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magicsarah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
the_heather_martin's review against another edition
2.0
Thrillers are my favorite genre. I don’t bother trying to figure out the mysteries bc I know the author isn’t going to give us all the information. So it pains me a little to give this book 2 stars. But it was just such a disappointment!! I was totally hooked by the initial break in. I was intrigued by the creepy chalet and then a mysterious clock. But I struggled with the large cast of characters. I had a notes app file to keep them straight. I even liked most of the plot points and the final escape was riveting but the explanation for who dun it was anti-climactic. And the clock, water and the smoke premonitions were never really explained, which really frustrated me. Overall, just not worth it.
mangana's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
readswithrin's review against another edition
4.0
kinda slow in some places, but a good story. the only thing that really bothered me was that the chapters were like 11 PAGES LONG!
amismith's review against another edition
fast-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
0.25
The thing that bothered me most was the writing. This author hasn’t heart of show not tell. After every piece of dialogue, it felt like the author over explained the dialogue and thoughts of the protagonist. Also the protagonist was kind of a judgemental bitch but also kinda spineless too? Idk it wasn’t done in a way that felt purposeful or intentional, I just wasn’t on her side. Also every character is very flat which made such a long book about a mystery between a certain number of characters very dull. Their relationships to one another and individual personalities should have been paramount to the novel but I don’t think this was done skilfully.
I think this author could benefit from a really good editor. Cut out all the crap and make the novel more concise and filled with tension. Due to the over explaining of EVERYTHING all tension was lost and I just wanted it to end.
I think this author could benefit from a really good editor. Cut out all the crap and make the novel more concise and filled with tension. Due to the over explaining of EVERYTHING all tension was lost and I just wanted it to end.
stephreadsit's review against another edition
5.0
I truly loved this book and enjoyed it from cover to cover. I felt it was different from most other thrillers/mysteries I’ve read and enjoyed the slightly supernatural aspect thrown in with the grandfather clock mystery. I really liked the characters and the interactions between them. I also felt like I was there at the chalet with them because of the incredibly descriptive writing which I just loved. This book kept me guessing up until the very end and I loved the small sub-mysteries in addition to the main/big mystery of the story. I also enjoyed
the thoughts and inner dialogue of the main character, Emily, that were thrown in. It wrapped up perfectly in the end. I can’t wait to read more of Lexie Elliott’s books!
the thoughts and inner dialogue of the main character, Emily, that were thrown in. It wrapped up perfectly in the end. I can’t wait to read more of Lexie Elliott’s books!
emilyctrigg's review against another edition
There is a TON of discussion about IVF and how a secondary character has gone through 5 failed IVF rounds and is currently waiting on another. As someone who is about to go through her first round of IVF after 2 years of infertility, I just can't handle this right now. I may come back to it later, but my heart simply can't take it at the moment.
lynguy1's review against another edition
3.0
Great characterization and atmosphere are highlights in Lexie Elliott’s latest novel, Bright and Deadly Things. Emily Rivers, a recently widowed Oxford don is one of the few invitees to a remote mountaintop retreat in the French Alps. The chalet has no electricity or running water, but does offer the opportunities to hike, read, work, and hopefully, heal. Among those attending are some friends as well as other fellows, graduates, and undergraduates.
However, things start inauspiciously for Emily. She misses her flight, and returns home to an intruder. Upon finally reaching the chalet, there are tensions among the guests and competition for a newly opened position leads to an antagonistic attitude between several of the attendees. When a student disappears, Emily knows she needs to determine who is telling the truth and who is lying.
The author does a great job of giving readers a sense of each character in the book. Their complex traits are shown to the reader through actions and words, not by telling. Several go through a transformation during the course of the storyline. Emily is a strong but vulnerable protagonist that readers can easily get behind.
The premise for this novel was good. However, the writing style resulted in uneven pacing for me with several slow spots. Despite this, the atmosphere and setting are almost alive. I could easily envision the chalet and the surrounding mountains, valleys, and walking trails.
The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. The plot is intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but the sense of urgency wasn’t at the level I expected. The plot has multiple suspects with realistic motives. Additionally, there are several twists and a few surprises along the way to keep readers engaged. I enjoyed the threads woven into the plot that gave clues of things to be unraveled, if a careful reader notices them. However, the ending is wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly. I felt the jump of a few months at the very end of the novel needed a few more details. Themes include disappearances, grief, competition for jobs, work and personal relationships, trust, greed, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this novel was entertaining with characters that are emotionally rich. The descriptive narrative transported me to the French Alps. The chalet in this novel is real and the author’s note tells readers a little about it.
Berkley Publishing Group and Lexie Elliott provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be February 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.09 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
However, things start inauspiciously for Emily. She misses her flight, and returns home to an intruder. Upon finally reaching the chalet, there are tensions among the guests and competition for a newly opened position leads to an antagonistic attitude between several of the attendees. When a student disappears, Emily knows she needs to determine who is telling the truth and who is lying.
The author does a great job of giving readers a sense of each character in the book. Their complex traits are shown to the reader through actions and words, not by telling. Several go through a transformation during the course of the storyline. Emily is a strong but vulnerable protagonist that readers can easily get behind.
The premise for this novel was good. However, the writing style resulted in uneven pacing for me with several slow spots. Despite this, the atmosphere and setting are almost alive. I could easily envision the chalet and the surrounding mountains, valleys, and walking trails.
The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. The plot is intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but the sense of urgency wasn’t at the level I expected. The plot has multiple suspects with realistic motives. Additionally, there are several twists and a few surprises along the way to keep readers engaged. I enjoyed the threads woven into the plot that gave clues of things to be unraveled, if a careful reader notices them. However, the ending is wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly. I felt the jump of a few months at the very end of the novel needed a few more details. Themes include disappearances, grief, competition for jobs, work and personal relationships, trust, greed, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this novel was entertaining with characters that are emotionally rich. The descriptive narrative transported me to the French Alps. The chalet in this novel is real and the author’s note tells readers a little about it.
Berkley Publishing Group and Lexie Elliott provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be February 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 3.09 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.