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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5 ⭐ rounded down
I normally round my scores up but this one has more of a 3 star vibe than a 4. That being said, I did have fun reading this, my first by Amy Stuart. If you've read a lot of mysteries you may find certain elements predictable, but still, I didn't want to put it down. You might dislike or be made uncomfortable by the main character Nadine at first, but give her a chance: she's a hot mess with good reason(s) and she'll grow on you in time. I love a flawed, tenacious mother figure and Nadine is nothing if not there for her family, including the husband she hasn't been totally faithful to.
This is a murder mystery about family trauma and the pains we go to protect our loved ones from the inevitabilities of life. You can only do so much to keep those closest to you safe and if your lucky enough or smart enough or just plain old rich enough, you could have your own happy ending too, abrupt though it may be.
I normally round my scores up but this one has more of a 3 star vibe than a 4. That being said, I did have fun reading this, my first by Amy Stuart. If you've read a lot of mysteries you may find certain elements predictable, but still, I didn't want to put it down. You might dislike or be made uncomfortable by the main character Nadine at first, but give her a chance: she's a hot mess with good reason(s) and she'll grow on you in time. I love a flawed, tenacious mother figure and Nadine is nothing if not there for her family, including the husband she hasn't been totally faithful to.
This is a murder mystery about family trauma and the pains we go to protect our loved ones from the inevitabilities of life. You can only do so much to keep those closest to you safe and if your lucky enough or smart enough or just plain old rich enough, you could have your own happy ending too, abrupt though it may be.
I really enjoyed this page turner. One star less for major typos.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
dark
tense
slow-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
Slow pace but good twist. Enjoyed it
This is a really great mystery/thriller. From the beginning it catches your attention as Nadine is standing over a dying man, in the basement of her home, as a party rages overhead.
Then the story backtracks to the beginning of the day. It is a slow building towards the evening and what lead to the, soon to be body, in the basement.
We learn of various situations in Nadine's life and the number of men who are problematic to her and her family's happiness continue to mount. Once it becomes clear why the man must die a few of the red herrings can be ruled out, but I never did guess who would be the victim. Only that whoever it ended up being, it is because he learned first hand the lengths that Nadine will go to protect who she loves.
Then the story backtracks to the beginning of the day. It is a slow building towards the evening and what lead to the, soon to be body, in the basement.
We learn of various situations in Nadine's life and the number of men who are problematic to her and her family's happiness continue to mount. Once it becomes clear why the man must die a few of the red herrings can be ruled out, but I never did guess who would be the victim. Only that whoever it ended up being, it is because he learned first hand the lengths that Nadine will go to protect who she loves.
It was good! I think I prefer whodunnits to whogotdids in general although I suppose this is a bit of both