c0d3nam3qt's review against another edition
3.25
I really enjoyed the characters, atmosphere, writing style, and initial setup, but the ending fell super flat and made the whole book seem silly.
katie_lacour's review against another edition
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot line of this book is so crazy it’s almost believable. Theo, a law school dropout and aspiring author, meets and becomes friends with published author Dan. Dan’s experience and insight has Theo well on the path to finishing her book and getting published when Theo finds Dan, dead. Now Theo, her roommate lawyer brother, and “researcher” Mac (with his odd family) must find out who the real killer is when everyone is too eager to look at the trio.
The plot line of this book is so crazy it’s almost believable. Theo, a law school dropout and aspiring author, meets and becomes friends with published author Dan. Dan’s experience and insight has Theo well on the path to finishing her book and getting published when Theo finds Dan, dead. Now Theo, her roommate lawyer brother, and “researcher” Mac (with his odd family) must find out who the real killer is when everyone is too eager to look at the trio.
I enjoyed how the book shows how the manipulation of one person’s story can change an entire narrative.
Reading about the story in Lawrence was surreal and cool as someone who has lived there; the depiction was pretty spot on and I liked how the author contrasted leftist lawrence with the far right conspiracy theorists.
The depiction of ideology was humorous and ominous but also I felt like it could have been really cool to show it even more from an insider perspective to almost convince the reader and “radicalize” them.
I was definitely bouncing between character to character to see who the murderer was. Any good mystery book should have you paranoid to the culprit and the author successfully accomplished this!
Sometimes the characters seemed a bit dumb and gullible but in some ways it was enjoyable because it was a classic moment where the audience is shouting at the fictional characters “don’t trust them!!!” However, Theo in particular was too trusting and naïve to me considering her friend had just been murdered.
The outsider Australian perspective on guns and the far right was funny to me. Furthermore, the inclusion of cults was so interesting (Mac’s family, theo’s parents, and minotaur).
At the end, would have been nice to have more closure or have a more fleshed out conclusion. I’m not sure if I enjoyed the romance, as it felt somewhat like an afterthought. If there was more leading up to it I would have enjoyed it more, but otherwise it felt a little goofy for the instant bonding—although of course there is a trauma bond to consider.
The police was so useless which was so irritating, while I know the police might not be that effective in real life it seemed unbelievable just how useless they were! But again, this helps to add to the plot and build the tension of the storyline.
I enjoyed this murder mystery, and I would definitely be interested in reading more books by the author!
CW: Childhood SA, Gaslighting, Cults, Murder, Guns, and Abduction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Murder
abookeachday's review against another edition
4.0
Just finished my early copy from @netgalley and omg 😲 What a ride. I really love how @sularigentill uses just the right amount of Australian references in novels set in the US, it's such a great balance of familiarity and otherness.
The mystery was really good in this once it all got going. I will admit I was very curious at the beginning where it was all heading but wow, big reveals and craziness to end. Love a book about books 📚
The mystery was really good in this once it all got going. I will admit I was very curious at the beginning where it was all heading but wow, big reveals and craziness to end. Love a book about books 📚
selenat's review against another edition
4.75
Theo is an aspiring author who is taking a break from her schooling to become a lawyer in order to pursue her dream. Her brother, Gus offers her a place to stay in Lawrence, Kansas and she soon finds herself a regular at the café/bar, Benders where she works away at her writing.
She makes some new friends at Benders, one in particular is a man she finds out to be famous author, Dan Murdoch. When her new friend is found brutally murdered, however, her life becomes a whirlwind of chaos and conspiracy theories.
I had the please of reading an ARC of this book. I've really come to enjoy Gentill's storytelling. I find she has a way to not give away the twists in her books.
I didn't want to put this one down. I felt like the story was like a runaway train, continually picking up speed. I dont know if I could have predicted where the story actually ends up.
Highly recommended!
She makes some new friends at Benders, one in particular is a man she finds out to be famous author, Dan Murdoch. When her new friend is found brutally murdered, however, her life becomes a whirlwind of chaos and conspiracy theories.
I had the please of reading an ARC of this book. I've really come to enjoy Gentill's storytelling. I find she has a way to not give away the twists in her books.
I didn't want to put this one down. I felt like the story was like a runaway train, continually picking up speed. I dont know if I could have predicted where the story actually ends up.
Highly recommended!
gpapish's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
hannahmci's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
joycerl's review
5.0
I love mysteries and thrillers.This is a great collection of essays by mystery authors.Its a mixed bag,definitely not predictable.The essays are short so it keeps your interest.
Thankyou Netgalley for this arc
Thankyou Netgalley for this arc
3no7's review
5.0
“Private Investigations” is a must-have anthology for every mystery reader, the ultimate book for fans. This collection is uniquely compelling because the stories and essays are from twenty renowned writers who “make up” things for a living. However, these are not “made up” stories. These are personal stories, written from the heart. They are thought provoking, personal glimpses into the lives of favorite writers.
Writers recount growing up, going to libraries, achieving success, and adjusting to trauma. They share the mystery and power of words and the importance of learning words. Through words on a page, they create worlds of place and time that extend beyond the printed page.
“Private Investigations” consists of personal stories, amusing stories, and stories that make readers think. I was given a copy of” Private Investigations” from Perseus Books, Seal Press, Hachette Book Group, and Victoria Zackheim, editor of the collection. Anthologies allow a reader to finish a quick and compelling story all in one sitting, but these stories will keep readers keep reading until the end.
Writers recount growing up, going to libraries, achieving success, and adjusting to trauma. They share the mystery and power of words and the importance of learning words. Through words on a page, they create worlds of place and time that extend beyond the printed page.
“Private Investigations” consists of personal stories, amusing stories, and stories that make readers think. I was given a copy of” Private Investigations” from Perseus Books, Seal Press, Hachette Book Group, and Victoria Zackheim, editor of the collection. Anthologies allow a reader to finish a quick and compelling story all in one sitting, but these stories will keep readers keep reading until the end.
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