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lyndajdickson's review against another edition
3.0
Just before the start of the school year, second grade teacher Elle Harrison discovers the body of the school principal stabbed to death in her office. Detective Stiles, who interviewed Elle two years earlier following the murder of her husband, heads up the investigation. With the help of her friends Becky (a fellow school teacher), Susan (also her lawyer), and Jen, Elle navigates her way through a series of murders, a persistent real estate agent who seems to be a bit too interested in her, an obsessed former student, and even circus school. Who'll be left standing?
Sorry to say this, but Elle is one of the most annoying characters I've ever come across. She second guesses all of her decisions and runs an incessant internal monologue - and this in sentence fragments, not even full sentences. As she herself states, "I was prone to mental wandering and embellishing." So much so, that her friends call it "pulling an Elle". Things are so dramatic and over-the-top in her mind but, when something happens in real life, it's described so matter-of-factly that you need to re-read that section to find out what exactly happened or if, in fact, it did actually happen and wasn't just a figment of her imagination. While the reason for her "dissociative disorder" becomes apparent toward the end of the book, it still feels like an unnecessary gimmick.
Throughout the book, asterisked section dividers (***) are over-used and excessively disruptive. It's almost as if the author has invented a new form of punctuation - a kind of exclamation mark for an entire scene, like "ooh, insert jaw-drop here ..." after something shocking (in her eyes) happens, even though the next sentence follows on directly.
Unfortunately, I also found the plot predictable and saw the ending coming a mile away. The only reason I kept reading was to see how long it would take for the penny to drop. It never does. The only redeeming feature is that you don't need to have read the previous books, as the narrative seamlessly incorporates any background information you need to know.
One for the die-hard fans only.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (23 February): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2017/02/childs-play-by-merry-jones.html
Sorry to say this, but Elle is one of the most annoying characters I've ever come across. She second guesses all of her decisions and runs an incessant internal monologue - and this in sentence fragments, not even full sentences. As she herself states, "I was prone to mental wandering and embellishing." So much so, that her friends call it "pulling an Elle". Things are so dramatic and over-the-top in her mind but, when something happens in real life, it's described so matter-of-factly that you need to re-read that section to find out what exactly happened or if, in fact, it did actually happen and wasn't just a figment of her imagination. While the reason for her "dissociative disorder" becomes apparent toward the end of the book, it still feels like an unnecessary gimmick.
Throughout the book, asterisked section dividers (***) are over-used and excessively disruptive. It's almost as if the author has invented a new form of punctuation - a kind of exclamation mark for an entire scene, like "ooh, insert jaw-drop here ..." after something shocking (in her eyes) happens, even though the next sentence follows on directly.
Unfortunately, I also found the plot predictable and saw the ending coming a mile away. The only reason I kept reading was to see how long it would take for the penny to drop. It never does. The only redeeming feature is that you don't need to have read the previous books, as the narrative seamlessly incorporates any background information you need to know.
One for the die-hard fans only.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (23 February): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2017/02/childs-play-by-merry-jones.html
sarahrita's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A fantastic and twisted story that portrays the effects of tragedy accurately. I found the main character's blackout moments frustrating only because I could relate to them and because you can feel the characters own nervousness and frustration in her own responses.
I loved the relationships between the women and the children in the class were vibrant and well written, also.
A great thriller.
A fantastic and twisted story that portrays the effects of tragedy accurately. I found the main character's blackout moments frustrating only because I could relate to them and because you can feel the characters own nervousness and frustration in her own responses.
I loved the relationships between the women and the children in the class were vibrant and well written, also.
A great thriller.
aly36's review against another edition
3.0
I don't recommend this book unless you read the book that were first in the series. I was not caught up in this book and it was hard to get into, for me. I was about 55% through the book and still was not really excited about it. The for me was very slow. I was not scared by this book and I was hoping it would be a great book. It was ok but I wish I had more things to say than that. The characters were a bunch of great life long friends which I admire but that is about all I can say about them. None of them really stood out to me. I was disappointed in this book. * This review is my honest opinion, I received this book from the author*
sstarke's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the definition of a fast-paced thriller. Things just kept happening, one after another. There is no getting bored with this book. I quite enjoyed that the author kept things interesting in that regard. My main problem with the book is how weak the main character seemed, mentally. I believe there are previous books that might explain what's going on a little more thoroughly. Without that extra foundation, she was a bit frustrating at times because her actions didn't make sense to me.
That small character flaw didn't take away from the story too much for me, though. I can accept flawed characters because there are so many flawed people. I could see the ending coming a little, but not until pretty close. Overall, the story drew me in and kept me interested. The narrator is also excellent. Her reading pace, tone, and animation/ energy level were just right. It really added to the experience.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.
That small character flaw didn't take away from the story too much for me, though. I can accept flawed characters because there are so many flawed people. I could see the ending coming a little, but not until pretty close. Overall, the story drew me in and kept me interested. The narrator is also excellent. Her reading pace, tone, and animation/ energy level were just right. It really added to the experience.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.
bookdarling1987's review against another edition
4.0
I want to take a minute to thank Oceanview Publishing and Merry Jones for my advanced copy of Child’s play. I enjoyed it more then I initially thought I would. I will be honest I picked this up not knowing anything about the author or even that this is actually the third book in a series. I am so glad that the series centers around Elle Harrison I loved her as a character. She has gone through so much hardship that I almost feel like she is a magnet for sadness.
The first day of school, Ellie goes in early to get her room ready for the onslaught of new students. She stumbles across the body of the school principal, brutally murdered. The day before school starts Ty one of Elle’s former students comes out of jail for killing his father. Or did he????? Ty’s younger brother Seth is in Elle’s class keeping the teacher and the former student still connected. Will it be a good thing will it be a murderous combination? All and all a good read I would give it 4 stars for the simple fact that I hated the character of Jerry. YOU will Love this book but learn to loath Jerry by the last page of this chilling who done it novel.
The first day of school, Ellie goes in early to get her room ready for the onslaught of new students. She stumbles across the body of the school principal, brutally murdered. The day before school starts Ty one of Elle’s former students comes out of jail for killing his father. Or did he????? Ty’s younger brother Seth is in Elle’s class keeping the teacher and the former student still connected. Will it be a good thing will it be a murderous combination? All and all a good read I would give it 4 stars for the simple fact that I hated the character of Jerry. YOU will Love this book but learn to loath Jerry by the last page of this chilling who done it novel.
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