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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
had a great time reading The Vacancy in Room 10! This thriller takes place in The Sycamores, a rundown apartment complex where secrets lurk behind every door. Anna moves in, trying to uncover the truth about her husband’s hidden past, but she quickly butts heads with Cass, the no-nonsense property manager who has her own baggage.
For me, Cass’s arc was the standout—she felt layered and real, and I was way more invested in her journey than Anna’s. The setting was eerie, the twists kept me guessing, and the tension built up perfectly. Some moments felt a bit over the top, but honestly, I didn’t mind. If you love a moody, suspenseful thriller with flawed but fascinating characters, this one’s worth picking up!
For me, Cass’s arc was the standout—she felt layered and real, and I was way more invested in her journey than Anna’s. The setting was eerie, the twists kept me guessing, and the tension built up perfectly. Some moments felt a bit over the top, but honestly, I didn’t mind. If you love a moody, suspenseful thriller with flawed but fascinating characters, this one’s worth picking up!
2.5 stars. Wanted to love this but simply didn’t care for it much, unfortunately
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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Vacancy in Room 10 is set in a motel-turned-low-income rental property called The Sycamores, masterfully weaving together the stories of its down-on-their-luck characters. The setting with its gossipy, low-income characters can feel like a sociological case study of The Sycamores.
It has all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery—limited setting, small cast of suspects, amateur sleuth, minimal gore—but it avoids the saccharine sweetness you find in the genre. The realistic portrayal of the characters and their struggles elevates it beyond the typical cozy mystery tropes.
Cass and Anna narrate in alternating chapters, their stories gradually intertwining as the mysteries deepen. The mysteries unravel slowly, but the story remains engaging without feeling rushed. Three-quarters through the book, the author reveals enough clues for us to put it all together. I didn’t lose any interest, because I still wanted to know how the loose ends would be tied together
The cast of characters is outstanding, form the minor ones to the principal characters. Cass, with her mix of good and bad qualities, is compelling. The dialogue feels genuine and makes the characters seem like real people.I loved The Vacancy in Room 10’s balances mystery and character development.
It has all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery—limited setting, small cast of suspects, amateur sleuth, minimal gore—but it avoids the saccharine sweetness you find in the genre. The realistic portrayal of the characters and their struggles elevates it beyond the typical cozy mystery tropes.
Cass and Anna narrate in alternating chapters, their stories gradually intertwining as the mysteries deepen. The mysteries unravel slowly, but the story remains engaging without feeling rushed. Three-quarters through the book, the author reveals enough clues for us to put it all together. I didn’t lose any interest, because I still wanted to know how the loose ends would be tied together
The cast of characters is outstanding, form the minor ones to the principal characters. Cass, with her mix of good and bad qualities, is compelling. The dialogue feels genuine and makes the characters seem like real people.I loved The Vacancy in Room 10’s balances mystery and character development.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
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:
Complicated