Scan barcode
_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4.00 stars
-
TW: Physical abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
-
In a world where everyone is lying, who can you really trust? Everyone in the town of Stanhope has a secret, William Wooler is having an affair with neighbour Nora. After Nora abruptly ends their affair, William returns home to find his daughter Avery home when she's not supposed to. Avery, known to everyone as a "difficult child" gives her father attitude in response to her being home, William who finds himself crumbling lashes out and strikes her to the ground. After apologizing and begging her to secrecy, he leaves, unknown to him that hours later Avery would be reporting missing.
What a wild ride! Lapena is a genius at writing a suspenseful thriller, and what better way than introducing us to a neighbourhood where everyone gossips. This book had me hooked from the start, after Avery goes missing it doesn't take long before the whole street starts talking, and even sooner, do some of them start to become a suspect (including Nora's son). Without spoiling too much, I thought that what truly happened regarding Avery's disappearance was unique, and shocking.
Don't even get me started on the ending, it was probably my favourite thing about the entire book. After everything is seemingly wrapped up, I loved watching everything crumble to pieces. Part of me had wished it had been longer (to see the aftermath), but here's to hoping for somewhat of a continuation!
-
TW: Physical abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
-
In a world where everyone is lying, who can you really trust? Everyone in the town of Stanhope has a secret, William Wooler is having an affair with neighbour Nora. After Nora abruptly ends their affair, William returns home to find his daughter Avery home when she's not supposed to. Avery, known to everyone as a "difficult child" gives her father attitude in response to her being home, William who finds himself crumbling lashes out and strikes her to the ground. After apologizing and begging her to secrecy, he leaves, unknown to him that hours later Avery would be reporting missing.
What a wild ride! Lapena is a genius at writing a suspenseful thriller, and what better way than introducing us to a neighbourhood where everyone gossips. This book had me hooked from the start, after Avery goes missing it doesn't take long before the whole street starts talking, and even sooner, do some of them start to become a suspect (including Nora's son). Without spoiling too much, I thought that what truly happened regarding Avery's disappearance was unique, and shocking.
Don't even get me started on the ending, it was probably my favourite thing about the entire book. After everything is seemingly wrapped up, I loved watching everything crumble to pieces. Part of me had wished it had been longer (to see the aftermath), but here's to hoping for somewhat of a continuation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Murder
booksoverbreakfast's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual assault