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A review by husnaibrahim_
The Devil's Song by Lauren Stahl
3.5
This book had me going THROUGH IT!!
At first I felt it was a bit slow, but after a chapter or two, the story picked up momentum. I also didn’t think we’d get that small bit of romance that almost every triller book with a female as the mc has but I was wrong. And I must admit I enjoyed the male lead just as much.
At some point in the beginning of the book, I can remember thinking, 'Why is she keeping this important information to herself? What if the killer strikes at her before she cracks the case? How can she expect Sam to figure it out?' It bothered and infuriated me that she didn't confide in anyone, not even her poor intern, who was meant to be her partner, or Tess, who raised suspicions even before Sam caught on. And I was really curious to learn how Tess was tied into all that shit because it really wasn’t looking too good for her.
One trope that often irks me in books is the miscommunication between characters, especially during the climax. And it always starts by one or both parties keeping something from the other all in the name of ‘protecting them’. So Sam's decision to withhold the detail about the dog hair and his impulsive arrest, without any sort of discussion with Kate, left me really angry and overall frustrated. I mean, she's not just a random civilian; she's a prosecutor. THE prosecutor on the case for that matter. Which means that they definitely could have at least had a conversation, even if she disagreed with his theory.
But I’m glad even when she was reeling from all that went down, she still persevered with her investigation. Tess might have been guilty of something, but it certainly wasn't murder. Then there was Nick, and I became increasingly annoyed with Sam, perhaps because I felt betrayed too. So his actions towards that Cox guy and his slow responses to Nick's hints and purposeful questions after all that happened just grated on me.
Then on top of it all was the breakdown of trust between Sam and Kate. Everything was making me sooo angry because I hate when investigators work alone especially when It seemed evident that working the case together would have been more efficient, especially when they knew they were potentially in danger. And then Kate's ill-advised solo trip to the cemetery only added to the frustration. Because why would she go to the cemetery all alone saying the police would take too long? Atleast inform them while you are on your way then!!
Anyway, I think my annoyance reached its peak at the misunderstanding that hung over the story. It felt somewhat forced, although it made sense from both characters' perspectives. At least Kate eventually realized her folly, but Sam's justifications for his faults just left me unsatisfied. I mean it Doesn’t matter if he had evidence. Showing a bit of loyalty to Kate by informing her beforehand would have been the smart move to make!
But I guess books don't always unfold as we wish, and while I was left somewhat frustrated, I still hope for a second book. I'm curious to see how Cox and her dad's situation unfolds.
At first I felt it was a bit slow, but after a chapter or two, the story picked up momentum. I also didn’t think we’d get that small bit of romance that almost every triller book with a female as the mc has but I was wrong. And I must admit I enjoyed the male lead just as much.
At some point in the beginning of the book, I can remember thinking, 'Why is she keeping this important information to herself? What if the killer strikes at her before she cracks the case? How can she expect Sam to figure it out?' It bothered and infuriated me that she didn't confide in anyone, not even her poor intern, who was meant to be her partner, or Tess, who raised suspicions even before Sam caught on. And I was really curious to learn how Tess was tied into all that shit because it really wasn’t looking too good for her.
One trope that often irks me in books is the miscommunication between characters, especially during the climax. And it always starts by one or both parties keeping something from the other all in the name of ‘protecting them’. So Sam's decision to withhold the detail about the dog hair and his impulsive arrest, without any sort of discussion with Kate, left me really angry and overall frustrated. I mean, she's not just a random civilian; she's a prosecutor. THE prosecutor on the case for that matter. Which means that they definitely could have at least had a conversation, even if she disagreed with his theory.
But I’m glad even when she was reeling from all that went down, she still persevered with her investigation. Tess might have been guilty of something, but it certainly wasn't murder. Then there was Nick, and I became increasingly annoyed with Sam, perhaps because I felt betrayed too. So his actions towards that Cox guy and his slow responses to Nick's hints and purposeful questions after all that happened just grated on me.
Then on top of it all was the breakdown of trust between Sam and Kate. Everything was making me sooo angry because I hate when investigators work alone especially when It seemed evident that working the case together would have been more efficient, especially when they knew they were potentially in danger. And then Kate's ill-advised solo trip to the cemetery only added to the frustration. Because why would she go to the cemetery all alone saying the police would take too long? Atleast inform them while you are on your way then!!
Anyway, I think my annoyance reached its peak at the misunderstanding that hung over the story. It felt somewhat forced, although it made sense from both characters' perspectives. At least Kate eventually realized her folly, but Sam's justifications for his faults just left me unsatisfied. I mean it Doesn’t matter if he had evidence. Showing a bit of loyalty to Kate by informing her beforehand would have been the smart move to make!
But I guess books don't always unfold as we wish, and while I was left somewhat frustrated, I still hope for a second book. I'm curious to see how Cox and her dad's situation unfolds.