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danidowney's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
jkbjem's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
mrstrowens's review against another edition
3.0
There is literally no one likable in this book, but I kept reading because the puzzle of who did it and how they did it was intriguing.
pam2375's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this was an awesome book! Each chapter focuses on a different character and with each character telling his/her story, I thought I had it all figured out until I moved on to the next chapter.
There were twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the entire book.
Lying Next to Me is set to release in May 2019 and I highly recommend this to anyone that likes a good mystery/thriller.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced readers copy.
There were twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the entire book.
Lying Next to Me is set to release in May 2019 and I highly recommend this to anyone that likes a good mystery/thriller.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced readers copy.
alenadear's review against another edition
3.0
So many good twists and turns in this one for sure. I love learning about the characters and their stories separately and then watching them all come together.
This had so much potential for me but fell flat at the end. I’m so truly over another male writer who lacks understanding of women. And the constant push for “baby obsessed career woman who turns into a murderer”bit.
This had so much potential for me but fell flat at the end. I’m so truly over another male writer who lacks understanding of women. And the constant push for “baby obsessed career woman who turns into a murderer”bit.
lynguy1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
With Lying Next to Me, Gregg Olsen has penned a dark and character-based mystery. Three historic cabins are rented for Memorial Day weekend at Hood Canal in Mason County, Washington. Adam and Sophie Warner and their three-year-old daughter Aubrey have arrived to unplug and to work on their marriage. In a nearby cabin is Teresa Dibley and her two grandchildren. The third cabin has another couple, Kristen and Connor Moss. While Adam and Aubrey are out on the water, he sees Sophie abducted by a stranger. The only comforting thing about the situation for Adam is that one of the detectives is Lee Husemann, an old friend of his. However, things aren’t what they seem and lies abound.
Many, but not all, of the characters are unlikeable in this story. Adam puts his work ahead of his family. He doesn’t usually show his feelings to others, and he likes to be in control. Sophie is confident, but keeps things insides and has mood swings. Detective Lee Husemann likes to be right, likes to solve puzzles, and usually does things by the books. Can she put her history with Adam aside and be unbiased in the investigation? Lee’s partner, Detective Zach Montrose, seems quick to jump to conclusions. Kristen is smart, in line for a partnership at her Seattle law firm, desperately wants a child, and is intense. Connor has an alcohol problem and tends to be malleable. Teresa is concentrating on her grandchildren and trying to get custody of them.
The characterization and atmosphere in this novel are great. Readers get a good feeling for them and the intensity of the situation. However, the story alternates points of view between four different characters. While the chapters are labeled with the characters’ names, this back and forth adversely affected the flow. My second quibble is that the book also includes flashbacks without any warning. Despite this, the story is a quick read that has several puzzles that need to be put together. Can Lee and Zach solve the case?
The plot is somewhat dark and twisty with a few surprises along the way. The clues are there, but it took me a while to put them together. Several threads are woven throughout the story including, but not limited to, lies, secrets, trust, friendship, betrayal, marriage, and desire for a child.
Overall, this novel was intriguing and compelling with unreliable narrators and a somewhat slow place. I prefer the author’s Detective Megan Carpenter series, but am looking forward to my next book by Olsen.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Mass Market Paperback edition. Publication date was April 25, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Many, but not all, of the characters are unlikeable in this story. Adam puts his work ahead of his family. He doesn’t usually show his feelings to others, and he likes to be in control. Sophie is confident, but keeps things insides and has mood swings. Detective Lee Husemann likes to be right, likes to solve puzzles, and usually does things by the books. Can she put her history with Adam aside and be unbiased in the investigation? Lee’s partner, Detective Zach Montrose, seems quick to jump to conclusions. Kristen is smart, in line for a partnership at her Seattle law firm, desperately wants a child, and is intense. Connor has an alcohol problem and tends to be malleable. Teresa is concentrating on her grandchildren and trying to get custody of them.
The characterization and atmosphere in this novel are great. Readers get a good feeling for them and the intensity of the situation. However, the story alternates points of view between four different characters. While the chapters are labeled with the characters’ names, this back and forth adversely affected the flow. My second quibble is that the book also includes flashbacks without any warning. Despite this, the story is a quick read that has several puzzles that need to be put together. Can Lee and Zach solve the case?
The plot is somewhat dark and twisty with a few surprises along the way. The clues are there, but it took me a while to put them together. Several threads are woven throughout the story including, but not limited to, lies, secrets, trust, friendship, betrayal, marriage, and desire for a child.
Overall, this novel was intriguing and compelling with unreliable narrators and a somewhat slow place. I prefer the author’s Detective Megan Carpenter series, but am looking forward to my next book by Olsen.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Mass Market Paperback edition. Publication date was April 25, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
libbyizzy's review against another edition
3.0
solid 3.5
It was fast-paced and steady. I did figure out the who and how early on though. Also, save but for 3 these people are horrible.
It was fast-paced and steady. I did figure out the who and how early on though. Also, save but for 3 these people are horrible.
currentlyreading_'s review against another edition
4.0
A crime fiction I like. Pacing is perfect. I am now following Gregg Olsen's work and will continue to read more from him.
Synopsis: A man goes out to sea and witnesses the attack and abduction of his wife. He rows to the shore but it's too late. Detectives think he's involved (as most husbands are in this type of crime) but there was a witness who saw the wife get taken, and the husband clearly out at sea. But also, the man's account of what happened had inconsistencies. But one of the detectives knew him from childhood and can't believe he would do something such as do something bad to his wife.
Synopsis: A man goes out to sea and witnesses the attack and abduction of his wife. He rows to the shore but it's too late. Detectives think he's involved (as most husbands are in this type of crime) but there was a witness who saw the wife get taken, and the husband clearly out at sea. But also, the man's account of what happened had inconsistencies. But one of the detectives knew him from childhood and can't believe he would do something such as do something bad to his wife.
Spoiler
Turns out the wife had an affair with a married dude, and said dude's wife wanted revenge.alidottie's review against another edition
2.0
2 and a half
I don’t know if it’s the author’s intent, but I figured out what happened almost in all details pretty early which is not me. I listened to the book (finally at 2x, I was so eager to just have what I knew revealed!). I did like the way he kept revealing parts. That would have been more fun if they had been unexpected twists. I have to say I like a good plot twist—but they really aren’t fun when you saw them coming.
I don’t know if it’s the author’s intent, but I figured out what happened almost in all details pretty early which is not me. I listened to the book (finally at 2x, I was so eager to just have what I knew revealed!). I did like the way he kept revealing parts. That would have been more fun if they had been unexpected twists. I have to say I like a good plot twist—but they really aren’t fun when you saw them coming.