editor3242's review against another edition
4.0
Another great entry in the Elin Warner series. I was a bit wary coming into this sequel because the premise (exclusive retreat in a remote location, where the location has a mysterious past, and a sibling connection within the grounds), sounded like a carbon copy of The Sanitorium, her debut novel and the first in the series. But I felt that the premise is where those similarities began and ended.
I appreciated Pearse bouncing back and forth between Elin and Steed and the group of hotel guests that were seemingly targeted by the villain. I enjoyed the multiple layers of mysteries, and wish that there had been more depth given to the mysteries of the past... I'm still a bit confused about what happened at the school for boys.
While I rooted for Elin and Will in the first novel, I found their relationship a bit more grating this time around. I felt so much more chemistry between Elin and Steed, and would love to see a relationship between the two of them evolve in future installments. I'm also still chomping at the bit to see where the Hayer case, which still haunts Elin, will come back around for her to face him down.
I appreciated Pearse bouncing back and forth between Elin and Steed and the group of hotel guests that were seemingly targeted by the villain. I enjoyed the multiple layers of mysteries, and wish that there had been more depth given to the mysteries of the past... I'm still a bit confused about what happened at the school for boys.
While I rooted for Elin and Will in the first novel, I found their relationship a bit more grating this time around. I felt so much more chemistry between Elin and Steed, and would love to see a relationship between the two of them evolve in future installments. I'm also still chomping at the bit to see where the Hayer case, which still haunts Elin, will come back around for her to face him down.
alyciajstewart's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was a well paced mystery with some more thrilling elements coming in at the end. Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline. I thought it was interesting how the author used the landscape in such an influential way. Elin was much more realistic in this novel than in the first. She made decisions that I believe an actual police officer would make. She definitely experienced character growth through the events of this novel. The main reason I am deducting points is because of the strange subplot of someone stalking her that has continued from the first book. I don't think that it adds to the overall story and it feels like a desperate attempt at getting readers to continue the series, which is completely unnecessary since the novels are actually very well written.
skdow's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kendallpbahl's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars! I thought this book was a good follow up to the Santorium. Spooky read that gave me the scaries reading it at night. I think that Will’s character annoys me quite a bit, even as much as he did in the first book. I think I’d like the story more if Elin was single. But I love the Steed/Elin combo. Great plot, spooky scaries, and a new character. I enjoyed it and I’ll be looking forward to Pearse’s next novel.
jenilew's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
schwartzy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
3.0
2023 Listen #48
I am always on the hunt for new series to listen to on my commute. "Whodunits" that distract me from the traffic are my go-to for in the car. If you liked The Sanatorium, I think you will probably like this one as well as they are quite similar... maybe a little too similar.
I am always on the hunt for new series to listen to on my commute. "Whodunits" that distract me from the traffic are my go-to for in the car. If you liked The Sanatorium, I think you will probably like this one as well as they are quite similar... maybe a little too similar.
completelynovel_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
tbjork's review against another edition
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
3.5
pizsarah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5