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b4bookish's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and Mariette Whitcomb for the opportunity.
The story follows two friends who met on social media through their love of true crime books. They end up trying to solve a cold case together and learn secrets about each other along the way.
At first, I really enjoyed the different POVs, including from the killer. I assumed as the book went on, the reader would learn more and become invested in the characters. Unfortunately, this just never happened for me.
Alyssa and Morgan continue to be one dimensional throughout the entire book. Do you learn about some of their past and secrets? Sure. Do you ever care about what's going to happen to either of them? I didn't. And I really wanted to.
The "big reveal" at the end was not only predictable but also fell flat; 2-3 pages of explaining the killer's shallow motives and justifications were not enough to explain what I just read and why it should all make sense. I wasn't shocked, sad or enraged. I was bored.
I would have enjoyed this book with more from Alyssa and Morgan's inner thoughts. For example, Alyssa has a husband and son and mentions how much she loves them, but never once calls them or talks about them in any way other than not wanting to die and leave them alone. As a mother, I just didn't feel like she really cared about any of it.
The story follows two friends who met on social media through their love of true crime books. They end up trying to solve a cold case together and learn secrets about each other along the way.
At first, I really enjoyed the different POVs, including from the killer. I assumed as the book went on, the reader would learn more and become invested in the characters. Unfortunately, this just never happened for me.
Alyssa and Morgan continue to be one dimensional throughout the entire book. Do you learn about some of their past and secrets? Sure. Do you ever care about what's going to happen to either of them? I didn't. And I really wanted to.
The "big reveal" at the end was not only predictable but also fell flat; 2-3 pages of explaining the killer's shallow motives and justifications were not enough to explain what I just read and why it should all make sense. I wasn't shocked, sad or enraged. I was bored.
I would have enjoyed this book with more from Alyssa and Morgan's inner thoughts. For example, Alyssa has a husband and son and mentions how much she loves them, but never once calls them or talks about them in any way other than not wanting to die and leave them alone. As a mother, I just didn't feel like she really cared about any of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Torture, and Stalking
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