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terrilynneereading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
2.0
deedralapray's review against another edition
I’m not going to rate this because it feels so cruel. I will say that there was very little character development. Characters flew in and out, and I didn’t care about them at all.
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
A Cruel Light by Cyndi MacMillan
Narrated by Nan McNamara
A small town in Canada has a horrible murder in its past. Long ago a girl was brutally murdered and someone was imprisoned for her murder. But years later that conviction was overturned and the town has to live with the thought that the murderer could be living among them, if the murderer is still alive. Now something has happened to stir up memories of the past and it's clear that someone is trying to prevent the truth from getting out.
The renovation of the old parsonage has uncovered a portrait of the girl who was murdered long ago. Time and the elements have obscured most of the painting so Inspector Mac MacGowan has brought in Conservator Annora Garde to uncover the secrets of this painting since it appears to be a sort of confessional work of art by the person who murdered the girl. Almost as soon as Annora arrives and starts working on the painting, strange things begin happening. The crumbling parsonage is eerie enough but Annora, with her own sad past still alive in her heart and mind, can't help seeing suspicious happenings everywhere. But then it's not hard to be suspicious as events ramp up to make it clear someone doesn't want the painting to be saved.
Both Mac and Annora are likeable characters and it's clear they like each other right away. I wouldn't have minded no romance but these two do seem to have strong chemistry and are in the right place at the right time, despite the horrific past of the town and the horrific things that begin happening after Annora's arrival. I especially liked the focus on the restoration of the painting. The work reminds me of an archeologist painstakingly digging through the rubble of nature and time to try to find little pieces of insight that might lay below it all.
Nan McNamara was a good choice of narrator because her narration fits Annora so well. She's a grown woman, independent, very focused on her career, dealing with the past with professional help. And now, she's faced with a puzzle she doesn't want to quit until she solves it. Steadfast and determined, she's going to find out what this girl in the painting wants her to know.
Pub Apr 4, 2023
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Nan McNamara
A small town in Canada has a horrible murder in its past. Long ago a girl was brutally murdered and someone was imprisoned for her murder. But years later that conviction was overturned and the town has to live with the thought that the murderer could be living among them, if the murderer is still alive. Now something has happened to stir up memories of the past and it's clear that someone is trying to prevent the truth from getting out.
The renovation of the old parsonage has uncovered a portrait of the girl who was murdered long ago. Time and the elements have obscured most of the painting so Inspector Mac MacGowan has brought in Conservator Annora Garde to uncover the secrets of this painting since it appears to be a sort of confessional work of art by the person who murdered the girl. Almost as soon as Annora arrives and starts working on the painting, strange things begin happening. The crumbling parsonage is eerie enough but Annora, with her own sad past still alive in her heart and mind, can't help seeing suspicious happenings everywhere. But then it's not hard to be suspicious as events ramp up to make it clear someone doesn't want the painting to be saved.
Both Mac and Annora are likeable characters and it's clear they like each other right away. I wouldn't have minded no romance but these two do seem to have strong chemistry and are in the right place at the right time, despite the horrific past of the town and the horrific things that begin happening after Annora's arrival. I especially liked the focus on the restoration of the painting. The work reminds me of an archeologist painstakingly digging through the rubble of nature and time to try to find little pieces of insight that might lay below it all.
Nan McNamara was a good choice of narrator because her narration fits Annora so well. She's a grown woman, independent, very focused on her career, dealing with the past with professional help. And now, she's faced with a puzzle she doesn't want to quit until she solves it. Steadfast and determined, she's going to find out what this girl in the painting wants her to know.
Pub Apr 4, 2023
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
lost_in_tome's review against another edition
4.0
What a ride! I couldn’t put the darn thing down!
We are following a single pov on the hunt to solve a 30 year old cold case using clues someone may have left behind on a mural in an abandoned home.
Though the character traits were vague and shallow, MacMillian more than made up for it with how descriptive she was with the characters surroundings. She grabs the reader in by painting a beautiful and sometimes very gruesome picture of what the character is seeing or experiencing. It’s like I can smell the Lavender perfume or see the light shining through the window just so. This paired very well with the thriller/murder mystery/romance/paranormal plot line she built. I was hooked right from the beginning.
