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smaximiek's review against another edition
2.0
I picked this up expecting a good mystery, not a weak mystery that really wanted to focus on woman with far too many hangups, regrets and a mess of a life.
....Just pick one of the other.
....Just pick one of the other.
deniset's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
jackobotts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
nerdlovin's review against another edition
3.0
The main character was ridiculous at times . But it was a good book
aretz's review against another edition
2.0
It's interesting that a lot of people have been comparing this to "The Dry" because of its Australian setting, but, I have to say, they were both equally as bad, but for different reasons. With "The Dry" you were bored because you knew what was happening and it just took forever to get anywhere. These both have the strange problem of having a few smattering from different points of view that serve no real purpose in moving the plot forward. And both had equally confusing climaxes.
But let's focus on what's wrong with this novel. Mainly: the main character is completely unlikable. It can be so hard to like a character who is having an affair if it isn't done right. The show "The Good Wife" does it brilliantly, this couldn't even come close. And I have to say as a negative the author writes like a man trying to write a woman, who doesn't know how women think. Every time Gemma gets in the same vicinity as her partner Felix (whom she's having an affair with) she almost always has a mind thought of "I need him inside of me" or "I want to touch him". Honestly, this character sounds like a teenager. She has this weird obsession with focusing on sex far too much. So much so, that I would have sworn to you that she was bi because of how focused she was on Rose (the victim of the story). There's a literal line in here where she is staring at Rose's breasts when she's on the autopsy table and is more concerned with how the woman's breasts and nakedness look rather than how she died. What even? Then there is the really creepy thought she puts into your head when she's imagining her dead boyfriend's brother (who's 17) in the throes of passion with another teenager describing it as her "tight little body" and she gets jealous of them. There are then really weird vibes with her dead boyfriend's brother simply because he looks like his brother.
This novel is said to be a thriller, but it's just a weird character study on Gemma. You figure out the two mysteries fairly quickly (though the baby's paternity was one I found to be unbelievable, but then I also found the description of Rose's character to be completely unbelievable.) This woman is described as beautiful and mysterious and also manipulative because she's beautiful, and everybody (everybody) wants her. Cliché much?
I'm still waiting for a thriller that surprises me.
But let's focus on what's wrong with this novel. Mainly: the main character is completely unlikable. It can be so hard to like a character who is having an affair if it isn't done right. The show "The Good Wife" does it brilliantly, this couldn't even come close. And I have to say as a negative the author writes like a man trying to write a woman, who doesn't know how women think. Every time Gemma gets in the same vicinity as her partner Felix (whom she's having an affair with) she almost always has a mind thought of "I need him inside of me" or "I want to touch him". Honestly, this character sounds like a teenager. She has this weird obsession with focusing on sex far too much. So much so, that I would have sworn to you that she was bi because of how focused she was on Rose (the victim of the story). There's a literal line in here where she is staring at Rose's breasts when she's on the autopsy table and is more concerned with how the woman's breasts and nakedness look rather than how she died. What even? Then there is the really creepy thought she puts into your head when she's imagining her dead boyfriend's brother (who's 17) in the throes of passion with another teenager describing it as her "tight little body" and she gets jealous of them. There are then really weird vibes with her dead boyfriend's brother simply because he looks like his brother.
This novel is said to be a thriller, but it's just a weird character study on Gemma. You figure out the two mysteries fairly quickly (though the baby's paternity was one I found to be unbelievable, but then I also found the description of Rose's character to be completely unbelievable.) This woman is described as beautiful and mysterious and also manipulative because she's beautiful, and everybody (everybody) wants her. Cliché much?
I'm still waiting for a thriller that surprises me.
nsabbadin's review against another edition
3.0
Pacy crime story but very angsty detective carrying baggage that, when inside her head, was very frustrating. However a vivid depiction of a personal life breaking when other parts are solid.
yvetteadams's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful young teacher is found dead, covered with roses, at the edge of a NSW country town. Young detective Gemma, who is quite flawed, and had been at school with the victim, is on the case. There are many secrets to be uncovered around the town, and I enjoyed this.
sew_emma's review against another edition
2.0
Too long and slow moving. I didn't really care for the main character. I got very bored.
bookworm_42's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0