Good and creepy for the first half. The narrative climax, when it finally comes, is forced.
tbewing's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
ladycranstonkc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Violence, Abandonment, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Murder, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Infertility, and Child death
Minor: Vomit
cnparsons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
afryemajor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read a newer Jennifer McMahon book and really enjoyed it so I thought I would try some on her older stuff. This book was very different from the one I originally read. I enjoyed the story…the mix of thriller, horror and supernatural. I liked the switching from past to present day. But the book included a lot of characters and side stories that seemed a bit much and character’s reaction to situation seemed unrealistic at times. I also felt like the ending was lacking and left too much unsaid/unresolved. But overall it was good read and given much I enjoyed her newer book it seems her storytelling had gotten better.
aparker89's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Body horror, Child death, Racism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Grief, Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Gore, and Car accident
plantladyreader's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Jennifer McMahon read, and it definitely won't be the last. WOW does she write a can't-put-it-down type of thriller!
West Hall, Vermont is a small town with a spooky history. Going back over 100 years, the town has been victim to many strange disappearances and brutal killings. Ruthie lives in the most notorious house in town with her mother and little sister. The brutal murder of Sara Harrison Shea in 1908 has been sensationalized, after Sara's diary was published. In those pages, Sara shared her upbringing with her single father and the "aunt" that brought her up to learn the forest and magic that could come along with it, as well as the dangerous possibility of "sleepers", people brought back briefly from the dead. When Ruthie's mother disappears, she and her young sister start looking for clues as to where she could have gone. Finding a gun, some wallets, and a camera bag that definitely doesn't belong, Ruthie starts to question if she even knew her mother at all. When her investigating brings some new people into her life, Ruthie quickly learns that there may have been truth to the rumours flying around town about the woods behind her house, even though they are highly unbelievable..
Told in dual timelines, between present day and the lead-up to Sara's death in 1908, this book gives you all the creepy vibes. What Sara did in 1908 set the precedent for the events that Ruthie and her sister endure in present day, and it gives the reader something to fear, even though Ruthie doesn't figure out what's happening until the end of the book. The "sleepers" that Sara describes make the story more of a haunting, and makes you question the sanity of some of the characters. The way the characters all came together in the end was really interesting, although it did end on a bit of a low note for me, compared to the rest of the book. I definitely recommend picking it up, and I'll be looking to read more from this author!
4.5
West Hall, Vermont is a small town with a spooky history. Going back over 100 years, the town has been victim to many strange disappearances and brutal killings. Ruthie lives in the most notorious house in town with her mother and little sister. The brutal murder of Sara Harrison Shea in 1908 has been sensationalized, after Sara's diary was published. In those pages, Sara shared her upbringing with her single father and the "aunt" that brought her up to learn the forest and magic that could come along with it, as well as the dangerous possibility of "sleepers", people brought back briefly from the dead. When Ruthie's mother disappears, she and her young sister start looking for clues as to where she could have gone. Finding a gun, some wallets, and a camera bag that definitely doesn't belong, Ruthie starts to question if she even knew her mother at all. When her investigating brings some new people into her life, Ruthie quickly learns that there may have been truth to the rumours flying around town about the woods behind her house, even though they are highly unbelievable..
Told in dual timelines, between present day and the lead-up to Sara's death in 1908, this book gives you all the creepy vibes. What Sara did in 1908 set the precedent for the events that Ruthie and her sister endure in present day, and it gives the reader something to fear, even though Ruthie doesn't figure out what's happening until the end of the book. The "sleepers" that Sara describes make the story more of a haunting, and makes you question the sanity of some of the characters. The way the characters all came together in the end was really interesting, although it did end on a bit of a low note for me, compared to the rest of the book. I definitely recommend picking it up, and I'll be looking to read more from this author!
4.5