Man McNamara did an amazing job at bringing our leading lady, Annora, to life.
This is a very fast paced storyline. I am very excited to see what other books MacMillian has in store for us.
We are following a single pov on the hunt to solve a 30 year old cold case using clues someone may have left behind on a mural in an abandoned home.
Though the character traits were vague and shallow, MacMillian more than made up for it with how descriptive she was with the characters surroundings. She grabs the reader in by painting a beautiful and sometimes very gruesome picture of what the character is seeing or experiencing. It’s like I can smell the Lavender perfume or see the light shining through the window just so. This paired very well with the thriller/murder mystery/romance/paranormal plot line she built. I was hooked right from the beginning.
Man McNamara did an amazing job at bringing our leading lady, Annora, to life.
This is a very fast paced storyline. I am very excited to see what other books MacMillian has in store for us.
samreads_alot's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 42%
Too slow and read a spoiler that made me realize this is not my kind of book. The concept is really cool tho!
Too slow and read a spoiler that made me realize this is not my kind of book. The concept is really cool tho!
ashtonwashton's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, the story was interesting but the character development brought me down to 3 stars.
-spoilers ahead-
The female lead is honestly an amazing character. She is so fleshed out that I can really imagine who she is as a person. She is educated, travelled, skilled, empathetic, independent, and brave. Down to her snack choices, I truly loved her. What I don’t get is why she fell for the small town cop. It just felt so rushed, and then all of a sudden they were kissing, but there was just no tension there. There kept being little mentions to remind the reader of her clicking biological clock and how maybe she longs for the simple small town life. But honestly, it just seemed out of character. She is a strong person who has a fulfilling life and no real connection with Mac. If she had ended up quitting her job and moving in, I honestly would have been so disappointed. Luckily, the ending of the book seemed to match what her normal love life would have been. She resumed her traveling and they had planned vacations together.
The story itself was an interesting concept. I enjoyed the lightly supernatural elements, but I could have used even more of them, honestly. At times it felt like the story was moving slowly and then everything happened all at once. The mystery itself was good, but I wish there was a little more tension to throw me off the scent of the real killer. As soon as the paintings completed by the real killer were described, I knew who it was. Overall, it was a good book, but I am not sure I would read more if there were a sequel with their love story in it.
-spoilers ahead-
The female lead is honestly an amazing character. She is so fleshed out that I can really imagine who she is as a person. She is educated, travelled, skilled, empathetic, independent, and brave. Down to her snack choices, I truly loved her. What I don’t get is why she fell for the small town cop. It just felt so rushed, and then all of a sudden they were kissing, but there was just no tension there. There kept being little mentions to remind the reader of her clicking biological clock and how maybe she longs for the simple small town life. But honestly, it just seemed out of character. She is a strong person who has a fulfilling life and no real connection with Mac. If she had ended up quitting her job and moving in, I honestly would have been so disappointed. Luckily, the ending of the book seemed to match what her normal love life would have been. She resumed her traveling and they had planned vacations together.
The story itself was an interesting concept. I enjoyed the lightly supernatural elements, but I could have used even more of them, honestly. At times it felt like the story was moving slowly and then everything happened all at once. The mystery itself was good, but I wish there was a little more tension to throw me off the scent of the real killer. As soon as the paintings completed by the real killer were described, I knew who it was. Overall, it was a good book, but I am not sure I would read more if there were a sequel with their love story in it.
heatheradoresbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, brutal child murder, references to suicide
Annora & Mac are working together on a case. She is an art restorer and he is the detective.
I'm going to plop this one in the middle. I am not super big on art, but restoration is pretty fascinating and I liked how it was used in correlation with solving a crime. I liked it well enough, but my ears started to wander in the slow moving middle. I did enjoy the surprise ending and the cover is pretty. And there's a little bit of romance to go along with the mystery and paranormal elements.
Narration:
Nan McNamara ~ 7 hours 53 minutes ~ job well done
Publication date ~ April 4, 2023
*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, brutal child murder, references to suicide
Annora & Mac are working together on a case. She is an art restorer and he is the detective.
