A review by rgoth
Lie Beside Me by Gytha Lodge

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

While I found this book to be an engaging read, it doesn't quite rank as my favorite work by Gytha Lodge. The characters are intricately flawed, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with any of them, though I held onto the hope that Alex hadn't committed any truly heinous acts.

As the narrative unfolded, I began to appreciate Louise more, despite her initially coming across as a rather fragile character. She evolved somewhat, but I often wished she had displayed greater strength.

There were several loose threads in the plot that I felt weren't adequately resolved by the conclusion. The outcomes surrounding April, a friend of Louise's, were particularly exasperating; I had a sense from the very beginning that there was something amiss with her.

In spite of these critiques, the story itself was undeniably gripping, expertly crafted to keep readers guessing until the very last page. The author's skillful writing and clever twists made for an exhilarating ride and I can't wait to read more from her. 
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