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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Entertaining but definitely some plot holes could have been filled in.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have never read or listened to a Heidi Perks novel before and this one was pleasantly surprising. Listening to it was fantastic as it had three voices creating more of a play feel.
The story was told in a reversed timeline (not sure if that’s the correct description) but we basically start on the night of the fire and then skip back to 6 weeks before, to watch the drama unfold that led to that night. In between there are police interviews that provide snippets of information that left me intrigued and wanting to keep listening.
Out of the three women I related most to Laura. Being a mum of two I know the guilt that comes with returning to work. Luckily for me my hours are quite flexible so I was able to cater to what me and my family needed but had I been in a career such as Laura’s I don’t know how I would of done it. I also liked the Heidi Perk’s included the stay at home dad scenario and POV. I found Mia that hardest to warm to, from the start she seemed to sweet and innocent. Her perky attitude was grating and I kept telling myself that she was a slippery character to watch out for. Her story was one that definitely changed my opinion of her and her final actions made me admire her in some ways. Janie was the most interesting. From the outside she had the perfect life but she was deeply unhappy. I wanted to shake her at times and get her to talk to someone. Had she done that then a lot of the mess could of been avoided!
The unravelling of the story, the side stories and the police interviews all made for a compelling and thrilling read. I had guessed the who dunnit towards the end but not until the very last minute so the journey getting there was still enjoyable. I’ve now added some more of Heidi Perk’s books to my list to read!
The story was told in a reversed timeline (not sure if that’s the correct description) but we basically start on the night of the fire and then skip back to 6 weeks before, to watch the drama unfold that led to that night. In between there are police interviews that provide snippets of information that left me intrigued and wanting to keep listening.
Out of the three women I related most to Laura. Being a mum of two I know the guilt that comes with returning to work. Luckily for me my hours are quite flexible so I was able to cater to what me and my family needed but had I been in a career such as Laura’s I don’t know how I would of done it. I also liked the Heidi Perk’s included the stay at home dad scenario and POV. I found Mia that hardest to warm to, from the start she seemed to sweet and innocent. Her perky attitude was grating and I kept telling myself that she was a slippery character to watch out for. Her story was one that definitely changed my opinion of her and her final actions made me admire her in some ways. Janie was the most interesting. From the outside she had the perfect life but she was deeply unhappy. I wanted to shake her at times and get her to talk to someone. Had she done that then a lot of the mess could of been avoided!
The unravelling of the story, the side stories and the police interviews all made for a compelling and thrilling read. I had guessed the who dunnit towards the end but not until the very last minute so the journey getting there was still enjoyable. I’ve now added some more of Heidi Perk’s books to my list to read!
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a ride to read.
It leaves you wondering who set fire to Harry Wood's office. Was it Laura, Mia, or his wife Janie??
Well, guess what, it NONE OF THEM! It was Mia's sister Jess.
I was not expecting that.
TW: mention of rape, arson, attempted suicide, disability, burns, bullying, stalking, drinking
It leaves you wondering who set fire to Harry Wood's office. Was it Laura, Mia, or his wife Janie??
Well, guess what, it NONE OF THEM! It was Mia's sister Jess.
I was not expecting that.
TW: mention of rape, arson, attempted suicide, disability, burns, bullying, stalking, drinking
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Am I the only one that wanted to toss this at the end?
I struggled between two and three stars, because I kept going back to read more but was completely disappointed by the last 25 pages. I felt it it ended with the opposite of justice for the books true victim. But I guess that's reality right?
Except reading is an escape from reality, so this doesn't still well for me.
I wouldn't call this a "thriller" but it did keep me interested, and questing who started the fire and why, so 3 stars for that. But man. I was really let down.
I struggled between two and three stars, because I kept going back to read more but was completely disappointed by the last 25 pages. I felt it it ended with the opposite of justice for the books true victim. But I guess that's reality right?
Except reading is an escape from reality, so this doesn't still well for me.
I wouldn't call this a "thriller" but it did keep me interested, and questing who started the fire and why, so 3 stars for that. But man. I was really let down.
Now there are many four and five star reviews for this, amongst my Goodreads friends... but oh dear, for me, this was like watching paint dry.
I didn't find it 'razor sharp and impossible to put down', as the Daily Mail stated. I found it laborious and very easy to put down.
I think I only stuck with it because I wanted to find out who the arsonist was!
Certainly a very different storyline and not one I've come across before.
I didn't find it 'razor sharp and impossible to put down', as the Daily Mail stated. I found it laborious and very easy to put down.
I think I only stuck with it because I wanted to find out who the arsonist was!
Certainly a very different storyline and not one I've come across before.