I'm going to plop this one in the middle. I am not super big on art, but restoration is pretty fascinating and I liked how it was used in correlation with solving a crime. I liked it well enough, but my ears started to wander in the slow moving middle. I did enjoy the surprise ending and the cover is pretty. And there's a little bit of romance to go along with the mystery and paranormal elements.
Narration:
Nan McNamara ~ 7 hours 53 minutes ~ job well done
Publication date ~ April 4, 2023
*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
pio_near's review against another edition
3.0
What a great premise!
A cold case murder has new evidence in the form of an old mural. As restoration progresses, more clues... and dangers... are revealed.
I really enjoyed the delivery in this book, as MacMillan does a great job of walking the fine line between "can't put this down" and "too much going on".
This was trending a 4* for me, but I was lost at the end. I mean, with such a tight story, I feel a stronger climax was demanded, but that's just me! Still a nice read.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A cold case murder has new evidence in the form of an old mural. As restoration progresses, more clues... and dangers... are revealed.
I really enjoyed the delivery in this book, as MacMillan does a great job of walking the fine line between "can't put this down" and "too much going on".
This was trending a 4* for me, but I was lost at the end. I mean, with such a tight story, I feel a stronger climax was demanded, but that's just me! Still a nice read.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
bawright1987's review against another edition
2.0
This book had such promise! I was so intrigued by the idea of a piece of art revealing clues + evidence to a cold case that has haunted a small town ever since the murder occurred. "Cold Case" was one of my favorite crime series, silly ghost appearances aside. I never understood that. Were Lilly + the team supposed to be psychic? Is everyone from Philly psychic? Must be the cheesesteaks.
Anywho, this story left me out in the cold. It's told through the POV of Annora, an art conservator who is hired by her old sorority sister Lilith, now the mayor of tiny Bliss River, Ontario, to come and restore a mural no one knew about, discovered during recent renovations to an old building. I swear they called it a parsonage, but elsewhere I've seen it referred to as a Victorian mansion. Is that the same thing? Honestly, it doesn't matter. What matters is that this mural was painted by Bliss River's favorite artist son: Kingsley Boyland. Or so says Anorra after she saw several others of his paintings and declares it MUST be his work. Also, the entire town is pissed that Anorra is even there bothering with this, because 1. Who cares about a little dead girl from 50+ years ago who no one liked anyway because her mom, GASP, wasn't married? and 2. Anorra showing up has shut down restoration work on the rest of the building so no one is working, or getting paid. Hold up -- A shitty work/life balance where if you're not working you're not worthy of being paid? Is this story taking place in Canada or the US?
So in our book stew we have: 1. A cold case; 2. Interesting evidence that needs investigating; 3. Creepy, gothic, dilapidated building that's probably haunted (it's definitely haunted); 4. A strong, independent woman to eventually solve the case but be terrorized along the way 5. A sexy cop to save our fair lady (I think he's supposed to be sexy, I don't remember a description of him, ever. Unlike Anorra who brags SEVERAL times that she looks like Sandra Bullock but hotter). Sounds like a recipe for success, right?
Much like Rachel's ruined trifle on "Friends", the author tossed in a layer of beef sautéed with peas and onions. There were too many characters, all intertwined and either former partners/spouses, or half-siblings, or somehow or another related, like any typical backwater small town. (Small towns can give the Hapsburgs a run for their money on inbreeding..#iykyk) Having grown up in just such a small inbred town, I could look past the inbreeding. The issue I had with this is it felt like everyone was a clone of everyone else. (Broken Record: Duh, inbreeding.) Even though characters were introduced with backstory + context related to the murder, no one ever felt fully developed. It was like: "Oh! That's so-and-so, you know, so-and-so's ex? Yeah, they work at such-and-such place, hang out with so-and-so down at the bar, don't ya know." If you're confused, good, because that's literally how it unfolds. May the odds be in your favor at unraveling that mess.
The only thing I did enjoy was the author's disgustingly graphic description of both the murder + Anorra's car accident as a child. It was grotesque, especially as I was chopping up vegs for pico de gallo, that my partner, who happened to walk into the kitchen while it was playing, proclaimed loudly, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LISTENING TO?!"
