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bkoh's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
Meh
The mystery itself could have been compelling, but was often derailed by unnecessary asides fleshing out various secondary characters. I mean, yeah, I like to get a feel for the characters in a book, but I don't really need long bios for characters who are only there to prod the plot along. Save that for the primary characters.
A lot of the dialog just didn't feel convincing to me either, and I wasn't impressed with the twist.
The mystery itself could have been compelling, but was often derailed by unnecessary asides fleshing out various secondary characters. I mean, yeah, I like to get a feel for the characters in a book, but I don't really need long bios for characters who are only there to prod the plot along. Save that for the primary characters.
A lot of the dialog just didn't feel convincing to me either, and I wasn't impressed with the twist.
faithemt's review against another edition
3.0
light "beach read".
Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/08/2023-book-review-30-find-me.html
Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/08/2023-book-review-30-find-me.html
tivara101's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
missyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this on a road trip. First Alafair Burke book for me. I will read more. I had been hesitant to read Ms Burke because her Dad is my favorite author. The story of Hope Miller and her long term amnesia kept my attention. I did find that I had a bit of trouble keeping Lindsey (Lawyer)and Ellie (NYPD detective) separate but finally got it. The amnesia after trauma and car wreck for Hope was interesting. I had figured out a few things but really like how Ms. Burke continued the story after it was all complete with the information about Hope and her therapist. That was a good twist I had not really expected. Not sure that I buy the letter from Alex at the end tying everything up in a nice neat bow that let Jesse and Hope completely off the hook……….. overall good listen
litwithleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Full disclosure: I have read every single Alafair Burke book. The only one I DNF was The Better Sister. I want to point this out, because my familiarity with her writing style and plot structure definitely impacts my rating.
THE PLOT
Hope Miller (real name unknown) doesn't remember a single thing before her car accident 15 years ago. Suddenly, she wants to start all over again, and leaves her BFF Lindsay in the lurch when she moves to East Hampton. After Lindsay can't reach Hope, she starts to investigate her disappearance, but soon it becomes clear this is much more than a simple grab and go. What does Hope have to do with a case in Witchita, Kansas that haunts Detective Ellie Hatcher? And how much does Hope really remember?
MY OPINION
After DNF-ing The Better Sister, I came into this with my fingers, toes, and winter leg hair crossed. And I wasn't disappointed. This is a classic Alafair Burke novel with a complicated and layered plot, several POVs, and a satisfying ending neatly tied together. Oh, and this features Detective Ellie Hatcher. Although this book is NOT considered part of the Hatcher series, you definitely should read the series beforehand, because there's some pretty big revelations for Hatcher in the novel that will be ???? if you don't know her background. There is enough context, but to really understand how big this moment is for her—read the series.
I'm used to Burke's writing being just ok. It's really her ability to weave together several seemingly benign storylines into a delightful ending that just makes sense. Yes, it is usually far-fetched, but as I said, I'm used to her books, so it doesn't bother me. Some authors struggle with just getting one storyline and two POVs down, but Burke can juggle ALL the balls without a single blunder. That's why I like her books despite the meh writing quality.
With that being said, her writing quality in this book was noticeably better. The Better Sister was garbagio... The amateur hour writing led me to clicking "permanently delete" on my Kindle. But this book was surprisingly coherent with minimal trivial details and filler scenes. In fact, some parts were funny (what about SP??? lol). I was impressed.
My only gripe is the repeated mentions of gaslighting. It seems like Burke just discovered what this was and wanted to flex. As usual, she peppers in some timely social commentary, but doesn't get too deep with it. She says just enough to show she's with the times, without being too much of a "SJW". If your politics are more right wing, some of this might annoy you.
I'm giving it 3 stars because it's Honda Civic reliable. A quick, topsy-turny read with a satisfying ending—but it lacks top-notch writing and thoughtfulness. It's just a solid police procedural; sometimes that's what you need. Like a grilled cheese sandwich, no fluff, no fancy ingredients, but always tasty.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Great pace, actually funny, keeps you guessing, satisfying ending
Cons: Too many mentions of gaslighting—it wasn't that deep?
