A review by librarianlex
She's Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard

dark mysterious 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

3.0

 She's Too Pretty To Burn by Wendy Heard

I want to start this review off talking about Audiobooks. I listened to STPTB and found the alternating POVs harder to keep up with. I wish I would have physical read this one because I think it would have made it more enjoyable. I am a firm believer that Audiobooks are just as much reading as reading can be. Obviously, if you don't like the narrator, or the set up does not lend well for narration, it can take away from the story. 

This novel had all the right ingredients to create something I would love - wlw, thriller, desert, photography, art, and chaos. Overall, it was captivating, and I had to know the outcome. As I read, I had to keep in mind the Dorian Gray inspiration, it made it easier to connect to what was driving each character. Without the knowledge of it being inspired by Dorian Gray, I think the motivations for the characters would be lost on the audience. They are morally gray, at times unlikeable, and their own motivations are never fully explained. Starting en media res, there is a hint of what is about to unfold and each chapter twists and turns and it keeps you guessing and wanting to get to the end just to know how it all happens. 

A quick, fun read, this thriller certainly kept me guessing until the end.