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hannahbellz's review against another edition
1.0
The plot is not even what it sounds like it's going to be from the back cover description...it sounds like Lisa is supposed to be watching her friend's daughter Lucinda when Lucinda disappears, and I guess in a sense she was, but not really. Basically, there's just a miscommunication; Lucinda was supposed to go home with Lisa's daughter after school to work on a project, but she doesn't because Lisa's daughter was ill and didn't even go into school that day. I'm sure if I were Lisa I would feel guilty, but the blame could just as easily be placed on Lucinda's parents for never checking up on their daughter.
In sum, it's just an implausible mystery story told from the perspective of family friend Lisa and a one-dimensional detective character. It has a lot of boring plot twists and backstories I didn't care about at all, like characters' affairs from years ago. Waste of time.
In sum, it's just an implausible mystery story told from the perspective of family friend Lisa and a one-dimensional detective character. It has a lot of boring plot twists and backstories I didn't care about at all, like characters' affairs from years ago. Waste of time.
jb_readsss's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
laureenreads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nerve-wracking, tense, and terrifying novel. Like Lisa, the main character, I tend to be absent-minded. Thankfully, my absentminded-ness has never resulted in a situation like this one!
(Read more.)
(Read more.)
jomcclure's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
It is every parent’s worst nightmare to imagine their child going missing. But what if your friend’s child went missing, while you were supposed to be watching her? This horrifying premise is the basis for this debut novel by Paula Daly.
Lisa Kallisto loves her family. She’s pulled a hundred different ways by her kids and her own job working in an animal shelter, and she’s exhausted. She blames herself entirely when her daughter’s friend Lucinda goes missing when she’s meant to be at their house having a sleepover. How will Lucinda’s parents treat her? Can she do anything? Was it her fault?
Lisa is an empathetic character. You feel for her, can see how it happened. Her efforts to face up to her perceived guilt are brave, she and her husband a likeable couple. It’s a tense story. Not only do we follow Lisa, but the police investigation through the female detective in charge, and we see insights into the mind of the abducter of the girls. The tension mounts as we hope Lucinda is going to survive and be brought back home.
On top of this plot though, are other secrets that are gradually revealed, with twists and revelations right up until the last few pages. Hard to put down, it feels very real and threatening.
Not a light summer read, but it’s quick and thrilling, twisty and captivating
Lisa Kallisto loves her family. She’s pulled a hundred different ways by her kids and her own job working in an animal shelter, and she’s exhausted. She blames herself entirely when her daughter’s friend Lucinda goes missing when she’s meant to be at their house having a sleepover. How will Lucinda’s parents treat her? Can she do anything? Was it her fault?
Lisa is an empathetic character. You feel for her, can see how it happened. Her efforts to face up to her perceived guilt are brave, she and her husband a likeable couple. It’s a tense story. Not only do we follow Lisa, but the police investigation through the female detective in charge, and we see insights into the mind of the abducter of the girls. The tension mounts as we hope Lucinda is going to survive and be brought back home.
On top of this plot though, are other secrets that are gradually revealed, with twists and revelations right up until the last few pages. Hard to put down, it feels very real and threatening.
Not a light summer read, but it’s quick and thrilling, twisty and captivating
gisellefranco's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.25
I think this book had a really interesting concept and interesting characters. It's definitely a decent thriller if you're not too familiar with the genre and like domestic/missing person thrillers. However, some elements of the storyline didn't feel fully developed, especially at the end, and the twist didn't feel believable because the circumstances leading up to it were coincidental and the author didn't add enough hints about it throughout the story. I wouldn't recommend if you're a thriller fan.