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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I enoyed reading this book very much! I got hooked almost immediately because it's got so many elements I love about reading: strong, realistic characters, a bit of mystery, a bit of horror, and themes I can relate to. There are actually two stories: Kate Cypher then and now, 1971 and 2002. In 1971, she was a lonely little 10 year old, new in school and wanting to be friends with people but an outcast from the start because she was "different"--she lived on a commune with her mother and a group of hippies. On a farm nearby, there was another outcast named Del Griswold--cruelly nicknamed "The Potato Girl". I remember how it was in school to want a friend and feel so lonely about it that even being friends with the class goat was preferable to no one at all. Being connected to people your own age...that's a real need, no doubt about it. Yet, when push comes to shove, Kate can't admit that she is best friends with "The Potato Girl". She wants to be friends with the kids who bully Del. And then... Del is brutally murdered and the crime is never solved. In 2002, Kate returns to the commune to care for her mother who seems to be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. On the night Kate returns, another little girl is murdered in much the same way Del was. Who dunnit? Was it Kate? Or the ghost of Del? Or ... ?
Thrilling and haunting and filled with tons of plot twists and I couldn't put it down for two days! Read it!
2.5 stars.
⭐⭐.5
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
Overall the story wasn’t bad and started off strong. As the book continued it got a little bland. The ending felt somewhat rushed. You find out who the killer is and bam all of the sudden everything is over.
The “paranormal” aspect of the story just wasn’t doing it for me. I couldn’t get into that part of the story.
⭐⭐.5
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
Overall the story wasn’t bad and started off strong. As the book continued it got a little bland. The ending felt somewhat rushed. You find out who the killer is and bam all of the sudden everything is over.
The “paranormal” aspect of the story just wasn’t doing it for me. I couldn’t get into that part of the story.
Although the pacing was good and the story was a little scary, ultimately, it felt cheap. The protagonist, Kate, did not seem believable. She was described as a health conscious nurse who went for regular runs, but she never appeared to do anything healthy, nor did she respond to situations as a nurse would. Additionally, with all the crazy murderin' going on, it was strange that Kate never appeared to be scared or to have any concerns about going out alone in the middle of the night where a murder had just taken place. And what was with her attraction to Del and Nicky? Del and Kate's relationship seemed . . . weird (and so sad to learn later all the abuse Del suffered from her father-- Kate didn't seem to ever reflect on that). And Nicky? Perhaps it's just me, but the smell of gasoline and cigarettes is not an aphrodisiac. [SPOILER ALERT! DON'T READ ANY FURTHER!] The supernatural element wasn't handled well, either. At first, Kate did not believe that the potato Girl could still be alive or be haunting them as a ghost . . . yet that's exactly what ended up happening, and the author failed to convince me of a switch from a regular non-supernatural world to one in which unbelievable things could happen.
Good book! Would have been 5 stars but I figured "the mystery" out about half way through. Fun, fast, slightly creepy read.
Good read alike to Gone Girl.
Author is just as wacked as Gillian Flynn, and I like it!
Author is just as wacked as Gillian Flynn, and I like it!
I was not a fan. It was scary...I don't do scary. And the ending just kind of baffled me. Things were unclear and just didn't make sense. I suppose it was interesting and kept my attention, but not really in a good way.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse, Abortion