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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
The ending really paid off on this one.
When I started Dead to Her I was semi-intrigued with what was going on (rich second wife jealous of husband's, boss's new wife). I didn't know where any of this was going, I was on my tippy-toes waiting for a cheat to be discovered or a murder to occur.
The book seemed to drag in the middle. I just wanted something to happen . and then there's the voodoo I was baffled by how this was going to be integral to the plot and wasn't enjoying the scenes that it was brought up. I was slowly losing interest.
Then finally there was a murder! (attempted). but this was a little disappointing because I had already guessed who the perpetrator was. Much to my sisters annoyance I kept saying outloud: 'it was Elizabeth, Elizabeth did it!'.
I guessed it was her because she was the assistant: someone with access to the household and personal information. In movies it would be a doctor's wife or the secretary. and she seemed to be a person that the author avoided talking about, except to say that she was in the room or she was helping with something or just having a conversation. Pinborough would "push" other characters as suspects at the reader, but never Elizabeth.
And the ENDING omg. that was something I DID NOT see coming. After Marcie tells the story about her ex-husband and what happened to him, it was always a possibility that she did or didn't kill him. I didn't give it much thought. I should have. To find out that not only did she kill him, but that she is a scheming money-hungry sociopath had me so shook. Why did the ending have to be better than the overall book?😢
All I can say is I hope Marcie gets what's coming to her.
ps. discovering who the little boy was that Keisha saw as a child and finding out what happened to him, almost brought tears to my eyes. I can't understand why Pinborough added this bit. very sad.
The only review of this book that I read was very bad, so I went in with low expectations, and my expectations were met.
The exposition drags out for two thirds of the story, over 200 pages of dull domestic stuff. No intricate web of social elite drama and hidden secrets, no devious woman trying to keep her husband in line with psychological manipulation, but we got like seven mentions of how Marcie isn't racist because she won't treat Keisha nicely like others.
The actual mystery wasn't bad, but not worth reading through all those dull chapters of exposition. The relationships were all so inconceivable and badly written. No one had any genuine emotions for another person, or if the did they showed it through being attracted to a third party?
This would've been way better if it was 200 pages or so with only quarter of it as exposition.
The exposition drags out for two thirds of the story, over 200 pages of dull domestic stuff. No intricate web of social elite drama and hidden secrets, no devious woman trying to keep her husband in line with psychological manipulation, but we got like seven mentions of how Marcie isn't racist because she won't treat Keisha nicely like others.
The actual mystery wasn't bad, but not worth reading through all those dull chapters of exposition. The relationships were all so inconceivable and badly written. No one had any genuine emotions for another person, or if the did they showed it through being attracted to a third party?
This would've been way better if it was 200 pages or so with only quarter of it as exposition.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had to DNF this book. It started out fairly promising. The plot was interesting and the characters seemed pretty awful (which I tend to like) but the story veered into a territory that I don’t read about…voodoo. I stay away from books that have witchcraft, voodoo, black magic, and similar things so this was a no for me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and William Morrow to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and William Morrow to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is dead to me.
It started out ok, but the last 30% dragged on so badly. It was a huge relief when it was done.
Not good.
Review posted on Amazon as well.
It started out ok, but the last 30% dragged on so badly. It was a huge relief when it was done.
Not good.
Review posted on Amazon as well.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
An enjoyable thriller, but of the Sarah Pinborough books I have read, this was no where near my favourite. However, good plot twists, satisfying ending (although in some regards slightly predictable) and an enjoyable read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Gaslighting
Hmmm, let me say I was really looking forward to this book.
I have to give this two stars.
I’m really a little confused by this books message. By the story.
Because this is not a thriller. This is an adult contemporary with a ridiculous side plot that doesn’t even entertain you. And I’m still not sure of it’s purpose.
The characters, all of them, were detestable. Which left me with no interest in finding out how the book concluded.
I have to give this two stars.
I’m really a little confused by this books message. By the story.
Because this is not a thriller. This is an adult contemporary with a ridiculous side plot that doesn’t even entertain you. And I’m still not sure of it’s purpose.
The characters, all of them, were detestable. Which left me with no interest in finding out how the book concluded.
No spoilers or summary- just review.
I got this from the library and it cost me zero dollars and I still want a refund. Bah.
I hated this book so much. I'm sorry but it was really terrible and it proves how subjective a rating system is for books because I cannot fathom how anyone can give this more than one star. I really feel bad saying that but I feel compelled.
My top 3 biggest problems with this book (had to narrow down bigtime):
1. There is not one moment in this book where it is thrilling or mysterious. I wish I were exaggerating but this is not a thriller.
2. After the first maybe 10% of this book I was absolutely and completely bored out of my mind. I considered DNFing maybe 3 times at least. But I hung in there due to my experience with the author's work "Behind Her Eyes." This feels like a completely different writer.
3. If you are a writer who chooses to write about a location and culture that is not your own- or that you do not have clear exposure to- then it is your responsibility to do your due diligence to get it right. This book did not have the feeling of any realism because it is evident that the author knows little about the area or its goings-on. Why choose a place with which you have no real experience? Just...pick another place. Jeez.
I got this from the library and it cost me zero dollars and I still want a refund. Bah.
I hated this book so much. I'm sorry but it was really terrible and it proves how subjective a rating system is for books because I cannot fathom how anyone can give this more than one star. I really feel bad saying that but I feel compelled.
My top 3 biggest problems with this book (had to narrow down bigtime):
1. There is not one moment in this book where it is thrilling or mysterious. I wish I were exaggerating but this is not a thriller.
2. After the first maybe 10% of this book I was absolutely and completely bored out of my mind. I considered DNFing maybe 3 times at least. But I hung in there due to my experience with the author's work "Behind Her Eyes." This feels like a completely different writer.
3. If you are a writer who chooses to write about a location and culture that is not your own- or that you do not have clear exposure to- then it is your responsibility to do your due diligence to get it right. This book did not have the feeling of any realism because it is evident that the author knows little about the area or its goings-on. Why choose a place with which you have no real experience? Just...pick another place. Jeez.
This was such a good rollercoaster of a book! I loved the dark ending and the final twist. Some of it I saw coming, but for the most part, I was definitely surprised!