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readingwithtrey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Y’all! I am SHOOK. I know this one has mixed reviews, but it’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. It’s a slow build but the chapters are short so it’s easily binged. The writing was done so well that over the course of the book the dread, anxiety, and fear really build. Y’all… it was super creepy. I couldn’t bring myself to read this too close to bedtime😅. But at the same time I didn’t want to put the book down because I HAD to know how it ended. I just knew the ended was going to be IT.
Now here’s where it lost a star for me. While the ending is a good, solid one, I didn’t have that lingering spooky feeling that I look for with a good thriller.
Overall, this was a good one and I definitely recommend it for spooky season 👻. Also, if you enjoyed Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney, definitely check this one out!
Now here’s where it lost a star for me. While the ending is a good, solid one, I didn’t have that lingering spooky feeling that I look for with a good thriller.
Overall, this was a good one and I definitely recommend it for spooky season 👻. Also, if you enjoyed Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney, definitely check this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Chronic illness, Car accident, and Pregnancy
paulrichard's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Xenophobia
paronomaniac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
Overall, this is a decent psychological mystery but I found the first half of the book dragged. The second half really picked up but I’m still not sure if the payoff is worth a drawn-out beginning.
There is also the possibility that some tension or atmosphere was lost when the book was translated to English.
There is also the possibility that some tension or atmosphere was lost when the book was translated to English.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide and Murder
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Infertility, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
tamara_joy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gun violence
Minor: Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Blood, and Death of parent
nike13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This book had lost pregnancies, horrible people, seemingly nice people making huge mistakes and transforming into horrible people and corrupting others in the process. Just..wow that was a lot to unpack.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Camilla Sten for the opportunity to read this book! It was released on March 29th, 2022.
“We perceive women suffering from mental illness with a sort of paradoxical double-sidedness; both victims and monsters. simultaneously infantilized and feared.”
THE RESTING PLACE
I absolutely enjoyed Camilla Sten’s previous novel, The Invited, and could not wait to pick up The Resting Place. Eleanor has prosopagnosia which is also called facial blindness. So it would be difficult for her to identify her grandmother’s murderer. She and her grandmother, Vivianne had a strained relationship. Viviane wasn’t the most maternal. But after a phone call from the lawyer: Eleanor, her boyfriend Sebastian, her aunt Veronika, and the lawyer all head to the family estate called Solhoga. Once they get there, family secrets become exposed and then the attacks begin…
I absolutely love Camilla Sten’s writing. She really nails the eerie atmospheric tension. Her story building is very slow-burn and I can understand how some people may not appreciate it. But just stay the course, because each reveal throughout the book really packs a punch. There is a lot happening in this book though. Trigger warnings: murder, child abuse, gaslighting, miscarriage, mental illness, suicide.
The book does jump back and forth between the present and 1965. There are 4 names that start with “V” and it did take a while to get used to and put all the pieces together. At every plot twist, the lies come to light and readers will be working to piece everything together. By the end of the novel, I knew who the perpetrator was. I was a little disappointed with the ending but I actually loved everything leading up to it. It was very creepy and I often wondered if we were dealing with something more paranormal rather than a long-lost family secret. –And that is how a good author keeps readers on their toes.
The characters are complex and have their faults. There are a few characters…like Vivianne who are completely toxic and I did not quite understand the hold she had on those around her. BUT, it made sense in the end. Overall, I will always read Camilla Sten’s works, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I absolutely love Camilla Sten’s writing. She really nails the eerie atmospheric tension. Her story building is very slow-burn and I can understand how some people may not appreciate it. But just stay the course, because each reveal throughout the book really packs a punch. There is a lot happening in this book though. Trigger warnings: murder, child abuse, gaslighting, miscarriage, mental illness, suicide.
The book does jump back and forth between the present and 1965. There are 4 names that start with “V” and it did take a while to get used to and put all the pieces together. At every plot twist, the lies come to light and readers will be working to piece everything together. By the end of the novel, I knew who the perpetrator was. I was a little disappointed with the ending but I actually loved everything leading up to it. It was very creepy and I often wondered if we were dealing with something more paranormal rather than a long-lost family secret. –And that is how a good author keeps readers on their toes.
The characters are complex and have their faults. There are a few characters…like Vivianne who are completely toxic and I did not quite understand the hold she had on those around her. BUT, it made sense in the end. Overall, I will always read Camilla Sten’s works, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
onemorepagecrew's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
This week the newest thriller from Camilla Sten released and I had an opportunity to listen to the audio book - thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio! I enjoyed The Resting Place and The Lost Village, and recommend both of Sten’s books to anyone who enjoys a psychological suspense storyline.
In this novel, the protagonist (Eleanor) has a medical condition called prosopagnosia, sometimes referred to as face blindness, which renders her unable to recall people by their facial features. She can recall other parts of people like their hair, voices, nails, etc. however her inability to remember faces causes those around her to question what she sees and at times she is questioning herself, too.
The story takes place in a family estate in the Swedish woods that was left to Eleanor in her grandfather’s will. While she, her aunt, her boyfriend, and a lawyer are at the estate a series of suspicious and suspenseful events unfold. I wouldn’t go as far as classifying this as horror or scary, it’s more of a slow-building mystery where the truth keeps dodging the reader.
Initially I had a hard time keeping track of the characters across the two timelines on the audio book and I would recommend the paper or digital book if that’s a concern for anyone else. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and finished the book in about 24 hours – always a sign I enjoyed a story.
Thank you again to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio – I appreciated the chance to read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
kamin8882's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wow !! This book literally had me hooked from the first page !! I love thrillers that have unique plots and this one definitely had an amazingly twisty one !!
After seeing her grandmother Vivianne be brutally murdered, she comes face to face with the killer. the problem is Eleanor has a medical condition called prosopagnosia, which causes her brain not to remember faces the same was as others do--she has NO IDEA what the killer looked like. After months of therapy and the cops closing the case, Eleanor gets a call from a lawyer saying Vivianne left her a house. Looking for answers to her families history, Eleanor, Her bf Sebastian, her aunt Veronika and the lawyer set out the creepy abandoned house in the middle of the Swedish woods--not ready for what is waiting for them there.
This book is told in alternating timelines and POV- present day Eleanor and past, Anushka, the housemaid for her grandmother over 50 years ago. This book had some amazing characters!! Some that you loved, and some that you loved to hate. The setting of the book was spot on- old, creepy house, middle of the Swedish woods, during a blizzard really set the tone for all things creepy. The way Sten writes from Eleanor's POV as anxious and jumpy, makes you feel that way... on the edge of your seat waiting for something to pop out at you.
This is definitely a book a could not put down- the chapters were short, full of secretes, murder, deception, revenge and the further you get, the more tangled the web gets- until its all unraveled and your jaw drops !! Another really great thing I will mention is that this book was originally written and translated beautifully into English. The translator, Alexandra Fleming, did an amazing job. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from her!!!
Thank you Netgalley, Minotaur books and Camilla Sten for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book !!
After seeing her grandmother Vivianne be brutally murdered, she comes face to face with the killer. the problem is Eleanor has a medical condition called prosopagnosia, which causes her brain not to remember faces the same was as others do--she has NO IDEA what the killer looked like. After months of therapy and the cops closing the case, Eleanor gets a call from a lawyer saying Vivianne left her a house. Looking for answers to her families history, Eleanor, Her bf Sebastian, her aunt Veronika and the lawyer set out the creepy abandoned house in the middle of the Swedish woods--not ready for what is waiting for them there.
This book is told in alternating timelines and POV- present day Eleanor and past, Anushka, the housemaid for her grandmother over 50 years ago. This book had some amazing characters!! Some that you loved, and some that you loved to hate. The setting of the book was spot on- old, creepy house, middle of the Swedish woods, during a blizzard really set the tone for all things creepy. The way Sten writes from Eleanor's POV as anxious and jumpy, makes you feel that way... on the edge of your seat waiting for something to pop out at you.
This is definitely a book a could not put down- the chapters were short, full of secretes, murder, deception, revenge and the further you get, the more tangled the web gets- until its all unraveled and your jaw drops !! Another really great thing I will mention is that this book was originally written and translated beautifully into English. The translator, Alexandra Fleming, did an amazing job. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from her!!!
Thank you Netgalley, Minotaur books and Camilla Sten for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book !!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
anxiety, depressionsoobooksalot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Resting Place is built on the fear from not being able to identify what's right in front of you.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy for review!
Eleanor's grandmother Vivianne was murdered, and Eleanor saw who did it. However, she has a condition called prosopagnosia, which means she cannot process the visual information of faces, thus people are unrecognizable to her.
Months later, she's been called to the Swedish countryside to a property known as Solhöga to evaluate for the will.
There, Eleanor remains haunted by the knowledge that Vivianne's killer is out there, and knows what she saw.
Solhöga acts as a character of sorts, pulling us in to it's atmosphere and secrets. I truly enjoy books with such a setting to establish unease - I could have used even more detail about the house itself.
Two timelines give us the suspense of Eleanor's present, with the story of Anushka from the mid-60s.
The Resting Place is a slow burn that works it's magic for some truly great reveals. Trust nothing here!
Author Camilla Sten's second book has hooked me as a fan - recommended!
For release on March 29.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy for review!
Eleanor's grandmother Vivianne was murdered, and Eleanor saw who did it. However, she has a condition called prosopagnosia, which means she cannot process the visual information of faces, thus people are unrecognizable to her.
Months later, she's been called to the Swedish countryside to a property known as Solhöga to evaluate for the will.
There, Eleanor remains haunted by the knowledge that Vivianne's killer is out there, and knows what she saw.
Solhöga acts as a character of sorts, pulling us in to it's atmosphere and secrets. I truly enjoy books with such a setting to establish unease - I could have used even more detail about the house itself.
Two timelines give us the suspense of Eleanor's present, with the story of Anushka from the mid-60s.
The Resting Place is a slow burn that works it's magic for some truly great reveals. Trust nothing here!
Author Camilla Sten's second book has hooked me as a fan - recommended!
For release on March 29.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Abortion