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hannahschwerer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
After her husband's unexpected death and the shocking betrayal discovered shortly thereafter, Anahera returns home to Golden Cove, a small town almost hidden on the West Coast of New Zealand.
Upon returning to the home she couldn't wait to leave, Ana discovers that things haven't changed all that much from when she left.
Years previously the disappearance of three hikers shook the small community and drove and unseen wedge between Ana and her group of friends. It was that moment that they all left childhood behind and had to grow up with some, like Ana, leaving the town behind.
When a bright, young woman, beloved by the community, goes missing, the secrets of the past are brought forward once again and this time, Ana and everyone of Golden Cove will have to reckon with the evil among them.
This is Nalini Singh's first foray into Thriller / Romantic Suspense. I don't read many Thrillers or Suspense, but the ones I have read had the ability to keep me on the edge of my seat. Almost forcing me to compulsively read the book while also fretting about what's going to happen to the hero/heroine next! I'd say that A Madness of Sunshine is more of a slow burn thriller. More mystery. And the romance itself is a secondary element to the story not irrelevant, but also not the main focus.
The characters, including Ana and police chief Will of whom we get each of the points of view throughout the book, are so complicated. And not just the characters, but the social structure of Golden Cove. The tight-knit community that is not quick to welcome outsiders but also has a clear divide between those who are well off and those who are barely scraping by. With that economic divide you can clearly see there's a sense of entitlement that runs through many of the characters and throughout the story. Within this entitlement is the idea of possession. Of having and keeping, almost owning whether it's material items or a person.
It's at times twisted and uncomfortable and makes it a little difficult to warm up to any of the characters except, of course, the enigmatic, joyful, gorgeous Miriama who is like a light of sunshine for so many in the community, who's disappearance is deftly felt throughout the book as Ana and Will try to piece together what happened to her, and begin to look to those in the community as possible suspects. I think the idea that no one comes across as exactly trustworthy goes a long way in making the mystery aspect of the story pop. I mean I felt like any one person could have a motivation for wanting Miri gone. But the story moves along, and quickly narrows down the list a bit. I kind of wish the ending and revelations were a little more unexpected once all is said and done, but overall I think this is a very promising start in a new genre for Nalini Singh to bring her dynamic and always entertaining writing. If it has Nalini Singh's name on it, I'm guaranteed to read it, and I'm very interested to see what she does with another thriller/suspense story.
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Upon returning to the home she couldn't wait to leave, Ana discovers that things haven't changed all that much from when she left.
Years previously the disappearance of three hikers shook the small community and drove and unseen wedge between Ana and her group of friends. It was that moment that they all left childhood behind and had to grow up with some, like Ana, leaving the town behind.
When a bright, young woman, beloved by the community, goes missing, the secrets of the past are brought forward once again and this time, Ana and everyone of Golden Cove will have to reckon with the evil among them.
This is Nalini Singh's first foray into Thriller / Romantic Suspense. I don't read many Thrillers or Suspense, but the ones I have read had the ability to keep me on the edge of my seat. Almost forcing me to compulsively read the book while also fretting about what's going to happen to the hero/heroine next! I'd say that A Madness of Sunshine is more of a slow burn thriller. More mystery. And the romance itself is a secondary element to the story not irrelevant, but also not the main focus.
The characters, including Ana and police chief Will of whom we get each of the points of view throughout the book, are so complicated. And not just the characters, but the social structure of Golden Cove. The tight-knit community that is not quick to welcome outsiders but also has a clear divide between those who are well off and those who are barely scraping by. With that economic divide you can clearly see there's a sense of entitlement that runs through many of the characters and throughout the story. Within this entitlement is the idea of possession. Of having and keeping, almost owning whether it's material items or a person.
It's at times twisted and uncomfortable and makes it a little difficult to warm up to any of the characters except, of course, the enigmatic, joyful, gorgeous Miriama who is like a light of sunshine for so many in the community, who's disappearance is deftly felt throughout the book as Ana and Will try to piece together what happened to her, and begin to look to those in the community as possible suspects. I think the idea that no one comes across as exactly trustworthy goes a long way in making the mystery aspect of the story pop. I mean I felt like any one person could have a motivation for wanting Miri gone. But the story moves along, and quickly narrows down the list a bit. I kind of wish the ending and revelations were a little more unexpected once all is said and done, but overall I think this is a very promising start in a new genre for Nalini Singh to bring her dynamic and always entertaining writing. If it has Nalini Singh's name on it, I'm guaranteed to read it, and I'm very interested to see what she does with another thriller/suspense story.
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
amwright's review
challenging
dark
sad
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? No
3.25
tiffts's review against another edition
5.0
I discovered Nalini Singh when Quiet in Her Bones began making the bookstagrammer rounds, and I am so glad to have found her! She expands and diversified the thriller genre by offering her multi-hyphenate heritage background to provide deeper and more varied characters. I loved the world building she embarked on to create Golden Cove and its community, to the point where I was seeing and breathing it in my head. (It sounds a lot like some parts of my native Canada).
And the story! I blasted through this one in 2 days. It’s deeply sad but also representative of so many communities around the world. The characters are rich but still cut out of many tropes from the mystery/thriller genre, but did in mind? Absolutely not.
I hope Ms. Singh continues writing more thrillers! I would absolutely love to explore more of New Zealand this way given the state of world travel ATM.
And the story! I blasted through this one in 2 days. It’s deeply sad but also representative of so many communities around the world. The characters are rich but still cut out of many tropes from the mystery/thriller genre, but did in mind? Absolutely not.
I hope Ms. Singh continues writing more thrillers! I would absolutely love to explore more of New Zealand this way given the state of world travel ATM.
kelskiiz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
it was SO cool to read another thriller set in nz. everything was so familiar and like home, and i loved the casual use of Te Reo Māori.
i actually enjoyed the romantic subplot, as opposed to just tolerating it or straight up disliking it. it wasn’t annoying, no insta-attraction or stupid miscommunication. the characters and their interactions made sense, they were real.
the story itself was chock full of men and the ways that they objectify women & girls. infuriating and saddening equally. i liked the cast of characters, and the way the story flowed. i’m not really interested in singh’s romantasies, but i hope she continues to write thrillers.
i actually enjoyed the romantic subplot, as opposed to just tolerating it or straight up disliking it. it wasn’t annoying, no insta-attraction or stupid miscommunication. the characters and their interactions made sense, they were real.
the story itself was chock full of men and the ways that they objectify women & girls. infuriating and saddening equally. i liked the cast of characters, and the way the story flowed. i’m not really interested in singh’s romantasies, but i hope she continues to write thrillers.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Not my cup of tea but well written and interesting for sure. I enjoyed it but not going to be a reread for me sadly.
clair_michalewicz's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.25