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katie_liz's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
After a miscarriage, Arlene finds solace in a job at the local police station, where she uncovers a cold case involving the brutal murder of three young boys two decades earlier. Obsessed with solving the mystery, she embarks on a quest for truth.
Unfortunately, this one wasn’t quite my cup of tea. The book's comedic characterisations often left me puzzled, and I found myself re-reading to understand their actions. The overall tone fluctuated between gritty and cartoonish, creating a disjointed experience. Other characters' motivations for interacting with Arlene were unclear, as no one seemed to genuinely like or respect her. Because of this, it was difficult to invest in the story, and the ending felt a bit flat.
Despite these drawbacks, I was initially drawn in by the captivating cover and enjoyed the mystery aspect, especially Arlene's unconventional involvement in a police case. The portrayal of community dynamics was compelling, and the writing style kept me engaged. Despite its flaws, Arlene's character remained charming, driving my curiosity to see her journey through to the end.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
Unfortunately, this one wasn’t quite my cup of tea. The book's comedic characterisations often left me puzzled, and I found myself re-reading to understand their actions. The overall tone fluctuated between gritty and cartoonish, creating a disjointed experience. Other characters' motivations for interacting with Arlene were unclear, as no one seemed to genuinely like or respect her. Because of this, it was difficult to invest in the story, and the ending felt a bit flat.
Despite these drawbacks, I was initially drawn in by the captivating cover and enjoyed the mystery aspect, especially Arlene's unconventional involvement in a police case. The portrayal of community dynamics was compelling, and the writing style kept me engaged. Despite its flaws, Arlene's character remained charming, driving my curiosity to see her journey through to the end.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
skeena8's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a matter of fact mystery of the death of three boys.
Arlene after having a miscarriage is traumatized that she murder her baby, declares herself a detective of child murders and applies to work at the police station in the evidence room and set her mind to solving a cold case of the murdered boys. I struggled to get into the story but around 30% needed to know who did it. An in depth story of healing trauma and mystery.
Arlene after having a miscarriage is traumatized that she murder her baby, declares herself a detective of child murders and applies to work at the police station in the evidence room and set her mind to solving a cold case of the murdered boys. I struggled to get into the story but around 30% needed to know who did it. An in depth story of healing trauma and mystery.
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