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ivyinthepages's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 4.75 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Mythology
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Yes!
First want to thank Netgalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.
Second I want it to be known I am not a fan of detective books but this one was very much worth the pick up. You have multiple point of views but they are done so well that it isn't a problem. This story had me wanting to know more and more and I just NEEDED to know how it ended. I will admit the ending left me a bit sad, wasn't what I really wanted but it was still good enough to give it such a high rating.
My first book by Melanie Golding did not disappoint!
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Mythology
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Yes!
First want to thank Netgalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.
Second I want it to be known I am not a fan of detective books but this one was very much worth the pick up. You have multiple point of views but they are done so well that it isn't a problem. This story had me wanting to know more and more and I just NEEDED to know how it ended. I will admit the ending left me a bit sad, wasn't what I really wanted but it was still good enough to give it such a high rating.
My first book by Melanie Golding did not disappoint!
azdesert_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This is a story about acceptance...accepting who you are, where you come from, and what family really means. It’s also a crime story with some strange and mysterious characters and a fun tale of folklore and legends. It is also about the lengths one will go to for the children they love, whether their own personal children or those young, little people who come into our lives and wiggle their way into our hearts. You know, those kids that call you auntie or uncle even though there is no blood relation.
On the surface, the story follows Joanna Harper, a police detective, who is trying to solve the mystery of how a man found in critical condition in his bathroom is connected to two seemingly unconnected women and a child. Oh yeah, and just to throw a little twist in there, the latter three have gone missing.
The plot evolves through alternating points of view, mainly between Joanna and Ruby, but a few times with the mystery man. What I like about this type of mystery/crime drama is the dueling timelines. Switching from the past to the present allows the reader to learn essential missing pieces needed to try to solve the mystery on our own. It also creates suspense and tension that captures and holds your attention.
Through the alternating POVs, we learn the challenges that Joanna and Ruby face in their lives, why they made the decisions they have made, and their personal reflections, regrets and growth. With the timelines, Golding does a fantastic job of giving just enough to make us think we know what is going on. That Constance is really crazy, but then maybe she isn’t. The present timeline allows the investigation to play out while the past puts the series of events in order.
Without giving away any spoilers, there is so much more to this book than that. Ruby struggles with who she is and family. Constance struggles with the traditions of her people and longs to go home, but can’t. Both are very different, but the similar emotional distress they each face is very similar. This is what forges their bond.
Now throw in the folktales of the Selkie and Roane, which are seals that can take human shape, and you’ll probably be really confused as to how his serious crime investigation can maintain its depth and sophistication with these Gaelic traditions. It’s actually quite impressive. I was fascinated with this touch of the story. And, it was so effortlessly incorporated. The local folk were in quiet acceptance when other characters interacted with them. Especially when it seemed most of the characters thought the tales being told were just words of a crazy person.
At the end of the book, Golding provides an Author’s Note discussing the incorporation of the Folklore in this book, specifically focusing on “The Mermaid Wife” which is quoted several times throughout the book. I’m so glad she decided to include this supplement because I learned a lot about history and the connection to some of the plot elements she used to develop her narrative.
But, this isn’t the only folktale or legend referenced in the book. Golding did her research and clearly appreciates and respects these tales. It makes me want to delve into this genre a little more, and to read more by her to see what other unique topics get incorporated.
The only major criticism I have about the book is the ending. That climatic moment when all the characters are together and someone, especially in a story like this, is going to die, get seriously hurt or dramatically arrested. I will say that what happens to the characters is fitting, but it was so quick that it almost felt a little anticlimactic. It just felt some of the drama and anticipation that was built up getting to that point just fizzled out. I was left wanting just a little more. But, since I am a big stickler about conclusions, I have to give kudos for providing an epilogue.
If you remember from the beginning, I said that there was a child involved in all this. A sweet little toddler. This two year old had some great character development, which is important because it is through her actions that you can and interpret the dynamics of the relationships and interactions of those around her. You can learn so much by watching a young child. They learn very quickly what is expected in their family. It is through this child that Ruby truly begins to reflect on her own life and the estranged relationship she has with her mother and grandparents.
There is nothing more powerful than the love of a child. As a parent, you would do anything for your child. And, sadly, sometimes, the best thing for your child is the hardest decision to make or action to take. This is seen in Joanna, Ruby and Constance. Three very different women who at the core still have the same desire to do what is best.
I really liked this book. There were a few times where the pace slowed down a little bit for me, but thankfully, it would pick back up. I would totally recommend this book if you like crime and mystery and are looking for a fresh take on it. I loved the folklore, the twisted relationships and was slightly frightened by just how easy it really is to use technology in sinister ways.
On the surface, the story follows Joanna Harper, a police detective, who is trying to solve the mystery of how a man found in critical condition in his bathroom is connected to two seemingly unconnected women and a child. Oh yeah, and just to throw a little twist in there, the latter three have gone missing.
The plot evolves through alternating points of view, mainly between Joanna and Ruby, but a few times with the mystery man. What I like about this type of mystery/crime drama is the dueling timelines. Switching from the past to the present allows the reader to learn essential missing pieces needed to try to solve the mystery on our own. It also creates suspense and tension that captures and holds your attention.
Through the alternating POVs, we learn the challenges that Joanna and Ruby face in their lives, why they made the decisions they have made, and their personal reflections, regrets and growth. With the timelines, Golding does a fantastic job of giving just enough to make us think we know what is going on. That Constance is really crazy, but then maybe she isn’t. The present timeline allows the investigation to play out while the past puts the series of events in order.
Without giving away any spoilers, there is so much more to this book than that. Ruby struggles with who she is and family. Constance struggles with the traditions of her people and longs to go home, but can’t. Both are very different, but the similar emotional distress they each face is very similar. This is what forges their bond.
Now throw in the folktales of the Selkie and Roane, which are seals that can take human shape, and you’ll probably be really confused as to how his serious crime investigation can maintain its depth and sophistication with these Gaelic traditions. It’s actually quite impressive. I was fascinated with this touch of the story. And, it was so effortlessly incorporated. The local folk were in quiet acceptance when other characters interacted with them. Especially when it seemed most of the characters thought the tales being told were just words of a crazy person.
At the end of the book, Golding provides an Author’s Note discussing the incorporation of the Folklore in this book, specifically focusing on “The Mermaid Wife” which is quoted several times throughout the book. I’m so glad she decided to include this supplement because I learned a lot about history and the connection to some of the plot elements she used to develop her narrative.
But, this isn’t the only folktale or legend referenced in the book. Golding did her research and clearly appreciates and respects these tales. It makes me want to delve into this genre a little more, and to read more by her to see what other unique topics get incorporated.
The only major criticism I have about the book is the ending. That climatic moment when all the characters are together and someone, especially in a story like this, is going to die, get seriously hurt or dramatically arrested. I will say that what happens to the characters is fitting, but it was so quick that it almost felt a little anticlimactic. It just felt some of the drama and anticipation that was built up getting to that point just fizzled out. I was left wanting just a little more. But, since I am a big stickler about conclusions, I have to give kudos for providing an epilogue.
If you remember from the beginning, I said that there was a child involved in all this. A sweet little toddler. This two year old had some great character development, which is important because it is through her actions that you can and interpret the dynamics of the relationships and interactions of those around her. You can learn so much by watching a young child. They learn very quickly what is expected in their family. It is through this child that Ruby truly begins to reflect on her own life and the estranged relationship she has with her mother and grandparents.
There is nothing more powerful than the love of a child. As a parent, you would do anything for your child. And, sadly, sometimes, the best thing for your child is the hardest decision to make or action to take. This is seen in Joanna, Ruby and Constance. Three very different women who at the core still have the same desire to do what is best.
I really liked this book. There were a few times where the pace slowed down a little bit for me, but thankfully, it would pick back up. I would totally recommend this book if you like crime and mystery and are looking for a fresh take on it. I loved the folklore, the twisted relationships and was slightly frightened by just how easy it really is to use technology in sinister ways.
azdesert_bookworm's review
4.0
This is a story about acceptance...accepting who you are, where you come from, and what family really means. It’s also a crime story with some strange and mysterious characters and a fun tale of folklore and legends. It is also about the lengths one will go to for the children they love, whether their own personal children or those young, little people who come into our lives and wiggle their way into our hearts. You know, those kids that call you auntie or uncle even though there is no blood relation.
