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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the front cover was. The flowers just made me want to read it and so, here we are. I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of this book and I am glad that I did! I enjoyed reading it and will definitely be recommending it to all of you.
I wasn’t too sure how reliable a narrator Nadine was going to be for us. The story flops between her current life of planning a party for her mother as well as the past where an accident happened that she feels partially responsible for. I won’t spoil anything so if you want to know more about it you’ll just need to read it yourself!
The way that she discusses all of the people in which she interacts throughout the story has you wondering who on earth the bad guy of the story is. The first chapter dumps us into the knowledge that there was indeed a death at the party, but the question we’re left asking throughout the whole book is “who died?” It definitely kept me hooked as I was trying to figure out who on earth the dead person was going to turn out to be! It was great!
Overall, the burn of this story is SLOW. And you’ll want to try to pick apart the story as it's happening in front of you. I had a pretty good guess of who the death happened to and I was right, but I think it got kind of obvious the closer to the end of the story you get. But, it was still good and you can’t help but be kind of impressed with Nadine for how clean everything went. Need a new mystery book? This could definitely be it!
I wasn't sure about this book. But the cover called to me and I'm not disappointed at all. This book is non stop tension. This is like being in the mind of a Type A personality under severe stress. I enjoyed the pull of the drama and flipping back and forth in time.
This book starts at the end of the party, then the day reset and we live it.
This gave me verity vibes without so much emotional trauma.
Highly recommend this quick read.
This book starts at the end of the party, then the day reset and we live it.
This gave me verity vibes without so much emotional trauma.
Highly recommend this quick read.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"It's okay. I understand. You held on to a secret for so long that it stated to feel like the truth."
A dazzling and dark 'locked room' murder mystery full of misdirection and secret set against an unsuspecting backdrop of glamour and laughter.
We are immediately thrown into the moment it all changes, standing over a body - and then are forced to begin the day again, anxiously waiting for the hours to fall away until we come full circle. Stuart sets the scene spectacularly - affluence, domesticity, opulence, bliss; the perfect place for a murder but the last place you'd hear about one.
Nadie was curious - powerful and privileged but clearly not always so. She's struggled and still does despite her polished life now. On the surface she looks like the stereotype of the bored rich housewife, but her character develops page by page. It's clear she isn't the hero or the villain in this story, her role is to be discovered along with her secrets.
The story moves slowly, steadily through scenes of domestic life and drama until it reaches its fever pitch. It's twisty, blurry and intense, layering lies and half-truths to create a sense of mystery and anticipation. Stuart made a blindingly anxious murder mystery but one that packs hard-hitting punches about the unpaid labour women do, and the disgusting truths about the treatment and objectification we receive even as girls.
A searing and compulsive mystery with deliciously dark twists.
A dazzling and dark 'locked room' murder mystery full of misdirection and secret set against an unsuspecting backdrop of glamour and laughter.
We are immediately thrown into the moment it all changes, standing over a body - and then are forced to begin the day again, anxiously waiting for the hours to fall away until we come full circle. Stuart sets the scene spectacularly - affluence, domesticity, opulence, bliss; the perfect place for a murder but the last place you'd hear about one.
Nadie was curious - powerful and privileged but clearly not always so. She's struggled and still does despite her polished life now. On the surface she looks like the stereotype of the bored rich housewife, but her character develops page by page. It's clear she isn't the hero or the villain in this story, her role is to be discovered along with her secrets.
The story moves slowly, steadily through scenes of domestic life and drama until it reaches its fever pitch. It's twisty, blurry and intense, layering lies and half-truths to create a sense of mystery and anticipation. Stuart made a blindingly anxious murder mystery but one that packs hard-hitting punches about the unpaid labour women do, and the disgusting truths about the treatment and objectification we receive even as girls.
A searing and compulsive mystery with deliciously dark twists.
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
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:
Yes
This book starts out with a dead body and known killer. What you don’t know is the name of the victim and why they are lying dead on the basement floor while guests are partying in the garden above. Taking place over the course of a single day, you would think the book progresses quickly. That’s not the case. This is a S L O W build and you’re forced to accompany the main character on a seemingly endless string of errands. There’s lots to like about this book and the final 30 pages deliver a solid payoff, but only after you’ve lived through a day of boring chores.