Scan barcode
sc2383's review against another edition
3.0
Cold waters was very well written and a very enjoyable read, but I found the plot to be very weak. I spent most of the book waiting for a twist that never came because the plot was so in your face obvious from the start.
sopht87's review
3.0
Violet Henderson has spent years in a psychiatric facility following the mysterious disappearance of her school friend, Ainsley Dalfred. Upon her release, Violet returns to her hometown of Normal, Alabama, to live with her manipulative sister, Delaney, and their senile father and slowly memories of that night start to come back to haunt Violet.
I got this book through Amazon First and I'm very much on the fence - I didn't love it but equally I didn't hate it. With the exception of Violet, all of the characters seemed like awful human beings - to say that Delaney is manipulative is an understatement, the cops all seem bent, and Violet's father is apparently a former drunk with a penchant for hitting women. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, nor did I think the storyline was strong enough. It felt a bit like a soap opera rather than a credible novel. Having said that, there weren't any typos and the language was decent - one of my biggest bug bears is reading a book that uses poor English and grammar!
I got this book through Amazon First and I'm very much on the fence - I didn't love it but equally I didn't hate it. With the exception of Violet, all of the characters seemed like awful human beings - to say that Delaney is manipulative is an understatement, the cops all seem bent, and Violet's father is apparently a former drunk with a penchant for hitting women. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, nor did I think the storyline was strong enough. It felt a bit like a soap opera rather than a credible novel. Having said that, there weren't any typos and the language was decent - one of my biggest bug bears is reading a book that uses poor English and grammar!
Spoiler
I worked out who the murderer was very quickly, which is always a bit disappointing, and I don't think the number of bizarre twists at the end were necessary. I never thought I'd find myself feeling any kind of sympathy for a previously-convicted child molester, but the way Dinky was treated was morally wrong.sunshine_ghost's review
3.0
Excellent narration - a well chosen cast. The writing is strong, good pacing and flow. The story , while initially intriguing, devolves into lifetime movie material. The first time I listened to this, I had to stop halfway from all the eye-rolling and forgot about it. However I began relistening from the beginning, and found the other elements kept this story afloat and it earns it a solid 3 stars.
weweresotired's review against another edition
2.0
The only good characters in this book are a four year old boy who's in it for like two scenes, and the crows that the main character befriends.
galian84's review
4.0
I love me a good psychological thriller and mystery and definitely got it in this story! Although I guessed who the perpetrator was about halfway into the story, it was still entertaining. I love a story with good secrets, family issues, and overall things never seeming as they are on the surface.
I really did relate to the FMC, and sympathized with what she must have gone through (and loved her and her mother's name). The prose was beautifully written and descriptions were vivid, and secrets are revealed, little by little. Kept me turning the pages wanting to know how all the pieces fit together.
The only thing I had a slight quibble with is that everything just tied together too easily at the end, and seemed almost anti-climactic.
Interested to know what the next book in the series holds!
I really did relate to the FMC, and sympathized with what she must have gone through (and loved her and her mother's name). The prose was beautifully written and descriptions were vivid, and secrets are revealed, little by little. Kept me turning the pages wanting to know how all the pieces fit together.
The only thing I had a slight quibble with is that everything just tied together too easily at the end, and seemed almost anti-climactic.
Interested to know what the next book in the series holds!
tealeavesandroses's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
julianav's review against another edition
3.0
I was intrigued by the series when one of my Goodreads friends read part 3 in the series so I decided that since the series is offered on Kindle Unlimited I should try it from the start.
I really liked the premise of the first book, Violet has been branded a murderer of her best friend Ainsley in the public opinion of the town since she was 14. Coming back years later, having survived the numerous mental health institutions and currently living in the halfway house she comes back to her hometown where her older sister takes care of her ailing father. Partially to get closure, she doesn't remember anything from that fateful night even after all the treatments she undertook and partialy to get her inheritance from her mother, who died shortly after Violet began her stay in a mental institution.
