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paperbacks_and_planners's Reviews (1.24k)
Re-read - March 2019
I decided to pick this up on audio to refresh my memory before starting the sequel. And I still stand by my original review. Solid 3.5 stars.
I really enjoy this story but I don't feel any strong attachment to the characters. The setting, I love though! And I'm still completely desperate to know about that box!
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This was a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed my time reading and the mystery/suspense was handled well. But I wasn't in love.
-The story is told in 2 perspectives - one in the present about Stevie and one set in the past about the Ellingham murders. And some of the chapters set in the past are told in interview or report form. I like the dual perspectives and changes in format, it really worked with this story. The chapters set in the past gave the reader insight and information into a case the main character knows really well, without info dropping constantly.
-The characters overall were well written and interesting but I didn't find myself especially attached to anyone. I actually think Nate is my favorite character.
-The romance I wasn't expecting. But I do appreciate the utter awkwardness of it as this is about juniors/seniors in high school. All the super suave 17 years in YA books drive me crazy. These 2 are awkward and have no idea how to communicate and I appreciate that realness.
-The cliffhanger - while David's identity wasn't a huge shock, the contents of the box... I NEED TO KNOW! Ugh I will continue this series just because of this. I need to know if she solves the Truly Devious mystery.
-My biggest issue with is was there was literally zero wrap up. I understand that it's the first book in a series but I would have appreciated at least 1 tie up. I feel like by the time the next book comes out I will have forgot the dozen open ended story lines.
Overall solid read. If you're new to mysteries this would be a great place to start! And I do plan to continue with the story.
I decided to pick this up on audio to refresh my memory before starting the sequel. And I still stand by my original review. Solid 3.5 stars.
I really enjoy this story but I don't feel any strong attachment to the characters. The setting, I love though! And I'm still completely desperate to know about that box!
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This was a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed my time reading and the mystery/suspense was handled well. But I wasn't in love.
-The story is told in 2 perspectives - one in the present about Stevie and one set in the past about the Ellingham murders. And some of the chapters set in the past are told in interview or report form. I like the dual perspectives and changes in format, it really worked with this story. The chapters set in the past gave the reader insight and information into a case the main character knows really well, without info dropping constantly.
-The characters overall were well written and interesting but I didn't find myself especially attached to anyone. I actually think Nate is my favorite character.
-The romance I wasn't expecting. But I do appreciate the utter awkwardness of it as this is about juniors/seniors in high school. All the super suave 17 years in YA books drive me crazy. These 2 are awkward and have no idea how to communicate and I appreciate that realness.
-The cliffhanger - while David's identity wasn't a huge shock, the contents of the box... I NEED TO KNOW! Ugh I will continue this series just because of this. I need to know if she solves the Truly Devious mystery.
-My biggest issue with is was there was literally zero wrap up. I understand that it's the first book in a series but I would have appreciated at least 1 tie up. I feel like by the time the next book comes out I will have forgot the dozen open ended story lines.
Overall solid read. If you're new to mysteries this would be a great place to start! And I do plan to continue with the story.
I stayed up way too late and cried my eyes out. But this book was amazing ❤❤
Summary
After a traumatic year, Annabelle decides to run from her home in Seattle to Washington DC. With the help of her "PR team" and Grandfather in his RV, she slowly makes her way across the country. She runs to forget everything that has happened. To punish herself for a tragedy she blames herself for.
Overview
This book is truly harrowing and I was sobbing my eyes out through the entire last chunk of this book. This book is beautifully written and covers such a difficult but important topic.
Content Warnings: The reason for Annabelle's run is a mystery for the majority of the book, so most of content warnings are a spoiler.
What I Liked
Literally everything.
1. I loved Annabelle's character. I found her to be extremely relatable and realistic. And her emotions were so real and raw, I felt everything along side her.
2. In fact, I loved all the characters. Her grandfather brought the perfect amount of relief to an other wise dark story - he was kind and humous and inspiringly supportive.
3. This book was also very self aware - it made sure to acknowledge how dangerous a run like this is, now Annabelle's coping skills were lacking, that her blame was ill placed. And I really appreciated that! This book did not glamorize these events in any way.
4. The way the message/event was finally revealed was so impactful I burst into tears immediately. I don't want to say anymore than that, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who is interested in reading this (and I definitely recommend you do!)
What I Didn't Like
I have literally nothing to put here. This book was outstanding.
This is book is extremely dark and intense - so please tread with caution if you are in a tough headspace. But if you are able to handle difficult subjects, I can't recommend this book enough! I was seriously blown away by how much this book drew me in. It's a beautiful story with a powerful message and powerful characters.
Summary
After a traumatic year, Annabelle decides to run from her home in Seattle to Washington DC. With the help of her "PR team" and Grandfather in his RV, she slowly makes her way across the country. She runs to forget everything that has happened. To punish herself for a tragedy she blames herself for.
Overview
This book is truly harrowing and I was sobbing my eyes out through the entire last chunk of this book. This book is beautifully written and covers such a difficult but important topic.
Content Warnings: The reason for Annabelle's run is a mystery for the majority of the book, so most of content warnings are a spoiler.
Spoiler
Murder, gun violence, stalking, PTSD, depression, anxietyWhat I Liked
Literally everything.
1. I loved Annabelle's character. I found her to be extremely relatable and realistic. And her emotions were so real and raw, I felt everything along side her.
2. In fact, I loved all the characters. Her grandfather brought the perfect amount of relief to an other wise dark story - he was kind and humous and inspiringly supportive.
3. This book was also very self aware - it made sure to acknowledge how dangerous a run like this is, now Annabelle's coping skills were lacking, that her blame was ill placed. And I really appreciated that! This book did not glamorize these events in any way.
4. The way the message/event was finally revealed was so impactful I burst into tears immediately. I don't want to say anymore than that, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who is interested in reading this (and I definitely recommend you do!)
What I Didn't Like
I have literally nothing to put here. This book was outstanding.
This is book is extremely dark and intense - so please tread with caution if you are in a tough headspace. But if you are able to handle difficult subjects, I can't recommend this book enough! I was seriously blown away by how much this book drew me in. It's a beautiful story with a powerful message and powerful characters.
This was a cute reimagining of Sherlock Holmes. But I don't have any strong feelings or attachment.
Synopsis
This follows Jamie Watson who left the UK and attends a boarding school in Connecticut on a rugby scholarship. When a classmate of his dies in a Sherlock Holmes spoofed murder, Jamie and the famous detectives descendent Charlotte, get wrapped in the investigation.
Overview
This story is told from Jamie's perspective, mirroring the original Sherlock books (which were also told from Watson's POV).
This was good book and the mystery was well done. But I didn't feel any strong connection to the characters or story. I haven't thought about this again since finishing it.
Content Warnings: Drug abuse, murder, sexual assault
What I Liked
1. I loved the parallels between this retelling and the original stories. Charolette has inherited Sherlock's addictive habits, the Watson family has an instruction manual on how to handle the Holmes', the Moriarty's are still the archenemies. Overall it was just a really well done retelling.
2. The characters were well rounded and dynamic. They had flaws but were still likable and relatable.
3. This felt like a classic whodunit mystery - a la Sherlock Holmes. And overall it was well done.
What I Didn't Like
1. I don't know what this story was missing but I just don't feel any strong feelings about this story. The mystery was fine, the characters were fine, but I didn't LOVE any of it. I wasn't shipping the romance like everyone else was, and I just didn't connect to either main character. I haven't thought about this book at all since finishing it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book while I was listening to it, but don't feel strongly about it in any way. However, I did enjoy it enough to pick up the next book on audio. I'm hopeful that my connection will grow as the series continues.
Synopsis
This follows Jamie Watson who left the UK and attends a boarding school in Connecticut on a rugby scholarship. When a classmate of his dies in a Sherlock Holmes spoofed murder, Jamie and the famous detectives descendent Charlotte, get wrapped in the investigation.
Overview
This story is told from Jamie's perspective, mirroring the original Sherlock books (which were also told from Watson's POV).
This was good book and the mystery was well done. But I didn't feel any strong connection to the characters or story. I haven't thought about this again since finishing it.
