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litwithleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Harper Collins Canada for the physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 2.5/5
THE PLOT
Six years ago, Andrew's wife Brie went missing and he became prime suspect numero uno. When Brie suddenly reappears, Andrew's life is sent into a tailspin. Is it really Brie? Where did she come from? Where did she go? Where did you come from, Cotton Eye Brie?
MY OPINION
My first Linwood Barclay book and I enjoyed the writing. The pacing dragged in some places; from the point Brie popped back on the scene to when Andrew decided to finally get off his ass and find out wagwan was over 100 pages.... Pls.
This is Honda Civic reliable if you're prepared to suspend your disbelief and don't mind the hallmarks of male-authored books, which include:
-unlikeable women with horrible personalities (the only "good" ones are subservient)
-random gang/mafia storyline just to spice tings up
-action scenes
-male "protagonist" that really ain't shit and ofc had a drinking problem at one point
I didn't like some of the POVs–tbh we didn't need Tyler in there at all. I understand his "role" in the end, but still, the book would've been just fine without him. You could've swapped in Jayne for his scenes and it would've worked just as well. This goes with my point of the pacing, the rando POVs and police interview scripts just bogged things down without really providing any necessary info to move the plot forward. I guess it was all about creating suspense but it felt more like I was in a slow line at the grocery store.
There were humorous parts and I can see this working very well as a fancy Netflix/HBO series. The premise was interesting and I was wondering if Brie really did come back (Unmissing style) to wreak some havoc or if something else was afoot. Read this to find out.
BTW THERE WAS A SKULL WITH HAIR AGAIN!!!!!!! CMON PEOPLE!!!!!!! DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!!!!!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting premise, decent writing, some humour
Cons: slow in some parts, requires you to suspend your belief (hair on a skull, hawk in a mall???), pretty obvious what was poppin off
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 2.5/5
THE PLOT
Six years ago, Andrew's wife Brie went missing and he became prime suspect numero uno. When Brie suddenly reappears, Andrew's life is sent into a tailspin. Is it really Brie? Where did she come from? Where did she go? Where did you come from, Cotton Eye Brie?
MY OPINION
My first Linwood Barclay book and I enjoyed the writing. The pacing dragged in some places; from the point Brie popped back on the scene to when Andrew decided to finally get off his ass and find out wagwan was over 100 pages.... Pls.
This is Honda Civic reliable if you're prepared to suspend your disbelief and don't mind the hallmarks of male-authored books, which include:
-unlikeable women with horrible personalities (the only "good" ones are subservient)
-random gang/mafia storyline just to spice tings up
-action scenes
-male "protagonist" that really ain't shit and ofc had a drinking problem at one point
I didn't like some of the POVs–tbh we didn't need Tyler in there at all. I understand his "role" in the end, but still, the book would've been just fine without him. You could've swapped in Jayne for his scenes and it would've worked just as well. This goes with my point of the pacing, the rando POVs and police interview scripts just bogged things down without really providing any necessary info to move the plot forward. I guess it was all about creating suspense but it felt more like I was in a slow line at the grocery store.
There were humorous parts and I can see this working very well as a fancy Netflix/HBO series. The premise was interesting and I was wondering if Brie really did come back (Unmissing style) to wreak some havoc or if something else was afoot. Read this to find out.
BTW THERE WAS A SKULL WITH HAIR AGAIN!!!!!!! CMON PEOPLE!!!!!!! DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!!!!!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting premise, decent writing, some humour
Cons: slow in some parts, requires you to suspend your belief (hair on a skull, hawk in a mall???), pretty obvious what was poppin off
karlyo83's review against another edition
3.0
"It's always the husband, isn't it?"
This is a main theme in this book after Andrew's wife Brie goes missing without a trace while he is away on a fishing trip with his best friend Greg. Brie's family think he did it, the police think he did it and he certainly had motive and opportunity. There just isn't any evidence no matter how hard the detective on the case wants there to be and believe me she is gunning for Andrew.
However, six years pass Andrew has now changed his surname and is living a new life with his new girlfriend, and Brie while still in his thoughts is still missing without a trace. Suddenly there is a sighting at their old place and perhaps Brie is now back. If it is Brie, where has she been and... what does she want? Why is she turning up at places but not speaking to anyone and why isn't she reporting to the police if something bad happened to her.
With each sighting of Brief more and more questions are asked, meanwhile someone is very VERY unhappy that Brie might be back and they will stop at nothing to find out where she is, no matter who might get in the way.
I liked the premise of this book, and there are so many possibilities with what is happening and just when you think you know who the baddie is... it changes again, I did have my suspicions.
While the book was entertaining and I finished it quite quickly something was missing for me... it was a little clunky but overall it was an enjoyable read. I have never read any of the authors other books so I would be willing to try out something else to see what it is like.
If you are a fan of who done it style books then, this might be for you. There were plenty of likeable and really unlikeable characters in this book and that always makes it interesting. A few plot holes that didn't ruin the story but would have been nice to be tied up and a really neat twist at the end that I personally enjoyed.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Harlequin Australia, HQ for an advance copy for an honest review.
This is a main theme in this book after Andrew's wife Brie goes missing without a trace while he is away on a fishing trip with his best friend Greg. Brie's family think he did it, the police think he did it and he certainly had motive and opportunity. There just isn't any evidence no matter how hard the detective on the case wants there to be and believe me she is gunning for Andrew.
However, six years pass Andrew has now changed his surname and is living a new life with his new girlfriend, and Brie while still in his thoughts is still missing without a trace. Suddenly there is a sighting at their old place and perhaps Brie is now back. If it is Brie, where has she been and... what does she want? Why is she turning up at places but not speaking to anyone and why isn't she reporting to the police if something bad happened to her.
With each sighting of Brief more and more questions are asked, meanwhile someone is very VERY unhappy that Brie might be back and they will stop at nothing to find out where she is, no matter who might get in the way.
I liked the premise of this book, and there are so many possibilities with what is happening and just when you think you know who the baddie is... it changes again, I did have my suspicions.
While the book was entertaining and I finished it quite quickly something was missing for me... it was a little clunky but overall it was an enjoyable read. I have never read any of the authors other books so I would be willing to try out something else to see what it is like.
If you are a fan of who done it style books then, this might be for you. There were plenty of likeable and really unlikeable characters in this book and that always makes it interesting. A few plot holes that didn't ruin the story but would have been nice to be tied up and a really neat twist at the end that I personally enjoyed.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Harlequin Australia, HQ for an advance copy for an honest review.
sreadabook's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This one was very good, every time I thought I'd figured it out I was wrong. Audio book so narration is key and this was excellent. Great story and I liked the ending. Pick tho one up. Now to find the next Linwood Barclay good read
brynhayes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Kidnapping, Death, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
elspethsbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Linwood did what Linwood does best. Amazing read!! Unexpected ending and I loved it, like his others! An easy read to which is always a bonus
laurkimberley224's review against another edition
4.0
It was an enjoyable read, but for one described as a real whodunnit, it seemed rather obvious to me who the killer was very early on. That said, it was still a great book and even though I had a good feeling I knew who was responsible for the death of Brie Mason, it was still very well thought out and I enjoyed watching it all come together.
chrysess28's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jess_lovesreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0