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aspygirlsmom_1995's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
jenniferschuster124's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Focused too much on the romance- not really a thriller
myfantasyreads's review
2.0
2.5/5 stars
This book was fine, but it was much more of a new adult romance than a thriller or murder mystery. I started laughing when a word fake dating plot came up because it felt so it of place. Ben was a mostly fine character. Ro could have been better if she didn't talk about how shallow she was all the time. At times it did not feel like she was talking like a real person. Lily was probably the best character of the book. Some of the ending bit with the romance seems to be too much to me. The actual murder mystery parts were pretty interesting, but I would have been happier if the romance and teen angst was toned down significantly.
This book was fine, but it was much more of a new adult romance than a thriller or murder mystery. I started laughing when a word fake dating plot came up because it felt so it of place. Ben was a mostly fine character. Ro could have been better if she didn't talk about how shallow she was all the time. At times it did not feel like she was talking like a real person. Lily was probably the best character of the book. Some of the ending bit with the romance seems to be too much to me. The actual murder mystery parts were pretty interesting, but I would have been happier if the romance and teen angst was toned down significantly.
judya's review
2.0
My rating is actually closer to a 2.5.
I do not know who the audience of this doorstop is supposed to be, as it reads like a YA potboiler novel. It's a coming-of-age work with lots of gratuitous sex thrown in, as if the publisher said, "This is too long to sell to teens. Can you make it appeal to adults?"
The basic plot is interesting, with a serial killer with a penchant for significant geographic and astronomic triggers. But we never see the killer's voice except for approximately a page, and the police detective ostensibly investigating the case is placed like an afterthought. There are teenagers running amok as if it was the 1970s, and dances reminiscent of the 1950s.
However, the novel needed heavy editing. 350-400 pages, tops, is all the plot deserved. Don't spoil your opinion of Faye Kellerman and her Decker/Lazarus works by reading this disappointing, non-thrilling thriller.
I do not know who the audience of this doorstop is supposed to be, as it reads like a YA potboiler novel. It's a coming-of-age work with lots of gratuitous sex thrown in, as if the publisher said, "This is too long to sell to teens. Can you make it appeal to adults?"
The basic plot is interesting, with a serial killer with a penchant for significant geographic and astronomic triggers. But we never see the killer's voice except for approximately a page, and the police detective ostensibly investigating the case is placed like an afterthought. There are teenagers running amok as if it was the 1970s, and dances reminiscent of the 1950s.
However, the novel needed heavy editing. 350-400 pages, tops, is all the plot deserved. Don't spoil your opinion of Faye Kellerman and her Decker/Lazarus works by reading this disappointing, non-thrilling thriller.
correlw's review
3.0
This is not Faye's best work. I loved the story, but much of it reads like a YA novel, and you have to get through the teenage love triangle drama to get to the mystery.
myfantasyreadse5a9e's review
2.0
2.5/5 stars
This book was fine, but it was much more of a new adult romance than a thriller or murder mystery. I started laughing when a word fake dating plot came up because it felt so it of place. Ben was a mostly fine character. Ro could have been better if she didn't talk about how shallow she was all the time. At times it did not feel like she was talking like a real person. Lily was probably the best character of the book. Some of the ending bit with the romance seems to be too much to me. The actual murder mystery parts were pretty interesting, but I would have been happier if the romance and teen angst was toned down significantly.
This book was fine, but it was much more of a new adult romance than a thriller or murder mystery. I started laughing when a word fake dating plot came up because it felt so it of place. Ben was a mostly fine character. Ro could have been better if she didn't talk about how shallow she was all the time. At times it did not feel like she was talking like a real person. Lily was probably the best character of the book. Some of the ending bit with the romance seems to be too much to me. The actual murder mystery parts were pretty interesting, but I would have been happier if the romance and teen angst was toned down significantly.
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