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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Zipped through it in an afternoon. An easy read. Like it enough to read the follow-up.
I started listening to this at work (I work in a library) as I thought it was a junior audio and would be safe for customers not to get offended by. It wasn't until a few swear words popped up that I realised it was in fact a young adult audio and had to quickly take it off loud speaker! I decided to carry on listening to it in my car as my curiosity was heightened as to the story and the development of the 2 main characters.
Having never read an Agatha Christie novel, I wondered if I'd get lost in any comparisons or miss Easter eggs mentioned throughout and have the typical "if you know you know" quotes. I was pleasantly surprised that there was absolutely none of that! I didn't feel left out in the slightest as every mention to Agatha's life or her novels was thoroughly explained which I liked. I wonder if I'd have read any of them though, that I'd be able to compare this book's storyline to a mash-up of some of hers?
We have 2 points of view in this book, one of Alice who is a typical popular rich girl at school, who seems to have lots of friends, hot boyfriends, big house but also has a very lonely existence when it boils down to it with her parents never being around and her relationships with boys and girls always seeming to be on again off again.
Then we have Iris, one of the down and outs at school, not seen as popular but has a small tight nit group of friends she can rely on, no money, lives a humble lifestyle, a mother who loves her very much, but has this deep dark secret which turns out to be the horrifying situation of her dad being a domestic abuser. She ultimately is looking for ways to save up to move her and her mum far away so he can never find them again.
I really did grow to like both these characters, even though when you're looking at it from Iris' point of view, Alice comes across as waaaay more annoying than she does when you're looking at it from Alice's point of view. I guess it helps to know what's going on in Alice's head rather than just seeing what she says and does.
The main reason that this is only 3 stars and not more, is that it was a typical Agatha style "whodunit" where you're guessing throughout who it could've been and you're mind changes from one person to the next, until the very last moment where all is revealed. It was revealed in such a typical "oh yeah you called me out, now I'm just going to tell you every single thing I did from start to end so you can piece together all these little clues you've picked up along the way, so that you're not left wondering about anything, and it's all tied up super neatly, no need for prompting, no need to cover up my actions or intentions or be in denial about any of it." kinda way. I know this needs to be done for the sake of finishing the story, and I guess it's because it's a bridge book into adult crime novels. Maybe that's why there's no mystery left for the reader to ponder over or anything. It saves having to think of ways for them to answer all their burning questions purely through interviewing other suspects and evidence and DNA etc, much easier to hear it from the horses mouth I guess (ironic terminology as horses are very much involved in the last scene)
So yeah, that's why it was a good book, but not fantastic. I felt like it dragged on a bit too long with everyone blaming Alice in the beginning for going missing years before (much like Agatha did) and thinking her friend Brook was just being a copycat. The police were really annoying in that regard, and their lack of interview and investigation skills were also annoying, but I guess that's maybe a nod to Agatha Christie as her main characters were always assisting the police, who seemed to lack those investigative skills too maybe? I don't know. Judging by the amount I enjoyed this book (or didn't as the case may be), I'm not rushing to read any Agatha Christie books, that's for sure. Not really my bag I don't think, I don't like the chase of trying to figure out for myself who did it, I just want to get to the end to find out, especially as I know that these stories always try to point it to the person it's definitely NOT going to be in the end, even though everyone in the book is convinced near the beginning and in the middle.
Having never read an Agatha Christie novel, I wondered if I'd get lost in any comparisons or miss Easter eggs mentioned throughout and have the typical "if you know you know" quotes. I was pleasantly surprised that there was absolutely none of that! I didn't feel left out in the slightest as every mention to Agatha's life or her novels was thoroughly explained which I liked. I wonder if I'd have read any of them though, that I'd be able to compare this book's storyline to a mash-up of some of hers?
We have 2 points of view in this book, one of Alice who is a typical popular rich girl at school, who seems to have lots of friends, hot boyfriends, big house but also has a very lonely existence when it boils down to it with her parents never being around and her relationships with boys and girls always seeming to be on again off again.
