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A review by rfwads
Dying to Tell by Rita Herron
1.0
How on earth does this book have a 4-star rating?! If this sets the tone for my 2024 reading, then I'm in trouble!
What I liked about Dying to Tell:
The twist at the end was interesting and unexpected. I was genuinely surprised by both the identity of the killer and the motives behind the murders.
What I disliked about Dying to Tell:
In all fairness, I didn't realize Dying to Tell was considered a romance suspense novel when I first picked it up. Had I known that, I would have never picked up the book. The focus on the romance storyline detracted from my enjoyment of the book. The romantic elements came across as cheesy and unnecessary and it was obvious early on that the two main protagonists would end up together, despite their initial claims otherwise.
Aside from the focus on romance, some of the events in the plot felt unrealistic and far-fetched to me. There were times when the protagonist's actions and underlying motivations didn't fully make sense or align with the character's established personality. Overall, I found the characters themselves to be flat and underdeveloped - they seemed more focused on each other than on solving the central murder case.
What I think would have made Dying to Tell better:
In my opinion, I feel that there was an overemphasis on cheesy romance dialogue in the book. Rita Herron seemed to prioritize superficial romantic drama over creating a gripping suspense thriller. Additionally, the events and characters often lacked believable motivations and logical actions. I wish there had been more focus on building suspense through the plot and developing characters realistically, instead of leaning heavily on superficial romantic drama. A more nuanced, suspense-driven mystery would have made the story more engaging in my view.
Would I recommend Dying to Tell by Rita Herron:
Dying to Tell marks my introduction to Rita Herron's work, and although I'm willing to give her another chance, if her next book falls as short as Dying to Tell, I'll likely steer clear of her future works. As for recommending Dying to Tell, I wouldn't suggest it to others unless they're devoted fans of romantic suspense.
****
What happened to Sadie Nettleton's sister at the psychiatric hospital years ago? After fleeing Slaughter Creek a decade back, Sadie is forced to return when her grandfather is killed, and her sister is accused. Sheriff Jake Blackwood, still in love with Sadie, helps uncover the truth. But as they dig into the past, they unearth dangerous secrets, putting everybody in jeopardy. Jake will protect her at all costs, but can he risk his heart again?
What I liked about Dying to Tell:
The twist at the end was interesting and unexpected. I was genuinely surprised by both the identity of the killer and the motives behind the murders.
What I disliked about Dying to Tell:
In all fairness, I didn't realize Dying to Tell was considered a romance suspense novel when I first picked it up. Had I known that, I would have never picked up the book. The focus on the romance storyline detracted from my enjoyment of the book. The romantic elements came across as cheesy and unnecessary and it was obvious early on that the two main protagonists would end up together, despite their initial claims otherwise.
Aside from the focus on romance, some of the events in the plot felt unrealistic and far-fetched to me. There were times when the protagonist's actions and underlying motivations didn't fully make sense or align with the character's established personality. Overall, I found the characters themselves to be flat and underdeveloped - they seemed more focused on each other than on solving the central murder case.
What I think would have made Dying to Tell better:
In my opinion, I feel that there was an overemphasis on cheesy romance dialogue in the book. Rita Herron seemed to prioritize superficial romantic drama over creating a gripping suspense thriller. Additionally, the events and characters often lacked believable motivations and logical actions. I wish there had been more focus on building suspense through the plot and developing characters realistically, instead of leaning heavily on superficial romantic drama. A more nuanced, suspense-driven mystery would have made the story more engaging in my view.
Would I recommend Dying to Tell by Rita Herron:
Dying to Tell marks my introduction to Rita Herron's work, and although I'm willing to give her another chance, if her next book falls as short as Dying to Tell, I'll likely steer clear of her future works. As for recommending Dying to Tell, I wouldn't suggest it to others unless they're devoted fans of romantic suspense.
****
What happened to Sadie Nettleton's sister at the psychiatric hospital years ago? After fleeing Slaughter Creek a decade back, Sadie is forced to return when her grandfather is killed, and her sister is accused. Sheriff Jake Blackwood, still in love with Sadie, helps uncover the truth. But as they dig into the past, they unearth dangerous secrets, putting everybody in jeopardy. Jake will protect her at all costs, but can he risk his heart again?