The description of the small town, the mending of her relationship with her sister at first goes well for Violet. My problem is as the story progressed the motivations and the characters became more and more predictable. Whilst there were a few twists and turns, such as the revelations about her mother it felt that I could predict the majority of the events in the book. A lot of had to do with the stretching out of the plot in the first part of the book. It was obvious what steps Violet could take against the person that becomes the villain of the story, but Violet took these steps much later. For someone who's supposed to be more resilient and more savvy after so many mental hospital stays Violet is intentionally obtuse.
Another big part of the story was also the story of Kimbel Boone, the detective, who originally investigated Ainsley's murder and his story was probably one of the best parts of the book. Another plus to the book is the lack of the romantic protagonist. This book is about Violet becoming an adult despite the events of years ago and the author, wise in my opinion refrained from a romantic lead.
Overall, a decent 3.5 stars, half a star removed for what felt like padding of the first part of the book.
I really liked the premise of the first book, Violet has been branded a murderer of her best friend Ainsley in the public opinion of the town since she was 14. Coming back years later, having survived the numerous mental health institutions and currently living in the halfway house she comes back to her hometown where her older sister takes care of her ailing father. Partially to get closure, she doesn't remember anything from that fateful night even after all the treatments she undertook and partialy to get her inheritance from her mother, who died shortly after Violet began her stay in a mental institution.
The description of the small town, the mending of her relationship with her sister at first goes well for Violet. My problem is as the story progressed the motivations and the characters became more and more predictable. Whilst there were a few twists and turns, such as the revelations about her mother it felt that I could predict the majority of the events in the book. A lot of had to do with the stretching out of the plot in the first part of the book. It was obvious what steps Violet could take against the person that becomes the villain of the story, but Violet took these steps much later. For someone who's supposed to be more resilient and more savvy after so many mental hospital stays Violet is intentionally obtuse.
Another big part of the story was also the story of Kimbel Boone, the detective, who originally investigated Ainsley's murder and his story was probably one of the best parts of the book. Another plus to the book is the lack of the romantic protagonist. This book is about Violet becoming an adult despite the events of years ago and the author, wise in my opinion refrained from a romantic lead.
Overall, a decent 3.5 stars, half a star removed for what felt like padding of the first part of the book.
deltajuliet83's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't really know what to expect with this book but it was great. I loved the writing style and the story went in a really great direction with awesome twists and turns.
mlmayflower's review
1.0
Meh
No surprises or really good twists. Not very well written, prose wise. Considering it was free, I don’t feel like I lost any time or money, but I would not recommend to anyone and have no intention of reading more.
No surprises or really good twists. Not very well written, prose wise. Considering it was free, I don’t feel like I lost any time or money, but I would not recommend to anyone and have no intention of reading more.
audiobook_addict's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome!!
This was an amazing book. If you like good mysteries, with a good many twists, give this a try. This book grabbed me from the beginning and held on. Along with audible narration it just added to the amazement and if I could I would rate that audible performance at a 5 too. The multiple ninrators did a fabulous job with characters and made the story all the more believable and immersive. I've got the second one in the series ready to go so I'm diving in on this one now. But, I recommend this if you're looking for a great mystery with a great twist and a writer who knows her environment, and characters so well, that it makes this Alabama native and librarian proud. Great job DEBBIE, it was an honor to read your book and I'm itching to give Scorched ground a run. Enjoy yall, you won't regretx!!
This was an amazing book. If you like good mysteries, with a good many twists, give this a try. This book grabbed me from the beginning and held on. Along with audible narration it just added to the amazement and if I could I would rate that audible performance at a 5 too. The multiple ninrators did a fabulous job with characters and made the story all the more believable and immersive. I've got the second one in the series ready to go so I'm diving in on this one now. But, I recommend this if you're looking for a great mystery with a great twist and a writer who knows her environment, and characters so well, that it makes this Alabama native and librarian proud. Great job DEBBIE, it was an honor to read your book and I'm itching to give Scorched ground a run. Enjoy yall, you won't regretx!!