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wednesdayzombie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
celjla212's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 STARS
I suppose this novel is being billed a a ghost story. I wouldn't say that. There is some touch of the supernatural, for sure. There are definitely creepy moments that gave me the chills. But Mary Rose is not a ghost, not anything I can pinpoint.
Mary Rose is a 26 year old English woman who is about to be wed to American lawyer Simon Blake. Upon a visit to her home country, Simon is told a family secret. Though it might be his and Mary Rose's undoing, he is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her 20 years ago, on a foreboding and desolate island in Scotland.
I read this book very quickly, mostly because there were so many questions surrounding Mary Rose and her past. She's a quirky woman to say the least, but everyone around her seems to love her in spite of her weird ways. For his part, Simon does seem to truly be in love with Mary Rose. He's an attorney, someone who knows that answers are to be found if you look hard enough. And that's what the plot of this book is, really--Simon looking for answers in Mary Rose's past to learn more about why she is experiencing such nightmarish events in her present.
The story is told in alternating chapters from both Simon and Mary Rose's points of view. I liked this because it shows that things are happening to both of them, things they cannot explain, but it also shows how each one reacts to the other.
This book has an overall dark and creepy tone, and it's a great read for this time of year. I turned the pages well past midnight in my hurry to find out the truth behind Mary Rose and her island. Just as you think you have the real answers, something else happens and you're lost again. I do think the ending left a lot of questions, in comparison to the other, logically explained events. It's a bit ambiguous so if you don't like stories without concrete finales, be aware of that.
I suppose this novel is being billed a a ghost story. I wouldn't say that. There is some touch of the supernatural, for sure. There are definitely creepy moments that gave me the chills. But Mary Rose is not a ghost, not anything I can pinpoint.
Mary Rose is a 26 year old English woman who is about to be wed to American lawyer Simon Blake. Upon a visit to her home country, Simon is told a family secret. Though it might be his and Mary Rose's undoing, he is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her 20 years ago, on a foreboding and desolate island in Scotland.
I read this book very quickly, mostly because there were so many questions surrounding Mary Rose and her past. She's a quirky woman to say the least, but everyone around her seems to love her in spite of her weird ways. For his part, Simon does seem to truly be in love with Mary Rose. He's an attorney, someone who knows that answers are to be found if you look hard enough. And that's what the plot of this book is, really--Simon looking for answers in Mary Rose's past to learn more about why she is experiencing such nightmarish events in her present.
The story is told in alternating chapters from both Simon and Mary Rose's points of view. I liked this because it shows that things are happening to both of them, things they cannot explain, but it also shows how each one reacts to the other.
This book has an overall dark and creepy tone, and it's a great read for this time of year. I turned the pages well past midnight in my hurry to find out the truth behind Mary Rose and her island. Just as you think you have the real answers, something else happens and you're lost again. I do think the ending left a lot of questions, in comparison to the other, logically explained events. It's a bit ambiguous so if you don't like stories without concrete finales, be aware of that.
teagan___'s review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
Review on blog and in BOOKLIST http://raforall.blogspot.com/2017/09/what-im-reading-booklist-reviews-edition.html
deathcabforkatey's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book but I struggled to really get INTO it. The creepy parts were sufficiently creepy/spooky. But everything else fell flat. And I’m sorry - but at every turn I couldn’t stand Simon’s decisions. Made absolutely no sense. Was pretty consistent with most horror tropes, though.
stierbri's review against another edition
4.0
I wish the back of the book had t ruined the twist. This could have been a truly great creepy read, however it was spoiled by the back cover. You should never give away the best twist in a book. Worth a read, but don't read the back first!
leahkuntz's review against another edition
5.0
If you're a fan of horror, of ghosts, of mystery, of that frightful uncertainty you may feel about whether or not you can truly ever 'know' a person, read it. I'm telling you, you've got to read it. I ate it up in 2 sittings or less.
zacharylang's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
catra121's review against another edition
4.0
I've had this on my TBR for a few years...ever since a copy was donated to my little free library but it didn't have the best reviews so I kept putting it off. Finally picked up the audiobook during an Audible sale...and I was pleasantly surprised. This isn't a fast paced book/story but I think it delivers on the creepy vibes. Definitely on the lighter side of horror...if you're looking for hard core scares then this probably isn't the book for you. But I enjoyed it and would listen to the audiobook again.