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karenavila85's review against another edition
1.0
Initially I was interested because I saw the preview for the show, but this story was a huge let down. From my understanding, it was an international best seller, so I’m hoping that the story just got lost in translation because it was boring, slow, and the big mystery was stupid. I am not even sure if I even care to watch the show. I’m hoping a visual representation will do it justice to an unflattering story line of a disturbed woman seeking justice for her past.
tawnsolo's review against another edition
5.0
I can see why a lot of people didn't like this book. It was quite disturbing. This book is like a more intense and better version of Law And Order SVU.
nerdyrev's review
3.0
The main premise of the book is very good- a mom randomly murders a guy on the beach. It then begins the unroll which is extremely tough to read as it involves mental abuse, murder, and rape. It keeps getting told too making the book a chore to read as I didn’t want to be in the world created anymore. This is why 3 stars. It is a too heavy read.
ngallegos87's review
1.0
I’m a huge fan of mysteries and such and the back of the book described something right up my alley. However, I had no idea what was going on half the time, I couldn’t keep names straight, and I was confused often on who was talking and why. Not sure if it’s due to a translation issue or what but I had a hard time with it. The only reason I didn’t stop reading is because I’m a stubborn mule.
kandicez's review
3.0
Cora Bender just murdered a stranger, with a pairing knife, in the middle of the afternoon at a crowded beach. She is now being held in custody while questioned. What on earth would make this sweet, kind, soft-spoken young wife and mother do such a crazy thing? The leading detective senses that there’s more to the story that Cora is feeding him… This is a "why dunnit" as opposed to the more traditional "who dunnit."
Cora is a liar and untrustworthy, which makes this book tricky, considering 75% of the book is told from her POV, between past and present. There were times I wanted to shake her. Especially when you realize that some of the flashbacks to hold in her perspective are also elaborated.
But once you get to the meat of book, you start to understand that Cora’s version of the truth is severely distorted and damaged because of psychological trauma. It’s quite fascinating, actually. The human brain will go to no ends to protect itself, even if that includes creating an entirely made up version of reality.
Unfortunately, because of the television series, I knew why, so didn't care very much by the time I got almost halfway in the book. I just didn't like Cora, so had little sympathy.
Cora is a liar and untrustworthy, which makes this book tricky, considering 75% of the book is told from her POV, between past and present. There were times I wanted to shake her. Especially when you realize that some of the flashbacks to hold in her perspective are also elaborated.
But once you get to the meat of book, you start to understand that Cora’s version of the truth is severely distorted and damaged because of psychological trauma. It’s quite fascinating, actually. The human brain will go to no ends to protect itself, even if that includes creating an entirely made up version of reality.
Unfortunately, because of the television series, I knew why, so didn't care very much by the time I got almost halfway in the book. I just didn't like Cora, so had little sympathy.
briaredwards's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
agustinap's review
3.0
I read this book mainly because I wanted to watch the series. To be honest, the book is okay, I liked it; however, it did not grab me fully. All the lies and back-and-forth with what she says...yes, I wanted to know why she did it but I was in no rush to finish the book to find out. I wouldn't recommend it.