redwhiteandroyalreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I liked this one! Wrong Place Wrong Time was a big hit for me earlier this year, so this wasn't a surprise, but I'm glad I loved it so much. The best part of this was the twist around the middle of the book; it changed the whole story and was quite clever. I found the characters very easy to get invested in, the focus on parental relationships helped me to care about what was going to happen to all of them. I think that focus on parental relationships, which is also a feature of WPWT, makes the story feel more purposeful. The multiple POVs were another thing I liked about this because it gave the reader some variety and also a deeper understanding of the whole cast of characters. Overall, this was a really solid mystery with an interesting underlying message.
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
3.0
Rating 3.5/5
I am going to begin this review by imploring you to read the physical book if you can and avoid the audio because though I got there eventually, the way this was written can make the audiobook experience a bit confusing. Why? Because out of three perspectives, two of them are written in second-person, with the narrator addressing a "you" and it can be disorientating trying to figure out who they are speaking too/about.
I do not want to say anything about two of the perspectives as they could be potential spoilers
but we are primarily following Julia, A seasoned detective, who loves her job and prides herself on being a by-the-book detective, incorruptible.
Last year, however, she did something illegal to protect her daughter and now, her secrets are threating to come out. When a girl goes missing and Julia is put on her case, she is blackmailed and told she must get someone specific arrested for the crime, or her secret will be revealed, ruining her career and potentially sending both her and her daughter to jail.
How far is Julia willing to go to protect herself and her daughter?
Though I didn't find this one nearly as entertaining and engaging as Wrong Place, Wrong Time, I fully admit that likely could be a result of my audio-book experience. Like I said, Julia's perspective is told from a third-person vantage point, and then we abruptly switch to other narratives that are second-person. Now, I completely understand why Gillian McAllister chose to use these narration styles for these two characters. If you've read this book, you will no what I am talking about. And I will say no more about it. However, it could be a somewhat jarring experience while listening on audio.
What I did appreciate about the story, were the twists and how nothing was truly straightforward. You think this is a book about find a missing girl called Olivia Johnson, but ultimately, you're wrong. I thought the way Gillian McAllister wove the plot together was quite interesting and let in directions I wasn't expecting. There were a couple of solid twists near the middle of the book that took the story in an entirely different direction and very clever.
I definitely look forward to more from Gillian McAllister in the future.
I am going to begin this review by imploring you to read the physical book if you can and avoid the audio because though I got there eventually, the way this was written can make the audiobook experience a bit confusing. Why? Because out of three perspectives, two of them are written in second-person, with the narrator addressing a "you" and it can be disorientating trying to figure out who they are speaking too/about.
I do not want to say anything about two of the perspectives as they could be potential spoilers
but we are primarily following Julia, A seasoned detective, who loves her job and prides herself on being a by-the-book detective, incorruptible.
Last year, however, she did something illegal to protect her daughter and now, her secrets are threating to come out. When a girl goes missing and Julia is put on her case, she is blackmailed and told she must get someone specific arrested for the crime, or her secret will be revealed, ruining her career and potentially sending both her and her daughter to jail.
How far is Julia willing to go to protect herself and her daughter?
Though I didn't find this one nearly as entertaining and engaging as Wrong Place, Wrong Time, I fully admit that likely could be a result of my audio-book experience. Like I said, Julia's perspective is told from a third-person vantage point, and then we abruptly switch to other narratives that are second-person. Now, I completely understand why Gillian McAllister chose to use these narration styles for these two characters. If you've read this book, you will no what I am talking about. And I will say no more about it. However, it could be a somewhat jarring experience while listening on audio.
What I did appreciate about the story, were the twists and how nothing was truly straightforward. You think this is a book about find a missing girl called Olivia Johnson, but ultimately, you're wrong. I thought the way Gillian McAllister wove the plot together was quite interesting and let in directions I wasn't expecting. There were a couple of solid twists near the middle of the book that took the story in an entirely different direction and very clever.
I definitely look forward to more from Gillian McAllister in the future.
rmcumber's review against another edition
2.0
I do like this author, but feel like this storyline could have turned out a little more exciting. Not everything should be neatly wrapped. Also, my largest issue with her is that unrelated rambling inner monologue that goes on for 1+ pages after someone asks an important question…
evreardon's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.0
This didn’t have the same magic for me as Wrong Place, Wrong Time. Once I hit the twist, I definitely needed to see how it ended but it wasn’t my favorite.
cfodsmith's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
itsjustcassiee's review against another edition
5.0
I did not simply READ this book; I DEVOURED it. Page after page, twist after twist, revelation after revelation.
Olivia. 22. Last seen on CCTV entering a dead-end alley. She never comes back out.
Julia. Mother. Wife. DCI heading the investigation.
The request is simple: frame someone for the murder of the missing girl. When asked to do the unthinkable, DCI Julia Day must choose between her career and her daughter, an easy choice for the dedicated detective. But in the aftermath, a clock begins to tick. She must find out what happened to Olivia before the ripple of her choices are felt; and before it’s too late for her daughter.
Olivia. 22. Last seen on CCTV entering a dead-end alley. She never comes back out.
Julia. Mother. Wife. DCI heading the investigation.
The request is simple: frame someone for the murder of the missing girl. When asked to do the unthinkable, DCI Julia Day must choose between her career and her daughter, an easy choice for the dedicated detective. But in the aftermath, a clock begins to tick. She must find out what happened to Olivia before the ripple of her choices are felt; and before it’s too late for her daughter.
brookebomber's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0