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theediguy's review against another edition
3.0
Ultimately, there was not much of a plot when all was said and done.
the_hateful_reader's review against another edition
1.0
A murderous gerbil!? I wish! …
I read a review of this book that called it a diamond in the rough, making it seem like it was the best book she had ever read. I judge her.
This book was beyond awful. Weak plot with too many details on all the wrong things. Every character has multiple names/nicknames and every crisis is a giant misunderstanding surrounded by smoke and mirrors. Plus, this book had a repulsive and nauseating child abuse scene that did NOT require so much detail. Spoiler: The geriatric, disabled, catotonic, convalesced priest was able to climb out a window, run into the woods in the middle of the night and use a giant axe on a man half his age after strangling a woman. It would have been more believable if a hamster was the killer.
Do NOT recommend! I want my audible credit back.
I read a review of this book that called it a diamond in the rough, making it seem like it was the best book she had ever read. I judge her.
This book was beyond awful. Weak plot with too many details on all the wrong things. Every character has multiple names/nicknames and every crisis is a giant misunderstanding surrounded by smoke and mirrors. Plus, this book had a repulsive and nauseating child abuse scene that did NOT require so much detail. Spoiler: The geriatric, disabled, catotonic, convalesced priest was able to climb out a window, run into the woods in the middle of the night and use a giant axe on a man half his age after strangling a woman. It would have been more believable if a hamster was the killer.
Do NOT recommend! I want my audible credit back.
rehexen's review against another edition
3.0
A decent murder mystery with lots of heartstring-plucks regarding dementia. Beautifully narrated by Andrew Scott and Asa Butterfield. The climax may leave some unsatisfied and straddles the bounds of reason. I'd read another CJ Tudor novel though. Listened on Audible.
sorrel29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, and Murder
alli_grunk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
taylormayriley's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Pretty enjoyable, and certainly a page turner. With most murder mysteries, I can guess the murderer right off the bat. However, there are so many suspect characters that I had difficulty guessing with this one!
The narrator stays the same, but the narrative switches between 1986 and 2016. In 1986, the narrator is twelve and experiencing several events which change his life and haunt his dreams. In 2016, the narrator is forced to re-examine those events and question the assumptions he (and everyone else) made.
I'm looking forward to much more by this author.
Pretty enjoyable, and certainly a page turner. With most murder mysteries, I can guess the murderer right off the bat. However, there are so many suspect characters that I had difficulty guessing with this one!
The narrator stays the same, but the narrative switches between 1986 and 2016. In 1986, the narrator is twelve and experiencing several events which change his life and haunt his dreams. In 2016, the narrator is forced to re-examine those events and question the assumptions he (and everyone else) made.
I'm looking forward to much more by this author.
galaxiesofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
if this book was meant to scare the shit out of me then it actually failed. i was intrigued by Stephen King saying "if you like my stuff, you'll like this" on the cover, i guess i just had my expectations really high up. it failed. the story itself is so fucking good, unique and might be chilling to someone but i was reading it like a normal book. without any hard feelings. guess i'm not that easily scared as i thought i would be 😂 anyway, it was okay read to me. i love the fact that Tudor got mental ilnesses and hospital involved since i basically adore reading about it and i suppose this one is a good read for serial killer and confusing situation addicts, constantly thinking of whys, hows, whens, whos and stuff. definitely unique book but well, not impressed xx
darkskybooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very impressive debut. CJ Tudor generates a great atmosphere of intrigue, with a jumping timeline between childhood and the present and a slow unravelling of the truth behind events in the past. In The Chalk Man we follow the story of a group of friends, jumping between what happened in a summer break during their childhoods and their interactions today. During this summer these children happened to come across a body, and the impact of that had a profound impact on their relationship and the community they are in.
CJ Tudor effectively manages to blend these timelines to create an intriguing mystery that is slowly revealed. Her characters are sympathetic, varied and interesting. The community feels like a real living breathing community in the south of England, with the hypocrisy and pettiness that communities always hold. She has a nice easy reading prose
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read!
CJ Tudor effectively manages to blend these timelines to create an intriguing mystery that is slowly revealed. Her characters are sympathetic, varied and interesting. The community feels like a real living breathing community in the south of England, with the hypocrisy and pettiness that communities always hold. She has a nice easy reading prose
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read!