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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Plot – 5 stars
Ending – 2 stars
Overall - 3.5 stars
The story of family secrets and how they fester over time. Sylvie, 13, is tired of her sister sneaking out to see her abusive boyfriend. When she makes the decision to intentionally lock her sister out of the house, Sylvie’s secret haunts her as her sister is found murdered three days later. Their mother shuts herself away, ignoring Sylvie, and drinks herself into alcoholism.
Seventeen years later, estranged from her mother, Sylvie’s aunt calls to tell her she has to come home. Mom has cancer and you need to take care of her. Reluctantly, Sylvie comes home, and the secrets start to reveal themselves.
The minute you learn that Sylvie’s sister, Persephone has been murdered, there appears to be only one suspect. But there’s no evidence. No arrest. Seventeen years later, when the story really starts, Sylvie is determined to find the evidence. As another reviewer mentioned, this isn’t a complex story, and we have a limited number of suspects. Which, for me, heightened the tension. And each time we learned of more secrets, it helped to switch the focus to someone else.
Overall, the first 2/3 of the book was gripping and held my attention. I really really wanted to know who the killer was. The way the story was weaved provided the reader with a slew of emotions. At times I would be angry at Sylvie for being so naïve, a lot of the times I was mad at the mother, who ignored her living child so she could forever mourn her dead child. The story really had me going.
So it was rather disappointing how the story came to an end. When the killer is revealed, it’s rather anticlimactic. I just wish there had more care taken in how the ending would unfold.
It’s a solid read. Just remember that the ending won’t give you any twists and you’ll probably enjoy it a little more than me.
Ending – 2 stars
Overall - 3.5 stars
The story of family secrets and how they fester over time. Sylvie, 13, is tired of her sister sneaking out to see her abusive boyfriend. When she makes the decision to intentionally lock her sister out of the house, Sylvie’s secret haunts her as her sister is found murdered three days later. Their mother shuts herself away, ignoring Sylvie, and drinks herself into alcoholism.
Seventeen years later, estranged from her mother, Sylvie’s aunt calls to tell her she has to come home. Mom has cancer and you need to take care of her. Reluctantly, Sylvie comes home, and the secrets start to reveal themselves.
The minute you learn that Sylvie’s sister, Persephone has been murdered, there appears to be only one suspect. But there’s no evidence. No arrest. Seventeen years later, when the story really starts, Sylvie is determined to find the evidence. As another reviewer mentioned, this isn’t a complex story, and we have a limited number of suspects. Which, for me, heightened the tension. And each time we learned of more secrets, it helped to switch the focus to someone else.
Overall, the first 2/3 of the book was gripping and held my attention. I really really wanted to know who the killer was. The way the story was weaved provided the reader with a slew of emotions. At times I would be angry at Sylvie for being so naïve, a lot of the times I was mad at the mother, who ignored her living child so she could forever mourn her dead child. The story really had me going.
So it was rather disappointing how the story came to an end. When the killer is revealed, it’s rather anticlimactic. I just wish there had more care taken in how the ending would unfold.
It’s a solid read. Just remember that the ending won’t give you any twists and you’ll probably enjoy it a little more than me.
3.5 stars. If you’re wanting a thriller, you’ll hate this. But if you’re down for an intense family drama about a girl and her toxic mother, you’ll love this!
It’s a difficult read at times as the mother is truly AWFUL - one of the top 10 most vile mothers I’ve ever read! But at the same time, the fact that she evokes such emotion in me as a reader is how I know it’s well written.
The mystery of Persephone’s murder wasn’t especially compelling in and of itself, but it’s interesting to read a mystery that doesn’t focus on digging up the murdered girl’s secrets. The story is more about the people she left behind, and the secrets they kept.
