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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
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Justine Merrison and her family (a husband and teenage daughter) move from their lives in London and settle down in a small town. Shortly after, her daughter begins to withdraw and strange, threatening phone calls begin. Who can be trusted? What is real?
This novel does not have the best reviews and I have to say that this baffles me. This was my first novel that I read by author, Sophie Hannah. The first thing that I must comment on is the writing style. This book reminded me so much of an old school Agatha Christie novel. It makes complete sense that Hannah would continue the Agatha Christie dynasty by penning the new Hercule Poirot novels.
The plot begins with Justine’s daughter, Ellen, starts writing a strange story about a realistic murder. The character names are old and Victorian; this sets off some alarm bells for Justine. How could her teenage daughter pen something so realistic and complex? Soon after, mysterious phone calls filled with accusations begin and Sophie Hannah begins to take us on quite the roller coaster ride.
Throughout the novel, I had so many questions and so many differing points of view. I thought for sure that Justine was an unreliable narrator. Then I thought for sure that her daughter would have some sort of mental illness. I thought at one point it would turn into some supernatural ghost story.
It is written with a chapter in the present tense story and then a break in between where we are able to read Ellen’s story. This becomes a huge part of the plot and is just as enjoyable as the main storyline.
This book did have a decline around the mid way point and I found myself losing interest. However, trust me, it was very brief. I found myself sucked back into the story quickly and the last 100 pages or so flew by!
I wasn’t impressed with how the story ended, but it was unexpected. That is rare for me; I am usually pretty good at guessing the endings and seeing where the story will go.
For me, the characters did not shock me, nor was I particularly invested in them but the plot was enough to keep the story interesting for me and I ended up really enjoying this novel!
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? YES! Read it.
https://cluesandreviews.wordpress.com/
Justine Merrison and her family (a husband and teenage daughter) move from their lives in London and settle down in a small town. Shortly after, her daughter begins to withdraw and strange, threatening phone calls begin. Who can be trusted? What is real?
This novel does not have the best reviews and I have to say that this baffles me. This was my first novel that I read by author, Sophie Hannah. The first thing that I must comment on is the writing style. This book reminded me so much of an old school Agatha Christie novel. It makes complete sense that Hannah would continue the Agatha Christie dynasty by penning the new Hercule Poirot novels.
The plot begins with Justine’s daughter, Ellen, starts writing a strange story about a realistic murder. The character names are old and Victorian; this sets off some alarm bells for Justine. How could her teenage daughter pen something so realistic and complex? Soon after, mysterious phone calls filled with accusations begin and Sophie Hannah begins to take us on quite the roller coaster ride.
Throughout the novel, I had so many questions and so many differing points of view. I thought for sure that Justine was an unreliable narrator. Then I thought for sure that her daughter would have some sort of mental illness. I thought at one point it would turn into some supernatural ghost story.
It is written with a chapter in the present tense story and then a break in between where we are able to read Ellen’s story. This becomes a huge part of the plot and is just as enjoyable as the main storyline.
This book did have a decline around the mid way point and I found myself losing interest. However, trust me, it was very brief. I found myself sucked back into the story quickly and the last 100 pages or so flew by!
I wasn’t impressed with how the story ended, but it was unexpected. That is rare for me; I am usually pretty good at guessing the endings and seeing where the story will go.
For me, the characters did not shock me, nor was I particularly invested in them but the plot was enough to keep the story interesting for me and I ended up really enjoying this novel!
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? YES! Read it.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hannah's ability to reveal one detail that suddenly throws everything else into sharp relief is enviable.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF at 90% I just couldn’t drag myself through until the end. It started off really well but it just spiralled into something that defies all reality and belief an ended up being too silly to actually have any intrigue left. Main character was likeable and funny but like the story, got quite rambling & ridiculous as the book went on. This should have been so much shorter than it was, I just had to skip to the end to see what happened and there was no big plot twist or anything. The story just plodded along until the end which doesn’t make for a very thrilling ‘thriller’....
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book started off really intriguing, but it kind of dropped off for me as you start to find out who the anonymous caller is. It was a decent read, but I wouldn't read it again
It was interesting until almost the end, and then it suddenly wasn't. What a letdown.
