A review by kaleighcurran
Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I heard about this book on one of my favorite podcasts. I saw the vintage 90s VHS tape cover and immediately put it on hold at my library. I loved the beginning of it and truly enjoyed the 90s nostalgia, but I found myself just wanting more than what I got from this book. I think there was a big opportunity to make it into something deeper than it was. I read in the acknowledgements section that it was supposed to be a novella, but then a literary agent pushed Juliano to make it a novel. I think the added content to probably turn it into a longer piece is what made it convoluted. I’m sure it would’ve been spookier and had more depth if it would’ve been kept to the shorter length. But alas…the money and opportunity to turn a great story into a meh novel and then make potentially a bunch of money with a movie deal was probably too tempting! .25 added on to 3 stars because it was a debut. It’s a great premise but I think it could’ve been done better if it wasn’t so muddy in last two thirds. I’ll probably still read his next one.  
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