A review by tabatha_shipley
The Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper

dark mysterious medium-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

3.0

What I Didn’t Like:

-Slow release of information. You start off strong but then you feel like you’re sort of slogging through the rest of the book. It needed to be a bit faster in order to keep up with other things in this genre. 

-The chapters that are from a different voice are frustrating. They’re supposed to be the intriguing part that brings you more information and keeps you turning pages. That sort of fell flat for me. I wanted more. 

-The “big reveal” felt like a reach. The pacing of the story has been slow to this point and then everything is sort of crammed in at the end. It felt rushed and it felt like a let down. 

What I Did Like:

+The dynamic between the two families is good. The back and forth of little pairings inside the relationship is realistic and the trust between the two families felt relatable. 

+There are many layers to the mystery, which I personally like. You’re taken down a few paths before you come to the right one, and that’s always satisfying. 

+The book does give you all the answers you need to be satisfied. 

Who Should Read This One:

-Fans of contemporary family-style dramas who want something with more intense mystery will enjoy this one.