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rosemaryfay's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
not gonna lie, this whole book was very "cool motive, still murder". I don't really care about the nun and priest, they can rot.
nan... is maximally unlikable despite her very tragic past. I honestly would have respected the author more if she'd leaned into the assholeness of nans actions and relationship.
also, I agree with other reviewers that the narration is Bad. lots of "i imagine" interspersed with random 3rd person interludes and odd side characters that make the plot feel even MORE contrived than it already is. I really really wish the author had just picked one. Honestly, if Nan wasn't the narrator, this book would probably improve by at least 1 star.
I will not be reading another book by this author any time soon.
nan... is maximally unlikable despite her very tragic past. I honestly would have respected the author more if she'd leaned into the assholeness of nans actions and relationship.
also, I agree with other reviewers that the narration is Bad. lots of "i imagine" interspersed with random 3rd person interludes and odd side characters that make the plot feel even MORE contrived than it already is. I really really wish the author had just picked one. Honestly, if Nan wasn't the narrator, this book would probably improve by at least 1 star.
I will not be reading another book by this author any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Pregnancy, Child death, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Suicide
big old content warning for the horrors unmarried pregnant people faced from nuns and preists in Ireland.passionatereader78's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a twisted tale of love! What does a woman do when her husband leaves her for his mistress? She disappears and uncovers a horrible past act that has impacted her future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Death, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Trafficking, War, Sexual violence, and Torture
edhyndman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Sexual assault, Child death, and Child abuse
lhodgson26's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
readingisadoingword's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was not exactly what I had expected.
By using Agatha Christie in the title and alluding to her infamous disappearance, I expected a fictionalised version of what happened to Agatha during this time. What I got however was the story of Nan O'Dea.
Nan's story was one of hard times, unfortunate circumstances and the suffocating judgment of women's conduct in the inter-war years. A "star-crossed" love affair and her sweetheart's illness change the course of her life, leaving her with a deep grief and an all encompassing obsession.
Nan's story was engaging and heart wrenching and would have stood on its own two feet without the inclusion of Agatha Christie.
Christie's disappearance feels somewhat shoe-horned in, as does the very briefly skimmed over murder mystery.
I think this is what didn't sit well with me - there was no need for Nan's story to be told through this medium.
I did like the relationships in the book: the friendships between the different women, the somewhat unsentimental view of marriage and the not so happy every after ending.
The narrative style was unsettling . The story is told through Nan's voice as if she were an omniscient narrator, whereas she recognises herself that she isn't. Her asides throughout drew me out of the story somewhat and it was occasionally hard to keep track.
The ultimate question surrounding Teddy remains essentially unanswered and I wasn't a fan of that ambiguity. I felt the reader needed a definite resolution to know whether Nan's ploys and sacrifices had been worth it.
So if you want a story about how young, pregnant, unmarried women were treated in the inter war years (in Ireland in particular) and the lengths they may go to for revenge and resolution, than this the book for you.
If you want a story about Agatha Christie and her disappearance then ... not so much.
I received this as an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
By using Agatha Christie in the title and alluding to her infamous disappearance, I expected a fictionalised version of what happened to Agatha during this time. What I got however was the story of Nan O'Dea.
Nan's story was one of hard times, unfortunate circumstances and the suffocating judgment of women's conduct in the inter-war years. A "star-crossed" love affair and her sweetheart's illness change the course of her life, leaving her with a deep grief and an all encompassing obsession.
Nan's story was engaging and heart wrenching and would have stood on its own two feet without the inclusion of Agatha Christie.
Christie's disappearance feels somewhat shoe-horned in, as does the very briefly skimmed over murder mystery.
I think this is what didn't sit well with me - there was no need for Nan's story to be told through this medium.
I did like the relationships in the book: the friendships between the different women, the somewhat unsentimental view of marriage and the not so happy every after ending.
The narrative style was unsettling . The story is told through Nan's voice as if she were an omniscient narrator, whereas she recognises herself that she isn't. Her asides throughout drew me out of the story somewhat and it was occasionally hard to keep track.
The ultimate question surrounding Teddy remains essentially unanswered and I wasn't a fan of that ambiguity. I felt the reader needed a definite resolution to know whether Nan's ploys and sacrifices had been worth it.
So if you want a story about how young, pregnant, unmarried women were treated in the inter war years (in Ireland in particular) and the lengths they may go to for revenge and resolution, than this the book for you.
If you want a story about Agatha Christie and her disappearance then ... not so much.
I received this as an ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
roden5's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Rape
dorsetreader's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
tinamoo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.0
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fictional story of the disappearance of Agatha Christie. I was so excited about the premise of this book as it is a mystery that does really fascinate me. It is also a mystery that frustrates me as I know we will never find out the truth. I thought that this would be a really fun take on the mystery but unfortunately it wasn’t.
The story covered much heavier topics than I was expecting. It didn’t always keep my attention and I felt it jumped from one character to another without warning. At times I thought I was reading about Nan (the mistress) but it was actually Agatha and vice versa. Although I am certain that the events covered in the more hard hitting parts of the book did happen, I felt it wasn’t really believable within the context of the story of Agatha. Christie’s disappearance
This is the fictional story of the disappearance of Agatha Christie. I was so excited about the premise of this book as it is a mystery that does really fascinate me. It is also a mystery that frustrates me as I know we will never find out the truth. I thought that this would be a really fun take on the mystery but unfortunately it wasn’t.
The story covered much heavier topics than I was expecting. It didn’t always keep my attention and I felt it jumped from one character to another without warning. At times I thought I was reading about Nan (the mistress) but it was actually Agatha and vice versa. Although I am certain that the events covered in the more hard hitting parts of the book did happen, I felt it wasn’t really believable within the context of the story of Agatha. Christie’s disappearance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
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