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A review by drops_everything_and_reads
The Story That Wouldn't Die: A Mystery by Christina Estes
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the eARC; all opinions are my own.
I was a big fan of Christina's first book in this series and really appreciated all of the details, the layers, and the character development. The second book in the series is, in my opinion, even better. There's a lot more character development with Jolene as we get more glimmers of her past (foster kid, raised by her grandmother) and the impact that has left on her - the vulnerability, the trauma - and how she copes with it (hint: not great).
Jolene throws all of herself into her work, often at the expense of her well-being, and creating friendships. She holds herself back from forming too tight of bonds with people - whether co-workers or her neighbour, Norma, and its starting to bite her in the butt, a bit. She doesn't trust easily, is skeptical, and at times, this works against her in trying to do her job.
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book, especially with the personal connection as Jolene meets one of the victims not too long before they are killed and it clearly rattles her and she's determined to get justice.
Something Christina does so well, I think because she is a reporter, is incorporates the clues into all of the details she includes in the book. This makes me pay much closer attention because I don't know what could be a clue and what is simply an observation. It all matters.
I admit I was thrown off by who the culprit was - it really did surprise me but it made so much sense!!!
The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger as to what Jolene will do next and I'm excited!!
I was a big fan of Christina's first book in this series and really appreciated all of the details, the layers, and the character development. The second book in the series is, in my opinion, even better. There's a lot more character development with Jolene as we get more glimmers of her past (foster kid, raised by her grandmother) and the impact that has left on her - the vulnerability, the trauma - and how she copes with it (hint: not great).
Jolene throws all of herself into her work, often at the expense of her well-being, and creating friendships. She holds herself back from forming too tight of bonds with people - whether co-workers or her neighbour, Norma, and its starting to bite her in the butt, a bit. She doesn't trust easily, is skeptical, and at times, this works against her in trying to do her job.
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book, especially with the personal connection as Jolene meets one of the victims not too long before they are killed and it clearly rattles her and she's determined to get justice.
Something Christina does so well, I think because she is a reporter, is incorporates the clues into all of the details she includes in the book. This makes me pay much closer attention because I don't know what could be a clue and what is simply an observation. It all matters.
I admit I was thrown off by who the culprit was - it really did surprise me but it made so much sense!!!
The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger as to what Jolene will do next and I'm excited!!