astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Mia has been kidnapped. Mia is in her 20s. She’s the black sheep in her family. She’s a school teacher.
- James and Eve are Mia’s parents. James is a prominent judge, and he cares a lot about image.
- Grace is Mia’s sister, and she is the golden child. She followed in her father’s footsteps & went to law school.
- Gabe is the detective assigned to Mia’s case.
- Colin is the kidnapper, who is working for someone else. At the beginning of book, we learn he kidnaps her to actually help her & goes against the wishes of the person that hired him.
- I had no idea this was Mary Kubica’s debut novel. Clearly, I have been reading hers in all kinds of order. She has quickly become one of favorite writers in the thriller/suspense genre.
- This was set in Chicago, which I loved. Since I used to live in Chicago, it was easy to visualize neighborhoods and cross streets.
- I read this in 24 hours, and I couldn’t put it down.
- Excellent character development.
- Multiple POVs. Told from perspectives of Eve, Gabe, Colin. In the epilogue, we are also offered Mia’s perspective.
- All the characters are written really well. There’s no cheap writing tactics here. The perspectives come from each character’s world views. Although all the characters are flawed, Kubica deftly makes them understandable.
- Well-plotted & expertly crafted.
- Lots of twists, suspense, & drama. Complex family dynamics as well.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, and Stalking
erinreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Death
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ETA: after thinking on it for a few days, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this book has some subtle language that is somewhat racist in nature. The comments I’m referring to made me feel uncomfortable as a white woman, reading a book written by another white woman. Definitely something to think about…
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Stalking, Violence, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Blood, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Gun violence
emclean95's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Violence
karinaalyse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Abortion and Sexual content
dbinfet22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Violence, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy
Spoiler
Stockholm Syndromesophiamoneva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Abortion, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence