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annaelizabeth24's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ashleystraniero's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
lynelle125's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.75
rachreadreview's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5/5
- Summary: “In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect—a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion. Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases—a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea’s surprise, Beth says yes.”
- This was a pretty solid thriller/mystery novel, but it just didn’t grab me as much as her other ones have in the past.
- I thought Beth was a very interesting character (but if you’re an elderly millionaire hermit living in a creepy mansion on the edge of a cliff over an ocean after famously being acquitted of two murders in a small town, how can you NOT be interesting, really?). She wasn’t likable and didn’t want to be liked - I respect that.
- The alternating chapters between the past and the present were a nice touch, too, as it let the reader compare what Shea believes happened through her investigation to what actually went down all those years ago.
- While not my favorite St. James novel, it was an entertaining and fast listen on audiobook. I think if you’re into true crime, mysteries, complex female characters, and haunted houses, you should definitely give it a shot.
- Summary: “In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect—a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion. Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases—a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea’s surprise, Beth says yes.”
- This was a pretty solid thriller/mystery novel, but it just didn’t grab me as much as her other ones have in the past.
- I thought Beth was a very interesting character (but if you’re an elderly millionaire hermit living in a creepy mansion on the edge of a cliff over an ocean after famously being acquitted of two murders in a small town, how can you NOT be interesting, really?). She wasn’t likable and didn’t want to be liked - I respect that.
- The alternating chapters between the past and the present were a nice touch, too, as it let the reader compare what Shea believes happened through her investigation to what actually went down all those years ago.
- While not my favorite St. James novel, it was an entertaining and fast listen on audiobook. I think if you’re into true crime, mysteries, complex female characters, and haunted houses, you should definitely give it a shot.
bunsnbeans's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alyinsx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Simone St.James writes wholly compelling and absorbing books. Part mystery thriller meets part ghost story. Her characters are flawed and often tragic but that’s what makes you want to keep reading. I couldn’t put this book down. I absolutely loved it. Even thought I saw one of the twists coming I didn’t even care because it was so well written and plotted that I was still fully immersed in the narrative.
pamela_xo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmykins_27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted so much more from this book. I feel like the ending came so abruptly in the middle of the book and then continued on for 150 more pages. I will say it had me hooked at the start, but the turn it took was not the best in my opinion.