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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2019: A book featuring an amateur detective
If a book has polarizing ratings, it’s most likely going to be my jam.
Yeah, the characters and situations frustrated me at times. And certain things were left open ended where I would have loved to have seen some closure.
But in the end I didn’t care because I enjoyed the ride.
Yeah, the characters and situations frustrated me at times. And certain things were left open ended where I would have loved to have seen some closure.
But in the end I didn’t care because I enjoyed the ride.
Listened to the audiobook for this while working on another kitting project. It made for great company. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a mystery/thriller of sorts and I’m left still thinking about the ways the author set up the reveal for the killer. And a part of me that hoped by the end Pearl would receive a letter or correspondence of some sort that read “I’m still glad it was you...”
I think having read so many romances lately I was curious as to the why (regarding my own personal reaction). I guess I’m always holding out hope for people but then I think there is also the allure that most romances give with the danger of love interest. So that even as there were particularly troubling things shared there’d still been a level of sympathy for the character. Still I wonder if they are truly dead. I see an opportunity for another book if the author so chose to.
But I enjoyed the read. And would recommend it. There might have been some slow parts but I think the audio was only 5-6 hours.
I think having read so many romances lately I was curious as to the why (regarding my own personal reaction). I guess I’m always holding out hope for people but then I think there is also the allure that most romances give with the danger of love interest. So that even as there were particularly troubling things shared there’d still been a level of sympathy for the character. Still I wonder if they are truly dead. I see an opportunity for another book if the author so chose to.
But I enjoyed the read. And would recommend it. There might have been some slow parts but I think the audio was only 5-6 hours.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC for this novel!
This novel was one that I had read about on Goodreads and was instantly intrigued. I don’t read thrillers/mystery’s very often, but when I do, I want it to be one that makes me think and has some amazing tension. This one did just that!
Characters
The characters in this novel were so incredibly diverse. I loved seeing how the two (wealthy and middle class) groups clashed and how that influenced what information we received in relation to the mystery of this novel.
The main character, Pearl, was a pretty interesting character to follow. I thought that she was incredibly well written and it was amazing to see her do something without receiving her entire thought process upfront so we had the opportunity to figure it out before it was revealed to us. Additionally, I really enjoyed how we got to see Pearl communicate with the other characters, whether they were friendly or not.
Writing
The writing of this novel was pretty well done. I found that it always had me on my toes and wanting to know what happened next. Additionally, I loved the anticipation that accompanied anything that happened in this novel. The chapters were cut off at the perfect moments and the atmosphere of the novel was top tier!
Plot
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this novel. I do definitely recommend reading this novel in the summer because it is set in that season, plus it’s short enough for you to read it at the beach and have the perfect experience!
The mystery aspect of this novel always had me thinking, we were continuously being told more information and getting more evidence so it was interesting to see how those facts effected my thought process. I really enjoyed the process of finding out who did the deed, but unfortunately at the end I was disappointed with who actually ended up doing it. I felt as though this novel could have had one more twist near the end that would have just pushed it over the top and made it incredible, unfortunately that didn’t happen for me.
That was the only reason I couldn’t give this novel 4/5, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it. It is SO worth reading. As I said, the entire process of finding all the information was insanely addictive and fun and made you never want to put the book down. Also, just because I wasn’t happy with the ending doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be, it is entirely based on personal preference.
All in all, this novel was a super fun read and I’m so glad that I decided to pick it up when I did! I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good summer mystery/thriller, and honestly anyone else, you’ll all love it!
This novel was one that I had read about on Goodreads and was instantly intrigued. I don’t read thrillers/mystery’s very often, but when I do, I want it to be one that makes me think and has some amazing tension. This one did just that!
Characters
The characters in this novel were so incredibly diverse. I loved seeing how the two (wealthy and middle class) groups clashed and how that influenced what information we received in relation to the mystery of this novel.
The main character, Pearl, was a pretty interesting character to follow. I thought that she was incredibly well written and it was amazing to see her do something without receiving her entire thought process upfront so we had the opportunity to figure it out before it was revealed to us. Additionally, I really enjoyed how we got to see Pearl communicate with the other characters, whether they were friendly or not.
Writing
The writing of this novel was pretty well done. I found that it always had me on my toes and wanting to know what happened next. Additionally, I loved the anticipation that accompanied anything that happened in this novel. The chapters were cut off at the perfect moments and the atmosphere of the novel was top tier!
Plot
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this novel. I do definitely recommend reading this novel in the summer because it is set in that season, plus it’s short enough for you to read it at the beach and have the perfect experience!
The mystery aspect of this novel always had me thinking, we were continuously being told more information and getting more evidence so it was interesting to see how those facts effected my thought process. I really enjoyed the process of finding out who did the deed, but unfortunately at the end I was disappointed with who actually ended up doing it. I felt as though this novel could have had one more twist near the end that would have just pushed it over the top and made it incredible, unfortunately that didn’t happen for me.
That was the only reason I couldn’t give this novel 4/5, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it. It is SO worth reading. As I said, the entire process of finding all the information was insanely addictive and fun and made you never want to put the book down. Also, just because I wasn’t happy with the ending doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be, it is entirely based on personal preference.
All in all, this novel was a super fun read and I’m so glad that I decided to pick it up when I did! I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good summer mystery/thriller, and honestly anyone else, you’ll all love it!
Loved this book, loved the mystery and the setting and the characters, it was a really great read!
Tenney's Harbour in Maine is a small town, with few locals, but during the summer the rich arrive in droves to stay in their holiday mansions. When one of the well renowned families, the Garrison's, were burnt to death along with their home, the small town was thrown into confusion and suspicion. All but one remains of the Garrison's, Tristan, who had not been there on the fateful night that his entire family burnt.
It seemed everyone felt fascination-meets-revulsion in Tristan Garrison's presence...
Pearl Haskins is one of the few permanent locals. She has a personal interest in the Garrison case, as her Father was the caretaker for the family until that fateful night.
In a small town where rumours travel quickly, and having been the only surviving witness to this atrocious crime (where nothing like this has ever happened before) has caused difficulties for the Haskins, as her Father is treated with cautious suspicion by all.
Pearl sets out to clear her Father's name and find the truth behind the suspicious circumstances of the Garrison fire, but in doing so she has placed herself in imminent danger as the culprit has never been found or brought to justice, and he doesn't want to be found out.
This book was an enjoyable introduction to Gillian French's work. It had me captivated from beginning to just shy of the ending. The characters were complicated and it was interesting to read as French peeled back layer after layer throughout the book. I did find some unnecessary characters, like Reese and Indigo...was there a point to them?
Gillian's plot was well laid out and the clues were great. I did find some parts of the book unnecessary, but that could have been a bit of impatience on my behalf, as I wanted to get back to the main plot line. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey but the conclusion fell flat for me, which brought on frustration as this book was filled with potential! It wasn't the WHO but rather the depth behind the murders.
The Lies They Tell by Gillian French is a captivating mystery thriller that will have you guessing till the final page. A cast of complicated teens with varied upbringing really takes this novel's mystery into a different level. Gillian French truly takes her readers to Tenney's Harbour, trying to navigate the lives of these complicated individuals, whilst trying to solve the mystery, that may or may not be staring at you in the face.
*Thanks for Harper Collins Australia via Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.
It seemed everyone felt fascination-meets-revulsion in Tristan Garrison's presence...
Pearl Haskins is one of the few permanent locals. She has a personal interest in the Garrison case, as her Father was the caretaker for the family until that fateful night.
In a small town where rumours travel quickly, and having been the only surviving witness to this atrocious crime (where nothing like this has ever happened before) has caused difficulties for the Haskins, as her Father is treated with cautious suspicion by all.
Pearl sets out to clear her Father's name and find the truth behind the suspicious circumstances of the Garrison fire, but in doing so she has placed herself in imminent danger as the culprit has never been found or brought to justice, and he doesn't want to be found out.
This book was an enjoyable introduction to Gillian French's work. It had me captivated from beginning to just shy of the ending. The characters were complicated and it was interesting to read as French peeled back layer after layer throughout the book. I did find some unnecessary characters, like Reese and Indigo...was there a point to them?
Gillian's plot was well laid out and the clues were great. I did find some parts of the book unnecessary, but that could have been a bit of impatience on my behalf, as I wanted to get back to the main plot line. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey but the conclusion fell flat for me, which brought on frustration as this book was filled with potential! It wasn't the WHO but rather the depth behind the murders.
The Lies They Tell by Gillian French is a captivating mystery thriller that will have you guessing till the final page. A cast of complicated teens with varied upbringing really takes this novel's mystery into a different level. Gillian French truly takes her readers to Tenney's Harbour, trying to navigate the lives of these complicated individuals, whilst trying to solve the mystery, that may or may not be staring at you in the face.
*Thanks for Harper Collins Australia via Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Horrifically dull. Almost like it was done on purpose.
Where do I even start with this one?
The book starts in the country club dining room, and the boring atmosphere sticks. The climax of the story, the big reveal, is written with the same evocative tone as when the MC waits on tables in Chapter 1.
There's nothing in here that could be rightfully called clever. Even the mystery is straightforward, from Point A to Point B, but don't worry, there's plenty of filler in between to really stretch the story out. There's a shitload of jogging, yachting and tennis.
Sure, there's a weak Chekhov's gun in there and one tiny detail embedded deep in the middle of it all that comes in handy during the rushed ending, but it wasn't worth enduring all the carry on.
What about the main character? I just had to click back onto the book's blurb to remember her name. Pearl. The book takes place entirely in her POV, and I didn't enjoy being in her head. Her motivation for solving the mystery is that her father has been unfairly blamed, since he was the security guard on patrol when the house burned down.
But she honestly didn't come across that desperate. She did put some effort into finding clues, but didn't really have much difficulty getting to them. A combination of coincidence, unbelievable hunches that turned out to be right, and sheer stupidity on her part put her in a position to figure it out.
Hell, the killer even helped her by making some super dumb and very convenient choices that later bit them in the ass. When you're trying to catch a killer, it sure is considerate of them to drop all the information right in your lap.
Pearl's also caught in some kind of Thing with her colleague, and there's Another Girl between them. I feel like the book wanted me to be invested in the outcome of it, and feel bad for Pearl but nope. There was no chemistry anywhere in that set. I didn't give a shit who ended up with who.
The three male leads? The Fuckboy Brigade. Girls get "passed around" at their parties and filmed, they treat everyone like garbage, and their idea of a romantic gesture is generally just another way to flex their wealth on those less fortunate. I can't stand people like them and an author would have to work very hard to make me care about them.
The killer? So fucking obvious. I never doubted. I even made an assumption about how it must have been done, and it was right. Know why? Because it was the shortest line of thought that connected the possibilities.
Between this and [b: We Were Liars|16143347|We Were Liars|E. Lockhart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402749479s/16143347.jpg|21975829], I am very done with reading mysteries about spoilt rich kids. The chief reason being (spoilers for both):
Where do I even start with this one?
The book starts in the country club dining room, and the boring atmosphere sticks. The climax of the story, the big reveal, is written with the same evocative tone as when the MC waits on tables in Chapter 1.
There's nothing in here that could be rightfully called clever. Even the mystery is straightforward, from Point A to Point B, but don't worry, there's plenty of filler in between to really stretch the story out. There's a shitload of jogging, yachting and tennis.
Sure, there's a weak Chekhov's gun in there and one tiny detail embedded deep in the middle of it all that comes in handy during the rushed ending, but it wasn't worth enduring all the carry on.
What about the main character? I just had to click back onto the book's blurb to remember her name. Pearl. The book takes place entirely in her POV, and I didn't enjoy being in her head. Her motivation for solving the mystery is that her father has been unfairly blamed, since he was the security guard on patrol when the house burned down.
But she honestly didn't come across that desperate. She did put some effort into finding clues, but didn't really have much difficulty getting to them. A combination of coincidence, unbelievable hunches that turned out to be right, and sheer stupidity on her part put her in a position to figure it out.
Hell, the killer even helped her by making some super dumb and very convenient choices that later bit them in the ass. When you're trying to catch a killer, it sure is considerate of them to drop all the information right in your lap.
Pearl's also caught in some kind of Thing with her colleague, and there's Another Girl between them. I feel like the book wanted me to be invested in the outcome of it, and feel bad for Pearl
Spoiler
when it turned out her kinda-crush was moving in with the other girlThe three male leads? The Fuckboy Brigade. Girls get "passed around" at their parties and filmed, they treat everyone like garbage, and their idea of a romantic gesture is generally just another way to flex their wealth on those less fortunate. I can't stand people like them and an author would have to work very hard to make me care about them.
The killer? So fucking obvious. I never doubted. I even made an assumption about how it must have been done, and it was right. Know why? Because it was the shortest line of thought that connected the possibilities.
Spoiler
The book never gave me reason to doubt the killer's identity. "Not in town that day" means nothing when you're filthy rich, probably through shady shit because you don't get that wealthy without stepping on a few throats. The fee for the hitman would've been pocket change to someone like that.Between this and [b: We Were Liars|16143347|We Were Liars|E. Lockhart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402749479s/16143347.jpg|21975829], I am very done with reading mysteries about spoilt rich kids. The chief reason being (spoilers for both):
Spoiler
the culprit is always a rich brat, and I am so tired of being asked to care about their motivations. It's always money, whether it's inheriting the fortune or destroying it.
Ending was disappointing but the atmosphere had me hooked the entire time.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thought it would be more of a thriller than it was. Felt like it was hardly about the mystery and more about class issues. Which would have been more acceptable had it not been billed to me as a thriller. Also, did not understand what she saw in that dumb boy. Like, he CLEARLY a loser. DUMP HIS SORRY BUTT.
Anyhow.
It was fine.
Anyhow.
It was fine.