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3.11 AVERAGE
3.11 AVERAGE
the fact that daniel mallory is a pathological liar and potential sociopath makes me want to read everything he will ever write.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like this book was just a bunch of filler. It didn't really hold my attention or pull me into the story until the ending.
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was intrigued with the premise of a dying crime novelist with a crime in his own past and having main characters who love books and quote them often also intrigued me. The flips between different POVs and timelines with unreliable narrators gave me a disjointed feel that no doubt Nicky felt herself at the time too. I did not see those twists coming but I think that’s because there was little to no indication of them throughout the story so it wasn’t possible to pick up on clues and solve it myself. It also felt drawn out and could have been shorter while making the same points which is ironic since there is a mention of not making books go on too long.
Favourite Quote:
“Life is a thriller. The ending is fatal and the conclusion is final.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was intrigued with the premise of a dying crime novelist with a crime in his own past and having main characters who love books and quote them often also intrigued me. The flips between different POVs and timelines with unreliable narrators gave me a disjointed feel that no doubt Nicky felt herself at the time too. I did not see those twists coming but I think that’s because there was little to no indication of them throughout the story so it wasn’t possible to pick up on clues and solve it myself. It also felt drawn out and could have been shorter while making the same points which is ironic since there is a mention of not making books go on too long.
Favourite Quote:
“Life is a thriller. The ending is fatal and the conclusion is final.”
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow-burning mystery with its roots sunk firmly in the historical twists of obfuscating characters, creaky houses, and explanatory denouements
Audiobook. I enjoyed listening to this one. Don’t think I’d have the same high rating if I read it.
At 400 pages and 100 chapters, this is a long one to listen to, which is why, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, since so many don’t like the ending) my library audiobook was returned before I could get to the reveal! I’ve had to search out spoilers to find out the ending.
Lots of reviewers don’t like Finn’s writing style, but I do.
Sebastian is so grandiose, he needs words that match his personality. Also descriptions like
Ink sinks into stationery, indelible as a scar; email is breath on glass, an instant dissolve.
add to the overall feel. I often found myself how he came up with his sentences and word choice. Many don’t like Finn’s written voice, but I do.
At 400 pages and 100 chapters, this is a long one to listen to, which is why, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, since so many don’t like the ending) my library audiobook was returned before I could get to the reveal! I’ve had to search out spoilers to find out the ending.
Lots of reviewers don’t like Finn’s writing style, but I do.
Sebastian is so grandiose, he needs words that match his personality. Also descriptions like
Ink sinks into stationery, indelible as a scar; email is breath on glass, an instant dissolve.
add to the overall feel. I often found myself how he came up with his sentences and word choice. Many don’t like Finn’s written voice, but I do.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Confirmed: I don’t like detective stories.
my one complaint, if you can call it that, is that it did read rather slowly. however, i think everything was necessary. this is a wonderful mystery, and every guess i made was wildly incorrect — always fun to have that happen. highly recommend, and also recommend approaching with patience in mind. it is worth it.