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thain's review against another edition
4.0
Unusual if somewhat implausible premise of a missing girl's sister embarking on a road trip through Texas with a senile suspected serial killer in hopes of elicting the truth. Evocative in mood and setting, with the man's old photographs used as an interesting narrative device.
dorhastings's review against another edition
3.0
I have a really hard time rating this book. I wanted to take into consideration my reading of the entire book. I didn't get really interested until probably the last 20% of the book. Does that 20% override my feelings about the first 80% of the book? I don't think so. Overall the flight was kind of confusing and could have crashed, but the landing was surprisingly good.
I just didn't find that first 80% to be super engaging. And even though I liked the last 20%, I felt the epilogue was wrapped up a little too neatly. In the end, I found the underlying storyline, the reason behind the book, and the stunning revelations, to be interesting and really neat.
EDIT: After meeting with my book club, I'm adjusting my rating from 2 stars to 3. I still had a difficult time getting through this book, which I think has a lot to do with my own impatience than anything else (which, again, feels relevant to what I mentioned in the spoilers). But I think the main reason I updated my rating is due to the protagonist, who goes to extreme measures to find out about her sister's death. Her preparations fall through almost instantly in a way that makes her seem... relatable and human. She's not perfect, she's not a detective, and she's not a Marvel superhero. And yet her perseverance (while almost over-the-top) is mighty and even a little inspiring.
I just didn't find that first 80% to be super engaging. And even though I liked the last 20%, I felt the epilogue was wrapped up a little too neatly. In the end, I found the underlying storyline, the reason behind the book, and the stunning revelations, to be interesting and really neat.
Spoiler
I also think there's a larger point to be made about dementia, scary as it is, that's intriguing. I don't know if more direct inclusion of dementia would have been the right call. I just think I appreciate it more at the end, and it perhaps tells me something about my own impatience with the characters throughout the book.EDIT: After meeting with my book club, I'm adjusting my rating from 2 stars to 3. I still had a difficult time getting through this book, which I think has a lot to do with my own impatience than anything else (which, again, feels relevant to what I mentioned in the spoilers). But I think the main reason I updated my rating is due to the protagonist, who goes to extreme measures to find out about her sister's death. Her preparations fall through almost instantly in a way that makes her seem... relatable and human. She's not perfect, she's not a detective, and she's not a Marvel superhero. And yet her perseverance (while almost over-the-top) is mighty and even a little inspiring.
kennaellis's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I have read recently. Totally unpredictable twists and continues until the ending.
Outstandingly written!
Outstandingly written!
ahartschuh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
cservat129's review against another edition
4.0
This is a well written psychological thriller that had me practically inhaling it in one sitting. The plot was well written and the characters were so well developed they could be real people! I loved this book and look forward to this authors next book.
allisonmaisch's review against another edition
4.0
not the ending i thought it would have and it almost felt like a sudden, crashing end that didn’t build up in the typical way. also, you didn’t find out the main character’s name until the very end. not spooky but a good amount of suspense!
thebrunettebookjunkie's review against another edition
5.0
I'm currently campaigning to be the president of the Julia Heaberlin Fan Club! Vote for me;)
I found the plot of Paper Ghosts to be ridiculously exciting. So much so that every time I fell asleep after reading it before bed, I dreamt vividly of the characters. I mean, what's more exciting yet anxiety inducing than a road trip with a suspected serial killer. Well, that's what our main character finds herself doing as she's pinpointed Carl, an acquited, maybe serial killer with dementia, as the man responsible for her sister's disappearance and probable murder, years ago. However, Carl has a list of demands and he's brought along a few passengers only he can see. Will she be able to untangle his mind and find answers once and for all or has Carl been playing her all along?
Witty writing, intense storytelling, characters that feel real, mixed with a little bit of dark and twisty puts Paper Ghosts ahead of other thrillers but on par for Julia's other books. I felt like I was reading the plot for a really bizarre ID Channel show. Woman goes on a road trip with an aging and befuddled serial killer in search of answers to her sister's long ago disappearance. I mean, with a tagline like that, who wouldn't watch ... Or read. So do it! You won't be disappointed.
I found the plot of Paper Ghosts to be ridiculously exciting. So much so that every time I fell asleep after reading it before bed, I dreamt vividly of the characters. I mean, what's more exciting yet anxiety inducing than a road trip with a suspected serial killer. Well, that's what our main character finds herself doing as she's pinpointed Carl, an acquited, maybe serial killer with dementia, as the man responsible for her sister's disappearance and probable murder, years ago. However, Carl has a list of demands and he's brought along a few passengers only he can see. Will she be able to untangle his mind and find answers once and for all or has Carl been playing her all along?
Witty writing, intense storytelling, characters that feel real, mixed with a little bit of dark and twisty puts Paper Ghosts ahead of other thrillers but on par for Julia's other books. I felt like I was reading the plot for a really bizarre ID Channel show. Woman goes on a road trip with an aging and befuddled serial killer in search of answers to her sister's long ago disappearance. I mean, with a tagline like that, who wouldn't watch ... Or read. So do it! You won't be disappointed.
booklovewithmelanie's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of this book hooked me from the beginning. Loved the introduction of Barfly, it made our narrator develop deeper feelings for everything (and everyone) around her. The pictures throughout the book are lovely and eerie at the same time. I absolutely loved the way it ended and was pieced together of what and who she became in life because of all of this.
Thank you to Random House publishing -Ballantine books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Random House publishing -Ballantine books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
shkrueger1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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
3.75