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emory's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Some of the best writing I've seen in my adventures through middle to low quality thriller books recently. It was especially refreshing to read a book with multiple POVs that was able to keep them distinct and the characters moving through independent investigations. It had a very nice flow and tone to it (although one of my complaints is that this tone, while compelling at first, never changes and grows a bit flat).
The plot itself is pretty decent (even if I found it a bit annoying to make the case a cold case but then have three different characters discover the culprit independently through three different extremely simple investigative avenues); however, it lacks the suspenseful turns of a gripping thriller and also the character interiority that drives a tragedy about grief. Since I'm not sure exactly which one this book is going for, I'm not sure which to be more disappointed about. Hannah's character shone through (I would assume the series will follow her investigations, with this installment serving as a bit of an origin story), but even in her segments of narrative, we're told her emotions bluntly and clinically rather than shown through actions or relayed with any kind of warmth. Though emotional turmoil makes up a large part of each character's story, both the narrator and the characters themselves talk about them in the same flat tone as the rest of the novel. The death of the main investigator in the case had absolutely no emotional impact, trimmed of all detail or decorum . It just felt empty and one note. Time and space are nebulous, with little description of any space the characters inhabit and random moments within a chapter that mention it has now been weeks or months worth of time since an event. I think if the story leaned a bit harder into its characters rather than formulaic thriller speak--the killer actually says "your precious Megan" at one point--it really couldve shined! I especially would've liked more focus on Hannah's OCD(?)(that isn't represented for once as a nagging desire to wash her hands and nothing else; it's a miracle, even if the depiction could've been better in other ways), or Tom's feelings of guilt over "causing" his daughter's disappearance. As it was, though, the characters felt a bit cardboard.
One last little reservation I have is a bit of an odd tone surrounding vigilantism and the PIs using aggressive tactics that cops cannot. It's nothing you won't see in a typical police procedural, but still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Overall I had my criticisms, but I did like the style of writing even with my reservations about the details it chooses to give or withhold. I wouldnt rule reading out more of the series.
The plot itself is pretty decent (even if I found it a bit annoying to make the case a cold case but then have three different characters discover the culprit independently through three different extremely simple investigative avenues); however, it lacks the suspenseful turns of a gripping thriller and also the character interiority that drives a tragedy about grief. Since I'm not sure exactly which one this book is going for, I'm not sure which to be more disappointed about. Hannah's character shone through (I would assume the series will follow her investigations, with this installment serving as a bit of an origin story), but even in her segments of narrative, we're told her emotions bluntly and clinically rather than shown through actions or relayed with any kind of warmth. Though emotional turmoil makes up a large part of each character's story, both the narrator and the characters themselves talk about them in the same flat tone as the rest of the novel. The death of
One last little reservation I have is a bit of an odd tone surrounding vigilantism and the PIs using aggressive tactics that cops cannot. It's nothing you won't see in a typical police procedural, but still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Overall I had my criticisms, but I did like the style of writing even with my reservations about the details it chooses to give or withhold. I wouldnt rule reading out more of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Alcoholism, Drug use, Self harm, Drug abuse, Grief, Murder, Rape, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Gun violence
A main character struggles with self harm and there are two scenes that feature a very explicit description.abbigirl97's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
It just feels sloppy and unfinished. The characters don't feel like real people, there are certain details given that don't add anything to the story. It jumps around pov's quite frequently and with no rhyme or reason. It felt very much like a first draft. And there's really no mystery. It's very obvious from the start what happened to Megan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Torture, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcoholism
knkayaktel's review
1.5
what don’t they contact the freaking police? this book was confusing with many characters being focused on and most of them had no resolution. I’m embarrassed to say I wasted time reading this book. Check out the TW, it basically covers everything you could think of in such a short book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Torture
what don’t they contact the freaking police? this book was confusing with many characters being focused on and most of them had no resolution. I’m embarrassed to say I wasted time reading this book. Check out the TW, it basically covers everything you could think of in such a short book.shoshpursley's review against another edition
1.0
This book feels like the winner of a contest to see how many cliches could be crammed into 1 book! Damaged young woman looking to avenge something dark from her past (when she's not drinking or cutting herself, that is)? Check. Sad parents of the victim, struggling to keep their relationship together while also investigating what really happened to their daughter? Check. Washed up former police officer turned PI also hired to find out what really happened to the missing woman? Check!
Clearly I didn't like anything about this book. It was cliched, predictable, and boring. The narrator also does a TERRIBLE job at speaking as the male voices! It was very irritating.
Clearly I didn't like anything about this book. It was cliched, predictable, and boring. The narrator also does a TERRIBLE job at speaking as the male voices! It was very irritating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Murder, Drug use, and Drug abuse
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