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A review by manwithanagenda
Fatal Secrets by Richie Tankersley Cusick
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Ryan and her sister Marisa were out gathering pinecones, it's a sister thing, when Marisa falls through thin ice and drowns. Ryan, who had refused to believe her sister's plea to hear a secret, is wracked by guilt. Grief-stricken as she is, she isn't prepared to give her mother any slack about Marisa's death and subsequent decisions. Three weeks later a man claiming to be Marisa's college boyfriend comes to the house for closure, or something, and is invited to stay through the holidays. This is a bad decision, no matter what, but something about Charles rubs Marisa the wrong way on top of the other good reasons. Ryan also begins to have visions of Marisa and may be losing her damn mind.
'Fatal Secrets' is another point horror installment that will either delight or infuriate its reader. The plot hinges on Marisa's secret and whether or not Ryan's visions are real or elaborate gas-lighting. There are also many, many questions about who could be doing such a thing and why. This is Point Horror so we can pretty much rule out any actual horror, but nevertheless, enjoy the red herrings.
I loved that Ryan works at an old-fashioned toy store, but Cusick doesn't run with the vibe except once. We mostly just get people staring through the window at her and freaking her out. Which. Honey, this is retail. I don't care what kind of store it is; a clerk is going to see multiple grown-ass adults cupping their hands around their eyes and all-but-putting their gaping maws on the glass to see deeper into the store. They don't have any intention of coming in. They just really need to look deep into the glass. I don't buy that Ryan is freaked out by strange people peeking in at her through the shop window at Christmastime. That takes away about half of the thrills.
In the end, 'Fatal Secrets' many failings are almost redeemed by a kitchen-sink ending. I wasn't angry anymore, but I can't guarantee that result.
'Fatal Secrets' is another point horror installment that will either delight or infuriate its reader. The plot hinges on Marisa's secret and whether or not Ryan's visions are real or elaborate gas-lighting. There are also many, many questions about who could be doing such a thing and why. This is Point Horror so we can pretty much rule out any actual horror, but nevertheless, enjoy the red herrings.
I loved that Ryan works at an old-fashioned toy store, but Cusick doesn't run with the vibe except once. We mostly just get people staring through the window at her and freaking her out. Which. Honey, this is retail. I don't care what kind of store it is; a clerk is going to see multiple grown-ass adults cupping their hands around their eyes and all-but-putting their gaping maws on the glass to see deeper into the store. They don't have any intention of coming in. They just really need to look deep into the glass. I don't buy that Ryan is freaked out by strange people peeking in at her through the shop window at Christmastime. That takes away about half of the thrills.
In the end, 'Fatal Secrets' many failings are almost redeemed by a kitchen-sink ending. I wasn't angry anymore, but I can't guarantee that result.