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rosereadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
My jaw physically dropped about ten different times throughout this book. I thought I’d figured out what Ned had done, but I was so so wrong.
meloches's review
4.0
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went into Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton. I had never read a Sharon Bolton book before and I always go into a new author’s work with excitement and with a little apprehension. Will I like their writing style? Will I appreciate the tone of the story? Now that I am finished, I am pleased to say that I can safely add Sharon Bolton to a list of my “must read authors” because I DEVOURED this book!
The novel opens with a balloon accident gone wrong (please note, this is my worst nightmare) leaving several passengers dead, others critically injured, all except for one. Jessica Lane, on the ride with her sister, survives the accident and finds herself immediately in danger after witnessing a horrible crime minutes before the crash. As a game of cat and mouse ensues, Jessica must follow her instincts and try to return to the only place she has ever felt safe- but could it be her sanctuary is the most dangerous place of them all?
From the pacing to the plot, this one had me completely on the edge of my seat. I read it in a single sitting, binging on each chapter and relishing in the story. I absolutely loved the short chapters; a smart choice by Bolton, I felt like I couldn’t put this book down. I was also a huge fan of our protagonist, Jessica, who is mourning her sister and running from a killer. I found her to be incredibly likable and developed. Truly, even the secondary characters in this novel were memorable to me. I loved that Bolton gave each their own backstory.
There were a few things, although I loved the book that I found a little problematic; I did find the switches in time periods a little confusing at times. There didn’t seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason at the time and not all the chapters were clearly labeled. I also didn’t love the ending; I felt like the story on its own gave me enough resolution and I didn’t need the little tidbit at the end. It felt like it was thrown in. I am obviously being vague since I don’t want to give any spoilers but it didn’t really feel like it fit.
Regardless of my nitpicking, I really did love the book and will absolutely read more novels by this author.
The novel opens with a balloon accident gone wrong (please note, this is my worst nightmare) leaving several passengers dead, others critically injured, all except for one. Jessica Lane, on the ride with her sister, survives the accident and finds herself immediately in danger after witnessing a horrible crime minutes before the crash. As a game of cat and mouse ensues, Jessica must follow her instincts and try to return to the only place she has ever felt safe- but could it be her sanctuary is the most dangerous place of them all?
From the pacing to the plot, this one had me completely on the edge of my seat. I read it in a single sitting, binging on each chapter and relishing in the story. I absolutely loved the short chapters; a smart choice by Bolton, I felt like I couldn’t put this book down. I was also a huge fan of our protagonist, Jessica, who is mourning her sister and running from a killer. I found her to be incredibly likable and developed. Truly, even the secondary characters in this novel were memorable to me. I loved that Bolton gave each their own backstory.
There were a few things, although I loved the book that I found a little problematic; I did find the switches in time periods a little confusing at times. There didn’t seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason at the time and not all the chapters were clearly labeled. I also didn’t love the ending; I felt like the story on its own gave me enough resolution and I didn’t need the little tidbit at the end. It felt like it was thrown in. I am obviously being vague since I don’t want to give any spoilers but it didn’t really feel like it fit.
Regardless of my nitpicking, I really did love the book and will absolutely read more novels by this author.
leelah's review
2.0
I actually thought that with that, one of the most thrilling and cinematic openings I've read from her, Sharon Bolton would manage to woo me back into die-hard fan category.
It was not meant to be, partly because she tend to overuse red herrings and I-got-ya! twists which of course robs it of its most important element to succeed- surprise-and partly for subjective reasons.
So, the book opens with a crowd of people flying in a hot-air balloon who witness a crime on the ground, in the woods. But, killer saw them too and he is determined to keep his secret. I thought this part, with the balloon and various characters trying to survive in almost impossible situation was so engrossing and like you're watching action flick. The moment main character survived the fall and story switched from "omg, what will happen now", into "twist behind the twist inside twist" the book fell apart for me.
Positive impression of first part was mostly ruined by psychopath killer who was almost over the top villainous when not omnipotent and all-knowing. His purpose couldn't be just lucrative, he had to be sadistic fuck who enjoys hunting and killing and has evil christian mother. But his ability to go places and sneak up to anyone is almost super power. It just made it into implausible story you have to stretch your imagination far too much which inevitably killed the suspense.
The investigation following the fall of hot-air balloon and the reason main character is running away both from killer and police didn't work for me personally.
Spoiler
I was involved in several IOs providing free legal help for victims of human trafficking and worked on a various reports for gross human rights violation, dealing mostly with human trafficking- and I know that first thing that pops in everyone's head when you say HT is sex trade, but that's only one part of it. Trafficking human organs is also a part of HT. Hence, when I realized Bolton used Yellow House reference in the book, it kind of irked me. I can't even explain why, I don't even claim I am right to be annoyed by this, but the best I can do is saying that the fact I was so closely involved in this case makes it hard reading it turned into fiction. She doesn't mention anything in afterword, but I guess she was inspired because it's literally the first thing that pops when you google yellow house.I also felt it was a bit on the nose that killer and his family's last name was Faa, with just about... every bad stereotype attached to Roma. Even caravans.
It also involves the family drama of main character (oh, and I guessed that twist right away, because
Spoiler
she isn't who you think she isSo, maybe I picked it at the wrong time, maybe it was never meant to be, but I just hated reading this book after first part and powered through it to finish.
:/
vemoo6's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa. I read this book in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Twists and turns all over. Very intense. But so good.
ashbyteacher77's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sumsreadsalot's review
3.0
The beginning was great! But then...it got so complicated and looooong and dragged out that by the time we get to the end it was like trudging through the mud to get to safety. Wouldn't recommend
teenytinylibrary's review
3.0
Dang. What a crazy ride of a book. Three stars instead of four because I'm not sure about the believability of some of the plot twists. That being said I inhaled this. Perfect for someone who likes suspense, short chapters, and crazy plot twists.
ashfantastic98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5