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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
This book had lots of twists and turns! I didn't know what to expect when I started listening (because listening to books still counts as reading!). I liked Riley, and I am hoping to read the rest of her series.
I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn't a hit for me. The cast of characters feels huge and at times unnecessary. Through all of them, I struggled to find any that were really likeable.
There was also a lot of build up and foreshadowing that seemed to drag on and repeated scenes with no additional detail.
The entire book wrapped up very quickly with enough cliff hangers to put into book 2. I talked to hubs about the plot and he said it sounded like the movie "The Crazies."
I enjoyed some of the Iowa and culture references but also found them a bit forced or piled on. Knowing so many of the items referenced almost distracted me from the story too much.
Overall, this had potential to be a book (and series) I could get into, but it just didn't end up that way. Not every book is for every reader, and that's OK.
There was also a lot of build up and foreshadowing that seemed to drag on and repeated scenes with no additional detail.
The entire book wrapped up very quickly with enough cliff hangers to put into book 2. I talked to hubs about the plot and he said it sounded like the movie "The Crazies."
I enjoyed some of the Iowa and culture references but also found them a bit forced or piled on. Knowing so many of the items referenced almost distracted me from the story too much.
Overall, this had potential to be a book (and series) I could get into, but it just didn't end up that way. Not every book is for every reader, and that's OK.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Fields was a bit too much for me. Riley Fisher, with a new promotion under her belt, is in charge of the investigation of the gruesome death of a woman found in the middle of a corn field, a woman who was Riley’s friend when they were teenagers.
Too much:
Backstory: Riley was friends with the woman, but there’s also another more tenuous personal connection to the case. I’m not a fan of dwelling on backstories and if this is actually the first of the series and relied so heavily on Riley’s past, I’m not sure I want to read the next.
Gruesome details: I read a lot of mysteries. The details here made me flinch and were just gross. For me they were over the top, and not in an enjoyable way.
Bad decisions: The detectives in books like this always make some questionable decisions, and Riley is no exception. There are also some decisions that put a child in danger, which always bothers me. That’s part of the reason I prefer my books without kids, even teenagers.
Preaching: Yes, corporate agriculture is driving out small farms, but The Fields is less than subtle in its viewpoint, so much so that it takes away from the actual plot.
Politics: I didn’t realize from the blurb that this was going to have so much politics involved. I may have avoided it had I known.
It sounds like I hated the book. I didn’t. It was compelling and I was never tempted to DNF it. Riley is a good character, tenacious, smart, and committed, trying to do the best she can.
Too much:
Backstory: Riley was friends with the woman, but there’s also another more tenuous personal connection to the case. I’m not a fan of dwelling on backstories and if this is actually the first of the series and relied so heavily on Riley’s past, I’m not sure I want to read the next.
Gruesome details: I read a lot of mysteries. The details here made me flinch and were just gross. For me they were over the top, and not in an enjoyable way.
Bad decisions: The detectives in books like this always make some questionable decisions, and Riley is no exception. There are also some decisions that put a child in danger, which always bothers me. That’s part of the reason I prefer my books without kids, even teenagers.
Preaching: Yes, corporate agriculture is driving out small farms, but The Fields is less than subtle in its viewpoint, so much so that it takes away from the actual plot.
Politics: I didn’t realize from the blurb that this was going to have so much politics involved. I may have avoided it had I known.
It sounds like I hated the book. I didn’t. It was compelling and I was never tempted to DNF it. Riley is a good character, tenacious, smart, and committed, trying to do the best she can.
There was what seemed like an unnecessary amount of characters involved, which made the story confusing for me to follow. This is super gory and grotesque, so be warned going in!! The plot is twisted and certainly thrilling, even if the ending isn't super happy. While it was a good book, it certainly wasn't enjoyable for me.
Iowa is known for its corn and when a young woman is found dead in a small town corn field, the town is an uproar. What impact will this have on the perception of the organic farm where she was discovered? With big tech breathing down the necks of smaller farms, the police are pushed to quickly solve the case. The local detectives start to uncover much more to the initial murder when more bodies appear. Will they be able to stop the murderer not only before more murders take place but also before more damage to livelihood is done?
The Fields is 342 pages long and took me three days to read.
As someone who has seen their fair share of corn, I really enjoyed the backdrop of this story. I’m giving this a 4 out of five! The location felt like it’s own character in the story and me even more excited to know this will be a series!!
Thank you, Flatiron Books, for sending me this copy!
Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!
Lacey
The Fields is 342 pages long and took me three days to read.
As someone who has seen their fair share of corn, I really enjoyed the backdrop of this story. I’m giving this a 4 out of five! The location felt like it’s own character in the story and me even more excited to know this will be a series!!
Thank you, Flatiron Books, for sending me this copy!
Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel!
Lacey
A good story
This book had a good story and a good premise for it. However I think it took a little too long to get to the point of what was happening. I have no doubt that large corporate Ag is corrupt, just like slot of other corporations. I feel that that aspect could have developed a little sooner.
This book had a good story and a good premise for it. However I think it took a little too long to get to the point of what was happening. I have no doubt that large corporate Ag is corrupt, just like slot of other corporations. I feel that that aspect could have developed a little sooner.
A thriller set in the heartland of the United States, against a backdrop of Big Agriculture, corporate malfeasance and government corruption. When a young woman is found brutally murdered in a corn field, shady figures move in to protect their business and political interests. She is only the first of multiple to die – is there a serial killer on their hands, or is there something even more nefarious hiding in the shadows?
This novel touches on topical dialogues around GMO crops, with the local Big Bad a Monsanto stand-in with its consolidation of family farms and their seed strains. The premise ended up being fairly far-fetched, but it certainly made the point it was trying to. Overall, I enjoyed this novel for its portrayal of the struggles that smaller farms and cooperatives face, while not vilifying farmers who are simply choosing to survive.
This novel touches on topical dialogues around GMO crops, with the local Big Bad a Monsanto stand-in with its consolidation of family farms and their seed strains. The premise ended up being fairly far-fetched, but it certainly made the point it was trying to. Overall, I enjoyed this novel for its portrayal of the struggles that smaller farms and cooperatives face, while not vilifying farmers who are simply choosing to survive.
Love reading a book that takes place in Iowa (cedar falls/ Waterloo area)! A lot of familiarity for me in the location, people, situations, and all of the corn which made me enjoy this book even more. Thriller/ who done it/ cop drama. I did not figure out this book, which would be tough to do as it’s a bit far fetched. Enjoyable read, Iowa friends I highly suggest it! Looking forward to book 2 (which I believe is in Des Moines)!
There were cornfields, bodies, a Past, political conspiracies, GM crops....
I know a few people found this too graphic on the gore descriptions, but I think I listen to too many true crime podcasts to really notice.
I enjoyed the read and the various intertwined plots, but given that I'm doing this review after however many weeks, and I had to read other reviews to remember the plot, I think I can say that it was a good read, but not a memorable one.
Ooh ooh I just remembered the end! I'm intrigued enough to read the next one in the set!
I know a few people found this too graphic on the gore descriptions, but I think I listen to too many true crime podcasts to really notice.
I enjoyed the read and the various intertwined plots, but given that I'm doing this review after however many weeks, and I had to read other reviews to remember the plot, I think I can say that it was a good read, but not a memorable one.
Ooh ooh I just remembered the end! I'm intrigued enough to read the next one in the set!