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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love Tana French's books and this one was no exception. She captured the personalities of the school girls to perfection and the things that they found so important. I was hesitant as to the relationship between Stephen and Antoinette but I warmed to it as they warmed to each other. Looking forward to starting book 6 soon.
Friends warned me :) and indeed were right, this novel is unsatisfying. I like Tana French, but I have to agree with others readers, this novel isn’t her best. Perhaps it was because of the main theme, young girl sisterhood, the that aren’t my cup of tea either, plus, I think the mystery of the killer was too drawn out, and then, what’s up with the ending?
Yes, the secret place is the weakest of the bunch. However, even if this novel wasn’t as strong and polished as the author’s other books, it won’t deter me from reading the next one in the series.
Spoiler
paranormal elements (ghosts sightings, object levitation, mind power controlling the lights, etc) and the tedious dialogues about young love and forever lost adolescenceYes, the secret place is the weakest of the bunch. However, even if this novel wasn’t as strong and polished as the author’s other books, it won’t deter me from reading the next one in the series.
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I had high hopes for this one. It pains me to give such a low rating to a Tana French book. She's been consistently churning out amazing books but this was sadly a miss for me.
I love the Dublin Murder Squad and this one is set in a private girls boarding school so I thought this was definitely going to become a favourite. Sadly that wasn't the case. The story dragged on and on and the temptation to DNF this book was strong. The time jumps were confusing and made the story feel disjointed. I usually don't mind stories told in different timelines but this was just hard to follow and made it difficult to care about any of the characters or plot. The most disappointing aspect was the emphasis on how vapid and catty teen girls can be and all the characters and new detectives introduced in this one were bland AF.
Not giving up on the series though and still keen to get to the next one.
I love the Dublin Murder Squad and this one is set in a private girls boarding school so I thought this was definitely going to become a favourite. Sadly that wasn't the case. The story dragged on and on and the temptation to DNF this book was strong. The time jumps were confusing and made the story feel disjointed. I usually don't mind stories told in different timelines but this was just hard to follow and made it difficult to care about any of the characters or plot. The most disappointing aspect was the emphasis on how vapid and catty teen girls can be and all the characters and new detectives introduced in this one were bland AF.
Not giving up on the series though and still keen to get to the next one.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't think I have any more words in my christmas-cookie addled brain to describe how much I love Tana French, so let's let the actual real-life author use her big fancy words to convince you instead, shall we?
"Be scared, you have to be scared, ordering like this is your one absolute duty. Be scared you're fat, be scared your boobs are too big and be scared they're too small. Be scared to walk on your own, specially anywhere quiet enough that you can hear yourself think. Be scared of wearing the wrong stuff, saying the wrong thing, having a stupid laugh, being uncool. Be scared of guys not fancying you; be scared of guys, they're animals, rabid, can't stop themselves. Be scared of girls, they're all vicious, they'll cut you down before you can cut them. Be scared of strangers. Be scared you won't do well enough in your exams, be scared of getting in trouble. Be scared terrified petrified that everything you are is every kind of wrong. Good Girl."
Read this book (and the rest of the Dublin Murder Squad series) if:
- You wanted to tattoo the "Cool Girl" monologue from 'Gone Girl' across your back '
- You wish more people got murdered in Sally Rooney books
- You know that friend breakups always hurt more than romantic breakups
I love a prep school setting and a little ghost mystery, what can I say? I am reading in order and think this one is probably my favorite after Into the Woods.
2.5. Eh...I'll still read her but wasn't that impressed.
it was a little tricky to figure out but i picked up on it right away again.