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ayane's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
lucie_the_reader's review against another edition
4.0
First, really, the narrator for Julie and her Russian accent for Polish policeman was hilarious. For all the people who know nothing about Europe and its countries, WE DO NOT HAVE ALL RUSSIAN ACCENTS WHEN WE SPEAK ENGLISH! :D
Second, really enjoyable story but you could guess who it is from early on in the book.
Second, really enjoyable story but you could guess who it is from early on in the book.
laurenmamie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jeaniehealy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.25
honestmamreader's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing debut novel by Vicki Bradley. She is currently taking a break from her career as a detective constable to concentrate on writing, and her experience in the police force comes through in spades within this story.
Before I Say I Do is told through two points of view. That of Julia Talbot, the bride. And Alanna Loxton the police officer. Both are fantastic female characters, that are written so well. It's Julia's wedding day and she's full of excitement and enthusiasm for the day ahead. But, even as she speaks there's just a hint that Julia is hiding something.
When she turns up to the service, all is not as it should be. Mark, her groom is missing. Has he had cold feet? Is he just late? Or is there something more sinister? Well, it's a psychological thriller, so the latter is obviously the conclusion. Julia and Alanna are desperate to uncover the truth.
Bradley sure knows how to ramp up the tension, the start of this book is very sedate compared to the rest of the action packed narrative. Once Mark goes missing and the investigation starts to open up questions. This is when we get to see that maybe Julia isn't all that she seems to be. Interspersed in the story is past narrative of a murdered young girl. Are these two stories connected? The way Bradley has weaved this mystery is just genius. I was second guessing myself all the way. Even when I thought I had it sussed out, along came a twist to make me gasp out loud.
Can I just add here that I hope there are more books featuring Alanna Loxton in the pipeline. The chemistry between her and her partner needs to be developed further, and of course they need a juicy investigation to deal with maybe involving a leak
Before I Say I Do is told through two points of view. That of Julia Talbot, the bride. And Alanna Loxton the police officer. Both are fantastic female characters, that are written so well. It's Julia's wedding day and she's full of excitement and enthusiasm for the day ahead. But, even as she speaks there's just a hint that Julia is hiding something.
When she turns up to the service, all is not as it should be. Mark, her groom is missing. Has he had cold feet? Is he just late? Or is there something more sinister? Well, it's a psychological thriller, so the latter is obviously the conclusion. Julia and Alanna are desperate to uncover the truth.
Bradley sure knows how to ramp up the tension, the start of this book is very sedate compared to the rest of the action packed narrative. Once Mark goes missing and the investigation starts to open up questions. This is when we get to see that maybe Julia isn't all that she seems to be. Interspersed in the story is past narrative of a murdered young girl. Are these two stories connected? The way Bradley has weaved this mystery is just genius. I was second guessing myself all the way. Even when I thought I had it sussed out, along came a twist to make me gasp out loud.
Can I just add here that I hope there are more books featuring Alanna Loxton in the pipeline. The chemistry between her and her partner needs to be developed further, and of course they need a juicy investigation to deal with maybe involving a leak
meganj0107's review against another edition
5.0
I had forgotten how much I love police procedural style thrillers, and reading this just made me fall in love with them all over again. This book had me intrigued from the very first pages, and I devoured it in only a couple of sittings. It was filled with twists and turns, and I didn't see any of it coming until it was too late. Every time I started to think I had bits of it figured out, a twist would happen, or another detail would be revealed, and I'd realise I had had it wrong all along. The plot was amazing and so well-crafted. There were so many different storylines going on and though I definitely wasn't even close to figuring it out, I never found it overly complicated or too confusing to keep up with. I think it is a real skill to be able to dupe a reader and keep them guessing whilst still making every aspect completely accessible, rather than just baffling them completely with an over-the-top, outlandish solution. And it is so tense! It is definitely a dark book, and at some points a little chilling, but it just made it impossible to put down and I loved it.
