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constant_reader_19's review
3.0
3.5 stars. A pretty good psychological thriller. I found some of the characters annoying and a few twists in the plot predictable. Overall, not a bad read....definitely entertaining.
tobyyy's review
3.0
This was a fairly different thriller that revolved around relationships - but in a foreign country with the addition of a mob boss and a bottomless cave. It was somewhat melodramatic and not entirely believable - it appeared to be very soap opera-esque in style - but despite this, it was enjoyable.
I wasn’t blown away by it, however, and at times my attention did wander. Not one of the best thrillers I’ve read, but I would recommend this to diehard fans of thrillers and psychological suspense.
I wasn’t blown away by it, however, and at times my attention did wander. Not one of the best thrillers I’ve read, but I would recommend this to diehard fans of thrillers and psychological suspense.
spookyemily's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
2.0
nightshade_novels's review against another edition
4.0
This book had me hooked by page 40, I just had to know what happened. You think progress is being made and then halfway through things get completely crazy! The ending was satisfying though with all of the mysteries resolved.
Quinn is an American exchange student living with a French family. She has just woken up in hospital after a hit and run with no memories and her exchange family are missing. Molly is a journalist who takes an interest in Quinn's story and rapidly becomes more involved than she intended.
The story is mostly told from Molly's point of view, with excerpts from Quinn's blog and video diary spaced out throughout the book giving us a look at things from her point of view, while slowly revealing more of what happened.
This book is really well written, getting you invested in the lives of it's characters. At times you want to scream at them for being so stupid, at others you are cheering them on, always you want to know what on earth happened! It is a perfect mix of mystery and creepy goings on.
Quinn is an American exchange student living with a French family. She has just woken up in hospital after a hit and run with no memories and her exchange family are missing. Molly is a journalist who takes an interest in Quinn's story and rapidly becomes more involved than she intended.
The story is mostly told from Molly's point of view, with excerpts from Quinn's blog and video diary spaced out throughout the book giving us a look at things from her point of view, while slowly revealing more of what happened.
This book is really well written, getting you invested in the lives of it's characters. At times you want to scream at them for being so stupid, at others you are cheering them on, always you want to know what on earth happened! It is a perfect mix of mystery and creepy goings on.
cynsfictionaddiction's review
4.0
“The American Girl” by Kate Horsley is an intriguing thriller about American exchange student Quinn Perkins who gets wrapped up in the secrets of a small French town. The host family, the Blavettes, consist of a former school headmistress and mother of two teenage children – Noémie and Raphael.
This noir novel begins with Quinn running and stumbling out of the woods naked only to be hit by a car when she finally makes it to the road. The mystery around her appearance and the fact that she’s a foreign exchange student quickly creates buzz and makes headlines around the world, bringing journalist Molly Swift to town desperate for a scoop. Pretending to be Quinn’s aunt, Molly and Quinn bond and quickly develop a sort of closeness in which Molly anxiously tries to solve the case in hopes of absolving Quinn.
Consistently switching between Molly’s perspective and Quinn’s, as well as piecing together former posts from Quinn’s blog, the reader is given insight into what drives these two characters while trying to piece together the mystery of what happened to Quinn in the woods and why the Blavettes all disappeared.
One of the most interesting aspects is that this novel is inspired by a true-crime case making it that much more disturbing and realistic. In fact, just last week a 19-year old American exchange student was found dead in Rome (The Guardian). Horsley’s novel is not only relevant, but extremely disconcerting to think about because most people equate exchange programs with school, adventure, and opportunity. No one ever thinks about the potential dangers lurking in a foreign country surrounded by complete strangers.
From the style to the content, this book keeps you guessing until the very end and is a definite must-read for anyone who likes a good mystery.
For this post and more, please visit: https://thebookbasics.wordpress.com/
This noir novel begins with Quinn running and stumbling out of the woods naked only to be hit by a car when she finally makes it to the road. The mystery around her appearance and the fact that she’s a foreign exchange student quickly creates buzz and makes headlines around the world, bringing journalist Molly Swift to town desperate for a scoop. Pretending to be Quinn’s aunt, Molly and Quinn bond and quickly develop a sort of closeness in which Molly anxiously tries to solve the case in hopes of absolving Quinn.
Consistently switching between Molly’s perspective and Quinn’s, as well as piecing together former posts from Quinn’s blog, the reader is given insight into what drives these two characters while trying to piece together the mystery of what happened to Quinn in the woods and why the Blavettes all disappeared.
One of the most interesting aspects is that this novel is inspired by a true-crime case making it that much more disturbing and realistic. In fact, just last week a 19-year old American exchange student was found dead in Rome (The Guardian). Horsley’s novel is not only relevant, but extremely disconcerting to think about because most people equate exchange programs with school, adventure, and opportunity. No one ever thinks about the potential dangers lurking in a foreign country surrounded by complete strangers.
From the style to the content, this book keeps you guessing until the very end and is a definite must-read for anyone who likes a good mystery.
For this post and more, please visit: https://thebookbasics.wordpress.com/
readingrosie's review
3.0
Pro-tip: When you're writing a book, don't name your main character after a Shonda Rhimes anti-hero. It's not a good look. This book fell flat in other areas too. A lot of the plot didn't hold together. For example, it wasn't clear what happens to the exchange students after Raphel's through with them, but either they go missing or they go home. In the first case, ppl should be really suspicious of the Blavettes and not send them anymore exchange students. In the other case, someone out of the tons of exchange students, would end up reporting Raphael for rape. But nothing happens!
There were other things, too. Noemie's reaction to Quinn in the caves was really forced. Molly was SUCH a Gillian Flynn knock-off, it was ridiculous. I know a lot of people liked this book, but it really wasn't my thing. Also, an American really should have read this book before it was published in order to replace all those "torches" with "flashlights" and "I've nots" with "I haven'ts." There were definitely parts I liked. The wall with all those different girls ("Italian girl", "German girl", etc.) was chilling. The dunking game and the entire pool really captured bored teenagers. Emilie and Raphael were fascinating to read about, and the gas room in Les Yeux did hold some creep factor. Still, I'm going to go reread Gone Girl to cleanse my palate.
There were other things, too. Noemie's reaction to Quinn in the caves was really forced. Molly was SUCH a Gillian Flynn knock-off, it was ridiculous. I know a lot of people liked this book, but it really wasn't my thing. Also, an American really should have read this book before it was published in order to replace all those "torches" with "flashlights" and "I've nots" with "I haven'ts." There were definitely parts I liked. The wall with all those different girls ("Italian girl", "German girl", etc.) was chilling. The dunking game and the entire pool really captured bored teenagers. Emilie and Raphael were fascinating to read about, and the gas room in Les Yeux did hold some creep factor. Still, I'm going to go reread Gone Girl to cleanse my palate.
mollslol's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Violence
beckylej's review
4.0
Quinn Perkins expected her months as an exchange student in France to be an adventure and a learning experience. But instead it turned out to be a nightmare. At the end of July, the American is found injured and comatose after stumbling her way out of the woods and into the road. The family hosting her has been declared missing and Quinn, when she does awaken, has no memory of what's happened.
Molly Swift has been sent to France to cover Quinn's story. When she's mistaken as a relative of Quinn's, she's given exclusive access to the girl and her case. And even as guilt regarding her lies begins to weigh on her, she realizes she's Quinn's only real ally. This becomes even more true as the tide turns against the girl now at the center of everyone's attention.
Ooh, readers! I absolutely loved this book! The twists, the pacing, the characters, and the fabulous ominous tone that encompasses the whole thing made it oh so deliciously wonderful to dive into.
Quinn has amnesia. But we do have flashback chapters from her blog posts while she's been staying in France. And those posts show that all is definitely not sunny and fabulous with her host family.
If she's to be trusted, that is.
Chapters alternate between Quinn's present with the video journal her therapist has asked her to put together, Quinn's past - the blog posts mentioned above - and Molly Swift, a journalist who's task is basically to highlight cases in which the police have fumbled and proved to be inadequate.
Molly is an interesting character. She has a somewhat dark past, which means she's willing to do pretty much anything to get her story (breaking and entering especially). And she proves to be a good person for Quinn to have in her corner, even if she's gotten there by less than honest means. I kind of loved her and really loved seeing the story unfold through her eyes.
The American Girl is a wonderfully atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing. I was glad it was a bit on the longer side, too, considering how much fun I was having trying to figure out where Horsley was taking Quinn and Molly next.
Molly Swift has been sent to France to cover Quinn's story. When she's mistaken as a relative of Quinn's, she's given exclusive access to the girl and her case. And even as guilt regarding her lies begins to weigh on her, she realizes she's Quinn's only real ally. This becomes even more true as the tide turns against the girl now at the center of everyone's attention.
Ooh, readers! I absolutely loved this book! The twists, the pacing, the characters, and the fabulous ominous tone that encompasses the whole thing made it oh so deliciously wonderful to dive into.
Quinn has amnesia. But we do have flashback chapters from her blog posts while she's been staying in France. And those posts show that all is definitely not sunny and fabulous with her host family.
If she's to be trusted, that is.
Chapters alternate between Quinn's present with the video journal her therapist has asked her to put together, Quinn's past - the blog posts mentioned above - and Molly Swift, a journalist who's task is basically to highlight cases in which the police have fumbled and proved to be inadequate.
Molly is an interesting character. She has a somewhat dark past, which means she's willing to do pretty much anything to get her story (breaking and entering especially). And she proves to be a good person for Quinn to have in her corner, even if she's gotten there by less than honest means. I kind of loved her and really loved seeing the story unfold through her eyes.