I really don't know what to say about this book. It has to be one of the most strangest books I have ever read.
To start with I have to say I did struggle to get into it. The story flicks between Justine and her family and the story of another family where some very strange murders have occurred. I was really struggling with the concept of the book and to be honest I really thought I wasn't going to like it.
Then came a part where Justine finds herself under protest, becoming the owner of a new puppy called Figgy Pudding and from that moment I was hooked. I have no idea why it was this part in particular, for one I just loved the dogs name and was wanting to rush out and get myself a puppy to give the same name, but obviously that would not be a good idea at all. On reflection I can only say that this is when the story all started to fall into place for me and it started to make sense.
A Game For All The Family is a great title for this book and it felt like the author was playing with my mind. At times I did not know whether I was coming or going there are many twists and surprises and it certainly keeps you on your toes.
Towards the end I couldn't put the book down I had to know how it all ended and the author did not disappoint in messing with my head right up until the very end.
There are quite a few complex characters in the story which just adds to the addictiveness of this book, it may have taken me awhile but once it had drawn me in it just chewed me up and then spat me out at the end. I am still in two minds as to whether it is just one of the most disturbed books I have ever read or one of pure genius but at the time of writing this review I am going with the latter.
A seriously twisted book which will totally mess with your head and one that by the end I would highly recommend.
Many thanks to Bookbridgr and Karen at Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To start with I have to say I did struggle to get into it. The story flicks between Justine and her family and the story of another family where some very strange murders have occurred. I was really struggling with the concept of the book and to be honest I really thought I wasn't going to like it.
Then came a part where Justine finds herself under protest, becoming the owner of a new puppy called Figgy Pudding and from that moment I was hooked. I have no idea why it was this part in particular, for one I just loved the dogs name and was wanting to rush out and get myself a puppy to give the same name, but obviously that would not be a good idea at all. On reflection I can only say that this is when the story all started to fall into place for me and it started to make sense.
A Game For All The Family is a great title for this book and it felt like the author was playing with my mind. At times I did not know whether I was coming or going there are many twists and surprises and it certainly keeps you on your toes.
Towards the end I couldn't put the book down I had to know how it all ended and the author did not disappoint in messing with my head right up until the very end.
There are quite a few complex characters in the story which just adds to the addictiveness of this book, it may have taken me awhile but once it had drawn me in it just chewed me up and then spat me out at the end. I am still in two minds as to whether it is just one of the most disturbed books I have ever read or one of pure genius but at the time of writing this review I am going with the latter.
A seriously twisted book which will totally mess with your head and one that by the end I would highly recommend.
Many thanks to Bookbridgr and Karen at Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
DNF
I found this book tiresome and disinteresting; Every single character in this book is utterly dislikable on so many levels. Justine; a self absorbed, away-with-the-fairies, at times unkind, and unrealistic woman, her daughter Ellen who is incredibly rude and far too smart for a child of her age, and Justine's opera singer husband who's so two dimensional and boring that I've already forgotten his name after only reading the book yesterday. I also found the plot of this book slow and dull, while somehow managing to be so far fetched I can never imagine it happening to any real family ever. Not a good combination.
So maybe it's just me, after all I've seen this book highlighted in every book shop I've visited recently, and heard good things from others who have read it - however this book will stand no purpose other that being a bookend for my other much loved, (and in my opinion better) books. Very disappointed overall; more fairytale than thriller.
I found this book tiresome and disinteresting; Every single character in this book is utterly dislikable on so many levels. Justine; a self absorbed, away-with-the-fairies, at times unkind, and unrealistic woman, her daughter Ellen who is incredibly rude and far too smart for a child of her age, and Justine's opera singer husband who's so two dimensional and boring that I've already forgotten his name after only reading the book yesterday. I also found the plot of this book slow and dull, while somehow managing to be so far fetched I can never imagine it happening to any real family ever. Not a good combination.
So maybe it's just me, after all I've seen this book highlighted in every book shop I've visited recently, and heard good things from others who have read it - however this book will stand no purpose other that being a bookend for my other much loved, (and in my opinion better) books. Very disappointed overall; more fairytale than thriller.