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3.13 AVERAGE
3.13 AVERAGE
First work of Louise Candlish and I definitely struggled.Struggled on both the writing and the characters. I did apply some deduction techniques on who did it to whom and ended up a bit crushed. Then the second "incident" happened and I literally gave up knowing who is the innocent criminal here. I love the variation of course the layers of depth in each family but I never mind to dig deeper and only stay on how shallow they were. Forgive me but the characters especially Darren and Jodie were given an unfair amount of book time if you know what I mean.They were nasty THAT WAS TRUE.Somehow the complaints of the neighbors were valid and excusable but at least some well-rounded writing should do so as to give readers a glimpse of how Darren and Jodie fared in life or be given due process of law in a readers' perspective. But then this might be just this story and maybe if I read the other work of Candlish then maybe I could change my mind. Nevertheless the plot held a promise but it was just not fulfilled to my expectation.
This is a hard one - it was written well. Short chapters and moved quite quickly.
My problem with it is that I hated all the characters. I have to like someone when I read a book and all the characters in this just made me want to scream.
Because of that I couldn’t rate it higher.
Also it was not shocking. I could tel who has committed what crime before the revelation came. Which made it disappointing.
My problem with it is that I hated all the characters. I have to like someone when I read a book and all the characters in this just made me want to scream.
Because of that I couldn’t rate it higher.
Also it was not shocking. I could tel who has committed what crime before the revelation came. Which made it disappointing.
Unfortunately this book really wasn’t for me. I think the problem was I went into Thai book expecting something completely different to what i got. This isn’t a typical thriller, it’s a domestic thriller. Which after reading this I have confirm isn’t my favourite thing.
This book toke me a while to get into it but I definitely was interested in the plot. I liked the dynamics between the neighbours. I really disliked Naomi like really? Felt bad for Tessa. I also didn’t like Em either? I did like the writing though and the short chapters. Made the book really easy and fun to read.
I also really disliked the ending. It made no sense to me and was such an anticlimactic. I feel like what?? After I finished it. I also felt there were a few lose ends that didn’t get tied up. I just was underwhelmed by the ending.
Unfortunately this book just isn’t my thing. If you’re looking for a fun domestic thriller. This book could definitely be for you. But it just wasn’t for me
This book toke me a while to get into it but I definitely was interested in the plot. I liked the dynamics between the neighbours. I really disliked Naomi like really? Felt bad for Tessa. I also didn’t like Em either? I did like the writing though and the short chapters. Made the book really easy and fun to read.
I also really disliked the ending. It made no sense to me and was such an anticlimactic. I feel like what?? After I finished it. I also felt there were a few lose ends that didn’t get tied up. I just was underwhelmed by the ending.
Unfortunately this book just isn’t my thing. If you’re looking for a fun domestic thriller. This book could definitely be for you. But it just wasn’t for me
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s the third book of hers I’ve read, but I found it less interesting than the others. The premise was uncomfortable - which is fine - but unlike the other two I couldn’t find a character I really sympathised with. I also didn’t warm to the whole neighbourly chums thing. It didn’t feel that plausible to me.
I didn’t like Our House at all, so was a bit reluctant to try this new one. Glad I did. The story of a once seemingly peaceful community torn apart because of new neighbors is a perfect study of how a group and individuals break down when the stress of neighbors that don’t fit move on in.
The story was slow, like others have noted, but that’s how it goes when a crap neighbor moves in and refuses to play by the unspoken rules in the neighborhood. It’s a slow burn to hell, which Candlish paced just right. The only negative I have is that getting to the ending could have had more grief and neighborly trauma. The way Jodie is written at the end is completely at odds with her demeanor and behavior earlier in the book. I don’t mind being left hanging (you definitely find out who did what) at the end, it’s just that there was so much more potential for drama.
The story was slow, like others have noted, but that’s how it goes when a crap neighbor moves in and refuses to play by the unspoken rules in the neighborhood. It’s a slow burn to hell, which Candlish paced just right. The only negative I have is that getting to the ending could have had more grief and neighborly trauma. The way Jodie is written at the end is completely at odds with her demeanor and behavior earlier in the book. I don’t mind being left hanging (you definitely find out who did what) at the end, it’s just that there was so much more potential for drama.
It was okay but could have finished the storyline between 300 pages instead of dragging it too much.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Louise Candlish’s writing so this book was a real treat! You know from the start that something bad has happened on this street but you don’t know exactly what or who to. The novel then follows interviews and the perspectives from each of the neighbours and you gradually learn what has led to the awful incident that has happened. I loved this book! It takes place on a lovely, quiet street where everyone is friendly and considerate of each other. Then a new couple move in and they are selfish and seem determined to do what they want when they want no matter what. I loved how this novel made me really dislike the new couple at first (don’t we all live in fear of nightmare neighbours moving in next door?!) but as the novel went on I did feel there were times when the antagonising behaviour came from all sides and people were escalating things without realising what they were doing. This is a novel that kept me guessing and it definitely had shocks in store. I read this novel in one sitting as I just didn’t want to put it down until I knew how it was all going to turn out. I definitely recommend this one!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
I have very mixed feelings about this book. First, we have all had THOSE neighbors. Ms. Candlish made it easy to understand and sympathize with the predicament felt by the residents of Lowland Way. However, I am not sure they went about dealing with it the correct way. Though, I am also not sure it would have mattered. The result for the reader was a super long build up to the meat of the story. It seemed forever until we got to the event foreshadowed from the beginning of the book. And once it, and the follow up event, happened, the book felt too rushed and vague. While I constantly tout that I don't like books that spell everything out like the reader is a little kid, to go from extreme detail to generalizations and left open assumptions, it was a bit jarring. Needless to say, not all books hit it out of the park. This one didn't, though I did enjoy getting to know the characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.