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paulabrandon's review against another edition
1.0
Plotless drivel!
It's more a loosely linked series of morbid events than an actual thriller. I think a murder just got thrown in so that the publishers could sell it as "psychological suspense". Hayder obviously wants to top the shocking elements found in "Pig Island", "The Treatment" and "Birdman", and chucks in a gratuitous rape that doesn't need to be there. Deplorable! It's topped off with a cliffhanger twist just to further rub it in the faces of her readers that Mo can write utter tosh and get away with it! Murder, indeed!
It's more a loosely linked series of morbid events than an actual thriller. I think a murder just got thrown in so that the publishers could sell it as "psychological suspense". Hayder obviously wants to top the shocking elements found in "Pig Island", "The Treatment" and "Birdman", and chucks in a gratuitous rape that doesn't need to be there. Deplorable! It's topped off with a cliffhanger twist just to further rub it in the faces of her readers that Mo can write utter tosh and get away with it! Murder, indeed!
nlthomas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
wusswoo's review against another edition
4.0
Well an ending that completely threw me for a loop, totally unexpected. This was a real page-turner, full of unexpected twists and turns. I loved it,
julie7's review
1.0
I’ve read other books by MH and I’ve enjoyed them,so the writing style was fine. In this case , the storyline was hard going and I never became immersed in it or the characters.
I’m sure if I’d just read the first and last chapters, I would have enjoyed it!😄
I’m sure if I’d just read the first and last chapters, I would have enjoyed it!😄
maureenmac's review against another edition
4.0
First book of Mo Hayder I've read, can't wait to read another one.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
Zoe and Sally are estranged sisters, both living in Bath but never meeting. They only hear about each other's lives from the grapevine. When one of Sally's daughter's friends is found dead, Zoe is on the team investigating and slowly the two women's lives become drawn together once more.
Another pacy thriller from Mo Hayder. Unlike her other standalone novels, this feels a lot more like the Jack Caffrey series in style and, of course, in the familiar West Country location. Bath is an unusual choice for a thriller, no one expects the very middle class city to have a seedy underbelly and it's a good choice for highlighting Sally's financial troubles in a world where everyone else seems to have money.
I do wonder if she is planning to write a follow up. The ending will definitely leave readers screaming for more and I can see Zoe and Sally being a good foundation for a series. Whilst not quite as terrifying as Birdman, she still manages to be the scariest crime writer out there!
Another pacy thriller from Mo Hayder. Unlike her other standalone novels, this feels a lot more like the Jack Caffrey series in style and, of course, in the familiar West Country location. Bath is an unusual choice for a thriller, no one expects the very middle class city to have a seedy underbelly and it's a good choice for highlighting Sally's financial troubles in a world where everyone else seems to have money.
I do wonder if she is planning to write a follow up. The ending will definitely leave readers screaming for more and I can see Zoe and Sally being a good foundation for a series. Whilst not quite as terrifying as Birdman, she still manages to be the scariest crime writer out there!
brookebulbasaur's review against another edition
2.0
Probably the most difficult Mo Hayder just because it couldn’t keep my attention. The twist at the end was good tho
juliette_21's review
5.0
Absolutely chilling!
I put off this book for ages, for some reason I never got round to pick it up. But I should have earlier as it's just perfect.
It's an easy read but the mystery is complex and the twists just kept me on edge.
I never would have guessed the ending and it leaves you wanting more.
I'd definitely recommend this book as it's just excellent.
I put off this book for ages, for some reason I never got round to pick it up. But I should have earlier as it's just perfect.
It's an easy read but the mystery is complex and the twists just kept me on edge.
I never would have guessed the ending and it leaves you wanting more.
I'd definitely recommend this book as it's just excellent.
slavicsongbird's review against another edition
1.0
Great idea, very poor execution in my opinion. The characters are just awful and the story hangs on improbabilities and suspention of belief, which might have been forgivable if I liked the characters even a little bit.
Why do half the 'badass' heroines also have to be cutters? I have grown sick and tired of Zoe's type of character by my second book. On top of that, she's also childish, another half-common trate of the trope. But I don't like any of the characters to be honest.
I also didn't find the book as disturbing and scary as it was advertised. Maybe that says more about me than the book, but to be honest, I really don't think so in this case.
Why do half the 'badass' heroines also have to be cutters? I have grown sick and tired of Zoe's type of character by my second book. On top of that, she's also childish, another half-common trate of the trope. But I don't like any of the characters to be honest.
I also didn't find the book as disturbing and scary as it was advertised. Maybe that says more about me than the book, but to be honest, I really don't think so in this case.