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sallysimply's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
It took me a while to get into this book; once I was in, I was totally hooked! The twists and reveals were really doing it for me... up until the end.
The ending feels rushed and thrown together, which is such a bummer. It does all make sense given what we know about the characters, but it left me feeling disappointed after such a wild ride.
I’ll add that, though sometimes it feels forced or heavy-handed, I was really interested in the discussion of women being seen as crazy and how easy it is for a woman to “disappear.” I didn’t expect that to be such a major theme in this book, and I enjoyed it.
The ending feels rushed and thrown together, which is such a bummer. It does all make sense given what we know about the characters, but it left me feeling disappointed after such a wild ride.
I’ll add that, though sometimes it feels forced or heavy-handed, I was really interested in the discussion of women being seen as crazy and how easy it is for a woman to “disappear.” I didn’t expect that to be such a major theme in this book, and I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Cannibalism
hookedbybooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What starts as an obsession story, it grows into something else.
A fan of podcaster Rachel, Sera goes on an investigation to find her when she goes missing. Now missing isn't the right word, per-se. As noone, including her family has filed a missing person's report. And no one else is worried, except for Sera. She goes to the family ranch, and gets herself hired as a farm hand to help with the horses, and find out more about Rachel's family as well as the missing woman herself.
This book weaves the reality of this lost woman, Sera in real world, with the idea of what she knows about Rachel and her world, and it becomes like a mind game. There are things where you cannot decipher who is who, and what is real, what Sera is reflecting of herself, and what is assumed or imagined.
What did bother me how trusty and naive Sera might have seen at times. You know when you watch a scary movie and you have that feeling that something bad is about to happen to the character.. Well for a true crime podcast obsessed, Sera didn't seem to be listening to her own senses, or having any fear at that.
The end! I had all these theories about where this story is going. And because I love a good obsession narrative, I was hoping I was right- but nope, missed it. Even though the clues are there! (they were just leading me the wrong direction).
Overall, a refreshing take. Smart, and engrossing. I loved the whole theme of disappearance, especially when it comes to the narratives, and how women are always painted.
A fan of podcaster Rachel, Sera goes on an investigation to find her when she goes missing. Now missing isn't the right word, per-se. As noone, including her family has filed a missing person's report. And no one else is worried, except for Sera. She goes to the family ranch, and gets herself hired as a farm hand to help with the horses, and find out more about Rachel's family as well as the missing woman herself.
This book weaves the reality of this lost woman, Sera in real world, with the idea of what she knows about Rachel and her world, and it becomes like a mind game. There are things where you cannot decipher who is who, and what is real, what Sera is reflecting of herself, and what is assumed or imagined.
What did bother me how trusty and naive Sera might have seen at times. You know when you watch a scary movie and you have that feeling that something bad is about to happen to the character.. Well for a true crime podcast obsessed, Sera didn't seem to be listening to her own senses, or having any fear at that.
The end! I had all these theories about where this story is going. And because I love a good obsession narrative, I was hoping I was right- but nope, missed it. Even though the clues are there! (they were just leading me the wrong direction).
Overall, a refreshing take. Smart, and engrossing. I loved the whole theme of disappearance, especially when it comes to the narratives, and how women are always painted.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Murder
emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you for the gifted book Netgalley and Berkley.
Oof. I really wanted to like this book. I love true crime podcasts and a book based on a fan becoming obsessed with one sounds right up my alley. However, I should have DNFed this book. This weekend I stopped reading this book and read a whole middle grade book to avoid reading this. I had to force myself to finish this book and with 5 minutes left of it last night I went to sleep because I could not make myself to finish the last few pages before turning out the light. I kept getting confused by the timelines of all the characters. Things seemed to need much more time than they were allowed in the plot. Also the motivations behind the crimes committed are still a little foggy to me after finishing the book and skimming the epilogue once more. Not one character is remotely likeable except a horse, and things were just a little too helter skelter for my taste.
Oof. I really wanted to like this book. I love true crime podcasts and a book based on a fan becoming obsessed with one sounds right up my alley. However, I should have DNFed this book. This weekend I stopped reading this book and read a whole middle grade book to avoid reading this. I had to force myself to finish this book and with 5 minutes left of it last night I went to sleep because I could not make myself to finish the last few pages before turning out the light. I kept getting confused by the timelines of all the characters. Things seemed to need much more time than they were allowed in the plot. Also the motivations behind the crimes committed are still a little foggy to me after finishing the book and skimming the epilogue once more. Not one character is remotely likeable except a horse, and things were just a little too helter skelter for my taste.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Animal cruelty
Minor: Animal death, Violence, and Kidnapping
rbookish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this honestly was a decent book, i didn't hate it, but it wasn't the best thing i read. but, it was still good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Jed is a drinker, and throughout the book he does drink a ton.catchats's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
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