shellysbookcorner's review
3.0
*Amazon Vine*
I wouldn’t classify this book as a suspense novel. We do have women being killed in this story but the book focuses heavily (imo) on how society views and treats women. I felt like the murders were secondary and the main focus was about Clara and Lily finding themselves and starting over. The story also details the decline of Atlantic City due to drugs and prostitution. I did like that we got points of views from all the victims. The author does give you a vivid description to detail which I enjoyed but at times I felt this story was long and lackluster.
I wouldn’t classify this book as a suspense novel. We do have women being killed in this story but the book focuses heavily (imo) on how society views and treats women. I felt like the murders were secondary and the main focus was about Clara and Lily finding themselves and starting over. The story also details the decline of Atlantic City due to drugs and prostitution. I did like that we got points of views from all the victims. The author does give you a vivid description to detail which I enjoyed but at times I felt this story was long and lackluster.
aschae's review
5.0
What an incredible debut novel! Following the unlikely friendship of two women, both struggling to move forward with their lives while living in a dying Atlantic City. Women are disappearing and Clara and Lily are searching for answers and trying to stay safe. Two women with very different stories yet they both grew up in Atlantic City and want nothing more than to break free of the curse of this fallen city.
As a former Atlantic City vacationer, I was intrigued just reading the title description and it made the read that much more enjoyable as I was able to imagine and remember places mentioned in the book.
A real edge of your seat kind of book - I found myself so invested in these character's stories and I struggled to put it down. Incredibly tragic and sad stories of women who were never able to break free of the shady side of this city and never seemed to have a fighting chance. My heart ached for each of them - broken women and their stories. All held back by something or someone in their lives, just trying to get beyond this crumbling boardwalk. Fabulous book - HIGHLY recommended!!
As a former Atlantic City vacationer, I was intrigued just reading the title description and it made the read that much more enjoyable as I was able to imagine and remember places mentioned in the book.
A real edge of your seat kind of book - I found myself so invested in these character's stories and I struggled to put it down. Incredibly tragic and sad stories of women who were never able to break free of the shady side of this city and never seemed to have a fighting chance. My heart ached for each of them - broken women and their stories. All held back by something or someone in their lives, just trying to get beyond this crumbling boardwalk. Fabulous book - HIGHLY recommended!!
cottleo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jasper_a's review
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
what a solid novel. i loved how evocative Mullen's writing was.. everything was visceral, almost tangible, as dark as that may be.. it added to my investment to the story and the characters. certainly hard to put down. and oddly i feel that there was room for say 30-50 more pages toward the latter half of the novel; in some ways the ending felt.. not rushed but sudden. i would recommend this to anyone with an added trigger warning of violence toward women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Physical abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Murder
saralynnburnett's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric, haunting novel! I read this right after reading [b:These Women|52218375|These Women|Ivy Pochoda|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572991671l/52218375._SY75_.jpg|73010435] because of the similar topics (sex workers being targeted by a serial killer) and each novel has its own awesome style. In Please See Us I especially enjoyed that the victims have their own stories, told through chapters titled Jane 1, Jane 2 etc.
This novel has en epic plot, yes, but the setting is SO GOOD I would have read the book in a sitting for that alone. Crumbling Atlantic City, the seedy boardwalk, the elderly at the slot machines (for real, if you've been to AC you know what I'm talking about. More walkers and motorized chairs than anywhere on earth I think, and they bring them in by the busload), a janky motel outside of town, a reedy marsh, Clara's psychic lounge with its crystals and tarot cards, Lily's new job at a casino hotel spa--it's all here!
Highly recommend especially if you're looking for a suspenseful, thrilling read.
This novel has en epic plot, yes, but the setting is SO GOOD I would have read the book in a sitting for that alone. Crumbling Atlantic City, the seedy boardwalk, the elderly at the slot machines (for real, if you've been to AC you know what I'm talking about. More walkers and motorized chairs than anywhere on earth I think, and they bring them in by the busload), a janky motel outside of town, a reedy marsh, Clara's psychic lounge with its crystals and tarot cards, Lily's new job at a casino hotel spa--it's all here!
Highly recommend especially if you're looking for a suspenseful, thrilling read.
jensen1's review
3.0
I got this book from a Gallery Books GR giveaway- thanks so much for the opportunity to read! While I though the premise was interesting, I felt this was an extremely slow paced novel. It was so slow, that most of the time I mixed up Clara and Lily while reading. The two main characters didn’t have much personality. I looked forward to the “perspectives” of the Jane Does- I think that should have been more of a focal point rather than scattered here and there. Overall had a tough time really getting into the book, but it wasn’t bad.
gabby_lee's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sonia_reppe's review
5.0
Two young women trying to make a living in the dying economy of Atlantic City: Clara is a psychic who has puzzling, disturbing visions, Lily is an artist flameout working at a spa whom Clara goes to for help.
I loved the strong sense of place, the oppressively sultry heat of summer on the boardwalk. The claustrophobic setting looms over everybody; signs of the shriveled, dead-end city are everywhere; and there is a serial killer who is leaving his victims - women- in the marsh. Their spirits cry out every few chapters, hoping to be found.
Clara, a teenager, is not sure she can trust her visions, and meanwhile her aunt/guardian is pushing her into being an escort in order to make ends meet. Clara and Lily are likable characters who are surrounded by shady people. Gritty content, strong writing, atmospheric and claustrophobic.
I loved the strong sense of place, the oppressively sultry heat of summer on the boardwalk. The claustrophobic setting looms over everybody; signs of the shriveled, dead-end city are everywhere; and there is a serial killer who is leaving his victims - women- in the marsh. Their spirits cry out every few chapters, hoping to be found.
Clara, a teenager, is not sure she can trust her visions, and meanwhile her aunt/guardian is pushing her into being an escort in order to make ends meet. Clara and Lily are likable characters who are surrounded by shady people. Gritty content, strong writing, atmospheric and claustrophobic.