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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
This was a random purchase at Brighton Train Station when I finished my other book early. The Bones of You is about a teenage girl that goes missing and all the secrets that surround her family and life.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book. From the start I was hooked and I couldn't wait to find out the young girl's fate. As always, no character appears as they seem and the secrets are revealed thick and fast with twists and turns aplenty. I also enjoyed the two sides of the story. We are taken back through Rosie's life to certain events that all link to her disappearance.
To a point I liked Kate, the main character, a local gardener and good friend to Rosie's mum, Jo. She is interesting and her curiosity propels the story along. However, as with most crime fiction, that does not feature a detective, the lead character can come across as nosy. Half of the time I wanted to shout at her to mind her own business. Plus some of the things she did made me roll my eyes more than once.
Overall, a decent thriller with an interesting concept, however I worked out who the culprit was before the very end and that always disappoints me.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book. From the start I was hooked and I couldn't wait to find out the young girl's fate. As always, no character appears as they seem and the secrets are revealed thick and fast with twists and turns aplenty. I also enjoyed the two sides of the story. We are taken back through Rosie's life to certain events that all link to her disappearance.
To a point I liked Kate, the main character, a local gardener and good friend to Rosie's mum, Jo. She is interesting and her curiosity propels the story along. However, as with most crime fiction, that does not feature a detective, the lead character can come across as nosy. Half of the time I wanted to shout at her to mind her own business. Plus some of the things she did made me roll my eyes more than once.
Overall, a decent thriller with an interesting concept, however I worked out who the culprit was before the very end and that always disappoints me.
SPOILER ALERT
I seem to disagree with almost everyone else about this book. The story started out strong, but lost steam quickly. It was long and drawn-out, and how much more could we pack into this: murder, spousal abuse, child abuse, anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, mental illness, porn of every kind, infanticide, split personalities (I'm sure I left something out)? It took me close to a month to finish reading it.
The story is told from three perspectives. The first is Rosie, the murdered young woman; second is Kate, the mother of one of Rosie's acquaintances; and lastly Delphine, Rosie's younger sister. Kate befriends Rosie's mother, Jo, and becomes enmeshed in the family's dysfunction. We are led to believe that Kate is going to solve the murder, but the woman is so naïve (along with her journalist friend) that she misses every clue that comes her way. Granted, they weren't clues to the murder, but some very distinct clues to the “perfect” family she befriends. As for the remaining characters, none of them were intriguing enough to draw you in.
I didn't find this to be a thriller, and it definitely didn't make psychological thriller standing. It is a murder mystery that just plodded along, and the murderer was fairly predictable. The only reason this has three stars is because of Rosie's voice. Her sections were beautifully written, poetic and moving.
I seem to disagree with almost everyone else about this book. The story started out strong, but lost steam quickly. It was long and drawn-out, and how much more could we pack into this: murder, spousal abuse, child abuse, anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, mental illness, porn of every kind, infanticide, split personalities (I'm sure I left something out)? It took me close to a month to finish reading it.
The story is told from three perspectives. The first is Rosie, the murdered young woman; second is Kate, the mother of one of Rosie's acquaintances; and lastly Delphine, Rosie's younger sister. Kate befriends Rosie's mother, Jo, and becomes enmeshed in the family's dysfunction. We are led to believe that Kate is going to solve the murder, but the woman is so naïve (along with her journalist friend) that she misses every clue that comes her way. Granted, they weren't clues to the murder, but some very distinct clues to the “perfect” family she befriends. As for the remaining characters, none of them were intriguing enough to draw you in.
I didn't find this to be a thriller, and it definitely didn't make psychological thriller standing. It is a murder mystery that just plodded along, and the murderer was fairly predictable. The only reason this has three stars is because of Rosie's voice. Her sections were beautifully written, poetic and moving.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I never read "The Lovely Bones," but know something of its plot. When I first started "The Bones of You," I thought of the other book, as one of the main characters is speaking/thinking from beyond her life.
I could not work up excitement about this book. At one point, I saw that I had only read 40% and wondered what the author was going to do to stretch out the story.
