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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for the e-ARC of this novel. I struggle to review this one because there were parts of the book that I liked, but others that I felt really slowed the book down and made me lose interest. Though I typically like multiple perspective books, I thought this one got a little complicated, especially when switching between different time periods of each characters experience. I did enjoy the ending however and how different storylines came together. While this won't stop me from possibly picking up other Alex North novels, this one was not a favorite.
Mystery, madness, murder, “The Angel Maker” has it all. The novel features a steady climb up a creative and unique concept, utilizing excellent chapter cliffhangers and clever character design to spur readers forward. It’s simple while being smart. It’s fast and flashy. I liked it! This is a solid crime thriller!
However, it gets a bit sticky. Have you ever had a peanut butter and honey sandwich? Swirling flavors and textures that sticks to teeth and tongue. That’s like this book. Again, I liked it! But, there was a lot going on; about five different plot lines too many added a small amount of confusion which took away some of the enjoyment. You take too big of a bite and there’s too much to work with, you’re gonna struggle to get it all down. North does a pretty good job at tying up the stringy loose ends, though, so I’ll give credit for that.
3.5/5 For a book about chance and free will (and murder), it’s no coincidence I liked it! (get it)
However, it gets a bit sticky. Have you ever had a peanut butter and honey sandwich? Swirling flavors and textures that sticks to teeth and tongue. That’s like this book. Again, I liked it! But, there was a lot going on; about five different plot lines too many added a small amount of confusion which took away some of the enjoyment. You take too big of a bite and there’s too much to work with, you’re gonna struggle to get it all down. North does a pretty good job at tying up the stringy loose ends, though, so I’ll give credit for that.
3.5/5 For a book about chance and free will (and murder), it’s no coincidence I liked it! (get it)
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Alex North is an author I always make a beeline for. I love his books with their creepy edge, compelling plotlines and believable characters. I feel North creates the same eerie feel for his readers as C.J. Tudor does, and I flipping love that (and if you enjoy Tudor’s books and haven’t read an Alex North novel yet, make sure that changes!). It’s been a few years since The Shadow Friend, North’s last book, was published so I was very much looking forward to the arrival of The Half Burnt House. Grabbing hold of a copy as soon as I could and moving it straight to the top of the TBR!
The Half Burnt House is an intriguing, multi-layered mystery which centres around two families. It’s an intricately plotted tale that does require the reader to commit to the story. There’s a heck of a lot going on in this book! Multiple characters, multiple view points and multiple timelines. I found myself wishing I had made more thorough notes. But the author does tie everything together at the end of the novel. The characters are interesting and draw the reader in. There aren’t many likeable characters but that’s never really stopped me from enjoying a book. The unlikeable characters make for a much more interesting reading experience, right?! I enjoyed discovering more about the philosophical view of determinism. I believe the author studied Philosophy so his knowledge of the subject gave the book an original edge. All in all, I’m really glad I read The Half Burnt House. I remain a fan of the author and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.
Alex North is an author I always make a beeline for. I love his books with their creepy edge, compelling plotlines and believable characters. I feel North creates the same eerie feel for his readers as C.J. Tudor does, and I flipping love that (and if you enjoy Tudor’s books and haven’t read an Alex North novel yet, make sure that changes!). It’s been a few years since The Shadow Friend, North’s last book, was published so I was very much looking forward to the arrival of The Half Burnt House. Grabbing hold of a copy as soon as I could and moving it straight to the top of the TBR!
The Half Burnt House is an intriguing, multi-layered mystery which centres around two families. It’s an intricately plotted tale that does require the reader to commit to the story. There’s a heck of a lot going on in this book! Multiple characters, multiple view points and multiple timelines. I found myself wishing I had made more thorough notes. But the author does tie everything together at the end of the novel. The characters are interesting and draw the reader in. There aren’t many likeable characters but that’s never really stopped me from enjoying a book. The unlikeable characters make for a much more interesting reading experience, right?! I enjoyed discovering more about the philosophical view of determinism. I believe the author studied Philosophy so his knowledge of the subject gave the book an original edge. All in all, I’m really glad I read The Half Burnt House. I remain a fan of the author and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.
