jennchupashkoreads's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable, the beginning starts a little awkward, and I had it figred out by the end of the second chapter
mb101's review against another edition
4.0
Well, this was impossible to put down! In fact, I curled up with my cat and read it in four hours or so.
The story constantly twists your perception of what is right, and what happened. Was it an accident? Are the children or the adults to blame? Both? Neither? Honestly, it was sickening to find myself rooting for one person or side and then realize they're just as horrible as everyone else.
Long story short, "The Playground" follows a group of horrible people who aren't actually that horrible as they deal with one twist after the other.
The story constantly twists your perception of what is right, and what happened. Was it an accident? Are the children or the adults to blame? Both? Neither? Honestly, it was sickening to find myself rooting for one person or side and then realize they're just as horrible as everyone else.
Long story short, "The Playground" follows a group of horrible people who aren't actually that horrible as they deal with one twist after the other.
pj2's review against another edition
4.0
Kind of felt like a knock off big little lies but enjoyable none the less
dmackw's review against another edition
This follows 6 characters and all their children, 6 total children. It’s written from each of their perspectives and it’s written in third person. 12 main characters is way too much for me, plus one of them has a nickname “Melly” for Melissa, the dog has a human name like Noah. It’s very hard to follow and the writing style does not work for me at all. I think if it had been written differently I could follow it but it’s a mess. I could not finish.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Playground by Jane Shemilt is a riveting mystery and fascinating character study.
Eve Kershaw is a stay at home mum to daughters Poppy and Sorrel and three year old Ash. She and her husband Eric live in her family home on a sprawling estate surrounded by dense woods. Eve provides minimal supervision as their children spend their days playing outdoors. She is excited to begin tutoring children with dyslexia and Eve is delighted by the unexpected friendships that form amongst both the children and their parents. But what will happen to their families and friendships after tragedy strikes?
Despite a few reservations, Grace is hopeful the sessions will be beneficial for her eleven year old son Blake. Although her nine year old daughter Charley does not need any extra help, Grace is pleased when Eve invites her daughter to join them. Since Grace is the family's only source of income and works long hours, her husband Martin is responsible for the children's daily drop offs and pick-ups. Grace is surprised but unconcerned to discover that Eve and Martin have become somewhat close friends.
Interior designer Melissa and her architect husband Paul Chorley-Smith have also signed up their thirteen year old daughter Izzy for Eve's tutoring sessions. Melissa has no choice but to allow Paul to closely monitor Izzy's lessons but she has no reason to believe her daughter is not thriving under Eve's tutelage. She is also thrilled to see that Izzy has become close friends with the other children. Melissa is quite reserved and a little distant but she is soon an integral part of the circle of friends.
Over the summer, the three couples are soon spending lots of time in each other's company at the Kershaw's home and take a vacation together. With wine flowing freely, they enjoy raucous dinners while the children are largely unsupervised for large swaths of time. While the adults are absorbed with their own secrets, the kids are playing troubling games. After a tragic accident, the friendships deepen but it takes another shocking event for them to realize something quite horrific is occurring in one of their homes.
The Playground is a spellbinding mystery that also serves as a bit of a cautionary tale for "free-range" parenting. The characters are multi-faceted and each of the couples is dealing with a variety of issues behind closed doors. The plot is well-developed and easily captures readers' attention. With a stunning series of stunning twists and turns, Jane Shemilt brings this suspenseful domestic mystery to a tense conclusion. Fans of the genre do not want to miss this enthralling mystery.
The Playground by Jane Shemilt is a riveting mystery and fascinating character study.
Eve Kershaw is a stay at home mum to daughters Poppy and Sorrel and three year old Ash. She and her husband Eric live in her family home on a sprawling estate surrounded by dense woods. Eve provides minimal supervision as their children spend their days playing outdoors. She is excited to begin tutoring children with dyslexia and Eve is delighted by the unexpected friendships that form amongst both the children and their parents. But what will happen to their families and friendships after tragedy strikes?
Despite a few reservations, Grace is hopeful the sessions will be beneficial for her eleven year old son Blake. Although her nine year old daughter Charley does not need any extra help, Grace is pleased when Eve invites her daughter to join them. Since Grace is the family's only source of income and works long hours, her husband Martin is responsible for the children's daily drop offs and pick-ups. Grace is surprised but unconcerned to discover that Eve and Martin have become somewhat close friends.
Interior designer Melissa and her architect husband Paul Chorley-Smith have also signed up their thirteen year old daughter Izzy for Eve's tutoring sessions. Melissa has no choice but to allow Paul to closely monitor Izzy's lessons but she has no reason to believe her daughter is not thriving under Eve's tutelage. She is also thrilled to see that Izzy has become close friends with the other children. Melissa is quite reserved and a little distant but she is soon an integral part of the circle of friends.
Over the summer, the three couples are soon spending lots of time in each other's company at the Kershaw's home and take a vacation together. With wine flowing freely, they enjoy raucous dinners while the children are largely unsupervised for large swaths of time. While the adults are absorbed with their own secrets, the kids are playing troubling games. After a tragic accident, the friendships deepen but it takes another shocking event for them to realize something quite horrific is occurring in one of their homes.
The Playground is a spellbinding mystery that also serves as a bit of a cautionary tale for "free-range" parenting. The characters are multi-faceted and each of the couples is dealing with a variety of issues behind closed doors. The plot is well-developed and easily captures readers' attention. With a stunning series of stunning twists and turns, Jane Shemilt brings this suspenseful domestic mystery to a tense conclusion. Fans of the genre do not want to miss this enthralling mystery.
caitlynfoster24's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Grief, Kidnapping, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, and Infidelity
txbooklover's review against another edition
4.0
This domestic thriller is about three couples who meet when their children share a tutor. The families get close and their lives become intertwined with past and present secrets, culminating in an accident that they must come to terms with. The characters are all extremely flawed and really had no redeeming qualities in my opinion, making it hard for me to really want any of them to find happiness or success. The plot has a lot of twists which improved my rating, but this one isn’t nearly as good as the other one I’ve read by this author, The Daughter. 4/5 stars.
unspun's review against another edition
3.0
I hated this book but it sucked me in. I stayed up half the night to finish it, but that was mostly to get it over with. It’s not a bad book, but a harsh one: full of pain and darkness. Perhaps not one to read in a pandemic, with a madman running our country.
chemeducator's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Child death, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Rape