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pagesplotsandpints 's review for:
Ward D
by Freida McFadden
Read Completed 5/24/23 | 2.5 stars, rounding down
This is my 7th book by Freida McFadden and honestly, I'm surprised myself that I've read seven of her books. I would say I don't know why I keep reading them, but I know why I do. Firstly, they're short and fast-paced thrillers and secondly, they're entertaining. Yes, even when I rate it 2+ stars, I'm still entertained.
I keep expecting to one day like her writing but I never do. The main characters always seem kind of dumb, and I get that they can't be too smart to figure everything out right away since there still has to be a suspenseful plot, but I always feel like they're a bit TOO dense. I would like to see a smart, clever character be outwitted. I can't really fathom strawberry jelly looking so convincingly like blood? I mean, maybe if you're scared, it's just a startling reaction, but it was used more than once. That was just.. weird.
It was definitely a sensational, reader-grabbing attempt to have this book take place in a psych ward where we see extreme cases that are all portrayed negatively... but it works and people are sucked in! I admit, the psychological aspect and unreliable narrator always mess with my mind and I like not knowing who to trust or how things might turn out. I have no idea about the typical patient so I couldn't speak on that, but I felt like some of it could have been done a bit more tactfully, I guess. Sigh. I don't know. There was a lot that felt off, and with some other bad writing, it all just stacked up.
The twist did surprise me in a way, and Freida McFadden always seems to have that going for her books. There's always a big twist and she certainly packs it with a lot of punches. I thought it was largely cheesy, but again, another popcorn thriller where literally everything is over the top. At least there was a reason for the peach iced tea because if it got mentioned all those times and there was nothing to it, I was going to be even more irritated.
After THE HOUSEMAID, I told myself I wasn't going to read any more of her books, but here we are again. At least I finish them, and they're fast.
This is my 7th book by Freida McFadden and honestly, I'm surprised myself that I've read seven of her books. I would say I don't know why I keep reading them, but I know why I do. Firstly, they're short and fast-paced thrillers and secondly, they're entertaining. Yes, even when I rate it 2+ stars, I'm still entertained.
I keep expecting to one day like her writing but I never do. The main characters always seem kind of dumb, and I get that they can't be too smart to figure everything out right away since there still has to be a suspenseful plot, but I always feel like they're a bit TOO dense. I would like to see a smart, clever character be outwitted. I can't really fathom strawberry jelly looking so convincingly like blood? I mean, maybe if you're scared, it's just a startling reaction, but it was used more than once. That was just.. weird.
It was definitely a sensational, reader-grabbing attempt to have this book take place in a psych ward where we see extreme cases that are all portrayed negatively... but it works and people are sucked in! I admit, the psychological aspect and unreliable narrator always mess with my mind and I like not knowing who to trust or how things might turn out. I have no idea about the typical patient so I couldn't speak on that, but I felt like some of it could have been done a bit more tactfully, I guess. Sigh. I don't know. There was a lot that felt off, and with some other bad writing, it all just stacked up.
The twist did surprise me in a way, and Freida McFadden always seems to have that going for her books. There's always a big twist and she certainly packs it with a lot of punches. I thought it was largely cheesy, but again, another popcorn thriller where literally everything is over the top. At least there was a reason for the peach iced tea because if it got mentioned all those times and there was nothing to it, I was going to be even more irritated.
After THE HOUSEMAID, I told myself I wasn't going to read any more of her books, but here we are again. At least I finish them, and they're fast.