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julierambaeck's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I had quite high expectations for this book, because I really enjoyed the first book in the series. BUT this book let me down quite a bit. I feel like it read younger than it was, it could almost have been a YA mystery. I also kind of saw the resolution from a mile away, and not gonna lie the characters were quite stupid they didn't see it...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Drug abuse, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
heather_harrison's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I was excited to pick this up after devouring The Night Swim. However it didn’t deliver.
The story only used Rachel’s POV, and as she wasn’t actively working on a podcast there are only sporadic inclusions of her transcripts (for what I assume is a future podcast that she alludes to at the end of this book).
I found the missing girls narrative and the prisoner Terrance Bailey’s story interesting. I was not a fan of the influencer infiltration storyline, the whole thing was shallow and a bit cliche. The romance also felt a bit tacked on.
I’m unsure if there will be another Rachel Krall installment, fingers crossed for a return to something closer to the first book.
The story only used Rachel’s POV, and as she wasn’t actively working on a podcast there are only sporadic inclusions of her transcripts (for what I assume is a future podcast that she alludes to at the end of this book).
I found the missing girls narrative and the prisoner Terrance Bailey’s story interesting. I was not a fan of the influencer infiltration storyline, the whole thing was shallow and a bit cliche. The romance also felt a bit tacked on.
I’m unsure if there will be another Rachel Krall installment, fingers crossed for a return to something closer to the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Confinement, Death, and Drug abuse
mharris4074's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Abandonment
gretchenplz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Megan comes through with another SMASH!
I was sucked into this book and was unable to put it down! The number of things that were just lovely distractions from the true plot was expert-level.
I admit that I was a bit scared to read this because of how heavy The Night Swim was, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really admire Megan's dedication to bringing awareness to issues, like the lack of attention the missing POC women and men get in the media.
Honestly, the people mad about the depiction of influencers in this book crack me up — that's exactly how they are and I thought it added a layer to the story that enhanced the mysteriousness of the plot. You never knew who at BuzzCon was actually being sincere!
Now all I need is a Joe Martinez book! Give it to me!
I was sucked into this book and was unable to put it down! The number of things that were just lovely distractions from the true plot was expert-level.
I admit that I was a bit scared to read this because of how heavy The Night Swim was, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really admire Megan's dedication to bringing awareness to issues, like the lack of attention the missing POC women and men get in the media.
Honestly, the people mad about the depiction of influencers in this book crack me up — that's exactly how they are and I thought it added a layer to the story that enhanced the mysteriousness of the plot. You never knew who at BuzzCon was actually being sincere!
Now all I need is a Joe Martinez book! Give it to me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Murder
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
kimveach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This thriller combined serial killers with an Influencer conference and a true-crime podcast. I enjoyed the combination of serious crime with the absurdity of influencers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse
booksbytheglass's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
over 24 hours later and I’m still struggling on how to rate and talk about this one …
after absolutely falling in love with megan goldin after I read THE NIGHT SWIM, I’ve been an avid reader of hers ever since, and I especially loved following up on the MC from the night swim, rachel krall!
this one, unlike rachel’s first story, was definitely not as intriguing, gut-wrenching, or heart-pounding. I still flew through it in two days, but I found myself wanting more and more depth to the characters and the story, which ended in a semi-predictable way for me.
and let’s not even discuss the random romance side story that was thrown in there because what the frick was that?! 🥴🥴🥴
the background for the plot, focusing on influencers and prison breaks, was so unique that I was expecting a flying out of left field finish with multiple plot twists. and … I didn’t get it … 🥲
the pace was quick and easy to follow, but I was disappointed that the direction of the ultimate plot ended in a stereotypical thriller trope. and maybe that’s on me for reading too many thrillers and expecting a new outcome each time 🫠
BUT I had a wild time reading this one, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where megan takes rachel krall next because boy, does this chick need therapy my goodness
and I want more of terrance and maddison pls make them sidekicks to her podcast I loved their stories!!! martinez, on the other hand, can just fade away into the wind 🫢🫢🫢
a huge thank you to st martins press and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! I can’t wait for y’all to read this one in august!!!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: south africa pinotage
after absolutely falling in love with megan goldin after I read THE NIGHT SWIM, I’ve been an avid reader of hers ever since, and I especially loved following up on the MC from the night swim, rachel krall!
this one, unlike rachel’s first story, was definitely not as intriguing, gut-wrenching, or heart-pounding. I still flew through it in two days, but I found myself wanting more and more depth to the characters and the story, which ended in a semi-predictable way for me.
and let’s not even discuss the random romance side story that was thrown in there because what the frick was that?! 🥴🥴🥴
the background for the plot, focusing on influencers and prison breaks, was so unique that I was expecting a flying out of left field finish with multiple plot twists. and … I didn’t get it … 🥲
the pace was quick and easy to follow, but I was disappointed that the direction of the ultimate plot ended in a stereotypical thriller trope. and maybe that’s on me for reading too many thrillers and expecting a new outcome each time 🫠
BUT I had a wild time reading this one, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where megan takes rachel krall next because boy, does this chick need therapy my goodness
and I want more of terrance and maddison pls make them sidekicks to her podcast I loved their stories!!! martinez, on the other hand, can just fade away into the wind 🫢🫢🫢
a huge thank you to st martins press and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! I can’t wait for y’all to read this one in august!!!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: south africa pinotage
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement and Drug abuse
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