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A review by _serena_
Paper Ghosts by Julia Heaberlin
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I loved the premise of this book. A serial killer that claims to not remember the crimes? Sounds amazing, right?
Unfortunately, I only enjoyed the beginning. I enjoyed the story when it was still a fresh, new mystery. Once they hit the road I thought the story would continue to grow and pick up speed, but it seemed to continuously stall. For a road trip, it sure took a long time to get to the point.
I get that this tried to be haunting and mysterious, but I wanted real suspense. Suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat, not suspense that could put me to sleep. I think there's a big difference between suspense and slow progression. This was slow progression.
While the ending was unexpected, I didn't feel that I was invested enough in the story to get the full impact of the revelation.
Also, I felt that some parts were oddly sexual? The slight moments of Carl touching her felt very strange and out of place. I suppose they were there to build creepy suspense, but it didn't do it for me.
I enjoyed the writing style in the beginning, but it quickly got old. Mixed with the slow pace of this story, the writing style just added to the drag. I read "We are all the Same in the Dark" by Heaberlin and enjoyed it much more than this. Although I didn't have the best time with this one, I would still consider checking out more works by this author.
Unfortunately, I only enjoyed the beginning. I enjoyed the story when it was still a fresh, new mystery. Once they hit the road I thought the story would continue to grow and pick up speed, but it seemed to continuously stall. For a road trip, it sure took a long time to get to the point.
I get that this tried to be haunting and mysterious, but I wanted real suspense. Suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat, not suspense that could put me to sleep. I think there's a big difference between suspense and slow progression. This was slow progression.
While the ending was unexpected, I didn't feel that I was invested enough in the story to get the full impact of the revelation.
I enjoyed the writing style in the beginning, but it quickly got old. Mixed with the slow pace of this story, the writing style just added to the drag. I read "We are all the Same in the Dark" by Heaberlin and enjoyed it much more than this. Although I didn't have the best time with this one, I would still consider checking out more works by this author.