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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've got to admit that I didn't have high expectations going into reading this book. I've read a lot of thrillers and I usually end up not being surprised by much.
I thought that the writing was better than average, the characters were fleshed out, and the mystery aspects were sufficiently creepy. One of the characters ended up doing a complete about face in terms of her personality, which I found it hard to buy. In addition, I didn't feel like the big reveal was that satisfying but that may just be a personal thing.
I thought that the writing was better than average, the characters were fleshed out, and the mystery aspects were sufficiently creepy. One of the characters ended up doing a complete about face in terms of her personality, which I found it hard to buy. In addition, I didn't feel like the big reveal was that satisfying but that may just be a personal thing.
Grand Georgian townhouses line the streets of affluent Clifton. Una, who recently lost her mother, is seeking a better job and is astounded when wealthy Elspeth McKenzie offers her a generous wage to serve as her live-in caregiver. Elspeth, business owner and widow, has a commanding presence which regularly conflicts with that of her adopted adult daughter, Kathryn, whose cold manner is hardly welcoming.
When Una learns that two other recent caregivers have died, it seems like an unimaginable coincidence, until she discovers they both looked just like her. This rather boring job in a lovely setting is not so appealing now that there is a chilling suggestion of danger. As Una seeks to learn more, the literal and metaphorical menacing fog obscures the half-lies, past secrets and especially the truth.
Douglas creates an appealing character in Una, a young woman working to improve her life and pursuing her dreams. A stunning unsettling twist in the middle changes the trajectory of this entire suspense-filled story. While too neatly wrapped up with some almost cloying concluding developments, readers will be steadily questioning what they know about the dysfunctional McKenzies.
When Una learns that two other recent caregivers have died, it seems like an unimaginable coincidence, until she discovers they both looked just like her. This rather boring job in a lovely setting is not so appealing now that there is a chilling suggestion of danger. As Una seeks to learn more, the literal and metaphorical menacing fog obscures the half-lies, past secrets and especially the truth.
Douglas creates an appealing character in Una, a young woman working to improve her life and pursuing her dreams. A stunning unsettling twist in the middle changes the trajectory of this entire suspense-filled story. While too neatly wrapped up with some almost cloying concluding developments, readers will be steadily questioning what they know about the dysfunctional McKenzies.
dark
mysterious
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
This was a miss. The beginning was slow and the end tried to fold in too many twists and surprises to the point where it felt comical.
What happens when you start a new job and realize that everyone who's had this job....is dead. I am a huge fan of Claire Douglas and this one did not disappoint. Great flashback, multiple narrators and point of view thriller. The multiple storylines kept me guessing until the end. Recommended.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot had lots of twists. I can usually guess the bad guy pretty early on but this story kept me guessing. It kind of deflated towards the end, though.
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Dysfunctional!
This was an entertaining read. I enjoyed the brain tease of trying to identify the villain. I knew it wasn’t going to be Kathryn or Elspeth. My guess wasn’t right, but it would’ve been hard to pick him. I wasn’t expecting the outcome that Una faced. That caught me off guard. When the truth finally came out, everything seemed avoidable. I appreciated that this wasn’t a very predictable read. It kept my interest and kept me guessing.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot