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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
4.5 rounded to 5!!!
This was a compelling story! Lies, lies and more lies. The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.
This was a compelling story! Lies, lies and more lies. The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.
People have categorized this as a thriller and psychological thriller, but this is really not that. I went into it with slightly different expectations than I should have, but once I really settled into the fact that this is a domestic drama, I was able to appreciate it for what it was. Each family in the cul-de-sac is so flawed, some in more serious and damaging ways than others. There were so many deep issues addressed in this book and SO MANY completely unlikeable characters. But at the same time, there were some characters that you couldn't help supporting and hoping for. This book does end with a bang and I felt pretty satisfied at the end. I don't read a lot of domestic drama, but if I'm ever in the mood again I'll pick up another book from this author!
Not sure what it says about the characters that you'd be happy with quite a few being murdered...but it definitely keeps your attention and was worth the read.
I haven't read a lot of Fielding's novels (though do remember LOVING [b:See Jane Run|253993|See Jane Run|Joy Fielding|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441730463l/253993._SY75_.jpg|559710]) and the theme of domestic violence does seem to be a familiar thread.
I haven't read a lot of Fielding's novels (though do remember LOVING [b:See Jane Run|253993|See Jane Run|Joy Fielding|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441730463l/253993._SY75_.jpg|559710]) and the theme of domestic violence does seem to be a familiar thread.
3.5 stars. Not quite enough to round up to 4 stars. It was a long road to the twist but still an enjoyable read.
Great book which had me refusing to put the book down. I spent two late nights finishing this book to figure out which one of the neighbours was shot dead in the middle of the night.
Told from the perspectives of all of the neighbours, each of them with troubles that could leave them either the culprit or victim!
Great character development had me invested in each of the neighbours lives.
Highly recommended for an addictive read.
* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada in exchange from my honest review
Told from the perspectives of all of the neighbours, each of them with troubles that could leave them either the culprit or victim!
Great character development had me invested in each of the neighbours lives.
Highly recommended for an addictive read.
* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada in exchange from my honest review
Did you go to a 4th of July BBQ this weekend? So did the characters in Joy Fielding’s newest book, ‘Cul-de-sac.”
There are 5 homes on Carlyle Terrace, a cul-de-sac in a sleepy upscale neighbourhood in Palm Gardens, Florida. Five families who are trying to beat the Florida heat on a long weekend. A block party is a perfect idea. In theory. The thing with block parties is that they are supposed to be a great way to build connections with neighbours. However, the fireworks at this party weren’t the only things popping and banging….someone was shot.
Fielding sets it up so that you know this going into the book, then she backtracks and introduces you to each character so that you have an opportunity to guess along the way….who is the victim? Who is the gunman? Is the recently widowed grandma or her grandson a victim? Are one of the newlyweds involved? Perhaps it’s the abusive doctor and his submissive wife? Could the perfectionist couple who’ve just separated taken it to the next level? It can’t possibly be the wife or her husband who pretends to go to work each day, could it? Know this, they all have buried secrets and they all have access to guns.
Florida works so well for suspense novels and Fielding takes advantage of this fact. A quick glance in any Florida neighbourhood and you’ll see perfection. However, because she lives in Florida part-time, Fielding knows that if you look closer there’ll be an alligator in a bush, a snake by the shore and an ever-constant threat of hurricanes. Florida has an underlying current of menace, and she makes it work for this story. Five beautiful homes. Five seemingly perfect families. In the lead up to the BBQ, you’ll be privy to the secrets they hide and the stresses they’re under keeping up the appearances.
Told in the past tense with alternating points of view, the tone becomes darker as the plot progresses. I love multiple points of view because I get more details which add to my understanding and I feel it helps add intrigue and mystery. This domestic psychological suspense plays upon the foreboding atmosphere and culminates in an explosive ending. Fielding has tapped into our basic human emotions of love, hate and fear, and has penned a tale we can all relate to. Seeing ourselves in the story is the goal of most authors and Fielding most certainly accomplishes this fact.
Publishes August 10, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Joy Fielding, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
There are 5 homes on Carlyle Terrace, a cul-de-sac in a sleepy upscale neighbourhood in Palm Gardens, Florida. Five families who are trying to beat the Florida heat on a long weekend. A block party is a perfect idea. In theory. The thing with block parties is that they are supposed to be a great way to build connections with neighbours. However, the fireworks at this party weren’t the only things popping and banging….someone was shot.
Fielding sets it up so that you know this going into the book, then she backtracks and introduces you to each character so that you have an opportunity to guess along the way….who is the victim? Who is the gunman? Is the recently widowed grandma or her grandson a victim? Are one of the newlyweds involved? Perhaps it’s the abusive doctor and his submissive wife? Could the perfectionist couple who’ve just separated taken it to the next level? It can’t possibly be the wife or her husband who pretends to go to work each day, could it? Know this, they all have buried secrets and they all have access to guns.