Content Warnings: Drug abuse, murder, sexual assault
What I Liked
1. I loved the parallels between this retelling and the original stories. Charolette has inherited Sherlock's addictive habits, the Watson family has an instruction manual on how to handle the Holmes', the Moriarty's are still the archenemies. Overall it was just a really well done retelling.
2. The characters were well rounded and dynamic. They had flaws but were still likable and relatable.
3. This felt like a classic whodunit mystery - a la Sherlock Holmes. And overall it was well done.
What I Didn't Like
1. I don't know what this story was missing but I just don't feel any strong feelings about this story. The mystery was fine, the characters were fine, but I didn't LOVE any of it. I wasn't shipping the romance like everyone else was, and I just didn't connect to either main character. I haven't thought about this book at all since finishing it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book while I was listening to it, but don't feel strongly about it in any way. However, I did enjoy it enough to pick up the next book on audio. I'm hopeful that my connection will grow as the series continues.
This is a sequel and may contain spoilers for book 1 - Truly Devious
Summary
In the aftermath of book 1, Stevie is back home after being pulled from Ellingham Academy. But an unexpected person whisks her back to school with an assignment - keep David in line. Now her mission to solve the murder is back on and she's more determined than ever. And she has one huge thing on her side, she has the first new evidence in years.
Overview
This is told in third person, in dual timelines - today from Stevie's POV and 1936 from Albert Ellingham's.
I LOVE the flashback format! I feel like it adds so much to this story.
This book ends on a massive cliffhanger. If that's not your jam, I definitely recommend waiting for book 3 to be released!
Content Warnings: Murder/Death, Anxiety, Panic Attacks
What I Liked
1. This mystery is so twisty and well done! And these cliffhangers will be the death of me!
2. I love the format of this book! The flashbacks slowly reveal what really happened in 1936 and it adds so much to the atmosphere and tension of the mystery.
3. The pacing of this book was perfect - which is important as this is definitely a plot driven book. We learn so much new information about the murders and happenings of Ellingham and were introduced to even more new threads. There were so many reveals and twists that I was 100% invested from start to finish. I never wanted to put this down!
4. I just want to mention once more how many years this cliffhanger has taken from my life. So. Good.
What I Didn't Like
1. I'll be honestly I still feel very meh and unattached to the characters. My love for this series is much more about the plot than the actual characters. I don't have strong feelings about any one of them or their relationships.
Spoiler
Summary
In the aftermath of book 1, Stevie is back home after being pulled from Ellingham Academy. But an unexpected person whisks her back to school with an assignment - keep David in line. Now her mission to solve the murder is back on and she's more determined than ever. And she has one huge thing on her side, she has the first new evidence in years.
Overview
This is told in third person, in dual timelines - today from Stevie's POV and 1936 from Albert Ellingham's.
I LOVE the flashback format! I feel like it adds so much to this story.
This book ends on a massive cliffhanger. If that's not your jam, I definitely recommend waiting for book 3 to be released!
Content Warnings: Murder/Death, Anxiety, Panic Attacks
What I Liked
1. This mystery is so twisty and well done! And these cliffhangers will be the death of me!
2. I love the format of this book! The flashbacks slowly reveal what really happened in 1936 and it adds so much to the atmosphere and tension of the mystery.
3. The pacing of this book was perfect - which is important as this is definitely a plot driven book. We learn so much new information about the murders and happenings of Ellingham and were introduced to even more new threads. There were so many reveals and twists that I was 100% invested from start to finish. I never wanted to put this down!
4. I just want to mention once more how many years this cliffhanger has taken from my life. So. Good.
What I Didn't Like
1. I'll be honestly I still feel very meh and unattached to the characters. My love for this series is much more about the plot than the actual characters. I don't have strong feelings about any one of them or their relationships.
2.5 stars but I'll round up. I desperately wanted to love this. But it did not work for me... Full rtc
3.5 stars!
Summary
A group of friends travels to the Scottish Highlands for their early New Years Eve reunion. They've been friends since college and have been making these trips for 10 years. But this year feels different. Years of secrets and resentments are causing the group to fracture. When a massive blizzard hits, the group is stranded at the lodge.
Now one of them is dead... and another of them did it.
Overview
This is told in 4 POVs - 1 in present day, and 3 leading up to the murder. Eventually the timelines converge as the mystery is revealed.
This is a very classic feeling mystery! If you're a fan of Agatha Christie, or An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lepena, this book will be right up your alley.
Content Warnings: A lot of these are spoilers and may spoil 1 or more of the reveals.
What I Liked
1. This book was wonderfully atmospheric. The isolated lodge added so much tension and mystery to the story. I love a good isolated setting in mystery/thrillers and this one was perfectly done.
2. I loved how the reveals were done. 3 of the chapters take place a few days in the past and slowly work their way to the present and 1 of the chapters takes place in the present. When the timelines meet, the mystery is revealed. I really loved the classic feel of a mystery slowly unfolding.
3. While the story itself may not be anything earth shattering in the mystery genre, I thought the author did a great job making all of the characters appear guilty. She builds lots of tensions amongst the group and at one point I suspected all of them. Overall the mystery elements were well handled and surprising.
What I Didn't Like
1. I didn't love that one of the POVs was written in 3rd person while the other 3 were is in 1st. I didn't really understand the choice at all found it really jarring every time I got to Doug's chapters.
2. I never fully connected to this story or the characters. Everyone is very unlikeable so I don't know if that played a role. But in general, I found it very easy to put this book down.
Overall, I really enjoyed this mystery! I love classic-esque mysteries and this one absolutely fit the bill. I will for sure read any future mysteries Lucy Foley writes!
Summary
A group of friends travels to the Scottish Highlands for their early New Years Eve reunion. They've been friends since college and have been making these trips for 10 years. But this year feels different. Years of secrets and resentments are causing the group to fracture. When a massive blizzard hits, the group is stranded at the lodge.
Now one of them is dead... and another of them did it.
Overview
This is told in 4 POVs - 1 in present day, and 3 leading up to the murder. Eventually the timelines converge as the mystery is revealed.
This is a very classic feeling mystery! If you're a fan of Agatha Christie, or An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lepena, this book will be right up your alley.
Content Warnings: A lot of these are spoilers and may spoil 1 or more of the reveals.
Spoiler
Cheating, personality disorder, drug & alcohol use, stalking, sexual assault/aggression, murder, PTSD, depression, on page animal deathWhat I Liked
1. This book was wonderfully atmospheric. The isolated lodge added so much tension and mystery to the story. I love a good isolated setting in mystery/thrillers and this one was perfectly done.
2. I loved how the reveals were done. 3 of the chapters take place a few days in the past and slowly work their way to the present and 1 of the chapters takes place in the present. When the timelines meet, the mystery is revealed. I really loved the classic feel of a mystery slowly unfolding.
3. While the story itself may not be anything earth shattering in the mystery genre, I thought the author did a great job making all of the characters appear guilty. She builds lots of tensions amongst the group and at one point I suspected all of them. Overall the mystery elements were well handled and surprising.
What I Didn't Like
1. I didn't love that one of the POVs was written in 3rd person while the other 3 were is in 1st. I didn't really understand the choice at all found it really jarring every time I got to Doug's chapters.
2. I never fully connected to this story or the characters. Everyone is very unlikeable so I don't know if that played a role. But in general, I found it very easy to put this book down.
Overall, I really enjoyed this mystery! I love classic-esque mysteries and this one absolutely fit the bill. I will for sure read any future mysteries Lucy Foley writes!
3.5 stars
I received this as an arc from Penguin Publishing via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review
Summary
This follows a small, suburban community in the wake of a murder.
A few weeks ago, of the neighborhood wives disappeared. Everyone thought she left her husband until her and her car is found at the bottom of the lake. The once quiet neighborhood is thrown into chaos as secrets and lies are revealed.
Overview
This story is told for tons of different perspectives. It jumps around frequently with little to no differentiation or notice.
This story feels very much like a class, whodunit mystery.
Content Warnings: Murder, Cheating, Underage Drinking
What I Liked
1. Like An Unwanted Guest, this gave me all the classic-whodunit-mystery vibes. This isn't a suspenseful, uber-twisty thriller. Instead it's more a slow, walk-through reveal. If you like that classic mystery feel, this could definitely be the book for you!
2. I also really enjoyed the look into suburban living. Everyone was in everyone's else's business and lying and keeping secrets.
3. The final reveal was really well done! I personally didn't guess whodunit, but once it was revealed, I realized I should have seen it coming from the very beginning. I love when reveals feel very believable and this one definitely had hints from the start. I thought it was so well concealed amongst the chaos of the characters and community.
What I Didn't Like
1. Note: I did read this as an arc so this may be different in the finished copy. There were a lot (too many) POVs in this story. While I usually enjoy multi-pov books, this had way too many and they weren't labeled. So it was a little difficult to get into at first because I struggled to remember who everyone was and who I was reading from.
2. I don't think this story did anything particularly new or inventive. While I loved the classic vibes, I wished it had put some type of twist on it.
3. What was this ending??... Shari Lapena usually blows me away with her Epilogue endings. But this was one made no sense to me.. I was so confused. It felt more like a cliffhanger than ending. I might have given this 4 stars if I had skipped the Epilogue.
Overall this was solid mystery. I love Shari Lapena's writing and the classic style she brings to her mysteries. This one wasn't my absolute favorite, but I think it was still really well done and it had my attention from start to finish. This is a quick mystery I think a lot of people will enjoy.
I received this as an arc from Penguin Publishing via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review
Summary
This follows a small, suburban community in the wake of a murder.
A few weeks ago, of the neighborhood wives disappeared. Everyone thought she left her husband until her and her car is found at the bottom of the lake. The once quiet neighborhood is thrown into chaos as secrets and lies are revealed.
Overview
This story is told for tons of different perspectives. It jumps around frequently with little to no differentiation or notice.
This story feels very much like a class, whodunit mystery.
Content Warnings: Murder, Cheating, Underage Drinking
What I Liked
1. Like An Unwanted Guest, this gave me all the classic-whodunit-mystery vibes. This isn't a suspenseful, uber-twisty thriller. Instead it's more a slow, walk-through reveal. If you like that classic mystery feel, this could definitely be the book for you!
2. I also really enjoyed the look into suburban living. Everyone was in everyone's else's business and lying and keeping secrets.
3. The final reveal was really well done! I personally didn't guess whodunit, but once it was revealed, I realized I should have seen it coming from the very beginning. I love when reveals feel very believable and this one definitely had hints from the start. I thought it was so well concealed amongst the chaos of the characters and community.
What I Didn't Like
1. Note: I did read this as an arc so this may be different in the finished copy. There were a lot (too many) POVs in this story. While I usually enjoy multi-pov books, this had way too many and they weren't labeled. So it was a little difficult to get into at first because I struggled to remember who everyone was and who I was reading from.
2. I don't think this story did anything particularly new or inventive. While I loved the classic vibes, I wished it had put some type of twist on it.
3. What was this ending??... Shari Lapena usually blows me away with her Epilogue endings. But this was one made no sense to me.. I was so confused. It felt more like a cliffhanger than ending. I might have given this 4 stars if I had skipped the Epilogue.
Overall this was solid mystery. I love Shari Lapena's writing and the classic style she brings to her mysteries. This one wasn't my absolute favorite, but I think it was still really well done and it had my attention from start to finish. This is a quick mystery I think a lot of people will enjoy.
Summary
10 years ago Quincy was the lone survivor of a massacre known as the Pine Cottage Murders. She instantly became a member of the Final Girls - a group of girls who were also the lone survivor.
Now Quincy is living her life with her soon-to-be-fiance and running a baking website. She still can't remember any details of the night of the murders. But she's happy to keep that night in the past.
Until Lisa, another Final Girl, if found dead and Sam, the 3rd Final Girl, shows up on her doorstep. Now they are thrust back into the spot light and Quincy's seemly normal and perfect life starts to unravel.
Overview
This book was so suspense and so well written.
