mysticforestcrafts's review against another edition
5.0
Pros:
This isn’t your typical psychological thriller, at least not typical for the ones I’ve read and hear about. This feels very much like a beautiful, in depth look at family relations and just how easy it is to mistake what a person says based on your own expectations/fears/desires/needs.
I don’t like that books are turning more and more to needing multiple perspectives and time jumping however I believe in this book it was perfectly executed. The reading comes off almost as though each chapter is a scene in a television mini series. They provide good pushing points but also don’t disrupt anything if you want to continue on.
Cons:
I would have liked to have a scene where the police formally announce killer/motive and that the others are cleared of suspicion but it is very clearly implied.
This isn’t your typical psychological thriller, at least not typical for the ones I’ve read and hear about. This feels very much like a beautiful, in depth look at family relations and just how easy it is to mistake what a person says based on your own expectations/fears/desires/needs.
I don’t like that books are turning more and more to needing multiple perspectives and time jumping however I believe in this book it was perfectly executed. The reading comes off almost as though each chapter is a scene in a television mini series. They provide good pushing points but also don’t disrupt anything if you want to continue on.
Cons:
I would have liked to have a scene where the police formally announce killer/motive and that the others are cleared of suspicion but it is very clearly implied.
ppetra1020's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
momofwestnpop's review against another edition
3.0
It was a bit predictable but also kept my attention!
eem's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
sofiadarcie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
An effective amalgam of domestic suspense and relationship drama, this makes a superb choice for book groups in need of a story with momentum (many participants gulped down in a day or two) that still offers juicy topics for discussion. Personally, I found it extremely successful as a study of dynamics in which individuals who hold divergent perspectives make understandable but erroneous presumptions of others' motives.
audiobook note: Barrie Kreinik is delightful as the embodiment of both Lucy and Diana. Some of the group complained that the author didn't differentiate enough between the narrative voices, but Kreinik's choices in distinct performances more than compensate.
audiobook note: Barrie Kreinik is delightful as the embodiment of both Lucy and Diana. Some of the group complained that the author didn't differentiate enough between the narrative voices, but Kreinik's choices in distinct performances more than compensate.
jlphelps's review against another edition
4.0
“I worked hard for everything I ever cared about. And nothing I cared about ever cost a cent.”
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
The Mother-in-Law is a book that will suck you in and you may find yourself running late with a case of “just-one-more-chapter-itis” - this definitely happened to me!! And when I had to put it down for a few hours, I found myself thinking about it a lot. For me - that’s a sign of a great read!
Right at the beginning of the book, Lucy learns that her husband’s mother is dead - looks like suicide but the police are treating it as a potential homicide.
From there, we get alternating perspectives and timelines - Lucy present, Lucy past and Diana (her mother-in-law) in the past. I loved the way we got to see the same events from both of their perspectives and that Diana wasn’t just the typical caricature of the evil MIL.
I think this would be a perfect book to read on vacation - sitting by the pool or the beach - but maybe not if you are there with your mother-in-law! This was my first book by Sally Hepworth but it definitely won’t be my last. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!
Right at the beginning of the book, Lucy learns that her husband’s mother is dead - looks like suicide but the police are treating it as a potential homicide.
From there, we get alternating perspectives and timelines - Lucy present, Lucy past and Diana (her mother-in-law) in the past. I loved the way we got to see the same events from both of their perspectives and that Diana wasn’t just the typical caricature of the evil MIL.
I think this would be a perfect book to read on vacation - sitting by the pool or the beach - but maybe not if you are there with your mother-in-law! This was my first book by Sally Hepworth but it definitely won’t be my last. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!