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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This is the first book I've read by the author Laura McHugh, and I was entranced with this work. Part of my love lies in it's setting - the hardscrabble small town of Keokuk, Iowa and the mansions lining Grand Avenue. This setting is the area where my partner is from, and the details included by McHugh really brought the story to life for me
That said, the story is fast paced and suspenseful. It's the story of disappearance and memory, of efforts to solve a mystery and find oneself in the present. If you enjoy a good story, I'd recommend this one!
That said, the story is fast paced and suspenseful. It's the story of disappearance and memory, of efforts to solve a mystery and find oneself in the present. If you enjoy a good story, I'd recommend this one!
Sadly, this is more of a slow-paced chick lit instead of a thrilling whodunnit, so, mystery lovers, don't get your hopes up like I did.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Easy to read :) would have liked the mysterious brother death to be linked perhaps?
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A prominent family has lived in the same historic home for generations. As a child, Arden's twin sisters go missing on her watch. Adult Arden moves back into her family's home, but she can't go home again.
3.5 stars. Maybe 4 at a stretch since I'm still trying to weigh up how I feel about it.
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway in return for my honest review.
This is really a 2.5 stars, but since I liked the writing I will bump it to 3 instead of down. Laura McHugh's writing is descriptive and a pleasure to read. But I figured out what happened a third of the way into the book. Not exactly with all the details, but close enough. I even shouted to my husband that I was going to be so mad if what I was guessing was true....and it was.
I really enjoyed the secrets and little things Arden learned about the past, but it just wasn't as suspenseful as I was hoping. Arden definitely has issues that made her real. That can be a tough balance for a writer - showing the character has things to deal with without making them an unbelievable basket case. Ms. McHugh struck that balance well. I didn't like or dislike Arden, but I was interested in learning more about her.
I wish there had been a little more creepiness with all the past Ardens dying young. I will pick up more books by Laura McHugh, but this one was only so-so.
This is really a 2.5 stars, but since I liked the writing I will bump it to 3 instead of down. Laura McHugh's writing is descriptive and a pleasure to read. But I figured out what happened a third of the way into the book. Not exactly with all the details, but close enough. I even shouted to my husband that I was going to be so mad if what I was guessing was true....and it was.
I really enjoyed the secrets and little things Arden learned about the past, but it just wasn't as suspenseful as I was hoping. Arden definitely has issues that made her real. That can be a tough balance for a writer - showing the character has things to deal with without making them an unbelievable basket case. Ms. McHugh struck that balance well. I didn't like or dislike Arden, but I was interested in learning more about her.
I wish there had been a little more creepiness with all the past Ardens dying young. I will pick up more books by Laura McHugh, but this one was only so-so.
4 to 4.5 stars, I found this book twisty and suspenseful in just the right ways. It kept me going, and I did not want to put it down - and though I figured out some parts along the way, others took me by surprise (in a good way!).