Reviews

Part historical fiction, part macabre, Joyce Carol Oates weaves the story of the 1970’s Oakland County “babysitter” murderer into her narrative of wealthy suburban Detroit mother who begins an affair with a man she meets at a fundraiser.
I did not like Hannah - our narrator - but I understood her. Coming of age in the 1960’s, Hannah is groomed to become a wife. She does so - marrying a man far wealthier than her background. Wes is the executive working in downtown Detroit, Hannah the housewife who is “mommy” when she wants to be, but turns over those responsibilities to the housekeeper when it’s convenient for her (Hannah).
While Hannah is lunching, fundraising and starting her affair with the mysterious Y.K. - children are being abducted from Oakland County homes and being murdered. Oates introduces a second plot line of “Mikey”, orphaned and abused by priests as a child, who now is subservient to a man he calls “Hawkeye” - performing whatever tasks need to be done, including murder.
Hannah is weak and sniveling. Esmelda is a stronger person than Hannah. Wes and Y.K. are both domineering, Wes out of love and Y.K. out of his desire for power. As the storylines converge, Oates’ presents a scenario that leaves you wondering - what just happened? And who is Y.K.?

nursenell's review against another edition

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1.0

I gave this 100 pages to draw me in, that didn't happen. I can only take so much inner dialogue from a woman having a midlife crisis. There are too many good books calling my name.

eje15's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-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

4.0

imkevbo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I almost out this book down several times and having read it, I wish I had.
Read it and you will see why! Lol

nancyt's review

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dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The title refers to an insidious serial killer kidnapping unwanted children in Detroit 1977. But the story revolves around a housewife having a wild and dangerous affair with a stranger. Dark and disturbing, none of the characters are likeable and a lot of the story does not make sense to me…I almost put this book down several different times as a DNF but didn’t. Maybe I should have. Do not recommend.

kaaatieball's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emmajaynejones's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

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