What can I say? I'm an informative murder porn obsessed millennial. Let me have my little bit of joy in these unprecedented days of our lives.
Things I didn't like:
1. Egghead. A week after meeting each other -- with pretty much zero setup -- a romance blooms out of literally nowhere between Anorra + Mac. His..."affectionate" nickname for Anorra? Egghead*. Literally: wtf is that? But oh! It's soooo adorable to Anorra! And she asks Mac what she can call him that's like Egghead! Mac's answer: Scott. No, not Scottie, you fool! -- only his grandma got away with calling him Scottie. Just plain 'ol Scott will do. Which is his first name. How romantic...
*I was listening to this on audio, and this is what it sounded like. Maybe I misheard the narrator and it was something that actually sounds endearing*
2. Weird motherly obsession. When we first meet Anorra, she talks about how wonderful her life is: not being married, not having children, being able to move freely + independently to wherever the wind blows her to restore priceless pieces of art. Basically, she's a boss-ass bitch. But as she's working on the restoration, she starts to develop what she constantly refers to as a "motherly obsession" for Rosemary and I just found it so fucking weird. Like she goes to the cemetery and promises to keep coming back. I understand developing an affection for your research subject (I've been there with my own family genealogy) but to refer to that affection as "motherly" makes no sense. Idk if the author was trying to tie in an eldest daughter syndrome thing here (considering Anorra's tragic past, that's the most likely answer) or what, exactly it was supposed to be. It was just bizarre.
3. Anorra and her judgey-bitch era. The only reason Anorra comes to this podunk town to restore this art piece is because her friend from university happens to be the mayor and hires her for the job. The first night, Anorra stays with the mayor + her husband and things are...tense to say the least. But instead of being a good friend, and inquiring as to what is going on, Anorra avoids all conversation with her "friend" and even bails on her invite to stay with them for the duration of the restoration period. Anorra instead chooses to get up early the next morning and leave before anyone is awake, and stays at the rundown parsonage/mansion building, using the excuse of being able to work on the art at all hours to try and finish ahead of schedule. Without sharing too much, there is something going on with Anorra's mayor friend that is revealed, but, once again, instead of reaching out to her friend about what she's discovered, Anorra sits in judgement at what she considers shitty choices to the point she doesn't even want to talk to her friend.
Meet, Anorra: Little Miss Perfect.
*eye roll*
Anywho, this story left me out in the cold. It's told through the POV of Annora, an art conservator who is hired by her old sorority sister Lilith, now the mayor of tiny Bliss River, Ontario, to come and restore a mural no one knew about, discovered during recent renovations to an old building. I swear they called it a parsonage, but elsewhere I've seen it referred to as a Victorian mansion. Is that the same thing? Honestly, it doesn't matter. What matters is that this mural was painted by Bliss River's favorite artist son: Kingsley Boyland. Or so says Anorra after she saw several others of his paintings and declares it MUST be his work. Also, the entire town is pissed that Anorra is even there bothering with this, because 1. Who cares about a little dead girl from 50+ years ago who no one liked anyway because her mom, GASP, wasn't married? and 2. Anorra showing up has shut down restoration work on the rest of the building so no one is working, or getting paid. Hold up -- A shitty work/life balance where if you're not working you're not worthy of being paid? Is this story taking place in Canada or the US?
So in our book stew we have: 1. A cold case; 2. Interesting evidence that needs investigating; 3. Creepy, gothic, dilapidated building that's probably haunted (it's definitely haunted); 4. A strong, independent woman to eventually solve the case but be terrorized along the way 5. A sexy cop to save our fair lady (I think he's supposed to be sexy, I don't remember a description of him, ever. Unlike Anorra who brags SEVERAL times that she looks like Sandra Bullock but hotter). Sounds like a recipe for success, right?
Much like Rachel's ruined trifle on "Friends", the author tossed in a layer of beef sautéed with peas and onions. There were too many characters, all intertwined and either former partners/spouses, or half-siblings, or somehow or another related, like any typical backwater small town. (Small towns can give the Hapsburgs a run for their money on inbreeding..#iykyk) Having grown up in just such a small inbred town, I could look past the inbreeding. The issue I had with this is it felt like everyone was a clone of everyone else. (Broken Record: Duh, inbreeding.) Even though characters were introduced with backstory + context related to the murder, no one ever felt fully developed. It was like: "Oh! That's so-and-so, you know, so-and-so's ex? Yeah, they work at such-and-such place, hang out with so-and-so down at the bar, don't ya know." If you're confused, good, because that's literally how it unfolds. May the odds be in your favor at unraveling that mess.