Some of the characters seemed to be stereotypes: the 'perfect' family with glamorous mother, handsome well-known father, and two lovely daughters; the down to earth family with a mother who works in landscaping and has a special way with horses, a father who travels a lot for business but is supportive of his wife, a daughter who is at that rebellious age; the boyfriend with a history of trouble; the journalist who wants to write a true story and not print gossip; and lives and relationships that are not what they seem to be.
Howells worked to deflect our suspicions, but I never felt much connection with any of the characters. I did love the descriptions of the horses, and believe that many people relate far better to animals than to people.
Perhaps my lack of interest in "The Lovely Bones" colored my opinion of this book from the start. You will have to make up your own mind.
I never read "The Lovely Bones," but know something of its plot. When I first started "The Bones of You," I thought of the other book, as one of the main characters is speaking/thinking from beyond her life.
I could not work up excitement about this book. At one point, I saw that I had only read 40% and wondered what the author was going to do to stretch out the story.
Some of the characters seemed to be stereotypes: the 'perfect' family with glamorous mother, handsome well-known father, and two lovely daughters; the down to earth family with a mother who works in landscaping and has a special way with horses, a father who travels a lot for business but is supportive of his wife, a daughter who is at that rebellious age; the boyfriend with a history of trouble; the journalist who wants to write a true story and not print gossip; and lives and relationships that are not what they seem to be.
Howells worked to deflect our suspicions, but I never felt much connection with any of the characters. I did love the descriptions of the horses, and believe that many people relate far better to animals than to people.
Perhaps my lack of interest in "The Lovely Bones" colored my opinion of this book from the start. You will have to make up your own mind.
"The Bones of You" is a slow-burn thriller that takes place in a quiet, seemingly peaceful suburb. When the eldest daughter of a famous reporter goes missing, the whole neighborhood is caught off-guard. Kate used to let Rosie help her with the horses, but there was always something off about the girl. Nightmares come to life when Rosie is found brutally murdered in the woods nearby.
Jo, Rosie's mother, is utterly lost and devastated. Luckily, she has found a friend in Kate, who drops by to check on her every few days. As the family's secrets slowly unfold, Kate begins to see that even the most pristine-seeming lives have their problems. Months after the murder, Kate begins to receive mysterious and frightening riddles shoved through her mail slot. "The Bones of You" is a story filled with lies, abuse, murder, and seduction, all set in a quaint neighborhood that just might house a murderer.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jo, Rosie's mother, is utterly lost and devastated. Luckily, she has found a friend in Kate, who drops by to check on her every few days. As the family's secrets slowly unfold, Kate begins to see that even the most pristine-seeming lives have their problems. Months after the murder, Kate begins to receive mysterious and frightening riddles shoved through her mail slot. "The Bones of You" is a story filled with lies, abuse, murder, and seduction, all set in a quaint neighborhood that just might house a murderer.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Copy received from netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I really liked first few chapters but story got too depressing for me to read on. Lately, I couldn't find any book that I could finish as some of them are plainly stupid or very emotional (like this).
I really liked little Rosie and her relationship with Kate. The story is portrayed from both Kate and Rosie's eyes and it was very intrigued writing style which captures you from beginning but I don't have courage to continue only after 14%.
If anybody who has finished the book could let me know (of course, privately) that why Rosie was killed and who did this, I'd appreciate it as I can't continue any further.
All the best to Debbie, I hope she writes some happy novels, as I really liked her writing style.
I really liked first few chapters but story got too depressing for me to read on. Lately, I couldn't find any book that I could finish as some of them are plainly stupid or very emotional (like this).
I really liked little Rosie and her relationship with Kate. The story is portrayed from both Kate and Rosie's eyes and it was very intrigued writing style which captures you from beginning but I don't have courage to continue only after 14%.
If anybody who has finished the book could let me know (of course, privately) that why Rosie was killed and who did this, I'd appreciate it as I can't continue any further.
All the best to Debbie, I hope she writes some happy novels, as I really liked her writing style.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A young woman is murdered and her neighbor naively tries to figure out what happened.
I saw an ad for this book on GoodReads and then happened upon it on the shelf at Walmart. This is one of the best novels I have read. It kept me hooked from page 1! This novel is definitely a must read!!
Quite a cleverly written book which I found an easy read. The story concerns a murdered 18 year old and who did it. The book was definitely manipulating you to think one way and there was a twist in the tale.