On the surface, the story follows Joanna Harper, a police detective, who is trying to solve the mystery of how a man found in critical condition in his bathroom is connected to two seemingly unconnected women and a child. Oh yeah, and just to throw a little twist in there, the latter three have gone missing.
The plot evolves through alternating points of view, mainly between Joanna and Ruby, but a few times with the mystery man. What I like about this type of mystery/crime drama is the dueling timelines. Switching from the past to the present allows the reader to learn essential missing pieces needed to try to solve the mystery on our own. It also creates suspense and tension that captures and holds your attention.
Through the alternating POVs, we learn the challenges that Joanna and Ruby face in their lives, why they made the decisions they have made, and their personal reflections, regrets and growth. With the timelines, Golding does a fantastic job of giving just enough to make us think we know what is going on. That Constance is really crazy, but then maybe she isn’t. The present timeline allows the investigation to play out while the past puts the series of events in order.
Without giving away any spoilers, there is so much more to this book than that. Ruby struggles with who she is and family. Constance struggles with the traditions of her people and longs to go home, but can’t. Both are very different, but the similar emotional distress they each face is very similar. This is what forges their bond.
Woven throughout are the folktales of the Selkie and Roane, which are seals that can take human shape, and you’ll probably be really confused as to how his serious crime investigation can maintain its depth and sophistication with these Gaelic traditions. It’s actually quite impressive. I was fascinated with this touch of the story. And, it was so effortlessly incorporated. The local folk were in quiet acceptance when other characters interacted with them. Especially when it seemed most of the characters thought the tales being told were just words of a crazy person.
At the end of the book, Golding provides an Author’s Note discussing the incorporation of the Folklore in this book, specifically focusing on “The Mermaid Wife” which is quoted several times throughout the book. I’m so glad she decided to include this supplement because I learned a lot about history and the connection to some of the plot elements she used to develop her narrative.
But, this isn’t the only folktale or legend referenced in the book. Golding did her research and clearly appreciates and respects these tales. It makes me want to delve into this genre a little more, and to read more by her to see what other unique topics get incorporated.
The only major criticism I have about the book is the ending. That climatic moment when all the characters are together and someone, especially in a story like this, is going to die, get seriously hurt or dramatically arrested. I will say that what happens to the characters is fitting, but it was so quick that it almost felt a little anticlimactic. It just felt some of the drama and anticipation that was built up getting to that point just fizzled out. I was left wanting just a little more. But, since I am a big stickler about conclusions, I have to give kudos for providing an epilogue.
If you remember from the beginning, I said that there was a child involved in all this. A sweet little toddler. This two year old had some great character development, which is important because it is through her actions that you can and interpret the dynamics of the relationships and interactions of those around her. You can learn so much by watching a young child. They learn very quickly what is expected in their family. It is through this child that Ruby truly begins to reflect on her own life and the estranged relationship she has with her mother and grandparents.
“Forgiveness wasn’t about the other person, though. It was about drawing a line under something and moving on.”
There is nothing more powerful than the love of a child. As a parent, you would do anything for your child. And, sadly, sometimes, the best thing for your child is the hardest decision to make or action to take. This is seen in Joanna, Ruby and Constance. Three very different women who at the core still have the same desire to do what is best.
I really liked this book. There were a few times where the pace slowed down a little bit for me, but thankfully, it would pick back up. I would totally recommend this book if you like crime and mystery and are looking for a fresh take on it. I loved the folklore, the twisted relationships and was slightly frightened by just how easy it really is to use technology in sinister ways. Add this to your TBR lists now! It is set to be released on November 9!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this for my honest review.
On the surface, the story follows Joanna Harper, a police detective, who is trying to solve the mystery of how a man found in critical condition in his bathroom is connected to two seemingly unconnected women and a child. Oh yeah, and just to throw a little twist in there, the latter three have gone missing.
The plot evolves through alternating points of view, mainly between Joanna and Ruby, but a few times with the mystery man. What I like about this type of mystery/crime drama is the dueling timelines. Switching from the past to the present allows the reader to learn essential missing pieces needed to try to solve the mystery on our own. It also creates suspense and tension that captures and holds your attention.
