Scan barcode
booksandbea's review against another edition
4.0
Had me simultaneously hooked, gagged and gooped regardless of the outcome. Forensics were actually correct too, Gillian Mcallister, you are THAT girl
lavins's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
Despite a promising plot, nothing happens in the entire book. There are countless unnecessary details about random people of no consequence (the shirt some woman was wearing, her haircut, the tv program) and of course relentless internal chatter of every character.
Despite a promising plot, nothing happens in the entire book. There are countless unnecessary details about random people of no consequence (the shirt some woman was wearing, her haircut, the tv program) and of course relentless internal chatter of every character.
nikigirldetective's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
5.0
“What if the worst moments in my life were paraded in a court-room? … Anybody could be made to look guilty.”
Vividly told in courtroom scenes and witness testimony (sometimes frustrating, sometimes incredibly moving), this is the gripping story of the death of a baby and the trial of her aunt.
McAllister makes some interesting points about relationships, ordinary lives seen under a microscope and the role of fathers. “They are not expected to look after their children, and they are not blamed when they don’t.”
Of course, I do have criticisms!
Firstly, the two sisters’ jobs were a bit fanciful. Becky seemed uniquely unsuited to her ‘set-dressing’ role, virtually breaking down over having to find a dalmation print chair. As for Martha: “There were hundreds of refugees who were relying on me.”
The story was quite slow at times with the sheer tedium of a crying baby and the humdrumness of long-term relationships.
And finally,
And yet, as I went about my normal day, I kept thinking about the story, kept looking forward to getting back to it. Will I remember it in a few months’ time? I think I will. And that’s why I’m giving it five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Vividly told in courtroom scenes and witness testimony (sometimes frustrating, sometimes incredibly moving), this is the gripping story of the death of a baby and the trial of her aunt.
McAllister makes some interesting points about relationships, ordinary lives seen under a microscope and the role of fathers. “They are not expected to look after their children, and they are not blamed when they don’t.”
Of course, I do have criticisms!
Firstly, the two sisters’ jobs were a bit fanciful. Becky seemed uniquely unsuited to her ‘set-dressing’ role, virtually breaking down over having to find a dalmation print chair. As for Martha: “There were hundreds of refugees who were relying on me.”
The story was quite slow at times with the sheer tedium of a crying baby and the humdrumness of long-term relationships.
And finally,
Spoiler
for a story that seemed meticulously researched, I found the denouement overly-simple. Wouldn’t there have already been an inquest? Could all those experts, who seemed so certain, have missed this possibility?And yet, as I went about my normal day, I kept thinking about the story, kept looking forward to getting back to it. Will I remember it in a few months’ time? I think I will. And that’s why I’m giving it five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
bailey123's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
moo_shea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sunshine42's review against another edition
3.0
A fairly decent read... The courtroom action was good, but the rest was a bit much at times and not necessarily contributing to the plot
jlukes's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75