The only thing I did enjoy was the author's disgustingly graphic description of both the murder + Anorra's car accident as a child. It was grotesque, especially as I was chopping up vegs for pico de gallo, that my partner, who happened to walk into the kitchen while it was playing, proclaimed loudly, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LISTENING TO?!"
What can I say? I'm an informative murder porn obsessed millennial. Let me have my little bit of joy in these unprecedented days of our lives.
Things I didn't like:
1. Egghead. A week after meeting each other -- with pretty much zero setup -- a romance blooms out of literally nowhere between Anorra + Mac. His..."affectionate" nickname for Anorra? Egghead*. Literally: wtf is that? But oh! It's soooo adorable to Anorra! And she asks Mac what she can call him that's like Egghead! Mac's answer: Scott. No, not Scottie, you fool! -- only his grandma got away with calling him Scottie. Just plain 'ol Scott will do. Which is his first name. How romantic...
*I was listening to this on audio, and this is what it sounded like. Maybe I misheard the narrator and it was something that actually sounds endearing*
2. Weird motherly obsession. When we first meet Anorra, she talks about how wonderful her life is: not being married, not having children, being able to move freely + independently to wherever the wind blows her to restore priceless pieces of art. Basically, she's a boss-ass bitch. But as she's working on the restoration, she starts to develop what she constantly refers to as a "motherly obsession" for Rosemary and I just found it so fucking weird. Like she goes to the cemetery and promises to keep coming back. I understand developing an affection for your research subject (I've been there with my own family genealogy) but to refer to that affection as "motherly" makes no sense. Idk if the author was trying to tie in an eldest daughter syndrome thing here (considering Anorra's tragic past, that's the most likely answer) or what, exactly it was supposed to be. It was just bizarre.
3. Anorra and her judgey-bitch era. The only reason Anorra comes to this podunk town to restore this art piece is because her friend from university happens to be the mayor and hires her for the job. The first night, Anorra stays with the mayor + her husband and things are...tense to say the least. But instead of being a good friend, and inquiring as to what is going on, Anorra avoids all conversation with her "friend" and even bails on her invite to stay with them for the duration of the restoration period. Anorra instead chooses to get up early the next morning and leave before anyone is awake, and stays at the rundown parsonage/mansion building, using the excuse of being able to work on the art at all hours to try and finish ahead of schedule. Without sharing too much, there is something going on with Anorra's mayor friend that is revealed, but, once again, instead of reaching out to her friend about what she's discovered, Anorra sits in judgement at what she considers shitty choices to the point she doesn't even want to talk to her friend.
Meet, Anorra: Little Miss Perfect.
*eye roll*
kaceeem5's review
3.0
*Audiobook provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I thought this was an okay mystery thriller. The narrator was fantastic, and I loved listening to her tell the story. The overall plot and execution were great, but I didn't like the supernatural aspect. I found that a bit unbelievable. A Cruel Light was a little too fast paced for my taste, and I felt as though the shortness of the book made the story rushed. I think the book needed to be a little longer to convey what the author was trying to do. I can see where she was going, but I felt like it fell flat in some parts.
Overall, I thought this book was interesting and it held my attention while I was reading it. I really liked the main characters job, and I thought the added romance was perfect.
I thought this was an okay mystery thriller. The narrator was fantastic, and I loved listening to her tell the story. The overall plot and execution were great, but I didn't like the supernatural aspect. I found that a bit unbelievable. A Cruel Light was a little too fast paced for my taste, and I felt as though the shortness of the book made the story rushed. I think the book needed to be a little longer to convey what the author was trying to do. I can see where she was going, but I felt like it fell flat in some parts.
Overall, I thought this book was interesting and it held my attention while I was reading it. I really liked the main characters job, and I thought the added romance was perfect.