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jenny_bean_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a well written story that encapsulated the messiness of life masterfully. The feelings of Hazel as she battles with trying to launch her life to her satisfaction while being stuck in a loveless high school sweetheart marriage were splashed across the page so clearly that it felt like I was reliving the end of my first marriage, sans the HS sweethearts part.
The river calls to her through her struggles in Black Harbor, which I found really interesting, almost as though the river was a character on its own. A metaphor for her marriage demanding more of her, perhaps? Meeting Nik gets her out of her rut and helps her wake up to the reality of her current life. He is the catalyst of change for her to get out of Black Harbor and be what she's always wanted to be.
I was a little trepidatious about picking up this book, as I don't normally read psychological thrillers, but I really enjoyed it. I learned some new words (thalassic, violaceous, curtilage, stannic) and I never did figure out the culprit before the reveal. I love when I can't figure it out before hand - I mean, at one point while Hazel suspected Nik, I was suspicious of Tommy. I mean, for crying out loud, letting it happen is not consent, Tommy! What the hell! Read the room!
A compelling premise for a story that I plan to pick up more of in the future, perhaps even the next book by Hannah Morrissey.
The river calls to her through her struggles in Black Harbor, which I found really interesting, almost as though the river was a character on its own. A metaphor for her marriage demanding more of her, perhaps? Meeting Nik gets her out of her rut and helps her wake up to the reality of her current life. He is the catalyst of change for her to get out of Black Harbor and be what she's always wanted to be.
I was a little trepidatious about picking up this book, as I don't normally read psychological thrillers, but I really enjoyed it. I learned some new words (thalassic, violaceous, curtilage, stannic) and I never did figure out the culprit before the reveal. I love when I can't figure it out before hand - I mean, at one point while Hazel suspected Nik, I was suspicious of Tommy. I mean, for crying out loud, letting it happen is not consent, Tommy! What the hell! Read the room!
A compelling premise for a story that I plan to pick up more of in the future, perhaps even the next book by Hannah Morrissey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Violence, Drug use, and Rape
mft844jwu's review
dark
medium-paced
Aspiring writer, Hazel Greenlee works for the Black Harbor Police Department as a Police Transcriber. One morning, a strange man appears outside the station's windows holding a severed finger, confessing he hid the body. Hoping to gain fodder for her novel, she inserts herself onto the case, becoming romantically involved with the lead investigator. Will she help solve the case, or will she become the next victim?
I don't know how I feel about this debut novel. On one hand, it was captivating enough to keep me reading, and on the other it felt more romance than suspense/thriller (I was expecting more thriller & I wasn't exactly rooting for their love to blossom). I enjoyed the writing style; I picked up some new vocabulary and didn't realize there were fancy ways to describe colors like black and purple! And, I felt that some twists/story elements were disjointed to the overall plot. Would I recommend this? Yes - just so I could discuss it with someone to see if my thoughts are validated/reciprocated!
TW: suicidal ideation, and (marital) rape.
I don't know how I feel about this debut novel. On one hand, it was captivating enough to keep me reading, and on the other it felt more romance than suspense/thriller (I was expecting more thriller & I wasn't exactly rooting for their love to blossom). I enjoyed the writing style; I picked up some new vocabulary and didn't realize there were fancy ways to describe colors like black and purple! And, I felt that some twists/story elements were disjointed to the overall plot. Would I recommend this? Yes - just so I could discuss it with someone to see if my thoughts are validated/reciprocated!
TW: suicidal ideation, and (marital) rape.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
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