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lazygal's review against another edition
1.0
A DNF - while the plot was interesting, the writing was getting to me and I gave up after the "banana bread loaf-sized muffin top" jiggling in the "skinny jeans [that] only work if you're actually skinny". The author needs to cut back the adjectives and extraneous descriptive phrases by about 2/3 and beef up the rest of the plot.
Which, as I said, did look interesting: a British exchange student, Olivia, is violently murdered at a Hallowe'en party. The hostess, Bree, is rich, self-involved and overly indulged; and the homestay hostess, Beth, and Olivia had an argument before the party. Or possibly this death had something to do with the death (in a previous book) of Katelyn.
Thanks to the writing style, I'll never know. Perhaps those less bothered by it will enjoy this.
ARC provided by publisher.
Which, as I said, did look interesting: a British exchange student, Olivia, is violently murdered at a Hallowe'en party. The hostess, Bree, is rich, self-involved and overly indulged; and the homestay hostess, Beth, and Olivia had an argument before the party. Or possibly this death had something to do with the death (in a previous book) of Katelyn.
Thanks to the writing style, I'll never know. Perhaps those less bothered by it will enjoy this.
ARC provided by publisher.
imzadirose's review against another edition
3.0
These books are weird for me. The characters, except Hayley & Taylor, are completely annoying. More so in this one than the first, but still tons of annoying unlikable characters in both. This one didn't seem as much about HayTay as the 1st one did, there was so much else going on. Still, it kept my interest. I like Hayley and Taylor and I like learning about them, the rest of the people I could do without. If there's another one, I really hope that there's less annoying people.
samlo28's review against another edition
3.0
Betrayal is the second book in the Empty Coffin series and it was better than Envy in almost every way.
The characters, which were mostly the same as the first book, were so much more relatable. Their relationships seemed more believable and their insecurities helped them seem like real people. Plus, we finally got to learn more about the history of Port Gamble through the bus accident so there was less mystery surrounding the residents. That being said, every characters' use of social media seemed stupid. There were tweets about a dead girl ruining a party while asking for a retweet in the same post and a distasteful trending hashtag. I understand that social media is huge with 16-18 year olds, but I have never in my life read something so ridiculous posted by children (and that's saying something). Honestly, this shouldn't have been a big deal, but the author has twins around the same age as Haley and Taylor so this could have been something that was quickly fact-checked.
As for the mystery itself, it wasn't necessarily more complex than the mystery in the first book, but it was more intriguing. Although I was able to guess who committed the crime pretty quickly, there was a lot of mystery surrounding the motive. I also appreciated how the police seemed more present throughout this book. In the first novel it seemed like the police were barely mentioned because Haley and Taylor were investigating, but in this one the police finally had a presence.
After finishing the first novel, I didn't feel satisfied with the ending. It seemed like there was too much that remained unexplained, but after finishing this novel, I felt much more satisfied. A lot of the mystery surrounding Hayley, Taylor and her family was finally explained, but enough went unexplained to warrant another book. Even though this book was superior to it's predecessor, it never got to the point of being amazing.
The characters, which were mostly the same as the first book, were so much more relatable. Their relationships seemed more believable and their insecurities helped them seem like real people. Plus, we finally got to learn more about the history of Port Gamble through the bus accident so there was less mystery surrounding the residents. That being said, every characters' use of social media seemed stupid. There were tweets about a dead girl ruining a party while asking for a retweet in the same post and a distasteful trending hashtag. I understand that social media is huge with 16-18 year olds, but I have never in my life read something so ridiculous posted by children (and that's saying something). Honestly, this shouldn't have been a big deal, but the author has twins around the same age as Haley and Taylor so this could have been something that was quickly fact-checked.
As for the mystery itself, it wasn't necessarily more complex than the mystery in the first book, but it was more intriguing. Although I was able to guess who committed the crime pretty quickly, there was a lot of mystery surrounding the motive. I also appreciated how the police seemed more present throughout this book. In the first novel it seemed like the police were barely mentioned because Haley and Taylor were investigating, but in this one the police finally had a presence.
After finishing the first novel, I didn't feel satisfied with the ending. It seemed like there was too much that remained unexplained, but after finishing this novel, I felt much more satisfied. A lot of the mystery surrounding Hayley, Taylor and her family was finally explained, but enough went unexplained to warrant another book. Even though this book was superior to it's predecessor, it never got to the point of being amazing.
azura_moonstar8's review against another edition
5.0
OMG, the beginning of the book was so bone chillingly awesome that I have no other words to describe it! Just being a foreign exchange student is scary enough. But for Olivia Grant, it was more than scary, it was deadly. As the investigation goes on, twins, Hayley and Taylor Ryan find out some secrets about themselves that their parents have been keeping since the tragic bus accident. Later we soon find out that the suspects in Olivia's murder have disappeared, without a trace, and there's more to the puzzle that needs to be discovered.
Betrayal kept me on the edge of my seat and gave me chills throughout. I loved it!
Betrayal kept me on the edge of my seat and gave me chills throughout. I loved it!
eviebookish's review against another edition
5.0
Amazeballs!!!!Loved it even more than the first book!!!
kkecreads's review against another edition
5.0
Published: February 2, 2021
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gregg Olsen is a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington, with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker spaniel), and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
“All it had taken was the sharp edge of a knife.”
Hayley and Taylor are front and center of another tragedy in their small town when a foreign exchange student is brutally murdered during a Halloween party. The sisters were at the party, with their best friend Beth, and they knew the girl who was killed. They also know there is more to the story and are determined to get to the bottom of it no matter what. Except for this time, they may be too close to the case, and this case may be their last.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline was quick, fresh, and spooky. I love this little town and the residents we meet. I also really enjoy the Ryan twins are such dynamic and bold characters.
