dustin_frueh7921's review
5.0
DISCLOSURE: The author and I have been Goodreads friends for several years. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
An entitled teenage daughter. An enabling mother. An unyielding father. What could possibly go wrong?
As this was my introduction to Angel Gelique, naturally I didn't know what to expect. There were no preconceived notions, save the fact that I thought I knew how it would end. In that respect, I was both right and wrong. I had a pretty good idea of how it would happen, and when. Wrong again. What I did not realize was the depths Gelique would go to keep the pages turning (this was highly addictive,) and to ensure one shocking twist after another. None was as satisfying, and completely earned, as the ending.
As impressed as I was with the smooth, narrative flow, which offered minimal wordiness and a handful of cliched terms, the one aspect that astounded me was the brutal honesty with which she wrote it. Most authors are probably afraid to take it that far, whether they're worried about separating the reader or whatever the reason may be, but not Angel. She seemed to excel by defying to norm; by residing, albeit momentarily, in the confines of the fringe. I cannot express how happy and proud and relieved this makes me.
I also think that the four main characters are ones that just about everyone can relate to, on some level (the fourth being Ryan,) or another. Especially Paul.
The characters themselves weren't flat, but they weren't intimate portrayals, either. There was just enough development to give the reader a good sense of who they were personally. Gelique seemed to revel in the ins and outs of her characters, revealing their good and bad qualities, in a wholly unpretentious manner. She simply told her story.
And for a book that's less than a hundred pages, Merry Murder packed a hell of a punch. Highly recommend!
An entitled teenage daughter. An enabling mother. An unyielding father. What could possibly go wrong?
As this was my introduction to Angel Gelique, naturally I didn't know what to expect. There were no preconceived notions, save the fact that I thought I knew how it would end. In that respect, I was both right and wrong. I had a pretty good idea of how it would happen, and when. Wrong again. What I did not realize was the depths Gelique would go to keep the pages turning (this was highly addictive,) and to ensure one shocking twist after another. None was as satisfying, and completely earned, as the ending.
As impressed as I was with the smooth, narrative flow, which offered minimal wordiness and a handful of cliched terms, the one aspect that astounded me was the brutal honesty with which she wrote it. Most authors are probably afraid to take it that far, whether they're worried about separating the reader or whatever the reason may be, but not Angel. She seemed to excel by defying to norm; by residing, albeit momentarily, in the confines of the fringe. I cannot express how happy and proud and relieved this makes me.
I also think that the four main characters are ones that just about everyone can relate to, on some level (the fourth being Ryan,) or another. Especially Paul.
His smile is warm and genuine. I'm pretty sure that Ryan is the only reason I haven't divorced Maeve and left for good. He's the only one who understands me, the only one who doesn't think the worst of me, doesn't judge me, doesn't overburden me with the weight of the world.
The characters themselves weren't flat, but they weren't intimate portrayals, either. There was just enough development to give the reader a good sense of who they were personally. Gelique seemed to revel in the ins and outs of her characters, revealing their good and bad qualities, in a wholly unpretentious manner. She simply told her story.
And for a book that's less than a hundred pages, Merry Murder packed a hell of a punch. Highly recommend!
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