I’m frustrated because this is a good novel that was unnecessarily confusing. I don’t mind multiple storylines that happen at different points in history, but I need to be able to follow these story- and timelines. Additionally, there are already a ton of characters, and the author made the decision to sometimes refer to a character by his or her first name and then randomly for no reason by his/her last name, so now I have to remember two names for each character.
The novel at times got tense. One storyline is about Katie Shaw and her brother Christopher. When they were young, a violent crime did irreparable damage to their family. Now, years later, Chris has gone missing, and Katie is determined to find out what happened.
Detective Laurence Page is investigating the brutal murder of a frail, wealthy man, and all signs point to Chris, who seems to have disappeared.
There’s good stuff here, but I think I should have been taking careful notes so I could actually follow what was happening.
NetGalley provided an advance reader copy of this mystery/horror novel, which RELEASES FEBRURARY 28, 2023.
The novel at times got tense. One storyline is about Katie Shaw and her brother Christopher. When they were young, a violent crime did irreparable damage to their family. Now, years later, Chris has gone missing, and Katie is determined to find out what happened.
Detective Laurence Page is investigating the brutal murder of a frail, wealthy man, and all signs point to Chris, who seems to have disappeared.
There’s good stuff here, but I think I should have been taking careful notes so I could actually follow what was happening.
NetGalley provided an advance reader copy of this mystery/horror novel, which RELEASES FEBRURARY 28, 2023.
The Angel Maker is the type of book I should have loved but drowned in the details. Bluntly put, there is just too many characters and timelines. I thought getting the audiobook version would help, but I still struggled to become invested.
Thank you Celadon Books for sending me an ARC.
Thank you Celadon Books for sending me an ARC.
This is a very good thriller, but it does require a lot of concentration to be able to follow along with the characters and the various timelines that move quite quickly, and yet somehow, are all interconnected.
The Angel maker is about sibling loyalty, a serial killer, and a detective determined to put the pieces together.
Katie has a younger brother Chris, who was attacked and permanently scarred & turned to drugs. They have not spoken to each other in years.
Alan Hobbes is murdered. Is his death connected to Chris?
#thriller #mystery #horror
3.5 stars, rounded up
The Angel maker is about sibling loyalty, a serial killer, and a detective determined to put the pieces together.
Katie has a younger brother Chris, who was attacked and permanently scarred & turned to drugs. They have not spoken to each other in years.
Alan Hobbes is murdered. Is his death connected to Chris?
#thriller #mystery #horror
3.5 stars, rounded up
I wasn’t sure where I’d land with this one, but I loved it! It was dark and twisty, with so much build up to the reveals and climax. To me, it was a very exciting finish with tons of plot developments I would never have seen coming.
I thought the philosophical questions underpinning the book were interesting, if confusing. I never did well in philosophy courses.
I am glad I chose the print option for this book; I found myself re reading passages several times to ensure I understood what was being said, and I flipped back a lot to make sure I knew who was who. It was a little confusing, but I think it’s worth the work.
I definitely recommend reading this one if you like crime fiction, the supernatural, or have enjoyed North’s other books.
⚠️TW: Child death - implied, house fire, suicidal ideation, drug use, murder of a spouse
Thank you to Celadon for the gifted copy!!
I thought the philosophical questions underpinning the book were interesting, if confusing. I never did well in philosophy courses.
I am glad I chose the print option for this book; I found myself re reading passages several times to ensure I understood what was being said, and I flipped back a lot to make sure I knew who was who. It was a little confusing, but I think it’s worth the work.
I definitely recommend reading this one if you like crime fiction, the supernatural, or have enjoyed North’s other books.
⚠️TW: Child death - implied, house fire, suicidal ideation, drug use, murder of a spouse
Thank you to Celadon for the gifted copy!!
****I received this audiobook from NetGalley as an ARC for my honest review.
This book starts off right away getting your attention. It has siblings, a serial killer, fate, and a book that can tell the future. All of these things give you a wild ride.
This book starts off right away getting your attention. It has siblings, a serial killer, fate, and a book that can tell the future. All of these things give you a wild ride.
I went into this book with very high hopes. Unfortunately, I found myself going back and forth to try to comprehend what was going on. Unfortunately, it fell very flat for me. While I love a slow burn, I need a consistent story. It was a bust for me and I love this author, but I was disappointed in this one for sure.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced