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A review by kakasnest
Hurt Mountain: A Novel by Angela Crook
3.0
Hurt Mountain resolves a mystery within a mystery through compelling but predictable story-telling. The expected requirements of a dark thriller are fulfilled, the tormented characters, semi-rural setting, the foreshadowing, and the mysterious similarities between a string of missing persons cases. The stage is set for a positive resolution – answers to be found or criminals to be caught.
I enjoyed the plot-driven development of the novel. I was drawn in by the tension of Jane-Doe’s sudden appearance and the dark menace lurking in her background. Our heroes, recovering from the loss of their own child, work together to solve the crime and protect Jane-Doe from further harm. There are no significant twists in the novel, but Angela Crook plays deftly with pace to keep the reader turning the page. Ultimately this is probably what got me to the end of the novel.
The characters just aren’t likeable. Dr. Olivia Blake (FMC) cries every five minutes, Brandon (MMC) cheats on his fiancé, and the parents and neighbours are as supportive as a slap with a wet towel. The hospital characters are bland, and inexplicably insensitive. I’m still not sure why one of the more prominent characters was determined to sabotage the FMC at every turn. I did like the best friend, and the fiancé was just phenomenal. More time spent fleshing out the characters (and less crying) would have changed my impression of the novel.
The violence referenced in the plot prevents it from being a ‘light’ read, but if your TBR shelf is empty or you don’t want to think too hard about anything you could try this on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to an electronic copy of this book in return for this review.
I enjoyed the plot-driven development of the novel. I was drawn in by the tension of Jane-Doe’s sudden appearance and the dark menace lurking in her background. Our heroes, recovering from the loss of their own child, work together to solve the crime and protect Jane-Doe from further harm. There are no significant twists in the novel, but Angela Crook plays deftly with pace to keep the reader turning the page. Ultimately this is probably what got me to the end of the novel.
The characters just aren’t likeable. Dr. Olivia Blake (FMC) cries every five minutes, Brandon (MMC) cheats on his fiancé, and the parents and neighbours are as supportive as a slap with a wet towel. The hospital characters are bland, and inexplicably insensitive. I’m still not sure why one of the more prominent characters was determined to sabotage the FMC at every turn. I did like the best friend, and the fiancé was just phenomenal. More time spent fleshing out the characters (and less crying) would have changed my impression of the novel.
The violence referenced in the plot prevents it from being a ‘light’ read, but if your TBR shelf is empty or you don’t want to think too hard about anything you could try this on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to an electronic copy of this book in return for this review.