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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Where the Truth Lies by Anna Bailey is a dark, highly atmospheric thriller that put the fictional town of Whistling Ridge, Colorado, on the map as the town I least want to visit. It is full of either heinous people or spineless victims - no one I could relate to or even empathize with.
Despite this world that pulled me deep into despair, there were aspects that I just loved about it. Dotted like breadcrumbs are the most ingenious teases as to what happened to Abigail Blake. These delectable bites kept me from bolting away from Whistling Ridge. Instead, they held me spellbound to the mystery at hand. I also liked the dual timeline of Now and Then, which allowed me to see the events leading up to Abigail’s disappearance interspersed with the investigation of her case.
Those glimpses into the past let me get to know Abigail, and she shows more of the attributes I would connect with. Though she is not untainted by this world full of trigger warnings for violence – sexual and physical. And, those aspects of her personality that developed due to her surroundings are the very ones that kept me at a distance.
If you are looking for the epitome of an atmospheric story with the most brilliant teases, and you are not triggered by non-graphic violent scenes, then Where the Truth Lies is just the story you want to pick up this summer.
Despite this world that pulled me deep into despair, there were aspects that I just loved about it. Dotted like breadcrumbs are the most ingenious teases as to what happened to Abigail Blake. These delectable bites kept me from bolting away from Whistling Ridge. Instead, they held me spellbound to the mystery at hand. I also liked the dual timeline of Now and Then, which allowed me to see the events leading up to Abigail’s disappearance interspersed with the investigation of her case.
Those glimpses into the past let me get to know Abigail, and she shows more of the attributes I would connect with. Though she is not untainted by this world full of trigger warnings for violence – sexual and physical. And, those aspects of her personality that developed due to her surroundings are the very ones that kept me at a distance.
If you are looking for the epitome of an atmospheric story with the most brilliant teases, and you are not triggered by non-graphic violent scenes, then Where the Truth Lies is just the story you want to pick up this summer.
This book was just too long, boring and sad for me to like. It started off promising but I didn’t get through the first quarter before I really just wanted it to be done.
The story follows Emma who is searching for her friend Abigail who goes missing one night. This book has every small town vice you can imagine - racism, homophobia, religious extremism, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape and there are probably ones I’ve missed. At some point I just got tired of discovering new ways this small town was horrible.
I totally see that I am in the minority for this one so I think it was just not for me.
The story follows Emma who is searching for her friend Abigail who goes missing one night. This book has every small town vice you can imagine - racism, homophobia, religious extremism, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape and there are probably ones I’ve missed. At some point I just got tired of discovering new ways this small town was horrible.
I totally see that I am in the minority for this one so I think it was just not for me.
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Rape, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia
This is a debut novel for Anna Bailey and I think she did a great job. It's a very dark and very sad story. It's well written and very thought provoking. It will bring out some feelings that you won't expect I believe. It has a subject matter that may make you feel uncomfortable but it's still one that needs to be addressed. It's a story of a town with many secrets. A lot of people who claim to be Christians who are in my opinion of the devil himself. If I believed in all of that. What happened in this town has no doubt happened in a few small towns in our country. I honestly have no doubt. Whether it's hatred for a lifestyle, a race, a political view, or something else. In this one it just happens to be the bigots that hate a person for their race and another for their sexual preferences. How sad is that?? Very I say! Very sad indeed.
The characters in this book are all really messed up. There is Melissa, who I think I liked more than any of them and she's the mother to Emma. Emma was Abi's best friend. Samuel, who I hated, truly hated, is Abi's dad. Also married to Dollie and the dad to Noah and Jude. He's the most abusive person I think I have ever read about. He's truly of the devil. He's cold blooded. Yet he goes to church and is consider of God... Figure that one out. I didn't like Dollie either though I did feel a bit sorry for her. But she was not a good mother. Though a part of me wants to understand her reasons. The one I think I hated most was Pastor Lewis. If that man is a christian then anyone can be. He's one that incites so much violence. He gets people all worked up and they do things that most likely they might not have done. But then again maybe they just needed that excuse. Pastor Lewis could be satan himself. Who knows.
The feelings in this book are truly raw. The things that happen may make you cringe. Hold your breath. Even cry. It sure did me. I cried so many times it's crazy. I felt so sorry for Noah. And his friend Rat. I liked Noah and Rat. Even though they were not perfect. But who is right? Noah just wanted to be seen. Rat saw him. Noah's little brother, Jude, was another character that I liked. He was just an innocent child who bared the brunt of his father's evil temper once too often and was never the same after.
The descriptions in this book are great. You will feel like you are there. In the woods. At the trailer park. You will feel the heat from the fire. The pain that someone feels. Each one who is hurt. This is a book filled with so much pain. But there is hope right? Yes, there is always hope. Maybe someday people will be accepted for who they are. Not what they are. Not by their ethnicity or their sexual preference or who their parents are. But will it happen in out lifetime? Probably not. But we can hope. At least I do.
Thank you #NetGalley, #AnnaBailey, #Atria for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.
I debated between a 4 or 5 star and had to go with 5/5 as it was really a good story. A touching story. A sad story. A very dark story. I do recommend it. It's worth it.
The characters in this book are all really messed up. There is Melissa, who I think I liked more than any of them and she's the mother to Emma. Emma was Abi's best friend. Samuel, who I hated, truly hated, is Abi's dad. Also married to Dollie and the dad to Noah and Jude. He's the most abusive person I think I have ever read about. He's truly of the devil. He's cold blooded. Yet he goes to church and is consider of God... Figure that one out. I didn't like Dollie either though I did feel a bit sorry for her. But she was not a good mother. Though a part of me wants to understand her reasons. The one I think I hated most was Pastor Lewis. If that man is a christian then anyone can be. He's one that incites so much violence. He gets people all worked up and they do things that most likely they might not have done. But then again maybe they just needed that excuse. Pastor Lewis could be satan himself. Who knows.
The feelings in this book are truly raw. The things that happen may make you cringe. Hold your breath. Even cry. It sure did me. I cried so many times it's crazy. I felt so sorry for Noah. And his friend Rat. I liked Noah and Rat. Even though they were not perfect. But who is right? Noah just wanted to be seen. Rat saw him. Noah's little brother, Jude, was another character that I liked. He was just an innocent child who bared the brunt of his father's evil temper once too often and was never the same after.
The descriptions in this book are great. You will feel like you are there. In the woods. At the trailer park. You will feel the heat from the fire. The pain that someone feels. Each one who is hurt. This is a book filled with so much pain. But there is hope right? Yes, there is always hope. Maybe someday people will be accepted for who they are. Not what they are. Not by their ethnicity or their sexual preference or who their parents are. But will it happen in out lifetime? Probably not. But we can hope. At least I do.
Thank you #NetGalley, #AnnaBailey, #Atria for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.
I debated between a 4 or 5 star and had to go with 5/5 as it was really a good story. A touching story. A sad story. A very dark story. I do recommend it. It's worth it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't expect this to turn out so good, damn. Excellent storytelling!
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced