Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I try to keep my ratings consistent across platforms, but I really wish Goodreads would allow half stars. I would have given this 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed it.
It was an interesting story, but I couldnβt get into it at first. Around 100 pages in, there was a murder, which finally captured my attention.
In my opinion, there were too many unnecessary details and descriptions. I realize details are needed to set the scene, but I felt there was too much repetitiveness. Because of this, I found myself not wanting to pick the book up to finish, but forcing it, which is never a good thing for me - and is why I couldnβt give it 4 stars.
It was an interesting story, but I couldnβt get into it at first. Around 100 pages in, there was a murder, which finally captured my attention.
In my opinion, there were too many unnecessary details and descriptions. I realize details are needed to set the scene, but I felt there was too much repetitiveness. Because of this, I found myself not wanting to pick the book up to finish, but forcing it, which is never a good thing for me - and is why I couldnβt give it 4 stars.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
This was such a nice break in thrillers that I have read. The story is enthralling, I wanted to keep finding out what had happened. There are transcripts of interviews mixed throughout that helped to build tension and shed light on the past. And the whole time I was just along for the ride, waiting to see what was going to happen next. It had really good use of past and present timelines.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I read the premise of this book, I knew I had to pick it up! A book inspired by a true story, set in an abandoned orphanage? Yes, please!
The setting was incredibly atmospheric, and I loved how the book incorporated police interview transcripts. Plus, that plot twist at the end? My jaw was on the floor!
Unfortunately, the pacing felt slow and repetitive, with a lack of any real suspense. While the beginning dragged, the ending felt rushed in comparison. I also struggled to connect with the main character. She lacked depth and development, making her feel one dimensional. The side characters felt similarly flat, existing merely to push the plot forward rather than truly feeling like necessary parts of the story.
Iβd recommend this book to readers who enjoy true crime and slow burn mysteries, but if you're looking for a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller, this one might fall flat.
π π°π πΈπ½πΆ : 3
π΅πΎπ π π΄π°π³π΄π π π π·πΎ π»πΈπΊπ΄
β Mystery / Thriller
β Atmospheric Setting
β Cold Case Investigation
β Small Town Secrets
β Dual Timelines
π΅π°π πΎπ πΈπ π΄ π π²π΄π½π΄
After being arrested for a DUI, Xander is careening down the halls of the police station when he quite literally runs into Alex. Slurring, he tells her she's pretty and asks if he could buy her dinner while being held up by Officer Parker.
π΅π°π πΎπ πΈπ π΄ π π πΎπ π΄
-The quotes referenced are from an advanced reader's copy and may not reflect the final version. Please refer to the finished copy for accuracy.-
"It's always women who give you more than they should."
"No one appreciates gentleness until faced with its opposite."
"Sarah Dale was unreliable. Unstable. Prone to exaggeration. How many times has someone dismissed the words of a woman or child as untrustworthy?"
β¨οΈ Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy of this gripping book in exchange for an honest review.
The setting was incredibly atmospheric, and I loved how the book incorporated police interview transcripts. Plus, that plot twist at the end? My jaw was on the floor!
Unfortunately, the pacing felt slow and repetitive, with a lack of any real suspense. While the beginning dragged, the ending felt rushed in comparison. I also struggled to connect with the main character. She lacked depth and development, making her feel one dimensional. The side characters felt similarly flat, existing merely to push the plot forward rather than truly feeling like necessary parts of the story.
Iβd recommend this book to readers who enjoy true crime and slow burn mysteries, but if you're looking for a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller, this one might fall flat.
π π°π πΈπ½πΆ : 3
π΅πΎπ π π΄π°π³π΄π π π π·πΎ π»πΈπΊπ΄
β Mystery / Thriller
β Atmospheric Setting
β Cold Case Investigation
β Small Town Secrets
β Dual Timelines
π΅π°π πΎπ πΈπ π΄ π π²π΄π½π΄
After being arrested for a DUI, Xander is careening down the halls of the police station when he quite literally runs into Alex. Slurring, he tells her she's pretty and asks if he could buy her dinner while being held up by Officer Parker.
π΅π°π πΎπ πΈπ π΄ π π πΎπ π΄
-The quotes referenced are from an advanced reader's copy and may not reflect the final version. Please refer to the finished copy for accuracy.-
"It's always women who give you more than they should."
"No one appreciates gentleness until faced with its opposite."
"Sarah Dale was unreliable. Unstable. Prone to exaggeration. How many times has someone dismissed the words of a woman or child as untrustworthy?"
β¨οΈ Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy of this gripping book in exchange for an honest review.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
I love thriller books inspired by true events. Alex accepts a job as a ghostwriter to write about the history of an orphanage with a dark past. The strongest part of Coram House for me is the setting. The eerie and frigid backdrop of the old house in Burlington, Vermont plunges the reader into the darkness of Alexβs investigation. This is a steadier building mystery with spots of slower pacing. Overall, I was engaged by the strong characterization and the tragic story. A really solid debut!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. Coram House follows Alex Kelley, a true crime author who moved to Burlington Vermont to start a new book. Alex is looking for a fresh start and she is hoping that the story of Coram House will provide that. Coram House operated as an orphanage until cases of abuse were revealed. Thereβs conflicting stories, and Alex is determined to find the truth. I enjoyed the story. I found it a little difficult to stay invested, and I guessed the ending. Itβs a good story for those enjoy true crime.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for my advanced copy.
Coram House by Bailey Seybolt peaked my interest with its synopsis and beautiful cover. The atmospheric setting coupled with a decades old mystery was very promising and definitely started off strong. I found myself wanting to read past my bedtime for the first 50-60% but after that I found myself looking for a resolution.
Our main character Alex, a true crime writer, was met with so many big moments and handled them with grace and a few head scratching decisions. I do think she could have been fleshed out more and maybe had more development at the sacrifice of one other character in the book. The ending felt a little anticlimactic but I also think it fit well with the slow burn of the story.
Overall, this was a good debut and I would recommend it to someone looking for a mystery novel with creepy undertones.
TW: child abuse (sexual and physical), abuse involving the clergy, murder
Coram House by Bailey Seybolt peaked my interest with its synopsis and beautiful cover. The atmospheric setting coupled with a decades old mystery was very promising and definitely started off strong. I found myself wanting to read past my bedtime for the first 50-60% but after that I found myself looking for a resolution.
Our main character Alex, a true crime writer, was met with so many big moments and handled them with grace and a few head scratching decisions. I do think she could have been fleshed out more and maybe had more development at the sacrifice of one other character in the book. The ending felt a little anticlimactic but I also think it fit well with the slow burn of the story.
Overall, this was a good debut and I would recommend it to someone looking for a mystery novel with creepy undertones.
TW: child abuse (sexual and physical), abuse involving the clergy, murder