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cemoses's review against another edition
4.0
I read the book Defending Jacob by this author which was very good. This book was not as clever and thought provoking.
However, this book is both very readable and engrossing. The parts of the book that deal with the effects of the disappearance of Jane Larkin on her children were well done.
However, what reduced the quality of the book was the disappointing characterization of Don Larkin. He is not at all a likable person. The problem is that in a lot of real-life mysteries, where there is a question of whether than man killed his wife, the husband has his good points. The fact that the husband has some good points is what keeps the mystery going makes the husband harder to prosecute. I felt there would be some pressure to prosecute Don Larkin from the public even though the evidence is not conclusive. The book does not deal with the MeToo movement and changing views about violence against women. There is less toleration about violence against women.
However, on the whole I enjoyed this book it could have been much better book.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
However, this book is both very readable and engrossing. The parts of the book that deal with the effects of the disappearance of Jane Larkin on her children were well done.
However, what reduced the quality of the book was the disappointing characterization of Don Larkin. He is not at all a likable person. The problem is that in a lot of real-life mysteries, where there is a question of whether than man killed his wife, the husband has his good points. The fact that the husband has some good points is what keeps the mystery going makes the husband harder to prosecute. I felt there would be some pressure to prosecute Don Larkin from the public even though the evidence is not conclusive. The book does not deal with the MeToo movement and changing views about violence against women. There is less toleration about violence against women.
However, on the whole I enjoyed this book it could have been much better book.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
kmccowell's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vkzauel's review against another edition
5.0
didn’t wanna believe the last page was the last page. kept looking for more
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
I was extremely excited when my library hold came in for
smichal's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book will stay with you long after you finish it.
vandermeer's review against another edition
3.0
Gut geschrieben und eine gute Geschichte. Jedoch etwas zu lange, zwischendurch langweile ich mich ein wenig, zu viele Worte für zu wenig Insight. Ich fand das Ende perfekt.
nathel's review against another edition
5.0
What a compelling read! One of the best I’ve read this year! I read Defending Jacob in 2012 and really liked it. I have just requested The Strangler from my library and can’t wait to read it.
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
I found the author’s previous novel Defending Jacob a good enough if rather old-fashioned mystery but this new legal/crime/family drama is a whole lot of “Huh?” that feels like the author was experimenting with voice and format and then accidentally submitted it to the publisher who accidentally published it.
In 1972, Jane Larkin, wife and mother-of-three, disappears. Despite a dogged detective on the case, the mystery is never solved though many, including the police and some of her family, believe her husband, Dan, murdered her.
The novel’s four “books” are all set at different times between Jane’s disappearance and some point in the future with a different narrator for each section: Phil, a novelist friend of the family, Jane herself, Jeff, the middle child, and Dan. This gives the book a rather lumpy structure and the lack of chronological order makes it confusing. The mystery is resolved at the end but in a pretty meh way as though to say that it didn’t really matter if Jane was killed and by whom.
The author writes well on the family dynamics and how the trauma of a missing mother changes these dynamics as well as the individuals. The characters themselves are deftly drawn and developed with the exception of Dan who remains something of a void even in his own section.
As with Defending Jacob, the tone feels old fashioned, even the parts set in the present day. I’m ok with that slower pacing but I feel words like “workmanlike” and “competent” come to mind to describe the novel rather than, say, “gripping” or “exciting.”
Looking at other reviews on Goodreads, I’m clearly in a minority. Perhaps my ability to appreciate well-crafted mysteries has been worn down by all the fast-paced flashy thrillers I’ve been reading.
Thanks to Ballantine and Netgalley for the digital review copy.
In 1972, Jane Larkin, wife and mother-of-three, disappears. Despite a dogged detective on the case, the mystery is never solved though many, including the police and some of her family, believe her husband, Dan, murdered her.
The novel’s four “books” are all set at different times between Jane’s disappearance and some point in the future with a different narrator for each section: Phil, a novelist friend of the family, Jane herself, Jeff, the middle child, and Dan. This gives the book a rather lumpy structure and the lack of chronological order makes it confusing. The mystery is resolved at the end but in a pretty meh way as though to say that it didn’t really matter if Jane was killed and by whom.
The author writes well on the family dynamics and how the trauma of a missing mother changes these dynamics as well as the individuals. The characters themselves are deftly drawn and developed with the exception of Dan who remains something of a void even in his own section.
As with Defending Jacob, the tone feels old fashioned, even the parts set in the present day. I’m ok with that slower pacing but I feel words like “workmanlike” and “competent” come to mind to describe the novel rather than, say, “gripping” or “exciting.”
Looking at other reviews on Goodreads, I’m clearly in a minority. Perhaps my ability to appreciate well-crafted mysteries has been worn down by all the fast-paced flashy thrillers I’ve been reading.
Thanks to Ballantine and Netgalley for the digital review copy.
ssatt5496's review
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0