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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good. A compelling thriller that makes you feel like you are with the characters rather than just reading about them. The story just flows and I couldn't put this down. Thank you Penguin for inviting me to read this via Netgalley.
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"For thirty years, I've buried the past. And more recently, I've replaued it over and over again, searching for the missing pieces. I scan the crowd. Where is he...The tentacles of fate and coincidence. Past and present. Colleen and me. The connection. It's you, Julian Simone said to me today. You're the connection."
Focusing on middle-aged protagonist Nadine Walsh and her family, including her mother Marilyn, a famous author, on the day of her 60th Birthday Party. Through Nadine's memories we learn of another family party, thirty years before, where Nadine's aunt Colleen, only five years older than her, is found dead aged fifteen. Coupled with Nadine's teenage daughter, Isobel's best friend, currently in a coma following an overdose, Nadine is tense as part preparations unfold for this suburban party. A snooping journalist adds to the pressure on her, to manage the secrets whilst maintaining the poise expected of her.
As the plot progresses it becomes apparent family members, Nadine included, are harbouring secrets and telling lies, weighed down by the burden of perceived guilt. The atmosphere and characters' relationships are uneasy and Nadine in particular is haunted by memories of the past. Compactly written and taking place over one day, this is an excellent, engrossing and tightly focused, domestic thriller. I related to people-pleaser and all-round fixer, Nadine, determined to protect her mother and her daughter, strong, but weighed down. Both deaths, the current party and thirty years before are locked rooms mysteries of the best kind, in family settings. Whilst a murder is expected at the party, right from the start, the end is still a shock but, (for me anyway) a righteous one. I must read some of the author's other novels.
Focusing on middle-aged protagonist Nadine Walsh and her family, including her mother Marilyn, a famous author, on the day of her 60th Birthday Party. Through Nadine's memories we learn of another family party, thirty years before, where Nadine's aunt Colleen, only five years older than her, is found dead aged fifteen. Coupled with Nadine's teenage daughter, Isobel's best friend, currently in a coma following an overdose, Nadine is tense as part preparations unfold for this suburban party. A snooping journalist adds to the pressure on her, to manage the secrets whilst maintaining the poise expected of her.
As the plot progresses it becomes apparent family members, Nadine included, are harbouring secrets and telling lies, weighed down by the burden of perceived guilt. The atmosphere and characters' relationships are uneasy and Nadine in particular is haunted by memories of the past. Compactly written and taking place over one day, this is an excellent, engrossing and tightly focused, domestic thriller. I related to people-pleaser and all-round fixer, Nadine, determined to protect her mother and her daughter, strong, but weighed down. Both deaths, the current party and thirty years before are locked rooms mysteries of the best kind, in family settings. Whilst a murder is expected at the party, right from the start, the end is still a shock but, (for me anyway) a righteous one. I must read some of the author's other novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Grief, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
emotional
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:
No
This one was fun but just OK. There were a lot of flying around loose ends throughout the back half of this one and while they tied up directly, I can't say that I was dramatically in love with it. The dialogue was stilted and the main character was completely unlikable so it left a bit to be desired.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated