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ria_carina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received the book through the SG giveaways and was eager to find the time to read it.
The story starts without the classic introduction of the characters—I like this. We are already in the kidnapping-situation where the blurb leads to and honestly, it doesn't need any kind of advance information to be absorbed. All the little bits and pieces of info are gathered naturally over the next pages and chapters and it has a subtle feel to it. The reader isn't overwhelmed with a load of info; it's nice to start slow but at the same time with the main 'event'.
I'm a fan of different POVs and they make sense here als well. I didn't take a special liking to the characters because in retrospective they all have (massive) flaws, but I felt sympathetic for their feelings and understood their actions.
But I have to say: I don't wish a 'friend' like Rachel to my worst enemie. She's just ... crazy as hell.
I liked the way of writing and the fast pace but sometimes I was irritated by the repetitions of different infos or descriptions within a short time/page frame. One example: when the murder of Leland is discussed and Sawyer internally states that he's not remembering the boy because he didn't bear any meaning for him and he just knew his face. It gets a bit repetitive. Another thing which could be better written is the dialogue. It's not bad but for the sake of the pace it seems hastily sometimes.
If I had to name one character I liked more than the others I would say Nick. But the smartest one would be Carla.
And yes, the book was a pageturner but after Carlas 'release' it hit the brakes for me. I skimmed for about 40 pages until the plot twist caught me again for a short time.
To conclude: It's a book with two slightly interwoven storys—one kidnapping and one murder—but the real context isn't visible at first. It's not the character of the Chief per se and the fact they all know each other in a small town, in my opinion it's the things we do for loved ones; especially children and spouses. Even if it's just out of habit and what we think is love.
The story starts without the classic introduction of the characters—I like this. We are already in the kidnapping-situation where the blurb leads to and honestly, it doesn't need any kind of advance information to be absorbed. All the little bits and pieces of info are gathered naturally over the next pages and chapters and it has a subtle feel to it. The reader isn't overwhelmed with a load of info; it's nice to start slow but at the same time with the main 'event'.
I'm a fan of different POVs and they make sense here als well. I didn't take a special liking to the characters because in retrospective they all have (massive) flaws, but I felt sympathetic for their feelings and understood their actions.
But I have to say: I don't wish a 'friend' like Rachel to my worst enemie. She's just ... crazy as hell.
I liked the way of writing and the fast pace but sometimes I was irritated by the repetitions of different infos or descriptions within a short time/page frame. One example: when the murder of Leland is discussed and Sawyer internally states that he's not remembering the boy because he didn't bear any meaning for him and he just knew his face. It gets a bit repetitive. Another thing which could be better written is the dialogue. It's not bad but for the sake of the pace it seems hastily sometimes.
If I had to name one character I liked more than the others I would say Nick. But the smartest one would be Carla.
And yes, the book was a pageturner but after Carlas 'release' it hit the brakes for me. I skimmed for about 40 pages until the plot twist caught me again for a short time.
To conclude: It's a book with two slightly interwoven storys—one kidnapping and one murder—but the real context isn't visible at first. It's not the character of the Chief per se and the fact they all know each other in a small town, in my opinion it's the things we do for loved ones; especially children and spouses. Even if it's just out of habit and what we think is love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Kidnapping
Moderate: Stalking, Torture, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Murder and Abortion
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