Through the alternating POVs, we learn the challenges that Joanna and Ruby face in their lives, why they made the decisions they have made, and their personal reflections, regrets and growth. With the timelines, Golding does a fantastic job of giving just enough to make us think we know what is going on. That Constance is really crazy, but then maybe she isn’t. The present timeline allows the investigation to play out while the past puts the series of events in order.
Without giving away any spoilers, there is so much more to this book than that. Ruby struggles with who she is and family. Constance struggles with the traditions of her people and longs to go home, but can’t. Both are very different, but the similar emotional distress they each face is very similar. This is what forges their bond.
Woven throughout are the folktales of the Selkie and Roane, which are seals that can take human shape, and you’ll probably be really confused as to how his serious crime investigation can maintain its depth and sophistication with these Gaelic traditions. It’s actually quite impressive. I was fascinated with this touch of the story. And, it was so effortlessly incorporated. The local folk were in quiet acceptance when other characters interacted with them. Especially when it seemed most of the characters thought the tales being told were just words of a crazy person.
At the end of the book, Golding provides an Author’s Note discussing the incorporation of the Folklore in this book, specifically focusing on “The Mermaid Wife” which is quoted several times throughout the book. I’m so glad she decided to include this supplement because I learned a lot about history and the connection to some of the plot elements she used to develop her narrative.
But, this isn’t the only folktale or legend referenced in the book. Golding did her research and clearly appreciates and respects these tales. It makes me want to delve into this genre a little more, and to read more by her to see what other unique topics get incorporated.
The only major criticism I have about the book is the ending. That climatic moment when all the characters are together and someone, especially in a story like this, is going to die, get seriously hurt or dramatically arrested. I will say that what happens to the characters is fitting, but it was so quick that it almost felt a little anticlimactic. It just felt some of the drama and anticipation that was built up getting to that point just fizzled out. I was left wanting just a little more. But, since I am a big stickler about conclusions, I have to give kudos for providing an epilogue.
If you remember from the beginning, I said that there was a child involved in all this. A sweet little toddler. This two year old had some great character development, which is important because it is through her actions that you can and interpret the dynamics of the relationships and interactions of those around her. You can learn so much by watching a young child. They learn very quickly what is expected in their family. It is through this child that Ruby truly begins to reflect on her own life and the estranged relationship she has with her mother and grandparents.
“Forgiveness wasn’t about the other person, though. It was about drawing a line under something and moving on.”
There is nothing more powerful than the love of a child. As a parent, you would do anything for your child. And, sadly, sometimes, the best thing for your child is the hardest decision to make or action to take. This is seen in Joanna, Ruby and Constance. Three very different women who at the core still have the same desire to do what is best.
I really liked this book. There were a few times where the pace slowed down a little bit for me, but thankfully, it would pick back up. I would totally recommend this book if you like crime and mystery and are looking for a fresh take on it. I loved the folklore, the twisted relationships and was slightly frightened by just how easy it really is to use technology in sinister ways. Add this to your TBR lists now! It is set to be released on November 9!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this for my honest review.
soulsow's review against another edition
4.0
A thriller mixed with Celtic mythology, it was refreshing. A child disappears, and then a child appearing alone and a mysterious woman saying she's her mother.
. It was easy to read with a lot of good plot twist that wasn't always predictable. The characters were interesting and fleshed out, their connections was slowly made.
My favorite thing is that it got darker in way you wouldn't expect, in the beginning the characters are odd, a more than suspicious woman, a man left for dead and the folklore comes in with selkies, everything got darker and it was the moment it picked up for me.
It's not the classical thriller police story and all loose thread will eventually come together for a much darker story than you would think
. It was easy to read with a lot of good plot twist that wasn't always predictable. The characters were interesting and fleshed out, their connections was slowly made.
My favorite thing is that it got darker in way you wouldn't expect, in the beginning the characters are odd, a more than suspicious woman, a man left for dead and the folklore comes in with selkies, everything got darker and it was the moment it picked up for me.
It's not the classical thriller police story and all loose thread will eventually come together for a much darker story than you would think
tsumugiaoba's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
problemreader's review
3.0
It was just okay for me. Very slow start. I almost DNFd it. It did get better, but not as good as I’d hoped.
clover698's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
dlbircher's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.25