dmagboul's review against another edition
5.0
Suspenseful
I really enjoyed this book. If you love a good mystery with lots of twists and turns you will love this book. I didn’t want to ever put it down. I read it every second I got. I can’t wait to try her other books.
I really enjoyed this book. If you love a good mystery with lots of twists and turns you will love this book. I didn’t want to ever put it down. I read it every second I got. I can’t wait to try her other books.
justacatandabook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Mickie Lambert has a job creating digital Memory Boxes, where she curates digital artifacts for people. When she's hired to create a Memory Box for the elderly Nadia, the shop owner of Beautiful Things, she's fascinated by Nadia's life and her shop of curiosities. But Nadia dies shortly after they get started, apparently by suicide, but no one is quite sure. Mickie inserts herself in the investigation, determined to find out what happened to Nadia, and continues to finish her Memory Box.
This is my first book Howzell Hall, and I really liked the premise of it, though I have to say, the outcome seemed really obvious from Day 1. The story is interspersed with descriptions of Nadia's objects and where she found them, which is an interesting concept.
My problem with this one is that I just really disliked Mickie, and the whole book is focused on her. She takes advantage of her parents, makes poor decisions, sticks her nose in everything (except for using Google when it could easily solve a lot of problems). She's so whiny and needy and drove me insane.
This story starts off very ominous, and I was sucked in right away. Then it plateaus a bit, with Mickie doing her Mickie thing. It also wraps up a bit fast after everything we've been through. I give it points for being a quick read and a unique storyline, but I wish there was a bit more.
This is my first book Howzell Hall, and I really liked the premise of it, though I have to say, the outcome seemed really obvious from Day 1. The story is interspersed with descriptions of Nadia's objects and where she found them, which is an interesting concept.
My problem with this one is that I just really disliked Mickie, and the whole book is focused on her. She takes advantage of her parents, makes poor decisions, sticks her nose in everything (except for using Google when it could easily solve a lot of problems). She's so whiny and needy and drove me insane.
This story starts off very ominous, and I was sucked in right away. Then it plateaus a bit, with Mickie doing her Mickie thing. It also wraps up a bit fast after everything we've been through. I give it points for being a quick read and a unique storyline, but I wish there was a bit more.
niki_swack's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. The main character is meant to be a millennial, but ends up coming across as childish and rude. Her attitude was difficult to stomach and her characteristics made her hard to like even a little.
I was easily able to guess the big plot twist at the end, for the most part...
Anyway. Almost DNFed.
I was easily able to guess the big plot twist at the end, for the most part...
Spoiler
the part I couldn't guess was ultimately unnecessarily confusing. Norma was three people? WHY?Anyway. Almost DNFed.
alycille's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Periods that didn’t hold my attention but the overall theme was original.
augustspree's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
5.0
I really loved this journey! Multiple layers of mystery, well-developed characters, I couldn’t put it down.
bobbiec's review against another edition
5.0
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....
and the devil may not be who you think. It looks like another serial murderer is on the loose, so be careful who you trust. Beautiful Things, a quirky shop , has an eccentric owner with a fading memory who wants her story to outlive her. As a digital scrapbook artist, Mickie is just the person to tell the story. Everyone in this fascinating tale has secrets to tell or try to keep, whether they know it or not.
and the devil may not be who you think. It looks like another serial murderer is on the loose, so be careful who you trust. Beautiful Things, a quirky shop , has an eccentric owner with a fading memory who wants her story to outlive her. As a digital scrapbook artist, Mickie is just the person to tell the story. Everyone in this fascinating tale has secrets to tell or try to keep, whether they know it or not.
whatlexysaid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
avnieznay's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
roll6d20's review against another edition
3.0
Had a tough time finishing this book, mainly because I didn't like the main character at all: Michaela is rude, obnoxious, entitled and so nosy. I do like curious characters and I understand it's sometimes a great way to move the plot forward, but seriously - have a little respect for your parents and their right not to tell you every little thing that goes on in their lives. Have respect for the person whose boss / adoptive mother died TWO DAYS AGO.
90% of the plot would disappear if Michaela wasn't sticking her fingers goddamn everywhere.
By the end I was honestly rooting for Christopher, trying to get back with an ex that behaves like a literal child, an ex that throws a tantrum because he will not kick everyone out of the house the moment she has a crisis. What about not being an asshole to his friends? Apparently she has to be a priority to him, but he can fuck right off if he has needs or wishes of his own - like his own company, a startup where he seems to have put a lot of energy, time and hope. But no, Mickey's needs come first. Dodged a bullet there my mate.
The book is well writen and the rythm is nice, so 2.5/5 rounded up.
90% of the plot would disappear if Michaela wasn't sticking her fingers goddamn everywhere.
By the end I was honestly rooting for Christopher, trying to get back with an ex that behaves like a literal child, an ex that throws a tantrum because he will not kick everyone out of the house the moment she has a crisis. What about not being an asshole to his friends? Apparently she has to be a priority to him, but he can fuck right off if he has needs or wishes of his own - like his own company, a startup where he seems to have put a lot of energy, time and hope. But no, Mickey's needs come first. Dodged a bullet there my mate.
The book is well writen and the rythm is nice, so 2.5/5 rounded up.