In the eyes of parents, I think, children always seem just a blink away from redemption. No matter to what depths we watch them sink, we believe they In the eyes of parents, I think, children always seem just a blink away from redemption. No matter to what depths we watch them sink, we believe they need only grasp the lifeline, and we can still pull them safely to shore.
Feels like a cozy mystery (narrator contributes to this), except with less zaniness and more serious, though not graphic, crimes.
My first Brennan. WaFeels like a cozy mystery (narrator contributes to this), except with less zaniness and more serious, though not graphic, crimes.
My first Brennan. Was pleasantly surprised by the PI’s persuasive skills as she investigates, though I didn’t really understand the need for the shifting 1st to third person POVs. But enjoyed it well enough to try another one.
I liked this one. Borderline John Marrs-y, though not quite as tight in plotting or layered in character work. It's also not hard to guess a few of thI liked this one. Borderline John Marrs-y, though not quite as tight in plotting or layered in character work. It's also not hard to guess a few of the reveals, but it's enjoyable and well-written for the most part nonetheless. I'd definitely check out more of this author's books.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Skillfully read in lovely Irish accents by Emer Heatley. New fan!...more
I enjoy romantic cozy mysteries on audio, as it turns out. Wish the "enemies" part of enemies-to-lovers and courtship period had been a bit longer (heI enjoy romantic cozy mysteries on audio, as it turns out. Wish the "enemies" part of enemies-to-lovers and courtship period had been a bit longer (he goes from hating her to being smitten really quickly), and the mystery is light.
But I don't mind, because I like them both, I like the writing, I like how seamlessly the heroine is feminist within a historical context, and the audio version narrated by Mary Jane Wells is just lovely.
Not a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a worNot a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a work party with no memory of what happened to her.
I don't have the brain space to write the review this book deserves, but it's a good companion piece to Consent, Know My Name, and The Female of the Species. Like TFOTS, this one delves into sensitive subjects under the guise of riveting fiction, and also explores racism, cultural identity, complicated parental bonds, and various relationships. (view spoiler)[The amount of dismay and rage I felt when she finally tells her boyfriend about her rape and she ends up comforting him. Unfortunately a familiar dynamic for many women, as well as all the fallout that follows. (hide spoiler)]
I was not at all prepared for this, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless. Really well-written, and an author to watch.
Audio Notes: The audio performance by Rosa Escoda is absolutely perfect....more
Enjoyed the ride, even if I'm not specifically blown away. But that's okay.
When I read The Kind Worth Killing, I didn't realize it was going to be a sEnjoyed the ride, even if I'm not specifically blown away. But that's okay.
When I read The Kind Worth Killing, I didn't realize it was going to be a series, but although they're somewhat loosely connected in the sense that Henry/Lily don't spend the entire books together solving crimes or whatever, their connection forms the basis of an interesting relationship nonetheless.
I did like the way the last chapter was written, too.
Looking on this on two different levels: as thriller and as social commentary.
As a thriller: it starts out as one but the majority of it is more conceLooking on this on two different levels: as thriller and as social commentary.
As a thriller: it starts out as one but the majority of it is more concerned with the commentary, at least until the end. I'll give it credit: it started going in one direction that I thought seemed both predictable and convincing, but then it veered into another direction towards the end, though I wish more groundwork had been laid for and time spent on that (even though it's probably not the most interesting thing). (view spoiler)[I'm also not entirely sure the mom was ever a serious suspect? The writing sets it up that way, though it doesn't really seem to occur to the sister/MC. The cult-type place where Evie is found just seemed like a bit of a limp answer, especially without much time spent there or building it up.) (hide spoiler)] Then you get a bigger gotcha twist in the final chapter which puts it squarely back into thriller/suspense territory. I'm mixed on that twist, as I'm not sure it was completely deserved or logisticallly and emotionally sound. (view spoiler)[Providing more hints of the discord between the sisters and Evie's own sharp personality before the ending chapters would have made it much more convincing. As is...Idk. (hide spoiler)]
As social commentary: This has lots to say about social media, influencers, and momagers, all valid, all of concern. I appreciate the author taking on the topics in an authentic way (a quick search confirms she has both an influencer background and has credentials in publishing articles for a variety of different places) and I think this actually would have been a great YA book. As an adult book, however, I have to say that while it was interesting to experience it from the POVs we were given, I'm not sure it really gives us much more than any thinking, empathetic human being would glean in reading articles or observing social media in general. Over the past 10-15 years, most of us have watched or participated in the rise (and sometimes fall) of bloggers, YouTubers, Meta, TikTok, etc., gotten annoyed with or on behalf of people we get to know online, bought a thing we saw on Intagram, seen Ruby Franke's downfall, etc., etc. So this feels both timely and lacking in something new at the same time. The author's take on it all is interesting, I just wish she'd had a little more help in the developmental stage because I think it could have been even more so.
Still, aside from a prolonged middle and the somewhat slight two-staged ending, it might be interesting to see what this author does in the future. I don't necessarily love the ending, but I also don't mind the time I spent in getting there.
Audio Notes: It was a little hard to tell if the voice for child Evie was the main narrator doing a childish voice, or another voice actor hired for it, but it was grating and annoying. But all the other voices were just fine....more
The thing is, when you write a “literary mystery,” the literary part needs to be top notch. And the meandering tangents indulged in by the many uninteThe thing is, when you write a “literary mystery,” the literary part needs to be top notch. And the meandering tangents indulged in by the many uninteresting characters here and the painfully pedestrian details do not suffice.
DNF around 36%. I like Mara Wilson, but I also couldn’t take listening to any more of someone saying a long strings of “ats” for @s in relating a social media interaction. ...more
Clever little twist about halfway through, but lost some steam towards the end.
I do enjoy this author’s books, though, this is the third boo3.5 stars
Clever little twist about halfway through, but lost some steam towards the end.
I do enjoy this author’s books, though, this is the third book of hers I’ve read and they’ve all been very entertaining. Sort of Freida McFadden-ish, but better character work and less sensationalist....more
Listened to 10 minutes on audio, but the narrator’s voice and style don’t set the mood I think this is going for. I’ll try this as regular book sometiListened to 10 minutes on audio, but the narrator’s voice and style don’t set the mood I think this is going for. I’ll try this as regular book sometime. ...more
Some entertaining twists and turns, and treats its central subject with respect. (It's annoying to me when thrillers treat serious crimes with no regaSome entertaining twists and turns, and treats its central subject with respect. (It's annoying to me when thrillers treat serious crimes with no regard for the pscyhological impact. You don't have to spend a lot of time on it, but glossing over stuff tv movie-style sticks in my craw when it comes to books. This one includes the right amount for the type of book it is.) It’s all far-fetched if you think about it too hard, but enjoyable all the same. An eminently optionable miniseries or streaming movie project.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Despite a bunch of narrators and switching between different time periods, it wasn't hard to follow the story or characters at all. Well done....more
Wendy Darling
>
Books:
adult
(2242)
Loading...
