Reviews

Monster in the Closet by Karen Rose

heather_warby's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

mpr2000's review

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4.0

I received this ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Jazzie Jarvis is only 11 years old, but she has seen who killed her mama... she will try to protect her little sister refusing to say a word... sadly the killer doesn't want to leave any loose ends and will not stop till she is dead... Ready for a cat and a mouse thriller?

This is not the book we are used to read from Karen Rose, we know since the beginning who is the killer but this doesn't mean the book is not interesting!
I liked how Karen made a book with all the characters from the previous book of this series, it was great to remember all the characters and know how their lives had progressed (and their families grown!)
There's a lot of action in this book, a little bit of suspense and of course love! This book is more centred in feelings, emotions and family. I can not say that I didn't like it because like all the Karen Rose books it kept me glued in it since the beginning till the last page, but I was expecting a twist or a surprise that never arrived...
This book talks about family, you, as a child, should always know that your parents will protect you from any danger. The problem is, if you can not trust your parents, who is there to help a little child? I really can not imagine the feeling of being alone in the world without anyone to trust! That's why I loved the Healing Hearts project, that provide therapy to traumatized children. I hope this kind of centres really exist and that are there for everyone that needs them, not something just for the rich people!
It was sad discovering the true story of Taylor, is quite emotive but it shows us how brave she is! But I will not make any type of spoiler, so you will have to read the book!
This is a psychological thriller where the hunter will not hesitate to kill to survive.
What your are afraid of?

coley0504's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved hearing about old characters and finally seeing Clay meet his daughter. However I did feel the middle dragged a bit and the end was too quick, if that makes any sense. Overall I recommend this book to fellow K. Rose fans, as long as you have read the her past books.

Now we just need a revisit of Chicago with Caroline, Dana, etc. maybe with a book about Tom?

summermusings's review

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4.0

I listed to the audio, but I actually have a signed paperback version of this one that I'll be holding on to. I'm listening to her Baltimore series a little out of order because this one sounded so good and it was :) That said, this one should be read/listened to in series order because all the characters from past books are a part of this storyline. The lead love interests are just out of college and only start to become emotionally involved during this book. I felt this book was less romance, more suspense. It really worked, but I hope Taylor and Ford appear again in a later book.

weebyw's review against another edition

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funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

stephaniek219's review against another edition

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2.0

I’m a huge fan of the Cincinnati series. The Baltimore series has been entertaining, up until now. Which is really disappointing for a number of reasons but primarily bc until this book in which he’s the main character, I really liked Ford. As another reader said, this story is as predictable as the number of Ford’s hard ins per page. I mean c’mon. Right in the middle of being shot at?!?! Every single internal monologue discussed his “problem”.

mags_louise's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this story!! It had me completely hooked from start to finish and it really had everything I love in a Karen Rose novel. So much so I couldn't put it down. Not to mention this story featured all my favourite characters from the Baltimore Series. Plus a brief appearance from Deacon Novak and his fiancè Faith. And of course this story focuses on the long awaited and for me much anticipated reunion between Clay and his daughter Sienna. As well as weaving in a murder investigation that was full of suspense. Even though you know early on who the killer is. There is still that build up of tension as the story progresses and I literally could not turn the pages fast enough. Especially towards the end and I would happily recommend Monster in the Closet to others. Although I would suggest reading the first 4 Baltimore Series books before starting this one.

merlin_reads's review against another edition

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2.0

 So, having not read any of the other books in this series, I have come to the conclusion that every person in this book has either been kidnapped or shot - or both- sometimes multiple times. Which was completely unrealistic to me. But anyway...

I'm honestly not even sure where to start with this book. There were like 4 different plots that all intersected but were also different. There was the story of Jazzie, who after witnessing the murder of her mother, ends up in therapy with her younger sister only to end up being stalked by the killer. Where she ends up in therapy is where Taylor Dawson works. But Taylor isn't just an intern there to help kids, she's actually looking for her birth father who works at the therapy ranch as security. Only he thinks his daughters name is Sienna and he's been looking for her for over 20 years. Oh, and there's a love story involved.

See? Confusing.

There was just too much going on in this book for me to focus on just one thing and therefore I couldn't really get attached to anyone. The most interesting parts for me were with Jazzie, the little girl. She hadn't spoken since finding her mothers body and reading her POV just broke my heart. And everything just kept happening to her.

The love story lost me because it was very instalove. Literally the day Taylor and Ford meet, everyone finds out who she is and by that night, they already can't leave each others side. YOU JUST MET. Gah! It was just unbelievable and sappy to all hell.

Then there was the character of Gage - Jazzie's father and the villain of the story. First, he seems to be just straight evil but then toward the end the author has him questioning his actions. Ok, so you killed multiple people but now your questioning using little girls for ransom? Was this the author's way of trying to redeem him or make us feel anything but disgust for him? Whatever it did, it just made me want to not read any more.

If you're going to write a mystery/thriller - don't make it so convoluted that you can't keep characters straight. Also, multiple plot points are not needed and just make a mess. 

mandylovestoread's review

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4.0

I do enjoy a Karen Rose book. it was like an episode of Dallas... love, murder, family and horses! This book is fast and keeps you hooked right til the end. Thank you to Net Galley, Karen Rose and Hachette Australia for a copy of this book

natiibooks's review against another edition

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4.0

Todesfalle by Karen Rose

4