THE PLOT
Hope Miller (real name unknown) doesn't remember a single thing before her car accident 15 years ago. Suddenly, she wants to start all over again, and leaves her BFF Lindsay in the lurch when she moves to East Hampton. After Lindsay can't reach Hope, she starts to investigate her disappearance, but soon it becomes clear this is much more than a simple grab and go. What does Hope have to do with a case in Witchita, Kansas that haunts Detective Ellie Hatcher? And how much does Hope really remember?
MY OPINION
After DNF-ing The Better Sister, I came into this with my fingers, toes, and winter leg hair crossed. And I wasn't disappointed. This is a classic Alafair Burke novel with a complicated and layered plot, several POVs, and a satisfying ending neatly tied together. Oh, and this features Detective Ellie Hatcher. Although this book is NOT considered part of the Hatcher series, you definitely should read the series beforehand, because there's some pretty big revelations for Hatcher in the novel that will be ???? if you don't know her background. There is enough context, but to really understand how big this moment is for her—read the series.
I'm used to Burke's writing being just ok. It's really her ability to weave together several seemingly benign storylines into a delightful ending that just makes sense. Yes, it is usually far-fetched, but as I said, I'm used to her books, so it doesn't bother me. Some authors struggle with just getting one storyline and two POVs down, but Burke can juggle ALL the balls without a single blunder. That's why I like her books despite the meh writing quality.
With that being said, her writing quality in this book was noticeably better. The Better Sister was garbagio... The amateur hour writing led me to clicking "permanently delete" on my Kindle. But this book was surprisingly coherent with minimal trivial details and filler scenes. In fact, some parts were funny (what about SP??? lol). I was impressed.
My only gripe is the repeated mentions of gaslighting. It seems like Burke just discovered what this was and wanted to flex. As usual, she peppers in some timely social commentary, but doesn't get too deep with it. She says just enough to show she's with the times, without being too much of a "SJW". If your politics are more right wing, some of this might annoy you.
I'm giving it 3 stars because it's Honda Civic reliable. A quick, topsy-turny read with a satisfying ending—but it lacks top-notch writing and thoughtfulness. It's just a solid police procedural; sometimes that's what you need. Like a grilled cheese sandwich, no fluff, no fancy ingredients, but always tasty.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Great pace, actually funny, keeps you guessing, satisfying ending
Cons: Too many mentions of gaslighting—it wasn't that deep?
just_an_avocado's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Rape
okevamae's review against another edition
3.0
Years ago, a young woman was found severely injured in a car crash outside a small town. She had no ID, and no memory. She took the name Hope, and was taken in by the police chief’s family, becoming fast friends with his daughter, Lindsay. Fifteen years later, after moving to a new town, Hope suddenly goes missing (under circumstances that make her look less than innocent), with the only clue being a drop of blood, which turns out to be connected to an old serial killer case several states away. But the police have little interest in the case of a woman with no legal identity who appears to be nothing but a grifter. Lindsay enlists the help of Ellie, an NYPD detective and the daughter of the detective who hunted the serial killer, to find out what happened to Hope. But as more clues turn up, it becomes apparent that Hope had secrets that she kept even from Lindsay.
This story is a female-led mystery with some twists and turns that I did not see coming, and a number of red herrings. It wasn’t as enthralling enough for me to call it a “thriller,” but it was a pretty good mystery.
Representation: LGBTQ characters/characters questioning their sexual orientation
CW: codependent relationship, gaslighting, child sexual abuse and grooming, past drug use
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story is a female-led mystery with some twists and turns that I did not see coming, and a number of red herrings. It wasn’t as enthralling enough for me to call it a “thriller,” but it was a pretty good mystery.
Representation: LGBTQ characters/characters questioning their sexual orientation
CW: codependent relationship, gaslighting, child sexual abuse and grooming, past drug use
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
mainelyreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25