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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first couple of chapters sum this book up pretty effectively. We're introduced to Reverend Jack Brooks at the same time as several of the local yokels in the village, all of whom react to Jack with surprise. The chapter ends with Jack's daughter calling her "mum," and we realize that, oh snap, Jack was a LADY all the time! That's the trick this book uses over and over again: pointlessly concealing information for the sake of manufacturing a moment of surprise.
I also have to say, there was a moment early on in the novel where I speculated about a solution to the mystery, only to discard it as being too stupid to be possible. By the end of the book I learned that being stupid is no impediment to something being a plot point. There are three different stories pulling in different directions the whole time, and none of them really amount to anything interesting. Not particularly recommended.
NB: I've noticed that several of the top Goodreads reviews of this book as I write this open with a quote from the book, which is actually a character in the book quoting the film "The Usual Suspects." I think that nicely encapsulates both the quality of "The Burning Girls" and also the value of the typical Goodreads review.
I also have to say, there was a moment early on in the novel where I speculated about a solution to the mystery, only to discard it as being too stupid to be possible. By the end of the book I learned that being stupid is no impediment to something being a plot point. There are three different stories pulling in different directions the whole time, and none of them really amount to anything interesting. Not particularly recommended.
NB: I've noticed that several of the top Goodreads reviews of this book as I write this open with a quote from the book, which is actually a character in the book quoting the film "The Usual Suspects." I think that nicely encapsulates both the quality of "The Burning Girls" and also the value of the typical Goodreads review.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm all for a good twist, but this was more twists than I could keep up with
I can see why it's been adapted to a series and, honestly, think it will work a lot better in that format than as a book. I enjoyed it and it was a fast and fun read but given the first person narrative from Jack, the "big twist" felt super weird (and also was broadcast way too early and often). The first person narrative for just her character is intended to make us feel closest to her (I assume) but then when the Merry reveal starts to become obvious it feels like something she would have thought about during all these chapters and moving back to Chapel Cross and...it just didn't work for me.
Fun and spooky and with the remove from the character's internal dialogue, I bet the series adaptation will be super fun.
Fun and spooky and with the remove from the character's internal dialogue, I bet the series adaptation will be super fun.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
SO MANY TWISTS! I couldn't put this book down.
Things I liked:
- Jack is an immediately likeable protagonist. I want a whole series of her and Flo solving mysteries.
- The relationship between Jack and Flo is #goals, their banter is great, I love them
- The text treats religion with nuance: there are good and bad religious people, religion can be a meaningful and helpful part of someone's life or it can lead people to do and justify horrible things.
- England is a good place to have murders. (In fiction.)
Things I didn't like:
- Some of the representation - of Black characters, disability, and LGBTQ people - struck me as questionable. Enough to raise an eyebrow. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I would like to read another of CJ Tudor's books to see if this is a thing for her.
Things I liked:
- Jack is an immediately likeable protagonist. I want a whole series of her and Flo solving mysteries.
- The relationship between Jack and Flo is #goals, their banter is great, I love them
- The text treats religion with nuance: there are good and bad religious people, religion can be a meaningful and helpful part of someone's life or it can lead people to do and justify horrible things.
- England is a good place to have murders. (In fiction.)
Things I didn't like:
Spoiler
- Some of the representation - of Black characters, disability, and LGBTQ people - struck me as questionable. Enough to raise an eyebrow. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I would like to read another of CJ Tudor's books to see if this is a thing for her.