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dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death
Minor: Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My first ever completed audiobook! I am glad I chose to listen to it instead of trying to read it on my Kindle because I suspect I would have slogged through it otherwise. Spoilers ahead.
The premise of this story is interesting enough, albeit somewhat predictable, with one-dimensional characters. Mary’s entire struggle is driven by her need to recollect her memories of her life before the accident while contending with her growing sense of unease around her “father.” Drew, meanwhile, is hellbent on finding his missing ex-girlfriend and clearing his name. He and his friends essentially become amateur sleuths because, ironically enough, the town sheriff has honed in on him as the prime suspect. The novel incorporates several true crime elements that lend some believability, but the writing itself felt dull and at times cheesy, particularly with the repeated Lizzo references. The only true “plot twist” for me was learning Mary’s real identity at the end of the story. Even then, I did not find myself all that surprised, given the isolated woods and dark, creepy basement under the Boone cabin.
If you are looking for a more adult version of One of Us Is Lying, this is not a bad standalone thriller. Especially if you are into true crime podcasts and are suspicious of creepy men with vans. I am probably not the audience for this particular book, but as a book club read, I enjoyed the experience overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
This book reads a little like a teen crime thriller straight to TV drama and that could be a good or bad thing depending on your preference. I enjoyed it! The twist was predictable and I might not even call it a twist but I was invested. I could have done without the epilogue personally, it felt a little too dramatic and soap opera-y to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Murder