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litwithleigh's review
3.0
Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are very honest.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot :3/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
True crime podcast Cal Lovett is sent to find out what happened to Layla in 1986, triggering unfriendly memories of his own sister's disappearance.
MY OPINION
Canelo is my Honda Civic Reliable publisher. They reliably publish well-written books; I think I've only DNF'd one from them. This book was no different – the writing quality was on brand for them, BUT unfortunately this one fell a little short. It kinda find like a debut, which it isn't. The ingredients were there, but the measurements were wrong.
This is one of the rare cases where I struggle to find the words to why this didn't quite work for me. Not that I'm the most articulate person on this site, but I definitely bring the receipts, so I apologize if this one is a bit vague. But for one, I felt like it lacked the emotional punch I expect from this type of prose. It was clear the author was trying to make us feel Cal's pain for his missing sister Margot, but I don't think she painted us a clear enough image of who Margot was and their relationship to feel his pain. However, there are some emotional scenes between Cal and his daughter – I wish the author had carried that kind of storytelling over the rest of the book.
While Layla's flashbacks were interesting, I didn't feel any suspense as we move between her past and Cal trying to solve the case in the present. It seemed rather easy/convenient how everything came together. Also, if Cal's whole ass career is true crime podcasting, how can this one little case which bore no resemblance (at least not explicitly) to his sister's, be so triggering?
Although I'm not emotionally invested or super curious about what happened to Margot, I do like the writing enough to continue with this series. Sometimes the first book in a series can be its weakest, so I'm curious to see if the author finds her stride in book #2. The excerpt was quite intriguing. Regardless of this wishy washy plot, it's clear that Canelo has a knack for finding talented authors.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, scenes with his daughter put me in my feels
Cons: uneven pacing, failed to get emotionally attached to Cal's struggles with his sisters disappearance
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot :3/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
True crime podcast Cal Lovett is sent to find out what happened to Layla in 1986, triggering unfriendly memories of his own sister's disappearance.
MY OPINION
Canelo is my Honda Civic Reliable publisher. They reliably publish well-written books; I think I've only DNF'd one from them. This book was no different – the writing quality was on brand for them, BUT unfortunately this one fell a little short. It kinda find like a debut, which it isn't. The ingredients were there, but the measurements were wrong.
This is one of the rare cases where I struggle to find the words to why this didn't quite work for me. Not that I'm the most articulate person on this site, but I definitely bring the receipts, so I apologize if this one is a bit vague. But for one, I felt like it lacked the emotional punch I expect from this type of prose. It was clear the author was trying to make us feel Cal's pain for his missing sister Margot, but I don't think she painted us a clear enough image of who Margot was and their relationship to feel his pain. However, there are some emotional scenes between Cal and his daughter – I wish the author had carried that kind of storytelling over the rest of the book.
While Layla's flashbacks were interesting, I didn't feel any suspense as we move between her past and Cal trying to solve the case in the present. It seemed rather easy/convenient how everything came together. Also, if Cal's whole ass career is true crime podcasting, how can this one little case which bore no resemblance (at least not explicitly) to his sister's, be so triggering?
Although I'm not emotionally invested or super curious about what happened to Margot, I do like the writing enough to continue with this series. Sometimes the first book in a series can be its weakest, so I'm curious to see if the author finds her stride in book #2. The excerpt was quite intriguing. Regardless of this wishy washy plot, it's clear that Canelo has a knack for finding talented authors.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, scenes with his daughter put me in my feels
Cons: uneven pacing, failed to get emotionally attached to Cal's struggles with his sisters disappearance
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
nicolac's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
mstapel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
catherineamerica's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
whatmolreads's review
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! It isn’t confusing as it is clear when switching POVs. It was so gripping it was hard to put down. Lots of twists and turns of the story. I will be getting Unburied when it is out!
amicarlton's review
4.0
This haunting crime thriller is hard to put down and will keep you turning to pages wondering what happened and if you’ll ever find out.
This is a very compelling crime drama that’s hard to put down. You’re drawn right along with Cal and into his obsession with finding out what has happened to the various women and girls in the story. The stories will probably haunt you long after you turn the last page, and it’s easy to see how they could so easily take over Cal’s life. The author has developed a rich world and atmospheric setting that is so wonderful to picture, no matter how bad the circumstances. Our main character is a deeply flawed and injured hero, and he continuously makes choices that make it hard to sympathize with him. But he comes down just this side of likeable for the most part.
The relationships in the story are complicated and wonderfully developed. Each character is flawed in their own way and so incredibly human. This is an almost painful examination of the human condition and how tragedy and loss can affect day-to-day life forever. It says so much without directly coming out and saying it, and the author has done such a lovely job at presenting her case. The relationship between Cal and his family – both his born family and his chosen one – are done so well. I especially enjoyed his relationship with his daughter, and how it grew through the story.
I enjoy dual timeline stories when they’re done correctly, and this one was used well. It revealed things just as they were needed and not a moment before. While I easily suspected the answer to the main puzzle very early on, it wasn’t in a cliche or unpleasant way. And there were absolutely still surprises. The author kept me guessing on several points right up until the end, which is something I’m always grateful for in a mystery. I am so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for including me in this tour. I will absolutely keep my eye out for more of this series.
Who’s It For
Fans of true crime podcasts and gritty mystery novels alike will enjoy this book. Anyone who enjoyed “Only Murders in the Building,” might enjoy this book as well. Though, that series is a comedy, and this is definitely not comedic. It is a very serious, sometimes dark book.
Content Warnings: Graphic Violence Details, Suicidal Ideation, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Infidelity
First published (with some edits) at amorinacarlton.com.
This is a very compelling crime drama that’s hard to put down. You’re drawn right along with Cal and into his obsession with finding out what has happened to the various women and girls in the story. The stories will probably haunt you long after you turn the last page, and it’s easy to see how they could so easily take over Cal’s life. The author has developed a rich world and atmospheric setting that is so wonderful to picture, no matter how bad the circumstances. Our main character is a deeply flawed and injured hero, and he continuously makes choices that make it hard to sympathize with him. But he comes down just this side of likeable for the most part.
The relationships in the story are complicated and wonderfully developed. Each character is flawed in their own way and so incredibly human. This is an almost painful examination of the human condition and how tragedy and loss can affect day-to-day life forever. It says so much without directly coming out and saying it, and the author has done such a lovely job at presenting her case. The relationship between Cal and his family – both his born family and his chosen one – are done so well. I especially enjoyed his relationship with his daughter, and how it grew through the story.
I enjoy dual timeline stories when they’re done correctly, and this one was used well. It revealed things just as they were needed and not a moment before. While I easily suspected the answer to the main puzzle very early on, it wasn’t in a cliche or unpleasant way. And there were absolutely still surprises. The author kept me guessing on several points right up until the end, which is something I’m always grateful for in a mystery. I am so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for including me in this tour. I will absolutely keep my eye out for more of this series.
Who’s It For
Fans of true crime podcasts and gritty mystery novels alike will enjoy this book. Anyone who enjoyed “Only Murders in the Building,” might enjoy this book as well. Though, that series is a comedy, and this is definitely not comedic. It is a very serious, sometimes dark book.
Content Warnings: Graphic Violence Details, Suicidal Ideation, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Infidelity
First published (with some edits) at amorinacarlton.com.
randywgravitz's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
harronpeasley's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
alvin_the_bookworm's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75