A review by jkjoy_books
The Girl in the Painting by Caleb Crowe

3.0

The author attempts to build suspense around the troubled relationship between Seline and her horrible, controlling boyfriend, Robbie. Their dynamic certainly has the potential to explore very complex interpersonal issues. However, the characters feel somewhat very two-dimensional. While Robbie’s behavior is problematic, little depth is given to help the reader understand the roots of his actions. Seline’s reactions also tend to rely on many tropes about women in abusive relationships rather than a nuanced response.

The subplot with Michael also aims to heighten the mystery but ultimately needs to be more developed. The connections between Seline’s past and Michael’s secrets are regularly hinted at rather than fully brought to light. This leaves the narrative feeling disjointed rather than complex.

There are glimmers of an intriguing premise here regarding the interplay between trauma, art, and also toxic relationships. But the execution overall feels almost average rather than exceptional. The plot points feel predictable, and the characters lack enough dimensionality to make their choices compelling. Still, the readers looking for a quick psychological thriller may find some enjoyment in these pages. With deeper character exploration and tightening of the storyline, the author can take these themes to the next level.

Thank you to Inkubator Books, Zoé from ZooLoo’s Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.