But my god, if the protag and her mum just got some goddamn therapy, this book could’ve been over in 66 pages. *screams*
I also had to dock a half star because the author’s lack of research on tattoo culture really showed. I cringed through every reference to the protag’s day job because nothing was consistent with how tattoo shops and tattoo culture actually works. (A tattoo artist who doesn’t have tattoos, calls her machine a tattoo gun, and is also home at a reasonable hour every night without drawing to do? LOL no)
It’s a difficult read at times as the mother is truly AWFUL - one of the top 10 most vile mothers I’ve ever read! But at the same time, the fact that she evokes such emotion in me as a reader is how I know it’s well written.
The mystery of Persephone’s murder wasn’t especially compelling in and of itself, but it’s interesting to read a mystery that doesn’t focus on digging up the murdered girl’s secrets. The story is more about the people she left behind, and the secrets they kept.
But my god, if the protag and her mum just got some goddamn therapy, this book could’ve been over in 66 pages. *screams*
I also had to dock a half star because the author’s lack of research on tattoo culture really showed. I cringed through every reference to the protag’s day job because nothing was consistent with how tattoo shops and tattoo culture actually works. (A tattoo artist who doesn’t have tattoos, calls her machine a tattoo gun, and is also home at a reasonable hour every night without drawing to do? LOL no)
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fast-paced, predictable thriller, perfect for getting you out of a slump.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Rounded up to 2.5. This book grabbed my attention right away and seemed like it was going to be really good, but the second half of the book was a disappointment. The dialogue was very surface level throughout, and because of that, I felt a lot of character depth was lost. This was true for every character in the novel - I didn't get a good sense of who they were, how they felt, etc and I ended up having no feelings whatsoever about any of them. I never really "felt" the tension between Sylvia and her mother, nor the terror I think the author meant for me to feel in certain scenes. The ending was quite predictable as well.
I really did enjoy this book. It had excellent writing and great characters. I was a little caught off guard by some of the ending but some I had put together already.
Very predictable plot. The "big" reveals were muted because it was very easy to tell what was coming next.
Thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for the advanced review copy! The description of this novel had me intrigued, and it did not disappoint!
Sylvie is 14 when her older sister, Persephone, goes missing. Days later, 16 year old Persephone's body is found buried underneath snow, with signs of strangulation. The search for her killer is fruitless for years, and the novel centers on Sylvie's struggle with her perceived fault in the incident, as well as her strained relationship with her mother, Annie. Years after the murder, Sylvie returns to her childhood home and revisits the past with a new enthusiasm to find the killer. Theories are tested and old wounds reopened, and the balance between thriller and familial drama really draws in the reader!
I finished this book in a day, I loved the pace and had to know what happened to Persephone. Sylvie is a likable main character and I rooted for her to track down the truth and find closure to the tragic loss of her sister.
I'm giving it less than 5 stars because I guessed the few twists in the story, and well before they were revealed. I wanted it to be more of a challenge, and since I had guessed the shocking parts, I was a little let down by the final chapters.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Megan Collins, this was a strong debut!
Sylvie is 14 when her older sister, Persephone, goes missing. Days later, 16 year old Persephone's body is found buried underneath snow, with signs of strangulation. The search for her killer is fruitless for years, and the novel centers on Sylvie's struggle with her perceived fault in the incident, as well as her strained relationship with her mother, Annie. Years after the murder, Sylvie returns to her childhood home and revisits the past with a new enthusiasm to find the killer. Theories are tested and old wounds reopened, and the balance between thriller and familial drama really draws in the reader!
I finished this book in a day, I loved the pace and had to know what happened to Persephone. Sylvie is a likable main character and I rooted for her to track down the truth and find closure to the tragic loss of her sister.
I'm giving it less than 5 stars because I guessed the few twists in the story, and well before they were revealed. I wanted it to be more of a challenge, and since I had guessed the shocking parts, I was a little let down by the final chapters.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Megan Collins, this was a strong debut!
Totally binge worthy! I received this book through Book Of The Month, and I am so glad I picked it. I loved this fast paced novel that kept you wanting to read more. I loved that Collins makes us predict one thing but then throws us through a loop. I was actually sad at the end of this book - I wanted to know more. I wish it ended with more closure.. that’s how much I loved all the characters.