murph_the_serf's review against another edition
2.0
This started as a perfectly fine mystery with some family dynamics drama but the ending absolutely ruined it for me. It was less "surprise plot twist" and more "came out of nowhere" and had the characters acting nothing like themselves for the final chapters.
purdyflower14's review against another edition
5.0
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Enjoyable, quick read. This book kept my interesting, and always had me guessing.
aly36's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book by Jennifer! I was very excited to get a chance to read this book. I was not disappointed at all. I loved every heart pounding minutes of this book. The characters jumped off the pages at me and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. What a great thriller! I the movies should grab some of these great books and make wonderful movies to scare the pants off me more. * I received the this book form Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer---this is my honest review*
gettinglostinagoodbook's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 stars
Diane had a very stilted relationship with her daughter Alexa. She had dedicated much of her energy to caring for her son Josh, who suffered from a variety of ailments while growing up. Without intending to she had slighted her daughter, and could not seem to repair the rift between them.
Single and struggling to give her adult children freedom while keeping them protected Diane finally reaches out to a partner. She discovers that she can find some happiness and still be a good mom. Her overactive writer imagination sometimes gets in the way however. Or is it her imagination? As young ladies attending the same university as Alexa begin to disappear, Diane starts to question everything about her life. Well almost everything - her love and need to protect her children never wavers. If she must remain unhappy to keep them safe, then so be it.
As the family bonds are tried and tested, so are Diane's relationships with friends and acquaintances. The murders have her questioning everything around her.
Once again Jaynes has created characters and a setting that draw you into their world. The twists and turns keep you guessing, questioning your own emotions along the way.
The world of Fog Harbor becomes all encompassing, pushing you to read just one more page. The longest part of this book for me was finding the time to write this review. The book itself was consumed in one evening, broken only by the desperate need for a few hours sleep!
I always look forward to the release of Jennifer's books. I am a self confessed avid fan! The "Never Smile at Strangers" series remains on my favorite list, and will be reread many times. This stand alone however may not quite reach that status. While I was drawn in quickly, and obviously could not put it down, it ended on a bit of a odd note for me. I was slightly disappointed in the ending, as to me it did not fit with the characters completely. While Diane did not truly surprise me, the others did. I don't have to agree with everything a character does, but I do want it to fit. It was a good ending yes, but I was looking for a great one once again.
Having said that, this will in no way effect my anticipation of Jennifer Jayne's next book! Write on Jennifer - I love your thrillers and the worlds you create!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Diane had a very stilted relationship with her daughter Alexa. She had dedicated much of her energy to caring for her son Josh, who suffered from a variety of ailments while growing up. Without intending to she had slighted her daughter, and could not seem to repair the rift between them.
Single and struggling to give her adult children freedom while keeping them protected Diane finally reaches out to a partner. She discovers that she can find some happiness and still be a good mom. Her overactive writer imagination sometimes gets in the way however. Or is it her imagination? As young ladies attending the same university as Alexa begin to disappear, Diane starts to question everything about her life. Well almost everything - her love and need to protect her children never wavers. If she must remain unhappy to keep them safe, then so be it.
As the family bonds are tried and tested, so are Diane's relationships with friends and acquaintances. The murders have her questioning everything around her.
Once again Jaynes has created characters and a setting that draw you into their world. The twists and turns keep you guessing, questioning your own emotions along the way.
The world of Fog Harbor becomes all encompassing, pushing you to read just one more page. The longest part of this book for me was finding the time to write this review. The book itself was consumed in one evening, broken only by the desperate need for a few hours sleep!
I always look forward to the release of Jennifer's books. I am a self confessed avid fan! The "Never Smile at Strangers" series remains on my favorite list, and will be reread many times. This stand alone however may not quite reach that status. While I was drawn in quickly, and obviously could not put it down, it ended on a bit of a odd note for me. I was slightly disappointed in the ending, as to me it did not fit with the characters completely. While Diane did not truly surprise me, the others did. I don't have to agree with everything a character does, but I do want it to fit. It was a good ending yes, but I was looking for a great one once again.
Having said that, this will in no way effect my anticipation of Jennifer Jayne's next book! Write on Jennifer - I love your thrillers and the worlds you create!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
Mystery author moves to remote town after the suicide of her husband. Then a serial killer begins killing girls nearby. Diane gets calls at her suicide prevention line where someone speaking to her knows a lot more about the crimes than they should.
The author has a couple of kids, each with their own hang-up. We have a couple of suspicious men hanging about to throw us off the scent. The title should have been a clue!
There were some odd choices made by characters, and I felt things became quite unfeasible as we progressed through the story. I was also surprised by the ending. This town must have the most incompetent police force, ever.
The author has a couple of kids, each with their own hang-up. We have a couple of suspicious men hanging about to throw us off the scent. The title should have been a clue!
There were some odd choices made by characters, and I felt things became quite unfeasible as we progressed through the story. I was also surprised by the ending. This town must have the most incompetent police force, ever.
5_little_monsters's review against another edition
2.0
You had me until the ending. Great story, kept me guessing, but the very end was so absurd and unrealistic, I threw the book on the table in disappointment.
dbenton90's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skyfox24kd's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨This did not have any of our previous characters but it did have all of the concepts that the Strangers series has carried its readers through. You could read it alone if you wanted, but I think it would have less of an impact by itself. Still awesome, yes! But I have to say I’m impressed with the careful concepts and messages she weaves through each book.
I thought that to myself, at first. I thought, well shoot; It was number four I wanted to read, but I noticed they were a series. I’m a purist, so I went back and read them all. Well; I’m very glad I did.
This one may not have those same characters, but Jaynes carries a message through loud and clear. Sometimes even those closest to us are the farthest away. Scary and terrifying concept. So, after this I decided to read yet another Jennifer Jaynes and listen to what she had to say...
This one is about a mystery writer that has a mystery happening around her. She tries to piece it together. She knows she is good at it, this is what she does, after all. Her adopted son and her daughter have to be safe. Especially her daughter. She’s not stable like her dependable son. There is a killer out there. One reaching out only to her. She has to make it safe. If only she could get through to her daughter! She needs to keep the remains of her family intact.
I thought that to myself, at first. I thought, well shoot; It was number four I wanted to read, but I noticed they were a series. I’m a purist, so I went back and read them all. Well; I’m very glad I did.
This one may not have those same characters, but Jaynes carries a message through loud and clear. Sometimes even those closest to us are the farthest away. Scary and terrifying concept. So, after this I decided to read yet another Jennifer Jaynes and listen to what she had to say...
This one is about a mystery writer that has a mystery happening around her. She tries to piece it together. She knows she is good at it, this is what she does, after all. Her adopted son and her daughter have to be safe. Especially her daughter. She’s not stable like her dependable son. There is a killer out there. One reaching out only to her. She has to make it safe. If only she could get through to her daughter! She needs to keep the remains of her family intact.