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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Anna’s husband calls her and confesses to killing someone, and then his body is found washed up on the banks of the Rio Grande. Anna decides to piece together what really happened and moves into his studio apartment that he used for his art. She spends her days getting close to her neighbors and absorbing gossip. When threatening letters start appearing at her door, she must decide if finding the truth is more important than her safety.
Cass has been running the Sycamores, a run-down apartment complex, for a while. Barely scraping by, she starts blackmailing sleazy men to get by. It works, until she defrauds the wrong guy. With everything to lose and no one to trust, Cass must fight to keep her secrets under wraps, especially with Anna snooping around.
I have very conflicting thoughts about this book. I struggled getting into this one and I found the majority of the book to be incredibly slow. I usually finish most books in one sitting, but I really had no desire to do so with this one and found it easy to put down and predictable.
However, despite being slow this book did have some positive points. It was incredibly descriptive, and I felt like I was right there with the characters in these shabby, run-down converted apartments. The atmospheric writing is why I kept reading as it was really the best part.
If you are looking for a suspenseful light read, then check this one out.
I would read more by this author as she really does know how to make you feel like you are there experiencing the story with the characters.
Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Cass has been running the Sycamores, a run-down apartment complex, for a while. Barely scraping by, she starts blackmailing sleazy men to get by. It works, until she defrauds the wrong guy. With everything to lose and no one to trust, Cass must fight to keep her secrets under wraps, especially with Anna snooping around.
I have very conflicting thoughts about this book. I struggled getting into this one and I found the majority of the book to be incredibly slow. I usually finish most books in one sitting, but I really had no desire to do so with this one and found it easy to put down and predictable.
However, despite being slow this book did have some positive points. It was incredibly descriptive, and I felt like I was right there with the characters in these shabby, run-down converted apartments. The atmospheric writing is why I kept reading as it was really the best part.
If you are looking for a suspenseful light read, then check this one out.
I would read more by this author as she really does know how to make you feel like you are there experiencing the story with the characters.
Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
First fiction audio listen. Might have liked it more if I read it. Lying serial killer. Women banding together to defeat him and build community together.
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Competently written, but when the twist reveals came, I felt more "what?" than satisfaction. This is a problem I already know I have with many thriller novels.
I liked Cass a lot even though I think she is a complete disaster of a person. Anna felt like a vessel to tie in this other mystery more than like. a real character, so her pov chapters were kind of a slog.
Give me a totally different genre of novel or short story collection focusing exclusively on the day to day lives of The Pool Girls please.
I liked Cass a lot even though I think she is a complete disaster of a person. Anna felt like a vessel to tie in this other mystery more than like. a real character, so her pov chapters were kind of a slog.
Give me a totally different genre of novel or short story collection focusing exclusively on the day to day lives of The Pool Girls please.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a decent story with a somewhat predictable ending but the characters are where this story shines. There is a colorful cast of characters, and I include the setting because the motel/apartment felt like it'd own character. Ultimately, while I did enjoy it, it felt a bit rushed and the writing did hide the killer well but I think I just read too many mysteries as that was the only person it made sense for it to be. All in all, I definitely recommend this.
#TheVacancyInRoom
A massive thank you to @seraphinanovaglass @graydonhousebooks @thrillerbookloverspromotions for my gifted copy!
Here’s the thing, my favorite sub-genre of thrillers is domestic suspense. I love a messy family with hair full of secrets. So, for the fact that it took until this year to read Seraphina Nova Glass, is absurd. This was my third read by her and I totally get why @blondethrillerbooklover says this is THE book for 2024. I am floored y’all.
Told in dual POV, Anna and Cass, you are in for a non-stop, not putting this down at ANY rate ride. We start with a literal bang and I thought, “oh snap, we’re doing this.. now?!” So when I say non-stop, I mean pedal to the floor lies and deception everywhere.
The ending was also very jaw to the floor and satisfying as have the past two I’ve read by SNG been. The hype is real, the vibes are it. Not out until April, but dang it I will not stop talking about it.
QOTD: Did you grab Iron Flame today? If not, whatcha reading?
A massive thank you to @seraphinanovaglass @graydonhousebooks @thrillerbookloverspromotions for my gifted copy!
Here’s the thing, my favorite sub-genre of thrillers is domestic suspense. I love a messy family with hair full of secrets. So, for the fact that it took until this year to read Seraphina Nova Glass, is absurd. This was my third read by her and I totally get why @blondethrillerbooklover says this is THE book for 2024. I am floored y’all.
Told in dual POV, Anna and Cass, you are in for a non-stop, not putting this down at ANY rate ride. We start with a literal bang and I thought, “oh snap, we’re doing this.. now?!” So when I say non-stop, I mean pedal to the floor lies and deception everywhere.
The ending was also very jaw to the floor and satisfying as have the past two I’ve read by SNG been. The hype is real, the vibes are it. Not out until April, but dang it I will not stop talking about it.
QOTD: Did you grab Iron Flame today? If not, whatcha reading?
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mystery was intriguing and the characters were delightful. The setting was realistic as well. The author is as good as any mystery/thriller/suspense writing working today. I wish she was more well-known. She deserves it!
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes