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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
The plot was a bit thin in areas (i.e. the twists and turns weren't very surprising for me) and the main character was disappointingly naive and ignorant in the choices made throughout the book. I kept waiting for her to wise up and start acting like an adult but it never seemed to happen. By the end of the book, I was tired of reading about her missteps and was interested only in figuring out what happened to her sisters.
This book is the story of Arden and her twin sisters. She inherits Arrowood which is where she was living with her parents and twin toddler sisters when she was 8 years old. One day, the twins disappeared. All these years later, it is still unclear what happened to them. Suspects pop up but the truth is finally revealed. A heartbreaking story.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
the writing is solid, and i loved McHugh's [b:The Weight of Blood|18209468|The Weight of Blood|Laura McHugh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1395611141s/18209468.jpg|25630270], but this just didn't do much for me. i feel like "mystery of missing sisters hangs over family, surviving child returns home" is the plot of so many books now, and this one didn't really bring anything new to it. it's not bad, it's just not amazing, and i had expected more from the author.
AUDIOBOOK: I generally find audiobooks more forgiving if it's a 'bad' book. I did really enjoy this book, although in areas was predictable and ended a bit open-ended...
I read a Digital Review Copy from Edelweiss, provided by the publisher.
I'm considering this a ghost story, ghosts that are living and dead, ghosts we live with every day and including our own memories of what we did and who we were when younger. I think this is a very well-written book, great story and characters, and I love that the story is told without the back-and-forth timeline I find so annoying in so many current books. I definitely recommend this book when published.
I'm considering this a ghost story, ghosts that are living and dead, ghosts we live with every day and including our own memories of what we did and who we were when younger. I think this is a very well-written book, great story and characters, and I love that the story is told without the back-and-forth timeline I find so annoying in so many current books. I definitely recommend this book when published.
Arden Arrowood was eight years old when her twin sisters disappeared while playing in the front yard of their home. The mystery of their disappearance was never solved. Seventeen years later Arden inherits Arrowood from her father and she is determined to solve the disappearance of her sisters. Arden is hoping she will find them alive.
She moves into Arrowood and meets the caretaker Dick Heaney. Arden finds out they he had a past relationship with her mother. Arden is also contacted by Josh who is writing a book on the disappearance of her sisters. His investigation turns up new evidence and asks Arden for an interview. Together they interview the original suspect, old neighbors, and search the house for
clues.
This is the first gothic mystery I have read and first book by Laura McHugh. Laura's descriptive writing made me feel I was at Arrowood with Arden. There are creepy characters, ghosts, and several plot twists. This book reminded me of the late night scary stories I used to watch on TV.
She moves into Arrowood and meets the caretaker Dick Heaney. Arden finds out they he had a past relationship with her mother. Arden is also contacted by Josh who is writing a book on the disappearance of her sisters. His investigation turns up new evidence and asks Arden for an interview. Together they interview the original suspect, old neighbors, and search the house for
clues.
This is the first gothic mystery I have read and first book by Laura McHugh. Laura's descriptive writing made me feel I was at Arrowood with Arden. There are creepy characters, ghosts, and several plot twists. This book reminded me of the late night scary stories I used to watch on TV.
Really liked the book and want to read her other books.
Enjoyable read; enjoyed meeting the author who happens to be local to my town. She gave a nice talk at our book club and recommended that we read [b:The Loney|25458371|The Loney|Andrew Michael Hurley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430426895s/25458371.jpg|42849250], which she said was her favorite read of the past year, so we put it on our list.
The book club was mixed about whether they preferred this book or [b:The Weight of Blood|18209468|The Weight of Blood|Laura McHugh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1395611141s/18209468.jpg|25630270]. I liked this one better because it was more gothic and less overly dramatic, but it seemed close to me. The ending here felt rushed.
The book club was mixed about whether they preferred this book or [b:The Weight of Blood|18209468|The Weight of Blood|Laura McHugh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1395611141s/18209468.jpg|25630270]. I liked this one better because it was more gothic and less overly dramatic, but it seemed close to me. The ending here felt rushed.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Death