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apolloarcher_40000000's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
akookieforyou's review against another edition
3.0
I feel very mixed towards this, on one hand I really liked the setup and the romance was cute, but on the other I can't help but feel disappointed and like the actual mystery was mediocre.
Personally I really enjoyed One Of Us Is Lying, so I wanted to try out another book by Karen M. McManus, hoping, in vain, for that same sort of excitement. Plus I've seen this compared to A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, which is an absolute fav of mine, but the vibes aren't very similar at all. They might both be about a girl digging up the history of a murder from years prior, but that's probably the only thing they have in common. Pippa is a very smart detective, and she really pushes to figure out the truth, comparatively Brynn seems a lot slower on the pickup of certain clues, is way more lax about pursuing the truth, has most of the clues served up on a platter, and basically gives up at one point. Those things in addition to the lackluster mystery really made for a "meh" experience. And don't even get me started on how abrupt the ending is, it feels too open, like there's supposed to be a sequel or something.
However, I overall liked the characters and the contemporary romance aspect. Which yeah is kind of sad when you're expecting an exciting mystery/thriller, but I'm a sucker for romance. I think Brynn and Tripp had really fantastic chemistry, and had such a healthy supportive relationship. I wish more of the book could've focused on them being kind of detectives, piecing clues together and falling in love along the way. I also wish it wasn't dual pov, it kind of ruins certain mystery aspects of the plot where Tripp is concerned. It would've been more interesting to trust Tripp along the way with Brynn, instead of knowing he can't possibly be guilty because we see too much of his mind and thoughts.
Lastly, I'm really sick of some mystery novels getting all "after school special", having the main character (in my experience, usually a girl) get punished and feel guilty for trying to actually solve a crime/murder. I want proactive protagonists, and I don't want everyone getting pissed when they aren't even doing anything wrong. It's irritating.
Overall a decent book, and I know lots of people love it, just not a fav for me.
Personally I really enjoyed One Of Us Is Lying, so I wanted to try out another book by Karen M. McManus, hoping, in vain, for that same sort of excitement. Plus I've seen this compared to A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, which is an absolute fav of mine, but the vibes aren't very similar at all. They might both be about a girl digging up the history of a murder from years prior, but that's probably the only thing they have in common. Pippa is a very smart detective, and she really pushes to figure out the truth, comparatively Brynn seems a lot slower on the pickup of certain clues, is way more lax about pursuing the truth, has most of the clues served up on a platter, and basically gives up at one point. Those things in addition to the lackluster mystery really made for a "meh" experience. And don't even get me started on how abrupt the ending is, it feels too open, like there's supposed to be a sequel or something.
However, I overall liked the characters and the contemporary romance aspect. Which yeah is kind of sad when you're expecting an exciting mystery/thriller, but I'm a sucker for romance. I think Brynn and Tripp had really fantastic chemistry, and had such a healthy supportive relationship. I wish more of the book could've focused on them being kind of detectives, piecing clues together and falling in love along the way. I also wish it wasn't dual pov, it kind of ruins certain mystery aspects of the plot where Tripp is concerned. It would've been more interesting to trust Tripp along the way with Brynn, instead of knowing he can't possibly be guilty because we see too much of his mind and thoughts.
Lastly, I'm really sick of some mystery novels getting all "after school special", having the main character (in my experience, usually a girl) get punished and feel guilty for trying to actually solve a crime/murder. I want proactive protagonists, and I don't want everyone getting pissed when they aren't even doing anything wrong. It's irritating.
Overall a decent book, and I know lots of people love it, just not a fav for me.
working_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
one shift read! this was a nail biter i'll tell ya! so many twists and plot curve balls i am hooked. i want to read more from this author!
skye_parker1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
mishbookz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
getyourdemon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
charliejaxx's review against another edition
3.0
After reading You'll be the death of me, I didn't really want to pick up another book by McManus. I was surprised I didn't hate this one.
The way the winter dance chapter ended. Was expecting something better than a time skip.
And the other suspects even had a stronger motive than Charlotte, hers was the weakest imo, other than her Shane obsession there was nothing else.
The romance subplots in Mystery/Thrillers nowadays ick me out most times. Like why is it even important to include romance in everything? I just want to read a book about murder, crime, gore and suspense.
Ellie saying she could be the next Maeve Rojas got me thinking.. Is there going to be a book about her??!
The way the winter dance chapter ended. Was expecting something better than a time skip.
And the other suspects even had a stronger motive than Charlotte, hers was the weakest imo, other than her Shane obsession there was nothing else.
The romance subplots in Mystery/Thrillers nowadays ick me out most times. Like why is it even important to include romance in everything? I just want to read a book about murder, crime, gore and suspense.
Ellie saying she could be the next Maeve Rojas got me thinking.. Is there going to be a book about her??!
zracquel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kevionna's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0