I liked that this book tied into Beneath her Skin but was also completely independent as far as the plot went. I also enjoy that there are still plot points that haven’t been answered yet, hopefully, another book.
The pacing is faster in this book than in the first book. But the story is equally fantastic, and the characters get even more in depth, and we discover more about what makes them tick.
This book starts with a serious bang and doesn’t let up until the very end. The plot is so fast-paced and intense, and it is almost impossible to put down. I found myself reading at such a rapid pace because I had to find out the truth.
There are some twists in this book that you will never see coming. The first big twist left me staring and the same sentence with my mouth agape. I am so happy I was approved for this book, and I think thriller readers will enjoy the dynamic world Gregg Olsen has brought to life.
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gregg Olsen is a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington, with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker spaniel), and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
“All it had taken was the sharp edge of a knife.”
Hayley and Taylor are front and center of another tragedy in their small town when a foreign exchange student is brutally murdered during a Halloween party. The sisters were at the party, with their best friend Beth, and they knew the girl who was killed. They also know there is more to the story and are determined to get to the bottom of it no matter what. Except for this time, they may be too close to the case, and this case may be their last.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline was quick, fresh, and spooky. I love this little town and the residents we meet. I also really enjoy the Ryan twins are such dynamic and bold characters.
I liked that this book tied into Beneath her Skin but was also completely independent as far as the plot went. I also enjoy that there are still plot points that haven’t been answered yet, hopefully, another book.
The pacing is faster in this book than in the first book. But the story is equally fantastic, and the characters get even more in depth, and we discover more about what makes them tick.
This book starts with a serious bang and doesn’t let up until the very end. The plot is so fast-paced and intense, and it is almost impossible to put down. I found myself reading at such a rapid pace because I had to find out the truth.
There are some twists in this book that you will never see coming. The first big twist left me staring and the same sentence with my mouth agape. I am so happy I was approved for this book, and I think thriller readers will enjoy the dynamic world Gregg Olsen has brought to life.
joxertd's review against another edition
3.0
It was good but I am a little let down by the outcome. Predictable and the other half of the mystery surrounding the girls and their mother's past was kind of a let down. I am looking forward to more in the series though.
kkecreads's review against another edition
5.0
Published: February 2, 2021
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gregg Olsen is a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington, with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker spaniel), and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
“All it had taken was the sharp edge of a knife.”
Hayley and Taylor are front and center of another tragedy in their small town when a foreign exchange student is brutally murdered during a Halloween party. The sisters were at the party, with their best friend Beth, and they knew the girl who was killed. They also know there is more to the story and are determined to get to the bottom of it no matter what. Except for this time, they may be too close to the case, and this case may be their last.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline was quick, fresh, and spooky. I love this little town and the residents we meet. I also really enjoy the Ryan twins are such dynamic and bold characters.
I liked that this book tied into Beneath her Skin but was also completely independent as far as the plot went. I also enjoy that there are still plot points that haven’t been answered yet, hopefully, another book.
The pacing is faster in this book than in the first book. But the story is equally fantastic, and the characters get even more in depth, and we discover more about what makes them tick.
This book starts with a serious bang and doesn’t let up until the very end. The plot is so fast-paced and intense, and it is almost impossible to put down. I found myself reading at such a rapid pace because I had to find out the truth.
There are some twists in this book that you will never see coming. The first big twist left me staring and the same sentence with my mouth agape. I am so happy I was approved for this book, and I think thriller readers will enjoy the dynamic world Gregg Olsen has brought to life.
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gregg Olsen is a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington, with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker spaniel), and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
“All it had taken was the sharp edge of a knife.”
Hayley and Taylor are front and center of another tragedy in their small town when a foreign exchange student is brutally murdered during a Halloween party. The sisters were at the party, with their best friend Beth, and they knew the girl who was killed. They also know there is more to the story and are determined to get to the bottom of it no matter what. Except for this time, they may be too close to the case, and this case may be their last.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline was quick, fresh, and spooky. I love this little town and the residents we meet. I also really enjoy the Ryan twins are such dynamic and bold characters.
I liked that this book tied into Beneath her Skin but was also completely independent as far as the plot went. I also enjoy that there are still plot points that haven’t been answered yet, hopefully, another book.
The pacing is faster in this book than in the first book. But the story is equally fantastic, and the characters get even more in depth, and we discover more about what makes them tick.
This book starts with a serious bang and doesn’t let up until the very end. The plot is so fast-paced and intense, and it is almost impossible to put down. I found myself reading at such a rapid pace because I had to find out the truth.
There are some twists in this book that you will never see coming. The first big twist left me staring and the same sentence with my mouth agape. I am so happy I was approved for this book, and I think thriller readers will enjoy the dynamic world Gregg Olsen has brought to life.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Creepy mystery, great book, and I can't wait for the 3rd book, because that stuff with what the twins can do isn't over yet!
vesper1931's review against another edition
3.0
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Lord Matlock is determined that Darcy will marry Isabelle Weatherby, for reasons only known to him and her father Sir Malcolm. Arrangements are made for her, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy to visit Lady Catherine at Rosings.
Where is all goes wrong for the Colonel.
Several years later Darcy decides its time to marry, and meets Elizabeth resulting in quite a bit of mature content.
This is the story of Colonel Fitzwilliam as a not honorable man. With a more wicked Wickham and Caroline Bingley.
As a fan of the Colonel I didn’t like this representation but that is what JAFF is all about.
Where is all goes wrong for the Colonel.
Several years later Darcy decides its time to marry, and meets Elizabeth resulting in quite a bit of mature content.
This is the story of Colonel Fitzwilliam as a not honorable man. With a more wicked Wickham and Caroline Bingley.
As a fan of the Colonel I didn’t like this representation but that is what JAFF is all about.