Then we have Iris, one of the down and outs at school, not seen as popular but has a small tight nit group of friends she can rely on, no money, lives a humble lifestyle, a mother who loves her very much, but has this deep dark secret which turns out to be the horrifying situation of her dad being a domestic abuser. She ultimately is looking for ways to save up to move her and her mum far away so he can never find them again.
I really did grow to like both these characters, even though when you're looking at it from Iris' point of view, Alice comes across as waaaay more annoying than she does when you're looking at it from Alice's point of view. I guess it helps to know what's going on in Alice's head rather than just seeing what she says and does.
The main reason that this is only 3 stars and not more, is that it was a typical Agatha style "whodunit" where you're guessing throughout who it could've been and you're mind changes from one person to the next, until the very last moment where all is revealed. It was revealed in such a typical "oh yeah you called me out, now I'm just going to tell you every single thing I did from start to end so you can piece together all these little clues you've picked up along the way, so that you're not left wondering about anything, and it's all tied up super neatly, no need for prompting, no need to cover up my actions or intentions or be in denial about any of it." kinda way. I know this needs to be done for the sake of finishing the story, and I guess it's because it's a bridge book into adult crime novels. Maybe that's why there's no mystery left for the reader to ponder over or anything. It saves having to think of ways for them to answer all their burning questions purely through interviewing other suspects and evidence and DNA etc, much easier to hear it from the horses mouth I guess (ironic terminology as horses are very much involved in the last scene)
So yeah, that's why it was a good book, but not fantastic. I felt like it dragged on a bit too long with everyone blaming Alice in the beginning for going missing years before (much like Agatha did) and thinking her friend Brook was just being a copycat. The police were really annoying in that regard, and their lack of interview and investigation skills were also annoying, but I guess that's maybe a nod to Agatha Christie as her main characters were always assisting the police, who seemed to lack those investigative skills too maybe? I don't know. Judging by the amount I enjoyed this book (or didn't as the case may be), I'm not rushing to read any Agatha Christie books, that's for sure. Not really my bag I don't think, I don't like the chase of trying to figure out for myself who did it, I just want to get to the end to find out, especially as I know that these stories always try to point it to the person it's definitely NOT going to be in the end, even though everyone in the book is convinced near the beginning and in the middle.
It started off a little too 'Mean Girls' for my liking but thankfully the characters developed and the Agatha Christie references increased. Entertaining read that I think my teen groups will really like - this was actually recommended by a couple of my Thrillseekers. I hope there's a sequel.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I am a HUGE Agatha Christie fan - so I knew immediately that I wanted to read this book. I loved all the references to Christie's works scattered throughout the novel, and how the whodunnit was explained in a very Christie fashion.
The relationship between Iris and Alice was so sweet to watch develop as they went from two completely different girls, to the closet of friends. It was refreshing to see how they both dealt with their traumas in different ways and how the struggles in their lives impacted the people they have become.
I did go back and forth a but with who I think the murder was, and im glad I didn't fully figure it out. My favorite way to end any mystery is where I didn't guess whodunnit, but once the killer is revealed, I see all the subtle hints that of course it had to be them.
I haven't read much YA mystery, and it seems to be a nice mix of true crime and cozy mystery, which I am totally down with. I think this book is great for any Agatha fans, or mystery fans in general. It was a cute but thrilling story, and I always love a good old amateur detective.
The relationship between Iris and Alice was so sweet to watch develop as they went from two completely different girls, to the closet of friends. It was refreshing to see how they both dealt with their traumas in different ways and how the struggles in their lives impacted the people they have become.
I did go back and forth a but with who I think the murder was, and im glad I didn't fully figure it out. My favorite way to end any mystery is where I didn't guess whodunnit, but once the killer is revealed, I see all the subtle hints that of course it had to be them.
I haven't read much YA mystery, and it seems to be a nice mix of true crime and cozy mystery, which I am totally down with. I think this book is great for any Agatha fans, or mystery fans in general. It was a cute but thrilling story, and I always love a good old amateur detective.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very very very cute mystery.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a fun whodunit. I will definitely keep reading this series.