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itsmonislibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kathadrion's review against another edition
3.0
2,5 stars.
Perhaps I just don't have enough experience with novellas, but I don't get it.
Overall, I think Close to the Bone could have been a great story. I was immediately interested in the case that Cate was trying to solve, I liked the bleak atmosphere of the island, and I felt that the characters were people that I wanted to get to know.
But it's just so short. Not a lot can happen in 94 pages and because of that, neither the case nor the characters got enough room to develop properly. Cate barely had time to start investigating the case before it was suddenly over, and the solution felt rushed and wasn't explained very well. You barely got to know any of the characters properly except Cate, and some of the relationships between the characters felt really underdeveloped as well. Everything just felt very simplistic, and I think this story would have needed to be a full length novel to really get the chance to fulfill its potential.
The entire series is all novellas, and I haven't decided yet whether I will be continuing on with it. I still feel like it has potential, but I don't know if that's enough to overcome the things that I didn't enjoy about the first installment.
Perhaps I just don't have enough experience with novellas, but I don't get it.
Overall, I think Close to the Bone could have been a great story. I was immediately interested in the case that Cate was trying to solve, I liked the bleak atmosphere of the island, and I felt that the characters were people that I wanted to get to know.
But it's just so short. Not a lot can happen in 94 pages and because of that, neither the case nor the characters got enough room to develop properly. Cate barely had time to start investigating the case before it was suddenly over, and the solution felt rushed and wasn't explained very well. You barely got to know any of the characters properly except Cate, and some of the relationships between the characters felt really underdeveloped as well. Everything just felt very simplistic, and I think this story would have needed to be a full length novel to really get the chance to fulfill its potential.
The entire series is all novellas, and I haven't decided yet whether I will be continuing on with it. I still feel like it has potential, but I don't know if that's enough to overcome the things that I didn't enjoy about the first installment.
amanda_bertke's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachelellyn's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy this short format for a mystery. Good characters, great setting, very plausible situations. I'll definitely read this next one.
jphelps83's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Did have a twist at the end. I felt more confused by it then anything.
isaacrm's review against another edition
3.0
I'm giving this one 3 stars meaning, if you have something else to read go for it.
This is a short novella that's supposed to be a "who done it" kind of plot. Unfortunately, it falls short of the mark.
There are two detectives in this story. One is local the other FBI. None of them discover or solve anything in the story. The mystery is solved by itself with no one's intervention.
The best thing I can say about it is that it was short.
This is a short novella that's supposed to be a "who done it" kind of plot. Unfortunately, it falls short of the mark.
There are two detectives in this story. One is local the other FBI. None of them discover or solve anything in the story. The mystery is solved by itself with no one's intervention.
The best thing I can say about it is that it was short.