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bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
Though I was really hooked on this book, I feel a little unsatisfied in the end. Complete review to come.
Full review:
I'm not sure what it was about this book that lost me. It held me gripped throughout most of the novel, but something about the resolution just fell flat for me. Some spoilers to follow.
One of the strongest aspects of this book was that it kept me on my toes. It was obvious pretty quickly that Molly was rather unreliable, based on her early actions, and I wasn't certain what to think of Quinn either. Because of this, the book is suspenseful from early on, and I enjoyed watching the story unfold, particularly as Molly's actions grew more questionable. She got herself in so deep that I wondered how she was going to get herself back out again, and that kept me turning pages. Additionally, I enjoyed the slow way Quinn's story unfolded, as the author gradually peeled back layers to show what it was that had caused Quinn's mental anguish.
I thought Molly was a very strong character. I liked how her past influenced the actions she took with Quinn, and how she identified with the girl pretty early on, due to Quinn's abandonment. They were like kindred souls in a lot of ways, and this made Molly's actions entirely feasible. Her blindness about what she was doing made sense to me, and I liked how she evolved over time from journalist seeking a scoop to the protector Quinn so desperately needed.
Quinn's teen angst was also very believable, as was her gradual slide into a state that put her in a position where she was vulnerable and easy to take advantage of. I think some may find her portrayal less realistic because she does some very stupid things, but her devolving into drinking and drug use made sense to me. She was caught up in a cycle of abuse, and given that she was far from home and essentially on her own, it made sense that she couldn't see a way out. Plus, why would she trust adults to help her when she hasn't had much evidence that they are either willing or able to help?
Yet as I got closer to the end of the book, I found my investment dwindling somewhat. I don't know if that's because I could see where the book was going and so wasn't entirely surprised by the big reveal or if it's because there were maybe too many threads tying to one big issue, and I think the book would have been better served had it focused on fewer of them. The ending feels a bit like a mess to me, and I wasn't happy with the way Quinn's and Molly's conflict is resolved. I could understand it, but I was still disappointed in it.
All in all, this is a good suspenseful read but the letdown of the ending prevented it from being elevated to one of those astonishing novels that blows me away with its unexpected twists and turns. I liked the psychology of it for the bulk of the novel, but I things got a little too messy for me in the end.
Full review:
I'm not sure what it was about this book that lost me. It held me gripped throughout most of the novel, but something about the resolution just fell flat for me. Some spoilers to follow.
One of the strongest aspects of this book was that it kept me on my toes. It was obvious pretty quickly that Molly was rather unreliable, based on her early actions, and I wasn't certain what to think of Quinn either. Because of this, the book is suspenseful from early on, and I enjoyed watching the story unfold, particularly as Molly's actions grew more questionable. She got herself in so deep that I wondered how she was going to get herself back out again, and that kept me turning pages. Additionally, I enjoyed the slow way Quinn's story unfolded, as the author gradually peeled back layers to show what it was that had caused Quinn's mental anguish.
I thought Molly was a very strong character. I liked how her past influenced the actions she took with Quinn, and how she identified with the girl pretty early on, due to Quinn's abandonment. They were like kindred souls in a lot of ways, and this made Molly's actions entirely feasible. Her blindness about what she was doing made sense to me, and I liked how she evolved over time from journalist seeking a scoop to the protector Quinn so desperately needed.
Quinn's teen angst was also very believable, as was her gradual slide into a state that put her in a position where she was vulnerable and easy to take advantage of. I think some may find her portrayal less realistic because she does some very stupid things, but her devolving into drinking and drug use made sense to me. She was caught up in a cycle of abuse, and given that she was far from home and essentially on her own, it made sense that she couldn't see a way out. Plus, why would she trust adults to help her when she hasn't had much evidence that they are either willing or able to help?
