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lizboc's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
mflynn8908's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**I hope you die in your sleep** weird way to say I love you but… my dark side can get behind it.
Grady has just become a New York Times bestseller and is on the phone with his wife Abby, who is on her way home to him, telling her his news when Abby stops to help a person laying in the middle of the road. Grady asks her not to get out of the car and instead to come home but Abby is a decent person and gets out to assist and is never heard from again.
What follows is a twisted story similar to Gone Girl with a sprinkle of the wicker man and obviously some new concepts.
Was this story original? Not really but that did not take the enjoyment out of it for me. I was able to predict the twist very early on but with its short chapters and dreadful atmosphere this book really does make you want to keep reading it.
Also, can we appreciate what Alice Feeney did at the end of her novel. After reading that Grady published his stolen novel, Beautiful Ugly, and putting a hidden message in the first 14 chapters of his book, you as the reader are able to go back to the first 14 chapters of your book and read his message. That was such a fun touch that I really enjoyed.
I have not read an Alice Feeney book I have not enjoyed yet and if you love a quick Woman Scorned book then definitely give this book a read!
Grady has just become a New York Times bestseller and is on the phone with his wife Abby, who is on her way home to him, telling her his news when Abby stops to help a person laying in the middle of the road. Grady asks her not to get out of the car and instead to come home but Abby is a decent person and gets out to assist and is never heard from again.
What follows is a twisted story similar to Gone Girl with a sprinkle of the wicker man and obviously some new concepts.
Was this story original? Not really but that did not take the enjoyment out of it for me. I was able to predict the twist very early on but with its short chapters and dreadful atmosphere this book really does make you want to keep reading it.
Also, can we appreciate what Alice Feeney did at the end of her novel. After reading that Grady published his stolen novel, Beautiful Ugly, and putting a hidden message in the first 14 chapters of his book, you as the reader are able to go back to the first 14 chapters of your book and read his message. That was such a fun touch that I really enjoyed.
I have not read an Alice Feeney book I have not enjoyed yet and if you love a quick Woman Scorned book then definitely give this book a read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
latelygrace's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Where to begin? I loved that this book was fast-paced and gripping and that the twist wasn't obvious, but at times it felt too outlandish even for shock value. there were a few plot holes that didn't get patched up and characters I am still wondering about. The ambiguity of the ending was an interesting touch, but still felt a little too deus ex machina for me. The threads just didn't come together as neatly as I have seen in some of Feeney's other works. Still, the writing was crisp and there were several quotable passages and Easter eggs that left me thinking. If you're looking for an adrenaline rush and don't care too much about neatness in your mysteries, give it a go!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Infertility