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celina_s's review against another edition
4.0
Habe die Kombination aus Gesellschaftskritik und Krimi sehr geliebt, hier und da war es etwas over the top, was der Spannung und dem Lesevergnügen aber keinen Abbruch getan hat :)
chlo97's review against another edition
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
joweston's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this. The story, the characters, the themes of late 1950s US. Really evocative of the time as you’d imagine it. Cannot wait for her next release later this year.
claire1044's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
meganlee3001's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good, I don't think a review would do it justice.
This book is pitched as an interesting mystery, a housewife goes missing leaving behind her children and a bloodstained kitchen floor but it is so much more than that.
Vesper expertly weaves themes of oppression, race, class and feminism through an engrossing storyline.
The characters were well written. I absolutely loved Ruby and Mike. Even though Joyce was flawed, I still thought she was excellent, I loved her chapters and would read a whole book about her.
While this book isn't about race or class or sexism, it is set in 1959 and these themes were so exceptionally placed into the story.
The writing is well paced, starting out with a bang that will suck you in right from the first page and will not let you go until the last sentence.
This is just one of those books I wish I could go back and read all over again for the first time.
I don't think any review could do this justice, you just have to read it for yourself! I've already purchased a physical copy for myself!
5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Books and Inga Vesper for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book is pitched as an interesting mystery, a housewife goes missing leaving behind her children and a bloodstained kitchen floor but it is so much more than that.
Vesper expertly weaves themes of oppression, race, class and feminism through an engrossing storyline.
The characters were well written. I absolutely loved Ruby and Mike. Even though Joyce was flawed, I still thought she was excellent, I loved her chapters and would read a whole book about her.
While this book isn't about race or class or sexism, it is set in 1959 and these themes were so exceptionally placed into the story.
The writing is well paced, starting out with a bang that will suck you in right from the first page and will not let you go until the last sentence.
This is just one of those books I wish I could go back and read all over again for the first time.
I don't think any review could do this justice, you just have to read it for yourself! I've already purchased a physical copy for myself!
5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Books and Inga Vesper for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
nickymaund's review against another edition
4.0
I’m going to start this one with some content warnings/potential spoilers. Check out at the end for more information.
This one had me hooked right from the start - we’re given 3 viewpoints over different timelines for this one: Joyce in the days leading up to her disappearance in suspicious circumstances, and in the present we follow Ruby the family’s ’help’ and Blanke the detective investigating Joyce’s disappearance. The audiobook is expertly narrated by each of the 3 on narration duty - they really do embody their characters and the time.
On the one hand, it’s a gripping detective story as you follow Blanke during his investigation and how Ruby becomes an integral part to this, it’s also a commentary in so many things in society of the day - some of which you can say are applicable to now.
The startling commentary covers so many societal aspects: it’s set in the late 1950s, a different time where language and attitudes on race, class, poverty, mental health, a woman’s place, and so many more. The language used back in the day really do jar - both with regards to race, mental health and women. Parts are uncomfortable - very! But Vesper handles these with ease as you follow the story.
This is claustrophobic and stifling - and I was desperate to find out what happened to Joyce. Recommended reading!
⚠️ Content warning: includes reference to mental health, racism, infertility, infant death and domestic abuse.
This one had me hooked right from the start - we’re given 3 viewpoints over different timelines for this one: Joyce in the days leading up to her disappearance in suspicious circumstances, and in the present we follow Ruby the family’s ’help’ and Blanke the detective investigating Joyce’s disappearance. The audiobook is expertly narrated by each of the 3 on narration duty - they really do embody their characters and the time.
On the one hand, it’s a gripping detective story as you follow Blanke during his investigation and how Ruby becomes an integral part to this, it’s also a commentary in so many things in society of the day - some of which you can say are applicable to now.
The startling commentary covers so many societal aspects: it’s set in the late 1950s, a different time where language and attitudes on race, class, poverty, mental health, a woman’s place, and so many more. The language used back in the day really do jar - both with regards to race, mental health and women. Parts are uncomfortable - very! But Vesper handles these with ease as you follow the story.
This is claustrophobic and stifling - and I was desperate to find out what happened to Joyce. Recommended reading!
⚠️ Content warning: includes reference to mental health, racism, infertility, infant death and domestic abuse.
oirving44's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed! A good inspiration to look into late 1950s history. I did really enjoy the setting that was painted too, almost Nuketown-esque perfectionism with desert heat. And for a murder mystery, I spent a good majority of the book having no idea who was in the wrong. The only drawback was some of the characters were a little cliché (à la the detective with a morally-tarnished past, the feminist committee-leader who drives a sick car (revolutionary...), the flighty trailer park waitress...) - clichés aren't always bad in plot-driven stories like this one though, I just personally like a bit more character depth
btpbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
A random pick from my to be read (TBR) pile. But a brilliant read! Not what I expected at all. The story is told through the four main characters of this story and you have to bare in mind that the story is set in the 1950s. So warning – it does contain some racism and the N word.
When Joyce seems to just vanished one afternoon it’s a real mystery and there are plenty of different explanations as to why and where she has gone. Was she kidnapped? Affair? Ran away? Killed? Endless possibilities. But the story has plenty to keep the reader hooked with many secrets becoming revealed. Gripping. Exciting. Fast paced. An ending I never expected. Highly recommend. Really enjoyed it. A well deserved four stars.
When Joyce seems to just vanished one afternoon it’s a real mystery and there are plenty of different explanations as to why and where she has gone. Was she kidnapped? Affair? Ran away? Killed? Endless possibilities. But the story has plenty to keep the reader hooked with many secrets becoming revealed. Gripping. Exciting. Fast paced. An ending I never expected. Highly recommend. Really enjoyed it. A well deserved four stars.