I loved the use of multiple perspectives and occasional jumps in time in this novel. It worked really well at slowly leaking details to the reader from different angles, but not enough for them to quite grasp the answer. It also kept the pace going nicely as each chapter ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger or revelation, and then it would switch to a different perspective, making you want to keep reading to get back to the first perspective, and then that chapter would end on a cliff-hanger, and it ends up being impossible to put down.
The writing style was also amazing. There was a brilliant balance between inviting details and hints about the case but not giving too much away either. I don't like excessive amounts of detail in thrillers, which seems to be a feature of many police procedurals, where every minute detail is honed in on. The weighting of description and pacing was perfect for me. I could also really tell the difference between the different characters and never got confused between them, despite the switching narrators. It made for a really fast-paced and heart-pounding read, as I always find that if I don't get on with a writing style, I lose my ability to read it quickly!
It was also amazing that I managed to root for all the characters, even though I didn't necessarily like them. They were flawed, complex characters that at times were a little annoying, and yet I still found myself wanted them to come out on top. There were some very tense chapters in the book, where the welfare of all the characters is not certain, and I was really stressed for them, even though I hadn't really liked them as a character! There was only one very small 'meh' moment for me but I won't reveal it because *spoilers* but it was very minute and I easily overlooked it because of my love for everything else!
Before I Say I Do is a debut psychological thriller that I will recommend to everyone! It is equally perfect for people trying to get into the genre and those that have been loving thrillers for years. It is a heart-racing, fast-paced thriller that twists and turns in ways you won't see coming, and I highly recommend you buy it now!
I loved the use of multiple perspectives and occasional jumps in time in this novel. It worked really well at slowly leaking details to the reader from different angles, but not enough for them to quite grasp the answer. It also kept the pace going nicely as each chapter ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger or revelation, and then it would switch to a different perspective, making you want to keep reading to get back to the first perspective, and then that chapter would end on a cliff-hanger, and it ends up being impossible to put down.
The writing style was also amazing. There was a brilliant balance between inviting details and hints about the case but not giving too much away either. I don't like excessive amounts of detail in thrillers, which seems to be a feature of many police procedurals, where every minute detail is honed in on. The weighting of description and pacing was perfect for me. I could also really tell the difference between the different characters and never got confused between them, despite the switching narrators. It made for a really fast-paced and heart-pounding read, as I always find that if I don't get on with a writing style, I lose my ability to read it quickly!
It was also amazing that I managed to root for all the characters, even though I didn't necessarily like them. They were flawed, complex characters that at times were a little annoying, and yet I still found myself wanted them to come out on top. There were some very tense chapters in the book, where the welfare of all the characters is not certain, and I was really stressed for them, even though I hadn't really liked them as a character! There was only one very small 'meh' moment for me but I won't reveal it because *spoilers* but it was very minute and I easily overlooked it because of my love for everything else!
Before I Say I Do is a debut psychological thriller that I will recommend to everyone! It is equally perfect for people trying to get into the genre and those that have been loving thrillers for years. It is a heart-racing, fast-paced thriller that twists and turns in ways you won't see coming, and I highly recommend you buy it now!
jinxiesx's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit.
WHY AREN’T MORE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS?
It’s one of the best thriller mystery stories, I’ve ever read. I absolutely love it. Without spoiling too much, the amount of suspects and twist and turns. It keeps you guessing and you will never ever get it. It’s absolutely amazingly written. All the characters are well written and understood.
I love going between the police and the fiancé as well as the random looks at the past. Also looking at the police lowkey being stalked by her ex boyfriend.
The whole thing is a beautiful mess in the best way possible.
WHY AREN’T MORE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS?
It’s one of the best thriller mystery stories, I’ve ever read. I absolutely love it. Without spoiling too much, the amount of suspects and twist and turns. It keeps you guessing and you will never ever get it. It’s absolutely amazingly written. All the characters are well written and understood.
I love going between the police and the fiancé as well as the random looks at the past. Also looking at the police lowkey being stalked by her ex boyfriend.
The whole thing is a beautiful mess in the best way possible.
siobhanreads28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
jaydoingstuff's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
perfectly enjoyable, couldn't put it down but I don't think it'll stick in my mind forever