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nialiversuch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When a young child is found wandering alone, the police & social services are called. A short time later her mother turns up saying that the girl had run off. Everything seems to be in order so the pair go on their way. Miles away, a man is found, seriously injured & floating in a bathtub full of water, but miraculously alive. The case falls to DS Jo Harper to investigate, & she soon finds out that it hits close to home & that someone she cares about is in grave danger.
Several months ago, Ruby is caught spying on the man, Gregor, who lives across the way from her flat, & she isn't expecting them to actually meet & form a friendship. She especially doesn't expect to meet his young daughter, Leonie & her obviously unhappy mother, Constance. Gregor says that he & Constance are no longer 'together' but that Constance is still in love with him, but the more time Ruby spends with Constance & Leonie, the more she thinks there's something else going on.
This was a very slow-building story at the start, so slow that I almost gave up about 20% of the way into the book, but I'm glad I stuck with it as it eventually turned into an intriguing mystery. The main characters, Jo & Ruby, are quite to difficult to like at times, & I don't like it when intelligent female characters make obviously stupid decisions. Overall, although it turned out to be an interesting read with the mythical aspect of selkies, I probably wouldn't read it again.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Several months ago, Ruby is caught spying on the man, Gregor, who lives across the way from her flat, & she isn't expecting them to actually meet & form a friendship. She especially doesn't expect to meet his young daughter, Leonie & her obviously unhappy mother, Constance. Gregor says that he & Constance are no longer 'together' but that Constance is still in love with him, but the more time Ruby spends with Constance & Leonie, the more she thinks there's something else going on.
This was a very slow-building story at the start, so slow that I almost gave up about 20% of the way into the book, but I'm glad I stuck with it as it eventually turned into an intriguing mystery. The main characters, Jo & Ruby, are quite to difficult to like at times, & I don't like it when intelligent female characters make obviously stupid decisions. Overall, although it turned out to be an interesting read with the mythical aspect of selkies, I probably wouldn't read it again.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood
patches's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This book was great!
This is an incredibly engaging book which is told through alternating perspectives and through an achronological timeline. It is a mystery that keeps you guessing, with each new perspective adding a new layer of information and building the suspense.
It is difficult to say exactly what was so good about this book without spoiling it, however, Golding did a fantastic job of writing such an interesting story with so many layers. A young girl, found wandering the shore alone, a man found, barely alive, dysfunctional families, and an incredibly well woven story.
I haven't read Golding's other book yet, but this has absolutely convinced me that I should. If you're looking for a mystery to solve along with the characters, a book that you just want to keep reading, then this is it.
This is an incredibly engaging book which is told through alternating perspectives and through an achronological timeline. It is a mystery that keeps you guessing, with each new perspective adding a new layer of information and building the suspense.
It is difficult to say exactly what was so good about this book without spoiling it, however, Golding did a fantastic job of writing such an interesting story with so many layers. A young girl, found wandering the shore alone, a man found, barely alive, dysfunctional families, and an incredibly well woven story.
I haven't read Golding's other book yet, but this has absolutely convinced me that I should. If you're looking for a mystery to solve along with the characters, a book that you just want to keep reading, then this is it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, and Murder
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