Yet as I got closer to the end of the book, I found my investment dwindling somewhat. I don't know if that's because I could see where the book was going and so wasn't entirely surprised by the big reveal or if it's because there were maybe too many threads tying to one big issue, and I think the book would have been better served had it focused on fewer of them. The ending feels a bit like a mess to me, and I wasn't happy with the way Quinn's and Molly's conflict is resolved. I could understand it, but I was still disappointed in it.
All in all, this is a good suspenseful read but the letdown of the ending prevented it from being elevated to one of those astonishing novels that blows me away with its unexpected twists and turns. I liked the psychology of it for the bulk of the novel, but I things got a little too messy for me in the end.
fantasynovel's review against another edition
3.0
Pro-tip: When you're writing a book, don't name your main character after a Shonda Rhimes anti-hero. It's not a good look. This book fell flat in other areas too. A lot of the plot didn't hold together. For example, it wasn't clear what happens to the exchange students after Raphel's through with them, but either they go missing or they go home. In the first case, ppl should be really suspicious of the Blavettes and not send them anymore exchange students. In the other case, someone out of the tons of exchange students, would end up reporting Raphael for rape. But nothing happens!
There were other things, too. Noemie's reaction to Quinn in the caves was really forced. Molly was SUCH a Gillian Flynn knock-off, it was ridiculous. I know a lot of people liked this book, but it really wasn't my thing. Also, an American really should have read this book before it was published in order to replace all those "torches" with "flashlights" and "I've nots" with "I haven'ts." There were definitely parts I liked. The wall with all those different girls ("Italian girl", "German girl", etc.) was chilling. The dunking game and the entire pool really captured bored teenagers. Emilie and Raphael were fascinating to read about, and the gas room in Les Yeux did hold some creep factor. Still, I'm going to go reread Gone Girl to cleanse my palate.
There were other things, too. Noemie's reaction to Quinn in the caves was really forced. Molly was SUCH a Gillian Flynn knock-off, it was ridiculous. I know a lot of people liked this book, but it really wasn't my thing. Also, an American really should have read this book before it was published in order to replace all those "torches" with "flashlights" and "I've nots" with "I haven'ts." There were definitely parts I liked. The wall with all those different girls ("Italian girl", "German girl", etc.) was chilling. The dunking game and the entire pool really captured bored teenagers. Emilie and Raphael were fascinating to read about, and the gas room in Les Yeux did hold some creep factor. Still, I'm going to go reread Gone Girl to cleanse my palate.
pixiepages's review against another edition
3.0
Quinn is studying abroad in France. The family she is living with is beyond weird and strange. Quin stumbles out of the forest not knowing what happened to her. She is found bloodied and can’t remember anything. What is even weirder is that the host family she is staying with also goes missing. Molly, who is an american journalist pretends to be Quinn's aunt and tries to uncover the truth of what actually happened. This was definitely a good short read.
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
Complex story about an American exchange student, Quinn Perkins, in France who is found stumbling out of the woods where she is hit by a car. Amnesia sets in. The family hosting her is missing. The town has a mysterious secret, but is Quinn in on it?
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
This book really is a riveting psychological thriller. I could not stop reading it. Quinn was good but her voice was really the strongest during the blog and video entries. For me I found Molly to be the strongest female voice in this story. She moved against the majority and stuck with her instinct. I had respect for her.
I don't know what I was expecting from this book but I got everything and more. Dark...check. Psychological...check. Intriguing plot...check. Twists...check. Great ending...check. As the story progressed it was like I was Alice falling down the rabbit hole into a dark place filled with secrets. Just when I thought I had it all figured out something else would come at me. This book is a must read.
I don't know what I was expecting from this book but I got everything and more. Dark...check. Psychological...check. Intriguing plot...check. Twists...check. Great ending...check. As the story progressed it was like I was Alice falling down the rabbit hole into a dark place filled with secrets. Just when I thought I had it all figured out something else would come at me. This book is a must read.
gertrude314's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit that I'm a little critical lately of books like these. Everyone seems to be following the whole multiple-perspectives gimmick, but this book was a well written mystery. Everything that happened was mostly plausible, even though the romance between the journalist and inspector was cheesy, the writer was aware of it and pointed it out. My only critique is that the characters who were speaking their sides of the story were both American, so she should have edited out words like "holiday" for vacation, and "row" for fight. Other than that, it was interesting and worth the read.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition
5.0
A perfectly suspenseful plot & a fast-paced hunt for the truth. I found it to be quite thrilling and unpredictable.
