saraedavis's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt unnecessarily long. On one hand, I appreciate so many characters having a motive and opportunity. On the other, the story—while interesting—seemed to never end.
I could see this story being broken into a series of 2 or 3 books. One book of “before,” one book of the immediately after/ next 10 years and ending with the meeting with the reporter sharing new information, and a third book with the most recent events.
This would allow the details of motives/opportunities for multiple characters to remain while improving the pacing of the book.
I could see this story being broken into a series of 2 or 3 books. One book of “before,” one book of the immediately after/ next 10 years and ending with the meeting with the reporter sharing new information, and a third book with the most recent events.
This would allow the details of motives/opportunities for multiple characters to remain while improving the pacing of the book.
betcei's review against another edition
4.0
Hannah can't believe her luck, a place at Pelham and new friends who accept her as one of them. Her roommate April is the Best friend Hannah never had, and tragedy strikes. Hannah knows who did it, her words sent him to jail, but ten years later new to her information may change her mind. Did she really know her "friends"?
sheswell_read's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
sirq's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
janalee's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
michadoaboutnothing's review against another edition
3.0
Hannah has spent years trying to escape the night she found her best friend's body. But what happens if it turns out her testimony put away an innocent man? Is it her duty to find the truth?
This book had all of Ware's usual immersive and enjoyable writing style, but unfortunately the mystery was not up to her usual standard.
The structure and the potential was there; the pacing was good, the back and forth between past and present built up the tension really well, the atmosphere of both Oxforfd and Edinburgh were prevalent and used well throughout. The story, however, ended up falling flat.
The problem I think, lay in the suspects. Or rather the red herring that felt forced from the very start. I went back and forth on whether or not it could really be that obvious, but the problem was no other options were presented. Until the very end that is, where the reveal felt almost unjustified even in hindsight, purely there for shock factor.
This then, took away one of my favourite elements of a thriller, which is the guessing and the theorising throughout. I felt like there were not enough viable theories or suspects presented, despite ample opportunity within the dual timeline.
Overall, it was a quick read and Ware's writing style was able to carry me through it, but the ending ultimately dropped it to a three star.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.
This book had all of Ware's usual immersive and enjoyable writing style, but unfortunately the mystery was not up to her usual standard.
The structure and the potential was there; the pacing was good, the back and forth between past and present built up the tension really well, the atmosphere of both Oxforfd and Edinburgh were prevalent and used well throughout. The story, however, ended up falling flat.
The problem I think, lay in the suspects. Or rather the red herring that felt forced from the very start. I went back and forth on whether or not it could really be that obvious, but the problem was no other options were presented. Until the very end that is, where the reveal felt almost unjustified even in hindsight, purely there for shock factor.
This then, took away one of my favourite elements of a thriller, which is the guessing and the theorising throughout. I felt like there were not enough viable theories or suspects presented, despite ample opportunity within the dual timeline.
Overall, it was a quick read and Ware's writing style was able to carry me through it, but the ending ultimately dropped it to a three star.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.
lindaraiti70's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this was good! My first Ruth Ware and definitely not my last. It was the perfect read for me, a phycological thriller with a dark academia tropes. The storyline takes us to Pelham College, Oxford, we meet a group of young college students, where one ends up murdered. Told in past and present timelines mainly through protagonist Hannah’s POV, we follow her starting to question herself and the events of ten years ago. Is the person convicted of the murder really guilty? Twisty, fast paced, atmospheric with a dramatic climax that I didn’t guess. Highly recommended.
a_bookish_adventure's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic book by Ruth Ware! It's very suspenseful and the dual timeline helps build that suspense. I loved getting to know the characters, as well as the Oxford experience. The ending was dramatic, surprising, and ultimately satisfying. I loved the book! 4.5/5 stars