I have read about death doulas, I have been through the process of watching loved ones decline, and I literally have a local death salon event bookmarI have read about death doulas, I have been through the process of watching loved ones decline, and I literally have a local death salon event bookmarked on my calendar. So I’m in the target audience for this novel for sure.
While I liked the plot overall, the novel didn’t end up being nearly as complex or surprising or meaningful or touching as I’d expected. The writing is serviceable but just not that engaging—I listened to a couple minutes of the author’s interview at the end, where she says she came from a non-fiction background and this is her first foray into fiction. I’d say that that shows, though I’d also argue that there are also plenty of non-fiction writers who write tension and compassion and so on into their work very well.
There was enough here to interest me to finish, but since the plot unfolded pretty much as expected and the writing is just fine, there’s not really enough here to make it memorable.
Audio Notes: I liked Jennifer Pickens’ performance, though....more
Pretty light on suspense/thriller. I appreciated that the author went with the less conventional choice for her characters almost from beginning to enPretty light on suspense/thriller. I appreciated that the author went with the less conventional choice for her characters almost from beginning to end, but this idea needed to be baked a little longer. ...more
Not a fan of the female narrator, whose dour delivery I couldn’t listen to for more than five minutes. Back on regular TBR, which is kind of annoying Not a fan of the female narrator, whose dour delivery I couldn’t listen to for more than five minutes. Back on regular TBR, which is kind of annoying after waiting awhile for this on audio at the library. (And yes, I had sampled it, but clearly not for long enough!)...more
I made it 5 minutes into the audiobook and couldn’t stand it any longer. An overlong author dedication that is way too pleased with itself and trying I made it 5 minutes into the audiobook and couldn’t stand it any longer. An overlong author dedication that is way too pleased with itself and trying too hard to be funny, and a rambling, excitable start.
I usually like Fiona Hardingham’s narration, but here she seems forced into a borderline hysterical reading of the text. Just completely off-putting, the whole lot of it. ...more
I really dig this author’s writing. This is the second thriller I’ve read and both have been well-paced, suspenseful and twisty without being ridiculoI really dig this author’s writing. This is the second thriller I’ve read and both have been well-paced, suspenseful and twisty without being ridiculous, and most importantly, have illuminated their female characters’ inner thoughts in a compelling way. (The author is male, btw.) With so many thrillers feeling so formulaic and over the top, both The Last Guests and The Clearing have been standouts in a very crowded marketplace.
Audio Notes: I loooved Sarah Mollo-Christensen’s narration. Her voice is clear and gentle, but tremulous and quietly emotional when it needs to be, and she does both male and female voices distinctly and well.
I listened to about 5 hours of this investigation into child abuse at St.Joseph’s Orphanage in Vermont before I read the Buzzfeed NewsHeart-breaking.
I listened to about 5 hours of this investigation into child abuse at St.Joseph’s Orphanage in Vermont before I read the Buzzfeed News piece it was based on.
It’s a difficult read, but a vital history of how we as a nation have fallen short in child welfare and mental health, as well as another piece of testimony to the hypocrisy and abuse perpetuated by religious groups.
My heart is so heavy after reading this, but I’m also in awe of the resilience of so many of the survivors. Their willingness to share their stories is remarkable.
A really good companion piece to this book is Good Morning, Monster. It’s written by a psychiatrist who details some of her most significant cases, and examines the way trauma has a lifelong effect on survivors of abuse.
Audio, etc. Notes The narration voice and style are a bit odd to me. The voice is youthful and sort of light; I’m glad it wasn’t performed in a dramatic style, it veered almost too much the other way, without any discernible emotion or emphasis. And while the book is incredibly well-researched and expands on the original article, I’m surprised that pretty much all of the article is included, word for word, throughout the book. It felt strange that very little, if anything, was changed from the way it was first written, and many important parts (the ending anecdote, for example) were literally the same. I would have expected further commentary, rephrasing, more expansion, etc....more
Morally ambiguous characters in thrillers are my faaaavorite. Love the writing, loved being in the characters’ heads, and really enjoyed Eryn Jean NorMorally ambiguous characters in thrillers are my faaaavorite. Love the writing, loved being in the characters’ heads, and really enjoyed Eryn Jean Norvil’s audio performance. ...more
I picked this up for the Sarah Mayberry story, and it’s the only one I liked. Short but good, I really miss her and I hope she gets back to writing boI picked this up for the Sarah Mayberry story, and it’s the only one I liked. Short but good, I really miss her and I hope she gets back to writing books soon.
The first story by Emilie Richards is incredibly dated and simplistic, with very basic writing style and syntax. The second one was better, but it still didn’t really hold my interest, so I went for the Mayberry not too far in.
The SM is also the one that handles the overarching story about the quilt best as well. It felt overdone and made me impatient in the other two. ...more
3.5 stars, rounded up because I always like the way Sarah Mayberry writes. Bonus points for making me interested in their story and their jobs even th3.5 stars, rounded up because I always like the way Sarah Mayberry writes. Bonus points for making me interested in their story and their jobs even though I couldn’t care less about sports. ...more
Wendy Darling
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