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michellepc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
strangegirlreads's review against another edition
4.0
Although the climax was a little less thrilling for me, the language and imagery was beautiful and deserving of that 4th star.
samwisereadz's review against another edition
5.0
I love survival kidnapping/murder mysteries, and Tessie's story had me on the edge of my seat with questions piling atop each other the further I read. I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to see how things unraveled. Nothing disappointed me; and I was pleasantly surprised by the end, and yet at the same time I wasn't, but only because it made sense, and that it'll only make sense if you read this book! It's really good.
laurarash's review against another edition
5.0
This is definitely one book that lived up to it's hype! Quite an amazing mystery/thriller with twists & turns that really kept me thinking right up to the very end! Loved it!
gsmith255's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
laurpar's review against another edition
4.0
In a small Texas town, a teenage girl has gone missing after buying a candy bar for a homeless man. Her eccentric grandfather is blamed. Her best friend, Lydia, is terrified. When Tessa is found, barely alive and with a bad case of amnesia, in a ditch with the remains of several other girls, the media frenzy is extreme. They call the girls “Black Eyed Susans” for the flowers that bloom around their shallow grave. Tessa knows she’s lucky to have been the only Susan to have escaped the killer with her life, but in the aftermath of her rescue, she is blinded from terror, teased at school, shuffled to and from psychiatrist appointments, and haunted by a faceless killer of whom she can’t even remember. The police believe they have the right man in custody, and all they ask Tessa to do is share her experience for the jury. Tessa can’t help but feel guilty about testifying without being able to identify the killer.
A decade and a half later, the Black Eyed Susan killer is awaiting execution, and Tessa, haunted by the ghosts of the other Susans, is having second thoughts. Ever since he was put away, someone has been planting black eyed susan flowers every time she’s moved. It has happened again, leading Tessa to believe they have the wrong man in custody. Working with a nonprofit team that is intent on getting the man released, Tessa begins to dig deeper into the past and uncover secrets about the case that she never knew she was keeping.
Black Eyed Susans is a haunting, thrilling read with plenty of twists and turns to keep one turning the pages. Alternating narration between present-day and teenage Tessa, the mysteries unfold over time. The book is incredibly well-written, the characters are multidimensional and likable, the mystery is pretty well-developed, and there is just enough crazy to make this thriller especially thrilling. I really enjoyed my audiobook listen, which included some great narrators. I highly recommend this book!
A decade and a half later, the Black Eyed Susan killer is awaiting execution, and Tessa, haunted by the ghosts of the other Susans, is having second thoughts. Ever since he was put away, someone has been planting black eyed susan flowers every time she’s moved. It has happened again, leading Tessa to believe they have the wrong man in custody. Working with a nonprofit team that is intent on getting the man released, Tessa begins to dig deeper into the past and uncover secrets about the case that she never knew she was keeping.
Black Eyed Susans is a haunting, thrilling read with plenty of twists and turns to keep one turning the pages. Alternating narration between present-day and teenage Tessa, the mysteries unfold over time. The book is incredibly well-written, the characters are multidimensional and likable, the mystery is pretty well-developed, and there is just enough crazy to make this thriller especially thrilling. I really enjoyed my audiobook listen, which included some great narrators. I highly recommend this book!
cnhcody's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this one... But I didn't. 2.5 stars.
I get it. The strong female main character overcoming the obstacle that takes over her entire life. It consumes her, forces her to confront her past, all while she's trying to figure out who has brought back her past by planting some flowers outside her window that signify what happened in her past.
Maybe this works for some people. Maybe some readers are really into this type of writing. My issue is that when a book is listed as a "novel of suspense", I want to be surprised or thrilled. It didn't happen with this one. Even as I held my breath through the monster's chapter and the epilogue at the end, I just sort of ended up confused yet nonchalant.
I get it. The strong female main character overcoming the obstacle that takes over her entire life. It consumes her, forces her to confront her past, all while she's trying to figure out who has brought back her past by planting some flowers outside her window that signify what happened in her past.
Maybe this works for some people. Maybe some readers are really into this type of writing. My issue is that when a book is listed as a "novel of suspense", I want to be surprised or thrilled. It didn't happen with this one. Even as I held my breath through the monster's chapter and the epilogue at the end, I just sort of ended up confused yet nonchalant.
hayleyjoeann's review against another edition
1.0
A really slow read. I felt like nothing really happened for the first 300 pages but then it became quite good. I enjoyed the truth coming out about everything but that was literally at the end...