A review by brownikins
Close to Home by Lisa Jackson

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

I have tried Lisa Jackson before and didn’t like the writing style. Decided to give it another try and honestly I wish I hadn’t wasted my time. This book had too much going on
(unrealistic family drama, kidnapping/human trafficking, child clairvoyant, ghost(s), stalking, teen love story reinvigorated as adults, incest, murder, fundamentalist/anti government Idahoans, sick mom with dementia and inheritance issues)
and was just not well written enough to explain or explore all of that. The teenagers were written as if the author has never met or interacted with one before. The mother/daughter relationship was just disrespectful for no reason. The love story was rushed and tied up with a pretty convenient bow (“we’re taking it slow but moved in together  immediately and are talking about marriage and having babies together”). The ghost plot line was a waste. The one bright spot in this novel was the rescue “alert” dog — she was perfect and did an admirable job saving this family. Which is more than you can say for any of the human members of the family, the town police, or even any adult living or working in this fictional town. 
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