leahrnorris's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Excellent story! Very well written!
crisp_pages_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“Make me believe we’ll one day be cast among the stars.”
I picked up this book after seeing a TikTok about dead boys and a lesbian journalist and finished it in TWO SITTINGS.
I want to preface this by saying I’ve maybe read three thrillers in my lifetime and I’m not really the best voice to rate and review them on a ‘thriller’ level, my rating is based on my enjoyment alone.
As someone that grew up in a town just about the size of the one in the novel I instantly connected with the Erie small down secrets and the realistic way of ‘everyone knowing everyone’ and the outsider perspective on that. I think it was a spectacular setting for this story. AND THE QUARRY’s WERE TERRIFYING. I thought the romance was cute and I overall enjoyed all of the characters on some level, though at some points there were just a LOT of names for my mind to handle.
I think the loss of a star for me was maybe the pacing? I felt that 2/4ths in the story was stuck in a loop of a few repeated scenes with the same lack of knowledge and not much else going on and it took a bit to work through until the pacing picked up again.
I enjoyed this debut so much and could very much see myself both recommending this book to others, and looking forward to the authors next work.
I picked up this book after seeing a TikTok about dead boys and a lesbian journalist and finished it in TWO SITTINGS.
I want to preface this by saying I’ve maybe read three thrillers in my lifetime and I’m not really the best voice to rate and review them on a ‘thriller’ level, my rating is based on my enjoyment alone.
As someone that grew up in a town just about the size of the one in the novel I instantly connected with the Erie small down secrets and the realistic way of ‘everyone knowing everyone’ and the outsider perspective on that. I think it was a spectacular setting for this story. AND THE QUARRY’s WERE TERRIFYING. I thought the romance was cute and I overall enjoyed all of the characters on some level, though at some points there were just a LOT of names for my mind to handle.
I think the loss of a star for me was maybe the pacing? I felt that 2/4ths in the story was stuck in a loop of a few repeated scenes with the same lack of knowledge and not much else going on and it took a bit to work through until the pacing picked up again.
I enjoyed this debut so much and could very much see myself both recommending this book to others, and looking forward to the authors next work.
stellap's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don’t usually pick up cozy mysteries like these, but I am so delighted I did. What a wonderful story and beautiful prose! I am a sucker for some good gay content. Congratulations on your debut!
elementarymydear's review
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Okay so everyone needs to CALM DOWN because I think this might be my NEW FAVOURITE BOOK.
The story is a mystery, set in rural Vermont. We follow Alex, a journalist who has left New York to investigate a series of disappearances in a small town. Along the way she uncovers family secrets, falls in love, and ultimately solves the mystery.
What I was hoping from this book was vibes – spooky, cosy, autumnal – and it 100% delivered. But there’s so much more than that! I loved the way Alex’s past and true intentions were steadily revealed to us. It’s so hard to do that well, especially in first person, but I thought it was done excellently here. Alex had a brilliant character arc that really elevated the whole book to the next level, and added so much to the existing layers of the story.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The writing and the mystery drew you in, and once I started reading it was so hard to put it down! It’s impossible not to be drawn into the setting, and I so quickly became invested in knowing what had happened. The small-town atmosphere felt like Schitt’s Creek but with more murder, or like a Professor Layton game, with the key figures and places in the town being so pivotal to the story.
The queer representation was excellent, and I loved the relationship between Alex and Luna. It had heart and felt grounded without being at odds with the rest of the story in tone, and the way it linked in with the wider story? I was desperate to know that it would all end okay! (And I won’t tell you if it did – you’ll have to find out for myself!).
This is a really excellent mystery, perfect for reading under the covers while the days get shorter. Sophie Tanen is one to watch!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
The story is a mystery, set in rural Vermont. We follow Alex, a journalist who has left New York to investigate a series of disappearances in a small town. Along the way she uncovers family secrets, falls in love, and ultimately solves the mystery.
What I was hoping from this book was vibes – spooky, cosy, autumnal – and it 100% delivered. But there’s so much more than that! I loved the way Alex’s past and true intentions were steadily revealed to us. It’s so hard to do that well, especially in first person, but I thought it was done excellently here. Alex had a brilliant character arc that really elevated the whole book to the next level, and added so much to the existing layers of the story.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The writing and the mystery drew you in, and once I started reading it was so hard to put it down! It’s impossible not to be drawn into the setting, and I so quickly became invested in knowing what had happened. The small-town atmosphere felt like Schitt’s Creek but with more murder, or like a Professor Layton game, with the key figures and places in the town being so pivotal to the story.
The queer representation was excellent, and I loved the relationship between Alex and Luna. It had heart and felt grounded without being at odds with the rest of the story in tone, and the way it linked in with the wider story? I was desperate to know that it would all end okay! (And I won’t tell you if it did – you’ll have to find out for myself!).
This is a really excellent mystery, perfect for reading under the covers while the days get shorter. Sophie Tanen is one to watch!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
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