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fairly different thriller that revolved around relationships - but in a foreign country with the addition of a mob boss and a bottomless cave. It was somewhat melodramatic and not entirely believable - it appeared to be very soap opera-esque in style - but despite this, it was enjoyable.
I wasn’t blown away by it, however, and at times my attention did wander. Not one of the best thrillers I’ve read, but I would recommend this to diehard fans of thrillers and psychological suspense.
I wasn’t blown away by it, however, and at times my attention did wander. Not one of the best thrillers I’ve read, but I would recommend this to diehard fans of thrillers and psychological suspense.
marsetta's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Kate Horsley, HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
On a quiet summer morning seventeen-year-old American exchange student Quinn Perkins stumbles out of the woods near the small French town of St. Roch, barefoot, bloodied, and unable to say what has happened to her.
Quinn's appearance creates a stir, especially since her host family, the Blavettes, has mysteriously disappeared. Now the media, and everyone in the idyllic village, are wondering if the American girl has anything to do with the missing family.
A Boston reporter named Molly Swift travels to St. Roch, prepared to do anything to learn the truth and score the ultimate scoop. After Quinn is arrested and a trial by media ensues, she finds an unlikely ally in the young journalist. Molly unravels the disturbing secrets of the town's past in an effort to clear Quinn's name, but even she is forced to admit that the American girl makes a compelling suspect.
Is Quinn truly an innocent abroad, or is she a cunning, diabolical killer intent on getting away with murder?
This book really didn't do it for me, it seemed to go on for ever. I had so many questions around the behaviour of the police, the press, Molly, the hospital, Quinn's family. For example, how did Molly's lie about being Quinn's aunt not get found it? How does Valentin (the policeman) fall in love with Molly when they only knew each other for a few days?? And don't get me started on the blog.... The whole thing just didn't work.
I can't say I particularly liked any of the characters in the book, they just didn't come across as very believable. The idea behind the plot was good but the execution was terrible. I really struggled to get through it and couldn't wait for it to end.
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On a quiet summer morning seventeen-year-old American exchange student Quinn Perkins stumbles out of the woods near the small French town of St. Roch, barefoot, bloodied, and unable to say what has happened to her.
Quinn's appearance creates a stir, especially since her host family, the Blavettes, has mysteriously disappeared. Now the media, and everyone in the idyllic village, are wondering if the American girl has anything to do with the missing family.
A Boston reporter named Molly Swift travels to St. Roch, prepared to do anything to learn the truth and score the ultimate scoop. After Quinn is arrested and a trial by media ensues, she finds an unlikely ally in the young journalist. Molly unravels the disturbing secrets of the town's past in an effort to clear Quinn's name, but even she is forced to admit that the American girl makes a compelling suspect.
Is Quinn truly an innocent abroad, or is she a cunning, diabolical killer intent on getting away with murder?
This book really didn't do it for me, it seemed to go on for ever. I had so many questions around the behaviour of the police, the press, Molly, the hospital, Quinn's family. For example, how did Molly's lie about being Quinn's aunt not get found it? How does Valentin (the policeman) fall in love with Molly when they only knew each other for a few days?? And don't get me started on the blog.... The whole thing just didn't work.
I can't say I particularly liked any of the characters in the book, they just didn't come across as very believable. The idea behind the plot was good but the execution was terrible. I really struggled to get through it and couldn't wait for it to end.
To read this and other reviews like and follow me at
https://crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com/
www.twitter.com/crimemysteryboo
www.facebook.com/crimeandmysterybooksreview
constant_reader_19's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. A pretty good psychological thriller. I found some of the characters annoying and a few twists in the plot predictable. Overall, not a bad read....definitely entertaining.