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margotg's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Great twist at the end
bexw29's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
canada_matt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Having read and enjoyed other books by A.A. Chaudhuri, I was eager to get my hands on this one. Usually full of great twists throughout the narrative, Chaudhuri impresses readers with the style of writing that develops thrills from the opening pages. This book proved to be a little different from the others and I could not feel the same connection developing, though I know many will flock to it, as it is told in a unique and captivating fashion.
Christine Donovan took a call that ought to have been ignored twenty years ago. While she turned away to speak, her daughter, Heidi went missing at the playground. Distraught and unsure what do do, Christine spiralled out of control. Heidi has not been seen since, though her memory lingers for Christine.
Christine and her husband, Greg, have two other children, which might be a silver lining in all of this. However, the guilt and responsibility weigh on Christine, so much so that she’s sought therapeutic help to work through the emotions of the event. Tied into it all is the secret of the phone call that had Christine turn away from Heidi, which could be devastating, should anyone else find out who was on the other end of the line.
As Christine tries to rebuild her life and make inroads with her new therapist, a note appears to offer a piece of news that will turn everyone on its head. Heidi is not dead and has been growing up with another family all this time. Who could have taken her and kept it under wraps for this long? What will Heidi feel when she comes face to face with her mother after all this time? Behind it all is a handful of truths that no one could have expected to come flooding out, as well as a chance for Christine to come to terms with everything that’s happened over the past two decades. A.A. Chaudhuri does well to keep the reader engaged and provides a few ‘aha’ moments to keep them on their toes.
I enjoy a thriller where things are less than linear, forcing the reader to pay close attention in order to follow what’s taking place. A.A. Chaudhuri does just that in this piece, addressing a number of issues across the backdrop of a long period of time. Her writing style is strong and the ideas appear to flow with ease, creating an entertaining outcome that many will enjoy. While not as stunning ad some of her past work, I did enjoy this move away from what I have come to expect.
THe story centres around Christine Donovan and all she has had to overcome, but there were many whose lives have been impacted by the kidnapping. Chaudhuri offers up numerous perspectives in the piece, enriching the reader’s experience with a number of moments whereby there is both backstory and development. Christine’s struggles, Heidi’s coming to terms with what has happened, and even the new family who raised a toddler. The emotional strains of all three of these perspectives arise in the story and keep the reader wondering how they will mesh together. Chaudhuri does well to paint her characters in such a light that it makes sense and impacts the reader quite effectively throughout the reading experience.
A strong story cannot rely simply on a few ingredients for success. Rather, there has to see something to captivate the reader from the get-go and sustain that impact throughout the experience. A.A. Chaudhuri does that well and keeps the reader guessing what is to come through a narrative that packs quite the punch. As mentioned above, there are some formidable characters that add depth and flavour to the piece, as well as plot twists that keep the reader guessing. Told through a number of perspectives, the piece offers up angled storytelling that gives a fuller and more exciting reading experience for everyone involved, which is something I truly admired. I’ll keep my eyes open for more by the author, which is sure to be a treat for me in the moving years.
Kudos, Madam Chaudhuri, on another successful piece of writing. I am eager to delve deeper into more of your work, as they are published.
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nikkicolee's review against another edition
5.0
I almost didn’t read this one because of the reviews but I am sooo glad that I did! What a sick, twisted story! I personally loved the authors writing style and thought the way each narrator was talking to someone made it that much more sinister. I sometimes don’t like when chapters alternate narrators but with this book, each time there was a chapter for a new character I found myself excited to see things from their perspective. The twists kept coming and even when I thought I figured it out, the last chapter blew my mind. Absolutely loved this one! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
rk_reads's review against another edition
3.0
So this turned out to be one of those books that ended up in my ambivalent list. Was it a jaw-dropping psychological thriller? - Yes. Did I love it? - Inconclusive. Would I recommend it? - Definitely, because I need to know what others think of this book to help me make up my mind.
Christine Donovan's perfect life is shattered when her two-year old daughter, Heidi, is kidnapped during a shopping trip. Twenty-three years, two kids, a broken family life and a volley of therapists later, Christine is a shell of the woman that she used to be, immersed in her own guilt and having turned away all her loved ones, including devoted husband, Greg. Just when each family member is settling down with their version of a normal life, Christine and Greg receive a letter stating that Heidi is alive. As they make one last attempt to find their long lost daughter, their own lives begin to unravel at a startling pace.
