The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
xmeganlowe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Such a unique story and a great two mysteries. There was never a point where I thought I had it figured out cause you never knew who to trust!! More and more secrets came to light as the book went on and the end was a MAJOR plot twist.Â
I didnât give it 5 stars because it was a little tough to get into in the beginning as it read a little slow as you gathered the background on the characters. At times, it felt like the pandemic was irrelevant to the story but at the end I do see how that made sense because it really gives you the understanding of the state of society.Â
I didnât give it 5 stars because it was a little tough to get into in the beginning as it read a little slow as you gathered the background on the characters. At times, it felt like the pandemic was irrelevant to the story but at the end I do see how that made sense because it really gives you the understanding of the state of society.Â
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Murder, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, Racism, Racial slurs, Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, and Kidnapping
3readingcircus's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Stalking
Moderate: Grief, Dementia, Gaslighting, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Gun violence
Minor: Cancer, Deportation, and Racial slurs
braveprincess11's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4 1/2 âď¸
An obituary writer returns to the island where her family was murdered 19 years earlier, and ends up entangled in a new string of âmysterious deaths.â
This is my first novel by Rachel Howell Hall, and it certainly wonât be my last. This is such a fresh take on what I would describe as a domestic thriller - it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Opening the book with Colletteâs own obituary, and then beginning each chapter with the current date and time created a sense of urgency parallel to the urgency felt from the increasing body count in Avalon. The entire time, we as readers, are able to count down the days left in Colletteâs life right alongside her, adding to the tension. Her use of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic to create forced proximity, establishing a reason why Collette isnât able to flee Catalina Island, is one that I havenât seen before. The amount of misdirection and red herrings throughout the book made it so that I was suspicious of everyone Colette came into contact with, and yet the reveal was still a total surprise.Â
The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star book for me, bumping it down to 4 1/2, is that the ending felt a bit rushed. The transition from the final chapter to the epilogue was somewhat jarring, with everything suddenly neat and tidy - no more deaths, no more corruption, justice served, penance repaid.Â
It also was a bit too convenient for me that both Flynn and Noah survived. Noah in particular, especially after bleeding out in the cellar for an unspecified amount of time. Fighting for his life, maybe. But ârecoveringâ felt like a choice made specifically so that Colette could still have one more stable and happy thing after her harrowing experience. I understand why it was done, it just wasnât a choice I would have made.
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, Racial slurs, and Gun violence
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