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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Like many I picked this up as an Amazon first read option and did not finish it. Not interesting at all and the dialogue sentence structure was awful. I normally don't complain about this type of thing (I love a good junk food book as much as the next person) but this was such a slog I stopped reading an hour into my four hour flight and read another book instead. DNF
I got this as my Kindle FirstRead for July. I love a good psychological thriller, but I'm not sure this book classifies as one.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. The premise is really interesting and you do wonder if the husband is the one who really committed the crime. So it kept me turning the pages, but it felt like more of a murder mystery/crime thriller for me.
My issues? It felt like there were a lot of subplots that felt disjointed and didn't go anywhere and didn't relate to the main plot, at all. Leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions. For example...
**SPOILERS**
What was the point of Jake stabbing Mike? It felt like it was just to put Mike into a coma and take him out of the story so we'd never hear his side. What happened at the end? How did Mike and Ali's relationship change now that she knows he repeatedly cheated on her and he fathered his mistress' son? What happened with Karen and Jake? I also didn't see the connection between Martha Rasby's murder and Karen's rape, but maybe I missed something there.
**End Spoilers**
I also couldn't relate to any of the characters and they just seemed like archetypes...the goody-two-shoes, the guy with a big secret, the drunk, the promiscuous girl, the good guy. Ending also came out of nowhere and there was no buildup to it.
While I liked the book enough to finish it, I didn't love it and it ultimately fell flat for me.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. The premise is really interesting and you do wonder if the husband is the one who really committed the crime. So it kept me turning the pages, but it felt like more of a murder mystery/crime thriller for me.
My issues? It felt like there were a lot of subplots that felt disjointed and didn't go anywhere and didn't relate to the main plot, at all. Leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions. For example...
**SPOILERS**
What was the point of Jake stabbing Mike? It felt like it was just to put Mike into a coma and take him out of the story so we'd never hear his side. What happened at the end? How did Mike and Ali's relationship change now that she knows he repeatedly cheated on her and he fathered his mistress' son? What happened with Karen and Jake? I also didn't see the connection between Martha Rasby's murder and Karen's rape, but maybe I missed something there.
**End Spoilers**
I also couldn't relate to any of the characters and they just seemed like archetypes...the goody-two-shoes, the guy with a big secret, the drunk, the promiscuous girl, the good guy. Ending also came out of nowhere and there was no buildup to it.
While I liked the book enough to finish it, I didn't love it and it ultimately fell flat for me.
The opening prologue really and truly set the tone for this “whodunnit” mystery. The powerful imagery, as difficult as it was to read, really drove home the fear and intensity of emotions both during and after SA.
From the beginning, there was a wonderful use of descriptive writing which allowed me to paint a picture in my head of the story from every angle.
There’s nothing worse than an easily predicted story. I’m so glad I came across this book because it was the perfect mystery with just the right amount of clues throughout to suspect just about everyone until the end.
My heart broke for Ali. It was difficult to watch her struggle between being both an advocate for women who had dealt with abuse, and being the wife of an accused rapist. Juggling that while trying to be there for her children during such a confusing time, plus trying to process the fact that her husband admitted to cheating on her was certainly a handful to read through.
I really liked the flashbacks to 1996 and felt that they added another layer to the mystery. They were placed well within the story and gave great background information for each of the main characters.
Just when I thought the twists were over, the last few paragraphs made an appearance. I wasn’t expecting such a huge spin, and it slotted perfectly into the story.
What You Did is a well-paced mystery with multiple twists which kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
From the beginning, there was a wonderful use of descriptive writing which allowed me to paint a picture in my head of the story from every angle.
There’s nothing worse than an easily predicted story. I’m so glad I came across this book because it was the perfect mystery with just the right amount of clues throughout to suspect just about everyone until the end.
My heart broke for Ali. It was difficult to watch her struggle between being both an advocate for women who had dealt with abuse, and being the wife of an accused rapist. Juggling that while trying to be there for her children during such a confusing time, plus trying to process the fact that her husband admitted to cheating on her was certainly a handful to read through.
I really liked the flashbacks to 1996 and felt that they added another layer to the mystery. They were placed well within the story and gave great background information for each of the main characters.
Just when I thought the twists were over, the last few paragraphs made an appearance. I wasn’t expecting such a huge spin, and it slotted perfectly into the story.
What You Did is a well-paced mystery with multiple twists which kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
The main plot follows Ali being torn between her husband, Mike, and her best friend, Karen, after she (Karen) accuses Mike of rape. Three more friends, and three kids, are all present in the home while the accusation occurs, but it was a crime in plain sight and no one saw anything. Or so they all claim. As the story goes on, subplots weave through the web of lies, both current and in flashbacks from 1996, when the six friends were previously in a similar precarious situation.
