chantelreadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This novel revolves around the trial of the narrators son, Jacob, who has been accused of murdering his classmate. Made somewhat more interesting by the behind the scenes look at this family's implosion, and the reveal of the narrators hidden family secrets. My opinion was that this was the typical, predictable courtroom drama....until the end completely blindsided me. How far would you go to protect your child from others, or himself?
mlindsey441's review against another edition
2.0
What is this? The 3rd 2 star or less rating in a row? I've got to find myself a good book here before I give up reading for a few months.
The book gets stars because I couldn't put it down. I read and read and read and read. It moves fast and there is just enough foreshadowing to let the reader know that all is not as it appears. And for much of the book, the writing is good and the pacing even. The book moves back and forth in time and this feature adds to the tension felt by the reader -- that tension that tempts some of us readers to look to the end. I didn't, but I wish I would have. Because I would have quit before I wasted my day on this book. The book ends abruptly in the worst possible way. It has one of those lazy endings that don't quite feel fair to a reader who has invested 400 pages into the characters. If the author had to stay within a certain page limit, I would have preferred less in the middle and more into the ending. If it had to end as it did, I needed way more to make it satisfying. Instead, I felt cheated and very disappointed. The book does lend itself to lots of discussion questions for book clubs, which might have something to do with its popularity. But for independent readers like myself, I'd give it a resounding, "No, thanks."
The book gets stars because I couldn't put it down. I read and read and read and read. It moves fast and there is just enough foreshadowing to let the reader know that all is not as it appears. And for much of the book, the writing is good and the pacing even. The book moves back and forth in time and this feature adds to the tension felt by the reader -- that tension that tempts some of us readers to look to the end. I didn't, but I wish I would have. Because I would have quit before I wasted my day on this book. The book ends abruptly in the worst possible way. It has one of those lazy endings that don't quite feel fair to a reader who has invested 400 pages into the characters. If the author had to stay within a certain page limit, I would have preferred less in the middle and more into the ending. If it had to end as it did, I needed way more to make it satisfying. Instead, I felt cheated and very disappointed. The book does lend itself to lots of discussion questions for book clubs, which might have something to do with its popularity. But for independent readers like myself, I'd give it a resounding, "No, thanks."
brynebo's review against another edition
3.0
Bogged down in the details at times; my attention wavered. Disturbing ending too, which is not my bag.
berlynreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.25
lauramarie83's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
segza's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, more books like this, please! Great pace, good suspense, well developed characters, totally believably unbelievable end.
snowbenton's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked the tv show better, but this was still really good. I loved the psychology of it.