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samantha1020's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I was so excited when I received an ARC of this book and then I just let it languish on my shelves. I truly hate when that happens even if it does happen sometimes more often than I would like. This book just sounded from the description above like my type of book. And there were certainly elements that made this my type of read, but there were also things that I struggled with. Where this book shines in my opinion is in its' atmosphere. This author can write - that's for certain. She was able to make me feel like I was right there in this small town where it feels like nothing good ever happens. If you loved the vibes that Gillian Flynn created in Sharp Objects with Camille's hometown, then you will also love those similar feeling dark vibes that are present in this book. It's that tense, ominous feeling where it almost feels like Black Harbor is alive from the way that it is described. And I loved that part of it - I am always here for a book with a strong atmosphere (for lack of a better way to describe it). Also, this book is dark so be sure to check content warnings if you need them. Hazel is an interesting main character. She is one of those characters that we as the reader never quite understand her motivations. All of this I was on board with. What I wasn't on board with as much was her questionable choices and the lack of explanation/reasoning behind them. I'm going to keep things spoiler free but I will say that it felt like Hazel was on self destruct mode but we are never given the full reasons why. It made it very hard to understand or relate to the choices that she was making. Basically, this is a nice way of saying that she made me frustrated which caused me to set the book down multiple times. Don't get me wrong, I was also compelled to pick it back up to see where it was all going and how it was going to end. But I was also so annoyed by Hazel and the decisions that she was making because there was no real context given on the why's behind it all. I'll leave it at that because to say more would be diving into spoiler territory. If you've read this one, what did you think of Hazel and the decisions she made throughout this book? I'm truly curious!
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, dark reads, those readers who are looking for books with similar vibes to Sharp Objects(notice I say vibes, these are two very different books otherwise), and those readers who enjoy a grittier mystery should pick this book up. There were enough elements to this book that I enjoyed where I would probably rate this book four stars if I actually still did ratings and I do plan on reading more by this author. Because the vibes in this book were immaculate if you like darker reads. If you prefer more mystery, then this book might not be for you.
Disclosure: I received an advanced review copy from the publisher. Honest thoughts are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
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
ktdakotareads's review
dark
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Deadnaming
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