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zapkode's review
5.0
hired by Lizzie’s father. She is much younger then Lizzie but they seem to have managed to build a solid friendship. Their friendship is what helps the two girls to deal with the rough times that take place within the walls of the Borden home.
Both Lizzie and Bridget have a rough time dealing with the issues within the house. Lizzie’s older sister Emma seems to deal with it by not being there. I think out of all of them she was the smartest.
As the book suggests it is based on Lizzie Borden and the deaths of her father and her step mother. I have to admit it is well written and the story pulls you in completely. However, I have slight issues with the lack of description in regards to the scene of the crimes. I think that there could have been more, I particularly enjoy reading about true crime, and have read lots of things in regards to Lizzie Borden in the past.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is a Lizzie Borden fan. I also think it is a nice read for those interested in the possibility of a different turn out to the night her parents had met their untimely fate with deaths door.
Both Lizzie and Bridget have a rough time dealing with the issues within the house. Lizzie’s older sister Emma seems to deal with it by not being there. I think out of all of them she was the smartest.
As the book suggests it is based on Lizzie Borden and the deaths of her father and her step mother. I have to admit it is well written and the story pulls you in completely. However, I have slight issues with the lack of description in regards to the scene of the crimes. I think that there could have been more, I particularly enjoy reading about true crime, and have read lots of things in regards to Lizzie Borden in the past.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is a Lizzie Borden fan. I also think it is a nice read for those interested in the possibility of a different turn out to the night her parents had met their untimely fate with deaths door.
shelvesofsecrets's review
3.0
This was a book with a lot of potential. I like the premise and the story overall, but there were major pacing issues for me that dropped this one down to 3 stars.
I think the star of this book was the atmosphere that Leaver created. Everything felt creepy and there was a certain wrong-ness that came through all of Bridget's experiences in the Borden house. However, there was a case of too much of a good thing. The pacing in this book felt way too slow for me and that combined with the growing sense of dread, made the book a bit laborious in the middle. With that much stress on the reader for such an extended number of pages made the book a bit exhausting.
Bridget was a likable enough character, although I didn't always agree with her decisions. However, they weren't easy decisions to make, so I can't hold that against her. And I think Leaver did a good job of making Lizzy a sympathetic character at the same time as being a ticking time bomb.
This story and characters had a lot of potential, but the mix of a thick atmosphere with slow pacing kind of got the better of the book.
I think the star of this book was the atmosphere that Leaver created. Everything felt creepy and there was a certain wrong-ness that came through all of Bridget's experiences in the Borden house. However, there was a case of too much of a good thing. The pacing in this book felt way too slow for me and that combined with the growing sense of dread, made the book a bit laborious in the middle. With that much stress on the reader for such an extended number of pages made the book a bit exhausting.
Bridget was a likable enough character, although I didn't always agree with her decisions. However, they weren't easy decisions to make, so I can't hold that against her. And I think Leaver did a good job of making Lizzy a sympathetic character at the same time as being a ticking time bomb.
This story and characters had a lot of potential, but the mix of a thick atmosphere with slow pacing kind of got the better of the book.
dkragick's review
3.0
Read so I could write a test for a middle-schooler since this doesn't have an AR quiz available. It started out well and kept my interest well enough until we go to what should have been the exciting part. Then it just fizzled out. No where near enough attention paid to the parts that are WHY most folks would read this book.
reading_octopus9's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
krystalc16's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elvenavari's review
3.0
First reads winner review. 3.5 stars. I have always been intrigued by the history and story of Lizzie Borden so when I saw this/read the description on the Giveaway list, I had to put it on my to-read this. I really enjoyed the style of writing and seeing the Borden's through another character's eyes. However, while I enjoyed the set up, I thought there was too much of it. I kept wondering when the historic act would take place (which ended up being very close to the end). This would have been better, in my opinion, if the act had taken place toward the middle and we got to see more of the aftermath.
carissadruann's review
4.0
I have a sick obsession with murder cases and serial killers, so when I saw this I knew it was right up my alley. This is a fictional story about Lizzie Borden. If you don't know who she is, do a quick google search. I've read several things about her and this was a fresh take on it. Loved the new twist on what could have been. Of course this book is fiction and we will never know what actually happened because Lizzie was acquitted. It's told from Bridget's POV (the family maid), which was a great perspective. Bridget is a highly likable character. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and creeped me out! Highly recommend and will look for more books by these authors.
ap1's review
3.0
A reimagining of the Lizzie Borden story.
This was very readable, but there were some inconsistencies (and editing errors) that really bugged. Did not really care for the ending that much. It was a quick read and was relatively enjoyable though.
This was very readable, but there were some inconsistencies (and editing errors) that really bugged. Did not really care for the ending that much. It was a quick read and was relatively enjoyable though.
jennoux's review
3.0
3.5
I struggled at times with this one. I knew NOTHING about Lizzie Borden except the fact that we killed her father and her stepmother with an axe. I liked Bridget, how loyal she was. It was creepy too but I wanted more.
I struggled at times with this one. I knew NOTHING about Lizzie Borden except the fact that we killed her father and her stepmother with an axe. I liked Bridget, how loyal she was. It was creepy too but I wanted more.
sammy_601's review
3.0
The story was told by the maid that lived with Lizzie Borden. You got to see the other side. Not sure if this is an accurate book. But kind of felt for Lizzie. She lived in a madhouse. Not treated well. I can kind of understand why she lost it.