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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good domestic who-dunnit with suspense throughout. Tons of red herrings, almost everyone is suspicious. A definite page-turner!
I liked: short chapters, very suspenseful, enjoyable throughout
I disliked: ending wasn’t super powerful
I liked: short chapters, very suspenseful, enjoyable throughout
I disliked: ending wasn’t super powerful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ughh I was really addicted to this book but the ending just didn’t quite hit. There were so many interesting storylines that I feel didn’t have the greatest conclusions. And I’m disappointed bc I usually do enjoy her writing. My only hope is that this book is setting up for a sequel and that it doesn’t just end here.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall great binge-worthy thriller. Just right number of plausible suspects, some great twists. Will recommend.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This novel is perfect for summer escapist reading.
Sam Frost is called by his daughter Clara’s daycare because his wife Bryden didn’t pick her up at the scheduled time. When Sam arrives home, Bryden is not there, though her cellphone, computer, and keys are, as is her car in her parking space. Sam checks with a neighbour and calls Bryden’s sister Lizzie and best friend Paige, but no one has seen or heard from his wife. The police are called, and Detective Jayne Salter leads the missing person investigation which soon becomes a homicide case.
The novel is narrated in the third person but from multiple perspectives: Bryden’s family, (mother Donna and sister Lizzie), best friend Paige, and a neighbour, as well as the lead investigator. Also included are Derek Gardner, whose car Bryden rear-ended six weeks earlier, and his wife Alice. Of course, the reader is not told everything that someone is thinking and feeling.
Very quickly a number of suspects emerge as it’s obvious that many people have secrets and are untrustworthy, being capable of deception and betrayal. Many have motives, especially jealousy, and opportunity. Everyone thinks Sam and Bryden had a perfect marriage and a perfect life, but this proves not to be the case. The reader is certainly kept guessing; much of my interest in the book lay in trying to determine the identity of the murderer.
The plot does have some flaws. The broken security camera system is very convenient. Then the case is solved more by chance, a witness coming in after remembering something crucial at the right moment, than solid investigating. The back story of one of the characters also seems rather far-fetched, though no doubt such people do exist. And of course the ending, with that final exchange, is particularly chilling because of this character’s personality and backstory.
I would not say this book is a literary masterpiece, but it is definitely entertaining; it does what it was intended to do. It’s fast-paced with lots of potential suspects, red herrings, and twists. I liked Jayne Salter and would enjoy seeing her in a series. As stated at the beginning, this is a perfect summer read to take to a park, a beach, a cottage, or the backyard.
Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.