Florida works so well for suspense novels and Fielding takes advantage of this fact. A quick glance in any Florida neighbourhood and you’ll see perfection. However, because she lives in Florida part-time, Fielding knows that if you look closer there’ll be an alligator in a bush, a snake by the shore and an ever-constant threat of hurricanes. Florida has an underlying current of menace, and she makes it work for this story. Five beautiful homes. Five seemingly perfect families. In the lead up to the BBQ, you’ll be privy to the secrets they hide and the stresses they’re under keeping up the appearances.
Told in the past tense with alternating points of view, the tone becomes darker as the plot progresses. I love multiple points of view because I get more details which add to my understanding and I feel it helps add intrigue and mystery. This domestic psychological suspense plays upon the foreboding atmosphere and culminates in an explosive ending. Fielding has tapped into our basic human emotions of love, hate and fear, and has penned a tale we can all relate to. Seeing ourselves in the story is the goal of most authors and Fielding most certainly accomplishes this fact.
Publishes August 10, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Joy Fielding, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Joy Fielding has written many books yet this is the first one that I have read. Lots to like here. Five homes in a suburban cul-de-sac, each with its unique form of dysfunction. Plenty to talk about if choosing this for a discussion group. One might not think an author could tie so many topics together, and that is the magic of this novel. Themes include:
Wife who makes more money than her husband (self-esteem issues)
Man over 50 who can't find a job (shame, ageism)
Smart elderly woman who must give up her home soon due to age issues.
Young adult man/boy who steals from family and uses drugs.
Alcoholism
Teen girl in love with an adult man
Guns in the home
Dating after a break-up in midlife
Spousal abuse
Mother-in-law control issues
Post-war PTSD veteran issues
Parental abandonment effects
Second chances
Goes on a bit more. Perhaps the best moral issue is: should a person speak up when they see something is very wrong.
There is one brief shocking violent scene. Otherwise, it seems like such a nice neighborhood.
Wife who makes more money than her husband (self-esteem issues)
Man over 50 who can't find a job (shame, ageism)
Smart elderly woman who must give up her home soon due to age issues.
Young adult man/boy who steals from family and uses drugs.
Alcoholism
Teen girl in love with an adult man
Guns in the home
Dating after a break-up in midlife
Spousal abuse
Mother-in-law control issues
Post-war PTSD veteran issues
Parental abandonment effects
Second chances
Goes on a bit more. Perhaps the best moral issue is: should a person speak up when they see something is very wrong.
There is one brief shocking violent scene. Otherwise, it seems like such a nice neighborhood.
I didn't realize how much I missed a Joy Fielding book. I stayed up until 2am to finish the book. I can't even say what the best part was, it just kept me so intrigued I couldn't put it down. I hope she has another book in less than the 2 years for this one.
#culdesac
#joyfielding
#NetGalley published 8/10/2021
#mystery
⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 houses. Multiple people in each house. For me, too many people for me to keep track of. That is why I took away a star. It took me until 3/4's through the book to know who belonged to whom and which background. Each household had their own secret. The reader has zero idea as to which house the body belongs to in the beginning.
Each house/family has secrets. Each house has someone seriously thinking about killing someone. One house has abuse. One house has an alcoholic loser adult. One has a kid who is lost and does too much weed. One house has a controlling MIL with a PTDS husband. One has a PTDS wife who is trying to get back on track.
They are good stories by themselves. We get to see them interact a bit from a street party and just seeing each other around. I would definitely give this author another read.
#ballantinebooks
#randomhousepublishing
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookworm #booklover #bookdragon #readalot #ilovereading #inkdrinker #librarymouse #booknerdbookreviews #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookrecommendation #bookreview #booknerdigan #bookish #gottareadthisbook
#joyfielding
#NetGalley published 8/10/2021
#mystery
⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 houses. Multiple people in each house. For me, too many people for me to keep track of. That is why I took away a star. It took me until 3/4's through the book to know who belonged to whom and which background. Each household had their own secret. The reader has zero idea as to which house the body belongs to in the beginning.
Each house/family has secrets. Each house has someone seriously thinking about killing someone. One house has abuse. One house has an alcoholic loser adult. One has a kid who is lost and does too much weed. One house has a controlling MIL with a PTDS husband. One has a PTDS wife who is trying to get back on track.
They are good stories by themselves. We get to see them interact a bit from a street party and just seeing each other around. I would definitely give this author another read.
#ballantinebooks
#randomhousepublishing
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookworm #booklover #bookdragon #readalot #ilovereading #inkdrinker #librarymouse #booknerdbookreviews #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookrecommendation #bookreview #booknerdigan #bookish #gottareadthisbook
New to me author. And new to me narrator. I liked both.
The story tells you in the prologue what to expect - the question is who gets killed and who does it. Was a long, winding road to get there, but still satisfying in the journey.
Not sure I would call this a psychological thriller though. When I asked my buddy listeners their thoughts, they thought domestic suspense was more accurate. I agree with that assessment.
This author is on my radar now.
The story tells you in the prologue what to expect - the question is who gets killed and who does it. Was a long, winding road to get there, but still satisfying in the journey.
Not sure I would call this a psychological thriller though. When I asked my buddy listeners their thoughts, they thought domestic suspense was more accurate. I agree with that assessment.
This author is on my radar now.