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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Neat conceit but too long and wrapped up too quickly, like a mid movie.
So. This book.
On the one hand, it has three big flaws: it takes something like seven sodding chapters for anything to really happen, the premise strains reader belief and is never explained, and the main character, Cassie, propels the plot by making unprofessional decisions which again, are never explained.
But.
The mystery, once it gets going at last, is compelling. French's character work, dialogue, and descriptions are all six-star... I could almost smell and taste some scenes. Some of the philosophy in her prose is eye-wateringly beautiful. She makes a few character decisions (no spoilers) that are truly brave for fiction. And as in all her novels, there's no "Yay, crime's solved, let's go for a drink" ending for anyone.
So... four stars.
On the one hand, it has three big flaws: it takes something like seven sodding chapters for anything to really happen, the premise strains reader belief and is never explained, and the main character, Cassie, propels the plot by making unprofessional decisions which again, are never explained.
But.
The mystery, once it gets going at last, is compelling. French's character work, dialogue, and descriptions are all six-star... I could almost smell and taste some scenes. Some of the philosophy in her prose is eye-wateringly beautiful. She makes a few character decisions (no spoilers) that are truly brave for fiction. And as in all her novels, there's no "Yay, crime's solved, let's go for a drink" ending for anyone.
So... four stars.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am an unabashed promoter of putting down and quitting on a book that you're not enjoying. There's just so much to read and so little time. The Likeness is an exception. Like a jet engine, it takes a while to get revved up, but it is a force once it gets going. The book is far from perfect. It was, in places, wordy and could have used tighter editing. But the characters were interesting and complex. The story, while not always believable, was intriguing. If you can power through the first third of the book, the resolution is worth the effort.
I'm going to work my way through this series, but am doing it slowly.
Very enjoyable.
Very enjoyable.
The Secret History meets Irish detective noir and I loved it. Even having watched Dublin Murders a couple years ago and forgetting what happened (not that it followed the book super closely). More satisfying ending than In the Woods too.
Much like “In the Woods” in its style, this story follows Cassie, the partner from the first novel, into her new undercover case. This author is great at her specific style and weaves both books together well. But, they’ve not been anything extraordinary. This one was a little far fetched in its plot points (I’m at times critical of how “realistic” things in fiction should be, which seems silly but whatever). Decent read, but not sure I need to read either again.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5 reviews say it’s not necessary to have read the first in the series but ultimately I think I should have to understand Cassie’s trauma a bit better.