Most of the book takes place through Ali's point of view, but the reader is given glimpses of other characters' points of view that constantly rebuke or build the current suspicion or prediction. The author gives breadcrumbs to build suspicions for each character being involved one way or another both as a witness of the rape, and witness of a murder of a classmate back in university. Although many of the details can be predicted, the author does a good job at purposely attempting to mislead the reader into suspecting different details.
My biggest negative was that the protagonist's point of view is difficult to stay behind. I wanted a strong heroine who went out and investigated to solve the mystery. She is supposed to be an advocate for women who are victims of abuse, but after the allegations she immediately turns on her best friend and chooses her husband's side. But then she doubts him the entire time. Woman, if you believe your husband is innocent, you defend him! Don't make up lies behind closed because you feel obligated as a wife. Throughout the book she is constantly portrayed as weak and inept, with no self esteem. Karen never graduated university, and this is mentioned multiple times, but truly it is Ali who is useless in everything. She is blind to things happening right in front of her, complains about things that don't matter, and brings nothing to the investigation. She is more concerned about her house and appearances that she doesn't realize or care about the bigger details at stake.
Ultimately, the truth comes out, plus a handful of other harsh realities. But at what cost? Lives are lost, marriages destroyed, jail time is served, trust is gone, and a group of friends realize the true cost of loyalty comes at a price.
My favorite part was the epilogue, which gave the most unexpected perspective of the book. That alone made the book worth finishing.
Suspenseful story! I thought I figured it out but I was wrong. Interesting conclusion.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I found it boring and I didn't finish it
So glad this was a free read...hated every character in it, and not in a cool anti-hero way.
I guessed the "up and down" and "the rise and fall" of this domestic drama tested my patience a little bit more.
Trigger warnings. Sensitive issues and some spoilers ahead!
If you think women will stand up for women in this vicious, intriguing plot, then you are probably right. Yet, sometimes, our instincts are misguided, misconstrued. What will you do, women? Or what did you just do, men?
After looking at the lens of women who were abused and violated, some ended up dead through this read, I thought I have caught a bit of why few have been choosing the wrong kind of Mr. Right and have been living with that sort of "man". Covering up their lies or possible "murders" merely surrendering their rights. Succumbing to the fears of being alone. Of feeling incomplete and powerless. It made sense, imo.
Yes, I did reflect on these while reading how the lives of three women were altered --when being thrown between and amongst the rubble of fires, how dare they chose between right and wrong when so much is at stake.They sure did try to forget the past and to stare straight ahead--even if eyes were blurry and focus has gone awry. Yet, see what has cost Jodi, Karen, and Ali, twenty five years later. Reunions choked them by surprise.
Well, the ending was good. SPOILERS!Women did not need men, apparently. Even the quiet, too good to be true Bill. His and Ali's ship has long sailed away since 1996, so it must be for the better. 'Tis 2020, maybe.
Claire McGowan tried to veer me away from that night with the proven and tested red herrings. But what made me endure a little bit more--was to prove if I my guess was right-- who was Mr. Wrong, after all. 3.5 STARS
Trigger warnings. Sensitive issues and some spoilers ahead!
If you think women will stand up for women in this vicious, intriguing plot, then you are probably right. Yet, sometimes, our instincts are misguided, misconstrued. What will you do, women? Or what did you just do, men?
After looking at the lens of women who were abused and violated, some ended up dead through this read, I thought I have caught a bit of why few have been choosing the wrong kind of Mr. Right and have been living with that sort of "man". Covering up their lies or possible "murders" merely surrendering their rights. Succumbing to the fears of being alone. Of feeling incomplete and powerless. It made sense, imo.
Yes, I did reflect on these while reading how the lives of three women were altered --when being thrown between and amongst the rubble of fires, how dare they chose between right and wrong when so much is at stake.They sure did try to forget the past and to stare straight ahead--even if eyes were blurry and focus has gone awry. Yet, see what has cost Jodi, Karen, and Ali, twenty five years later. Reunions choked them by surprise.
Well, the ending was good. SPOILERS!Women did not need men, apparently. Even the quiet, too good to be true Bill. His and Ali's ship has long sailed away since 1996, so it must be for the better. 'Tis 2020, maybe.
Claire McGowan tried to veer me away from that night with the proven and tested red herrings. But what made me endure a little bit more--was to prove if I my guess was right-- who was Mr. Wrong, after all. 3.5 STARS
Really enjoyed this! Well written, felt connected to the characters. Fast paced read, fun thriller.
Wow
The events just have me thinking differently. I mean the people that's supposed to be there for you and love you is the ones that hurt you the most smh.
The events just have me thinking differently. I mean the people that's supposed to be there for you and love you is the ones that hurt you the most smh.