The author has a very unique narrative style that draws in the reader. But the story is told from the POVs of every character in the book, which is a bit hard to keep track of. Right from the start, Christine was an unlikeable character for whom I had little sympathy; her family, on the other hand, were the actual victims in this twisted tale of revenge. I was quite peeved that Christine's 'secret,' that she goes on and on about, wasn't all that earth-shattering and something that I had already sussed out half-way through the book. The plot twist at at the very end made up for it, though.
This was quite an exhausting read. I went from interest to irritation to boredom, then curiosity, to ickiness (yes, that's a word; I checked) and finally indignation at the injustice of it all. The first half of the book drags by, but you realise the author was just setting the stage for the more dramatic second half, which flies past. The author maintains a tension throughout the book which manages to keep you hooked even though you already figure out who the kidnapper is. Certain portions of the storyline may seem distateful - it did to me, hence the ickiness.
Overall, a disturbing yet gripping read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Christine Donovan's perfect life is shattered when her two-year old daughter, Heidi, is kidnapped during a shopping trip. Twenty-three years, two kids, a broken family life and a volley of therapists later, Christine is a shell of the woman that she used to be, immersed in her own guilt and having turned away all her loved ones, including devoted husband, Greg. Just when each family member is settling down with their version of a normal life, Christine and Greg receive a letter stating that Heidi is alive. As they make one last attempt to find their long lost daughter, their own lives begin to unravel at a startling pace.
The author has a very unique narrative style that draws in the reader. But the story is told from the POVs of every character in the book, which is a bit hard to keep track of. Right from the start, Christine was an unlikeable character for whom I had little sympathy; her family, on the other hand, were the actual victims in this twisted tale of revenge. I was quite peeved that Christine's 'secret,' that she goes on and on about, wasn't all that earth-shattering and something that I had already sussed out half-way through the book. The plot twist at at the very end made up for it, though.
This was quite an exhausting read. I went from interest to irritation to boredom, then curiosity, to ickiness (yes, that's a word; I checked) and finally indignation at the injustice of it all. The first half of the book drags by, but you realise the author was just setting the stage for the more dramatic second half, which flies past. The author maintains a tension throughout the book which manages to keep you hooked even though you already figure out who the kidnapper is. Certain portions of the storyline may seem distateful - it did to me, hence the ickiness.
Overall, a disturbing yet gripping read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
falmouthbookwolf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sarah_faichney's review against another edition
5.0
A.A. Chaudhuri's debut psychological thriller with Hera books is a twisted exploration of every parent's worst fear - losing a child. Christine was only distracted for a minute when her toddler was taken, yet the reverberations last a lifetime. Chaudhuri shows us a family torn asunder, buckling under the weight of their secrets and lies. Her skilful use of first-person narrative, from various points of view, makes for an unusually intimate reading experience, as we are drawn into the lives of her characters. I found the prologue particularly chilling. "She's Mine" is a deliciously dark and compelling read.
shelleyann01's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars
There was a lot going on in this book, from many points of view. I pretty much figured out what was going to happen by page 27. I knew the who and why but not the surprise at the very end.
This book was very repetitive, that same old question going through Christie's mind over and over again.Should I tell them? Yes...no I cannot at this time, it will ruin everything...but I have to get it off my chest...maybe later I will tell them. Will they understand? No, they will think I am wretched and leave me. Nearly every chapter had something close to that in it.
I loathed every single character in this book. Not one of them had a single redeeming quality about them. They were all liars and cheaters and had hatred boiling their blood.
I wish the author had let us in on the secret and simply told the story through the young girls point of view. The book would been much more enjoyable from her point of view and I wouldn't have felt so deflated at knowing the big reveal.
The writing did suck me in I liked Chaudhuri's style and the last few chapters surprised even me so I am rounding up.
Disclosure:
Thank you NetGalley, A.A. Chaudhuri and Hera Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#ShesMine #NetGalley
northernbookstagram's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
elisabethbeck's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0