This is told in alternating time lines - in the present from Quincy's POV and flashes back to the night of the murder. I absolutely loved the flashes into the past as it was slowly revealed what really happened that night.
Content Warnings: Murder, Gore, Death of a Parent, Cancer, Sexual Assault, Cheating, PTSD, Drug Addiction/Abuse, Violence
What I Liked
1. This book was SO suspenseful! Riley Sager so perfectly built this air of unsureness and unease. I started off feeling so confident in the narrator but grew to question her reliability, along with everyone else's, as the story went on. It was the perfect slow burn build up.
2. These twists totally got me! My the half way point I was certain I had some of this figured out. Boy was I wrong! But not only were the reveals surprising but they were believable. Once everything was revealed I immediately thought - how did I miss that?! Which is exactly how I want to feel about my thriller reveals. Clues were 100% hidden, but I missed all of them.
3. The alternating format worked so well for this. I was desperate to get to more of the Pine Cottage chapters because I NEEDED to know what happened!
What I Didn't Like
1. The first quarter of this was a little slow. It took me 2 days to read the first 80 pages but then I binged the last 250+ pages in a single night. Once the story picked up, it PICKED UP. But the early chapters were repetitive and drawn out. I was honestly a little sick of hearing about the details of Quinn's baking.
2. A few of the wrap-ups were a little convenient and I didn't care for how the main characters were just "forgiven" for some pretty terrible actions. More specifically for anyone who's read this
Overall I absolutely loved this. Riley Sage is definitely up there on my list of must read thriller authors now. I'm so glad I own his other 2 books because I can't wait to read more from him! If you're looking for a twisty, suspenseful thriller - definitely check this one out!
10 years ago Quincy was the lone survivor of a massacre known as the Pine Cottage Murders. She instantly became a member of the Final Girls - a group of girls who were also the lone survivor.
Now Quincy is living her life with her soon-to-be-fiance and running a baking website. She still can't remember any details of the night of the murders. But she's happy to keep that night in the past.
Until Lisa, another Final Girl, if found dead and Sam, the 3rd Final Girl, shows up on her doorstep. Now they are thrust back into the spot light and Quincy's seemly normal and perfect life starts to unravel.
Overview
This book was so suspense and so well written.
This is told in alternating time lines - in the present from Quincy's POV and flashes back to the night of the murder. I absolutely loved the flashes into the past as it was slowly revealed what really happened that night.
Content Warnings: Murder, Gore, Death of a Parent, Cancer, Sexual Assault, Cheating, PTSD, Drug Addiction/Abuse, Violence
What I Liked
1. This book was SO suspenseful! Riley Sager so perfectly built this air of unsureness and unease. I started off feeling so confident in the narrator but grew to question her reliability, along with everyone else's, as the story went on. It was the perfect slow burn build up.
2. These twists totally got me! My the half way point I was certain I had some of this figured out. Boy was I wrong! But not only were the reveals surprising but they were believable. Once everything was revealed I immediately thought - how did I miss that?! Which is exactly how I want to feel about my thriller reveals. Clues were 100% hidden, but I missed all of them.
3. The alternating format worked so well for this. I was desperate to get to more of the Pine Cottage chapters because I NEEDED to know what happened!
What I Didn't Like
1. The first quarter of this was a little slow. It took me 2 days to read the first 80 pages but then I binged the last 250+ pages in a single night. Once the story picked up, it PICKED UP. But the early chapters were repetitive and drawn out. I was honestly a little sick of hearing about the details of Quinn's baking.
2. A few of the wrap-ups were a little convenient and I didn't care for how the main characters were just "forgiven" for some pretty terrible actions. More specifically for anyone who's read this
Spoiler
I didn't like that Tina took the fall for the beating/coma or that she and Quinn forgave each other and became friendly. They royally screwed up each other's lives and it was just all forgive and forget. It was a little too convenient and neat.Overall I absolutely loved this. Riley Sage is definitely up there on my list of must read thriller authors now. I'm so glad I own his other 2 books because I can't wait to read more from him! If you're looking for a twisty, suspenseful thriller - definitely check this one out!
