outrojulia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Murder, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
tara_k13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Spoiler
the plot twist 3/4 of the way through just seemed a bit random and unnecessary, and I think the story would have been better without itSpoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
inmidnights's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
The premise was really eye-catching. A murder mystery in a world where people only remember 24-48 hours of their life! I remember holding this book in my hands, wondering if most of my day’s salary would be worth this—after all, this was such a high concept. Unfortunately, what I was most looking forward to—the world building of this unique concept—practically did not exist. Almost everything is the same as reality, except for the memory hook, which the characters get around by writing in their diaries. Unless, of course, they randomly remembered things to push the plot, with no rhyme or reason on why these memories are suddenly remembered when the premise is that they! dont! retain! memories! Then there’s also the obvious scenario of tampering with diaries, writing different things (because literally no one is going to hold you liable esp if people can’t see you writing anyway), and characters not documenting their own days. Also, why bother writing when they can literally take videos of the day or take pictures throughout and just have a memory log via photos? Writing is time consuming, surely photos of daily life would both be easier logistically and would be great for memory keeping especially accompanied with a caption here and there? Steve Jobs wouldn't have been the billionaire he is just for an electronic diary, that should've gone to Becky Higgins' Project Life! Also, because everything was heavily based on diaries/the written word, how did their world evolve to have the same forensics, technology, as the real world when their scientists would have to reread and study the same (and a growing amount) of data every few days? Did that mean scientists retain more facts than other Duos? If so, wouldn’t a career in science be the ideal, instead of being a novelist?
The novel revolves around four characters: Mark, Claire, Sophia, and Hans. Mark and Claire are a married mono-duo pair, Sophia is the dead woman, and Hans is the lead investigator in her death. Because of the memory gimmick, of course none of their POVs can be trusted. I enjoyed the writing in the differences in voice and tone for each POV—Sophia being unhinged really came through, Hans’ insecurities and wariness in his chapters, Mark being your typical gross and powerful man, and Claire who is just trying.
This story has one of the most convoluted twists I’ve seen in a while. The author put in a lot of effort into attempting to surprise the reader, even if the execution of the crime is extremely unbelievable (you really have to suspend a LOT of disbelief to believe the events that took place that fateful night) and the results that should’ve been science based were lacking, but it passes because the investigator, with his own insecurities and secrets, did a very good but imperfect job because he was in a rush to solve the case (again, how did forensics and tech evolve so much that results are gotten in just one day?).
The ending ends on a more hopeful and romantic note than what a murder novel would.It’s definitely not a relationship I’d think of as romantic. But I do love how Claire and Hans persevere and work hard against the stereotypes set against them, and their respective career paths ending up where they did made my heart happy.
Overall, it was okay. I liked the differences in POV because they WERE different and I loved that I couldn’t trust anyone (even though the crime execution dampened my enjoyment in the end). I did not love the random memories conveniently appearing and the lack of world building, when the premise of the novel hinges on this very hook of 24-48 hour memory.
The novel revolves around four characters: Mark, Claire, Sophia, and Hans. Mark and Claire are a married mono-duo pair, Sophia is the dead woman, and Hans is the lead investigator in her death. Because of the memory gimmick, of course none of their POVs can be trusted. I enjoyed the writing in the differences in voice and tone for each POV—Sophia being unhinged really came through, Hans’ insecurities and wariness in his chapters, Mark being your typical gross and powerful man, and Claire who is just trying.
This story has one of the most convoluted twists I’ve seen in a while. The author put in a lot of effort into attempting to surprise the reader, even if the execution of the crime is extremely unbelievable (you really have to suspend a LOT of disbelief to believe the events that took place that fateful night) and the results that should’ve been science based were lacking, but it passes because the investigator, with his own insecurities and secrets, did a very good but imperfect job because he was in a rush to solve the case (again, how did forensics and tech evolve so much that results are gotten in just one day?).
The ending ends on a more hopeful and romantic note than what a murder novel would.
Spoiler
I have mixed feelings because I just really found Mark unlikeable—from his decisions at the start as a young man, to his choices of making decisions based on what he alone thought was best, to how he continues to look and treat Claire as less than, even as he thinks/says he loves her, with the realization at the end—he only acknowledges Claire as the talented person she is when she wins an award that he was never able to—which was four years after the murder and many, MANY years after their marriage.Overall, it was okay. I liked the differences in POV because they WERE different and I loved that I couldn’t trust anyone (even though the crime execution dampened my enjoyment in the end). I did not love the random memories conveniently appearing and the lack of world building, when the premise of the novel hinges on this very hook of 24-48 hour memory.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
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