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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Looking for the next book you can binge read in a few hours? Parent’s Weekend may be that book! I sat down, started reading, and didn’t put this down until the last page. This is a fast-paced thriller that follows one detective and four families who are on a race against time to find their missing children. The short chapters make it very easy to fly through and the plot is interesting enough to keep you invested.
While I wasn’t blown away by this one and basically figured out “who-dun-it” quickly, I enjoyed the pace. Everything happens so quickly, and the reader is just along for the ride. As for the characters, I didn’t find them all that remarkable. The book just isn’t long enough to add enough depth to them. There were quite a few you keep track of in a general sense, but I don’t think it would even matter much if you got them confused because the families don’t really add much to the plot. Sure, we get a tiny bit of background but once you get to the end you may start wondering what was even the point of them? I suppose just to find the missing college students.
In any event this was a good read. Again, nothing fantastic but a fun way to spend the day if you have nothing else to do and want to read a fast-faced thriller.
While I wasn’t blown away by this one and basically figured out “who-dun-it” quickly, I enjoyed the pace. Everything happens so quickly, and the reader is just along for the ride. As for the characters, I didn’t find them all that remarkable. The book just isn’t long enough to add enough depth to them. There were quite a few you keep track of in a general sense, but I don’t think it would even matter much if you got them confused because the families don’t really add much to the plot. Sure, we get a tiny bit of background but once you get to the end you may start wondering what was even the point of them? I suppose just to find the missing college students.
In any event this was a good read. Again, nothing fantastic but a fun way to spend the day if you have nothing else to do and want to read a fast-faced thriller.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Stalking
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Alex Finlay is a must-read author for me. I knew I had to read this one. I've been in a reading slump the last little bit and this helped me get out of it. While I didn't LOVE this book, and I called one of the twists early on, this book was still entertaining. I still don't think I know exactly what kid belonged to what parents but that's okay. I don't feel like you NEED to know for the story. I love a book with multiple POVs and short chapters. If you are looking for an fast read this summer, this one is it. I listened and read. I think the narrator did a great job!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the copies in exchange for my review!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the copies in exchange for my review!
This was an interesting and quick thriller - the synopsis caught my eye right away and the idea of 5 students disappearing at the same time and having to dig through the parents' pasts and secrets was intriguing! That being said, I felt the story dragged a bit and the plot was rather predictable despite the red herrings. The ending felt so rushed, and who the perpetrators ended up being bothered me - it felt typecast... It was, however, fun to see agent Sarah Keller again!
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration, it made binging the book really easy.
CW: Kidnapping, murder/death, stalking, infidelity, illness, child death, domestic abuse, suicide, gun violence, pedophilia.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration, it made binging the book really easy.
CW: Kidnapping, murder/death, stalking, infidelity, illness, child death, domestic abuse, suicide, gun violence, pedophilia.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
3 of 5 stars
During Parents' Weekend at Santa Clara University, several families gather to visit with their children. When the children don't arrive for dinner, the families are concerned. It becomes evident that one of the children, Natasha, is missing. The other 5 friends swear secrecy as to what happened the night she disappeared. As the investigation evolves, there is an app that accuses some of the students of suspicious behavior. The scene gets re-enacted with disastrous results.
This wasn't one of my favorites of his novels.
