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thelibraryofimagination's review
4.0
Countdown to a Killing is the story of several interesting characters told through a series of emails and chats. Throughout the story you are reminded that someone will be murdered; it’s just a matter of when and who…
I enjoyed the premise of the book although I did find it challenged to read. I’m not used to reading so many emails - even as a teacher.
I also liked the interactions between the very quirky main characters: Wen has a crush on Lomax. Lomax has a girlfriend; sort of. Their manager, Julian, is the vain of their existence. He is struggling with his partner who is a lazy, manipulative and very unlikeable man. With the additions of a few other unseemly characters the cast is witty, quirky and at all times entertaining.
The workplace, home and various other settings make this book a world of its own. Despite the characters being, well characters, there is a certain humanness to their behaviour which allows the reader to consider that they may know someone just-like- that.
The intrigue derives from the constant reminder, through interludes, that someone is definitely going to be murdered. Who? That is the question you are left pondering the whole time you are reading.
When the grand finale arrives it almost seems a relief but yet a disappointment - for me - because the person I desperately wanted to be murdered was not the person who actually gets murdered.
I must say I am a bit curious if other readers wanted the same person to be murdered as I did. I’d be interested to know; if you ever read this book of course.
Thanks go to the author, the publisher and Literally PR for the copy of this book to read and review.
I enjoyed the premise of the book although I did find it challenged to read. I’m not used to reading so many emails - even as a teacher.
I also liked the interactions between the very quirky main characters: Wen has a crush on Lomax. Lomax has a girlfriend; sort of. Their manager, Julian, is the vain of their existence. He is struggling with his partner who is a lazy, manipulative and very unlikeable man. With the additions of a few other unseemly characters the cast is witty, quirky and at all times entertaining.
The workplace, home and various other settings make this book a world of its own. Despite the characters being, well characters, there is a certain humanness to their behaviour which allows the reader to consider that they may know someone just-like- that.
The intrigue derives from the constant reminder, through interludes, that someone is definitely going to be murdered. Who? That is the question you are left pondering the whole time you are reading.
When the grand finale arrives it almost seems a relief but yet a disappointment - for me - because the person I desperately wanted to be murdered was not the person who actually gets murdered.
I must say I am a bit curious if other readers wanted the same person to be murdered as I did. I’d be interested to know; if you ever read this book of course.
Thanks go to the author, the publisher and Literally PR for the copy of this book to read and review.
bound4travel's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a very unique read! It is an epistolary novel that focuses on emails and WhatsApp between multiple characters and across two countries. At the focus of the novel are three individuals who work together and on the periphery are other friends/people they meet along our story. While the title may lead one to believe this is a mystery/thriller, it is more of a literary fiction piece and character story. The end of the novel felt abrupt and left me with some questions, but also left me wanting to know more about the future of the characters. I also enjoyed that within the interchanges we delve into the themes of disability, mental health, sexuality, and our desire to be accepted by others.
brewtifulfiction's review
4.0
Original.
The concept of this tale is one that I have never come across before.
Told from an array of points of view and perspectives, this is not your typical tale as it is presented through various correspondence including Whatsapps and emails.
Having never heard of the author before, I had no expectations at all but I was pleasantly surprised at just how good I found it, the premise really worked.
The characters are quirky shall we say. And I really enjoyed the fact that we actually got to know them in quite some detail, their conversations with people revealing personality traits and eccentricities. Not your typical murder suspects.
Chats are very one way, the replies aren't revealed, leaving it up to our imaginations to decide just how the recipients were perceiving them. I found myself feeling sorry for both Wen and Lomax at times, even though I also noted that they appeared quite oblivious to what others might think of their actions etc.
What's more interesting about this book is that we know there is a death to come, at some point in the future. This had me reading quicker as I was eager to find out not only who the killer could be but also just who was going to be killed. However, the more I read, I had the feeling that the death could also be metaphorical as well as reality.
The author certainly has a knack for keeping the tension high.
There are little 'interludes' which break up the correspondences, this was an added feature that I really enjoyed.
Highly mysterious, I found that there were a few key themes throughout, looking at love, sexuality, ethnicity and mental health. And I think it is because of this that I wouldn't necessarily put this book in the category crime or thriller, more literary fiction.
Over all, a good book.
My only criticism is that after such build up, the ending felt rushed. I wanted more resolution from it all.
Definitely a story to keep you guessing.
The concept of this tale is one that I have never come across before.
Told from an array of points of view and perspectives, this is not your typical tale as it is presented through various correspondence including Whatsapps and emails.
Having never heard of the author before, I had no expectations at all but I was pleasantly surprised at just how good I found it, the premise really worked.
The characters are quirky shall we say. And I really enjoyed the fact that we actually got to know them in quite some detail, their conversations with people revealing personality traits and eccentricities. Not your typical murder suspects.
Chats are very one way, the replies aren't revealed, leaving it up to our imaginations to decide just how the recipients were perceiving them. I found myself feeling sorry for both Wen and Lomax at times, even though I also noted that they appeared quite oblivious to what others might think of their actions etc.
What's more interesting about this book is that we know there is a death to come, at some point in the future. This had me reading quicker as I was eager to find out not only who the killer could be but also just who was going to be killed. However, the more I read, I had the feeling that the death could also be metaphorical as well as reality.
The author certainly has a knack for keeping the tension high.
There are little 'interludes' which break up the correspondences, this was an added feature that I really enjoyed.
Highly mysterious, I found that there were a few key themes throughout, looking at love, sexuality, ethnicity and mental health. And I think it is because of this that I wouldn't necessarily put this book in the category crime or thriller, more literary fiction.
Over all, a good book.
My only criticism is that after such build up, the ending felt rushed. I wanted more resolution from it all.
Definitely a story to keep you guessing.
dogearedtales's review
2.0
I enjoy epistolary books (books written via correspondence not narratively), and I had high hopes for this book, but it just didn't deliver.
The characters and plot have potential, but they felt flat. The plot dragged - and kept alluding to a murder that happened in the last 3 pages. I was hoping it would wrap the plot together, but instead it just stopped.
There was also too much going on - it took a while to realize which characters we were supposed to follow, and with it incorrectly placed as a thriller I was overly critical of each character's correspondence looking for clues. I think this would be better placed in literary fiction, and the 'publisher' interludes reminding the reader about a murder removed.
Netgalley ARC
The characters and plot have potential, but they felt flat. The plot dragged - and kept alluding to a murder that happened in the last 3 pages. I was hoping it would wrap the plot together, but instead it just stopped.
There was also too much going on - it took a while to realize which characters we were supposed to follow, and with it incorrectly placed as a thriller I was overly critical of each character's correspondence looking for clues. I think this would be better placed in literary fiction, and the 'publisher' interludes reminding the reader about a murder removed.
Netgalley ARC
titaniumtammy's review
3.0
Countdown to a Killing by Tom Vaughan MacAulay is an interesting murder mystery told entirely through correspondence, emails & WhatsApp messages.
I was quite intrigued when I read the blurb. I am the biggest fan of epistolarian novels so this seemed like it would be right up my alley.
I will admit I struggled getting into it because there were so many characters & relationships established quickly that I had trouble figuring out everyone. I would also like to add that with reading an arc, while I find always a fortunate experience, might have made this more confusing with this type of book because the lack of perfected formatting was trouble on my brain differentiating people & conservations. This could definitely be a me problem. I have a foggy brain & chronic illness, so please forgive me.
Between the toxic relationships, judgmental people & dragging story, I kept anticipating action, but I was met with more mundane conversations. I would’ve liked a little less of the middle to end & more of the climax & reveal. It all came together in a couple pages & I wanted more explanation.
I wanted to love this so much beceauze I thought the concept of this was absolutely incredible & unique, but I had trouble with it. I’m going to give it 3 stars for innovation & cleverness.
I would like to give the author props for such an inventive premise & gutsy storytelling with breaking the fourth wall. I think that takes extreme intelligence, wit & determination & for that, I offer my respect & applause.
I’m always very appreciate for the inclusion of mental health struggles. This is one of the first books I’ve read that has a character with OCD. I know someone who has this & I’m always grateful to authors for representing & including mental health in their work.
Countdown to a Killing by Tom Vaughan MacAulay comes out July 7, 2022!
Massive thanks to NetGalley & RedDoor Press for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: This book mentions &/or contains gore, bodily harm, violence, murder, racist jokes, homophobic comments & addiction.
I was quite intrigued when I read the blurb. I am the biggest fan of epistolarian novels so this seemed like it would be right up my alley.
I will admit I struggled getting into it because there were so many characters & relationships established quickly that I had trouble figuring out everyone. I would also like to add that with reading an arc, while I find always a fortunate experience, might have made this more confusing with this type of book because the lack of perfected formatting was trouble on my brain differentiating people & conservations. This could definitely be a me problem. I have a foggy brain & chronic illness, so please forgive me.
Between the toxic relationships, judgmental people & dragging story, I kept anticipating action, but I was met with more mundane conversations. I would’ve liked a little less of the middle to end & more of the climax & reveal. It all came together in a couple pages & I wanted more explanation.
I wanted to love this so much beceauze I thought the concept of this was absolutely incredible & unique, but I had trouble with it. I’m going to give it 3 stars for innovation & cleverness.
I would like to give the author props for such an inventive premise & gutsy storytelling with breaking the fourth wall. I think that takes extreme intelligence, wit & determination & for that, I offer my respect & applause.
I’m always very appreciate for the inclusion of mental health struggles. This is one of the first books I’ve read that has a character with OCD. I know someone who has this & I’m always grateful to authors for representing & including mental health in their work.
Countdown to a Killing by Tom Vaughan MacAulay comes out July 7, 2022!
Massive thanks to NetGalley & RedDoor Press for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: This book mentions &/or contains gore, bodily harm, violence, murder, racist jokes, homophobic comments & addiction.
colette_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
prosewhore's review
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Enjoyable although a tad too slow burning for my liking.
I liked that this spanned across so many genres, it's an epistolary novel, a romance, a murder mystery and a humour book all rolled in one and with good diversity too! I was especially fond of Wen Li's character she was the one who kept me reading. She felt so real and I could relate to her as I too suffer from OCD. It was good to see a representation of the disease that was more focused on intrusive thoughts and deep seated anxiety. I got really caught up in figuring who the killer was going to be so I read the book fairly quickly.
I nearly pissed myself laughing reading the little "interludes" and even if Lomax's character drove me insane, I overall had a pretty good time!
Enjoyable although a tad too slow burning for my liking.
I liked that this spanned across so many genres, it's an epistolary novel, a romance, a murder mystery and a humour book all rolled in one and with good diversity too! I was especially fond of Wen Li's character she was the one who kept me reading. She felt so real and I could relate to her as I too suffer from OCD. It was good to see a representation of the disease that was more focused on intrusive thoughts and deep seated anxiety. I got really caught up in figuring who the killer was going to be so I read the book fairly quickly.
I nearly pissed myself laughing reading the little "interludes" and even if Lomax's character drove me insane, I overall had a pretty good time!
catandherbooks's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Death
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