The American Girl is a wonderfully atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing. I was glad it was a bit on the longer side, too, considering how much fun I was having trying to figure out where Horsley was taking Quinn and Molly next.
literaryfeline's review
4.0
My review was originally published on my blog for a TLC Tour. Book provided by publisher for an honest review. http://www.literaryfeline.com/2016/08/bookish-thoughts-american-girl-by-kate.html
The American Girl by Kate Horsley
William Morrow, 2016
Crime Fiction; 352 pgs
It's an intriguing plot line straight from the headlines: an American teenager living in another country with little to no memory of what's happened to herself or the missing host family. Add to the mix a journalist who becomes entangled in the girl's current situation. Told from the perspective of the journalist, Molly Swift, and through blog posts written and video recorded by the girl, Quinn Perkins, The American Girl is a layered thriller that takes some dark and interesting turns.
St. Roch is a suffering coastal town in France, beautiful but with its heyday long behind it. When Quinn wanders out of the woods, battered, only to be hit by a car that takes off without stopping, her story becomes an international sensation. All eyes turn to St. Roch as people try to piece together what happened. Then when it is realized her entire French host family is missing, suspicions are raised. Did she have something to do with their disappearance? Everyone wants to know, including Boston journalist Molly Swift who works for American Confessional, a podcast specializing sensationalized news stories.
Molly stumbles into a way to get close to Quinn, taking advantage of the lax security in the hospital where Quinn is staying. Molly takes an instant liking to the girl, seeing something of herself in her. She feels bad for Quinn whose father seems to have no interest in her, even given her situation, too tied up in his new family. In many ways, Quinn seems like a typical teenage girl. She is insecure and has a crush on a college boy. The more the reader learns about Quinn and the Blavettes, the family Quinn was staying with in France, it becomes clear there is more there than what first meets the eye.
Even despite Molly's questionable ethics, I couldn't help but like her. There was just something about her protectiveness of Quinn and her persistence to find the truth that endeared me to her. I felt for Quinn, although I never completely warmed to her. Given her home life, Quinn was already vulnerable, and then throw her into an unstable situation with the Blavettes who have their own problems--and secrets.
The American Girl tackles serious and relevant issues of today. I felt the author did a good job of showing how easily it can be for someone in a vulnerable position to fall prey to being taken advantage of and victimized. In addition, the author captures the tone of today's social media polarization, with people on social media so quick to jump on a story, even before all the details are out; act as judge and jury to those who come under scrutiny, sympathies changing so easily; and how easily things can be manipulated and get out of control.
Author Kate Horsley takes the novel in a direction I had not quite expected. It is a layered and complex novel. The pieces fall into place pretty quickly towards the end of the novel, although the details are not as fleshed out as I might have liked. Even before that though, there were moments in which my suspension of disbelief was stretched to the edge. However, I found The American Girl to be an engrossing and suspenseful novel over all.
The American Girl by Kate Horsley
William Morrow, 2016
Crime Fiction; 352 pgs
It's an intriguing plot line straight from the headlines: an American teenager living in another country with little to no memory of what's happened to herself or the missing host family. Add to the mix a journalist who becomes entangled in the girl's current situation. Told from the perspective of the journalist, Molly Swift, and through blog posts written and video recorded by the girl, Quinn Perkins, The American Girl is a layered thriller that takes some dark and interesting turns.
St. Roch is a suffering coastal town in France, beautiful but with its heyday long behind it. When Quinn wanders out of the woods, battered, only to be hit by a car that takes off without stopping, her story becomes an international sensation. All eyes turn to St. Roch as people try to piece together what happened. Then when it is realized her entire French host family is missing, suspicions are raised. Did she have something to do with their disappearance? Everyone wants to know, including Boston journalist Molly Swift who works for American Confessional, a podcast specializing sensationalized news stories.
Molly stumbles into a way to get close to Quinn, taking advantage of the lax security in the hospital where Quinn is staying. Molly takes an instant liking to the girl, seeing something of herself in her. She feels bad for Quinn whose father seems to have no interest in her, even given her situation, too tied up in his new family. In many ways, Quinn seems like a typical teenage girl. She is insecure and has a crush on a college boy. The more the reader learns about Quinn and the Blavettes, the family Quinn was staying with in France, it becomes clear there is more there than what first meets the eye.
Even despite Molly's questionable ethics, I couldn't help but like her. There was just something about her protectiveness of Quinn and her persistence to find the truth that endeared me to her. I felt for Quinn, although I never completely warmed to her. Given her home life, Quinn was already vulnerable, and then throw her into an unstable situation with the Blavettes who have their own problems--and secrets.
The American Girl tackles serious and relevant issues of today. I felt the author did a good job of showing how easily it can be for someone in a vulnerable position to fall prey to being taken advantage of and victimized. In addition, the author captures the tone of today's social media polarization, with people on social media so quick to jump on a story, even before all the details are out; act as judge and jury to those who come under scrutiny, sympathies changing so easily; and how easily things can be manipulated and get out of control.
Author Kate Horsley takes the novel in a direction I had not quite expected. It is a layered and complex novel. The pieces fall into place pretty quickly towards the end of the novel, although the details are not as fleshed out as I might have liked. Even before that though, there were moments in which my suspension of disbelief was stretched to the edge. However, I found The American Girl to be an engrossing and suspenseful novel over all.