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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
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:
No
I feel as though I have read too many of these books to not be second guessing that children are also capable of killing…buuuuuuttttttt when you think you know…you don’t!
mysterious
medium-paced
This book was really two stories in 1. While it kept me engaged, there were some aspects that had it falling flat and rating it down for me. Spoilers will be ahead, I don't want to separate them and blur them so read my review at your own risk.
Stella's is the lawyer assigned to Rose to make a recommendation on where she would be best in the case of her parents divorce (Beth & Ian) This story is mainly about that, but before we dive in, this book is also about Stella's story. Her father was killed in a car accident when she was around 6 or 7 when he swerved off the road to avoid a deer. Her mother then fell apart and turned to alcohol and drugs and died from an overdose of heroin when she was 7. Rose was sent to live with her aunt until she was 18 and graduated high school.
She met her mentor and now friend/family Charles just before graduation.
Her story becomes a central part of her mindset throughout as we learn the truths behind what happened to her parents and how Charles was actually involved all along. This was very far fetched and her forgiveness of him was too swift. It felt forced and not like real life.
Another problem, the detective helping Stella with Rose's case and then in turn helping her find answers into her mothers case (which she DIDN'T need since Charles knew them all) turning into a romance seemingly out of no where was off. It was like the author was trying to be inclusive by writing in LGBTQ , which would have been fine, IF our MC had any sort of hint that she was bisexual or gay. The book starts off with her divorce and how much she still loves her ex and family but they only divorced because she didn't want kids. Then about 3/4 through the book she notices she is attracted to this detective. It just felt forced, not enjoyable when it isn't natural, in any gendered romance. Forcing any love interest just to check a box is icky.
After all of that, now onto the main story right. Rose has traumatic mutism after seeing her nanny die. That case is open but unsolved. Literally anyone in the home could have pushed her from the window or she could have fallen. So we have Rose, Beth, Ian and the Grandmother Harriet as a suspect
NONE of them seem to be decent people, here is where our author does a good job of casting doubt on literally everyone, so guessing who did it, or was it an accident wasn't easy, and I can say I couldn't give a concrete guess, there was nothing obvious until the conclusion was just about upon us.
The ending for this family ended up being as happy as it could have been and this part of the book was done well, so she gained some more of a positive review back from me.
Overall it was a good book, it was the two side quests as I like to think of them that didn't get enough attention that brought this story down. If she had given them the same attention she gave the main story it would have been soo much better.
Stella's is the lawyer assigned to Rose to make a recommendation on where she would be best in the case of her parents divorce (Beth & Ian) This story is mainly about that, but before we dive in, this book is also about Stella's story. Her father was killed in a car accident when she was around 6 or 7 when he swerved off the road to avoid a deer. Her mother then fell apart and turned to alcohol and drugs and died from an overdose of heroin when she was 7. Rose was sent to live with her aunt until she was 18 and graduated high school.
She met her mentor and now friend/family Charles just before graduation.
Her story becomes a central part of her mindset throughout as we learn the truths behind what happened to her parents and how Charles was actually involved all along. This was very far fetched and her forgiveness of him was too swift. It felt forced and not like real life.
Another problem, the detective helping Stella with Rose's case and then in turn helping her find answers into her mothers case (which she DIDN'T need since Charles knew them all) turning into a romance seemingly out of no where was off. It was like the author was trying to be inclusive by writing in LGBTQ , which would have been fine, IF our MC had any sort of hint that she was bisexual or gay. The book starts off with her divorce and how much she still loves her ex and family but they only divorced because she didn't want kids. Then about 3/4 through the book she notices she is attracted to this detective. It just felt forced, not enjoyable when it isn't natural, in any gendered romance. Forcing any love interest just to check a box is icky.
After all of that, now onto the main story right. Rose has traumatic mutism after seeing her nanny die. That case is open but unsolved. Literally anyone in the home could have pushed her from the window or she could have fallen. So we have Rose, Beth, Ian and the Grandmother Harriet as a suspect
NONE of them seem to be decent people, here is where our author does a good job of casting doubt on literally everyone, so guessing who did it, or was it an accident wasn't easy, and I can say I couldn't give a concrete guess, there was nothing obvious until the conclusion was just about upon us.
The ending for this family ended up being as happy as it could have been and this part of the book was done well, so she gained some more of a positive review back from me.
Overall it was a good book, it was the two side quests as I like to think of them that didn't get enough attention that brought this story down. If she had given them the same attention she gave the main story it would have been soo much better.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We read this for our first in person book club and it was an amazing way to kick it off! The author was even kind enough to video call with us to yap about the book and answer our questions. I wouldn't categorize this as a thriller, as it doesn't have that gasp moment, but moreso a whodunit mystery. Everyone have and secrets so it kept you guessing.
From the outside looking in, the Barclay family is the perfect golden family. However, when the nanny falls to her death, it seems everyone has secrets to hide.
Ian Barclay had an affair with the nanny Tina. She then falls through a large window and it's revealed she was pregnant with his baby at the time of her death. They ultimately decide to get divorced, but cannot agree on custody of their 9 year old daughter Rose. Stella Hudson agrees to a favor to her mentor because he believes Stella is the only one who can help. Stella ultimately takes the case to represent Rose and decide who Rose should live with. The one problem, Rose stopped speaking immediately after the possible murder. As Stella spends more and more time with the parents and the grandmother, she realizes everyone has a motive and could be a suspect, even Rose.
From the outside looking in, the Barclay family is the perfect golden family. However, when the nanny falls to her death, it seems everyone has secrets to hide.
Ian Barclay had an affair with the nanny Tina. She then falls through a large window and it's revealed she was pregnant with his baby at the time of her death. They ultimately decide to get divorced, but cannot agree on custody of their 9 year old daughter Rose. Stella Hudson agrees to a favor to her mentor because he believes Stella is the only one who can help. Stella ultimately takes the case to represent Rose and decide who Rose should live with. The one problem, Rose stopped speaking immediately after the possible murder. As Stella spends more and more time with the parents and the grandmother, she realizes everyone has a motive and could be a suspect, even Rose.
Unbelievable, overly dramatic, bordering on ridiculous
Man, what a bummer! This was a gripping thriller for the first half but then it lost me… I’ll admit, I didn’t see it coming, but the twist was unbelievable in a way that kinda felt like a joke. There were details that either didn’t make sense or didn’t have any relevance to the plot. I was really pumped that this was getting me back into the thriller game, but alas, I was left with a flowery little ending and too many questions for the editing team.
Liked:
-spooky house/creepy setting
-page turner
-everyone’s a suspect
-multiple mysteries
Disliked:
-irrelevant details
-or details that were seemingly relevant but not addressed?
-“the twist”
-hallmark ending
-narrator/main POV is a lawyer but acts like an investigator, also has savior complex (amongst many other unresolved mental health issues) and should actively be in therapy
-most chapters seemingly opened with some general quote or factoid like “the heart is the time keeper of fear” or some bullshit. That’s not a real quote from the novel lol it was just a mildly frustrating writing style in my opinion
Liked:
-spooky house/creepy setting
-page turner
-everyone’s a suspect
-multiple mysteries
Disliked:
-irrelevant details
-or details that were seemingly relevant but not addressed?
-“the twist”
-hallmark ending
-narrator/main POV is a lawyer but acts like an investigator, also has savior complex (amongst many other unresolved mental health issues) and should actively be in therapy
-most chapters seemingly opened with some general quote or factoid like “the heart is the time keeper of fear” or some bullshit. That’s not a real quote from the novel lol it was just a mildly frustrating writing style in my opinion