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cmacs_paperbacks 's review for:
Guess Again
by Charlie Donlea
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Click here to read my full review, for now enjoy a little snippet below...
- Guess again is a thrilling story of two crimes and how they we’ve together. Ethan Hall, a retired detective turn Doctor, is reached out to solve a cold case. Solving a cold case is hard enough, but having it weave into your personal life, that’s a whole different story.
Overall, this was a really great detective novel. The twists kept twisting. The quick pace pushed me to keep reading on, even when I was so tired. There were a wide range of interesting characters to get to know, but not enough characters where you felt overwhelmed. No one was hard to track or follow along with their story arc. What was clear when I reached the end of the story is that the author is obviously talented in creating a thrilling web for a reader to try to unpack.
This would’ve been an easy four or five star read, but there were so many piddly things that annoyed me. All of these little things, added up to bigger issue that took away from the story.
The fact that every official government department was spelled out so clearly. Did I really need to know? Someone could just be a detective, we didn’t have to say every single time Milwaukee police department detective of the highest degree. Or the Wisconsin Department of investigation special agent, Ethan Hall. (I’m being dramatic here but I hope you get my point. ) it was a mouthful every time. Spell it out once, then use the abbreviations.
Also, all the chapters had the full name of the city and state which felt a little annoying. How clearly we are pointing out that this town was near this town, which is near this town, which is far away from this town, which is north of the capital, Madison. Maybe it’s extra annoying because I’m from Wisconsin? I feel that other authors don’t need to pull so much specific knowledge. From outside perspective, it wouldn't feel relevant for the reader.
Speaking of being specific, describing overly in detail of where the veterans museum is, compared to the walking path, compared to the little library. It all felt overdone, unnecessary.
Again, I could be biased due to how familiar I am to Wisconsin? Anyone else feel that nagging sense of almost, “get to the story!” it was the most distracting part of the novel.
Hopefully by the time this is published a lot of this is simplified and cleaned up. As this is my first time reading this author, I’m not sure if this is the norm. Again, a great thriller you could eat up in one sitting if you wanted. I would recommend this for anyone who wants an excellent detective mystery.-
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Read along with me by joining Book Of The Month Club - discount code linked!
**Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click here to read my full review, for now enjoy a little snippet below...
- Guess again is a thrilling story of two crimes and how they we’ve together. Ethan Hall, a retired detective turn Doctor, is reached out to solve a cold case. Solving a cold case is hard enough, but having it weave into your personal life, that’s a whole different story.
Overall, this was a really great detective novel. The twists kept twisting. The quick pace pushed me to keep reading on, even when I was so tired. There were a wide range of interesting characters to get to know, but not enough characters where you felt overwhelmed. No one was hard to track or follow along with their story arc. What was clear when I reached the end of the story is that the author is obviously talented in creating a thrilling web for a reader to try to unpack.
This would’ve been an easy four or five star read, but there were so many piddly things that annoyed me. All of these little things, added up to bigger issue that took away from the story.
The fact that every official government department was spelled out so clearly. Did I really need to know? Someone could just be a detective, we didn’t have to say every single time Milwaukee police department detective of the highest degree. Or the Wisconsin Department of investigation special agent, Ethan Hall. (I’m being dramatic here but I hope you get my point. ) it was a mouthful every time. Spell it out once, then use the abbreviations.
Also, all the chapters had the full name of the city and state which felt a little annoying. How clearly we are pointing out that this town was near this town, which is near this town, which is far away from this town, which is north of the capital, Madison. Maybe it’s extra annoying because I’m from Wisconsin? I feel that other authors don’t need to pull so much specific knowledge. From outside perspective, it wouldn't feel relevant for the reader.
Speaking of being specific, describing overly in detail of where the veterans museum is, compared to the walking path, compared to the little library. It all felt overdone, unnecessary.
Again, I could be biased due to how familiar I am to Wisconsin? Anyone else feel that nagging sense of almost, “get to the story!” it was the most distracting part of the novel.
Hopefully by the time this is published a lot of this is simplified and cleaned up. As this is my first time reading this author, I’m not sure if this is the norm. Again, a great thriller you could eat up in one sitting if you wanted. I would recommend this for anyone who wants an excellent detective mystery.-
Follow along on my Bookstagram/Instagram.
Read along with me by joining Book Of The Month Club - discount code linked!
**Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.