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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This is the fourth book I've read by [a:Jennifer McMahon|29471|Jennifer McMahon|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1207151006p2/29471.jpg], and I'll definitely continue to read her novels. I start reading, and they suck me in, and I zoom through them very quickly compared to most other books. The plots, although extremely similar, are just different enough that I can't tell what will happen, but her writing style doesn't require a whole lot of brainpower so I can easily read for hours after a long day at work.
The first two books of hers I read got 4 stars -- this one and the last one get three, but mostly due to the fact that the plots are so similar now they all seem to get jumbled in my head. If I'd read this one first, it would have four stars and one of the others would have three. Not fair? Maybe, but that's just how it goes. I have the same issue with [a:Jasper Fforde|4432|Jasper Fforde|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1350497674p2/4432.jpg]. Some authors, when you first come across them, you are wowed, but then you realize they only have one trick. It's a GOOD trick, so you keep coming back for more! But it's the same trick, really.
Anyway, this book takes place in rural Vermont, and the main character experienced a friend's murder as a child and also got sucked into another murder when returning home as an adult -- all par for the course in McMahon's books. The details are a little different, but that's the general idea.
This particular main character, I couldn't stand. She was so dumb! Everything she did seemed like she was TRYING to get people to think she was guilty. Dumb dumb dumb. I kept wanting to scream at her. The story didn't turn out the way I thought it would, which was a good sign. Still not quite sure what was going on with the mother channeling the potato girl, but eh. It was fine.
If you're looking for a quick read, and a good "whodunnit" that won't tax your brain too much, this is a great place to start.
The first two books of hers I read got 4 stars -- this one and the last one get three, but mostly due to the fact that the plots are so similar now they all seem to get jumbled in my head. If I'd read this one first, it would have four stars and one of the others would have three. Not fair? Maybe, but that's just how it goes. I have the same issue with [a:Jasper Fforde|4432|Jasper Fforde|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1350497674p2/4432.jpg]. Some authors, when you first come across them, you are wowed, but then you realize they only have one trick. It's a GOOD trick, so you keep coming back for more! But it's the same trick, really.
Anyway, this book takes place in rural Vermont, and the main character experienced a friend's murder as a child and also got sucked into another murder when returning home as an adult -- all par for the course in McMahon's books. The details are a little different, but that's the general idea.
This particular main character, I couldn't stand. She was so dumb! Everything she did seemed like she was TRYING to get people to think she was guilty. Dumb dumb dumb. I kept wanting to scream at her. The story didn't turn out the way I thought it would, which was a good sign. Still not quite sure what was going on with the mother channeling the potato girl, but eh. It was fine.
If you're looking for a quick read, and a good "whodunnit" that won't tax your brain too much, this is a great place to start.
Book club pick. I probably would never have picked this book up, yet I did enjoy it. It is a great mystery, "whodunit."
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been loving books about small towns with dark secrets lately. This hit all my favorite tropes! This was written so well with great character development. Rated this 4 1/2 stars, only bc I wished it was longer (only 250 pages)! This was equally creepy, haunting and heartbreaking. The potato girl will forever have my heart.
A must read for fans of small towns, dark secrets, paranormal aspects, multiple timelines and a bit of mystery!
A must read for fans of small towns, dark secrets, paranormal aspects, multiple timelines and a bit of mystery!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This moves slowly at first, but it is definitely worth the read. It will have you confused, angry, and flip-flopping between who the killer may possibly be through the entire story.
This is the story of Kate Cypher (who is a nurse....like me). She has returned to her childhood home when she gets a call from folks who live near her mother saying her mom is sinking into Alzheimers and can no longer care for herself. Her mother set her house on fire, and so Kate is not faced with the task of putting her mom in a nursing home. On the night she arrives, a little girl is murdered, and it mirrors a murder that happened to one of Kate's friends when she was a child. The killer of Kate's friend, Del, was never found, but now the police are searching for either a copy cat murderer or Del's killer. Kate becomes wrapped up in finding out who killed the little girl figuring it will lead her to Del's killer.
This was a pretty good book. It is a really quick, short book. The story flips back and forth between 1971 - the year Del was killed, and 2002 - the year the other girl is killed. Kate is remembering her friendship with Del and the guilt that she has thinking it was her fault that Del was killed.
I encourage you to read this book - it was well written and wrapped up nicely in the end. Check it out!
This was a pretty good book. It is a really quick, short book. The story flips back and forth between 1971 - the year Del was killed, and 2002 - the year the other girl is killed. Kate is remembering her friendship with Del and the guilt that she has thinking it was her fault that Del was killed.
I encourage you to read this book - it was well written and wrapped up nicely in the end. Check it out!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
A mixture of true crime and ghost urban legend. I loved this book, even if it did make me afraid of shadow at night.
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes