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epellicci's review against another edition
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
3.5
Crime and mysteries are not normally my genre, but I was intrigued by The Appeal because of Hallett's use of personal correspondence to tell the story. Told mainly through email and text conversations, The Appeal has a gossipy, TV drama feel to it which gives it fast pacing. I really enjoyed the short passages, and that information - and a feel for the communities relationships - came in pieces, correspondence by correspondence. The visual element of the book also helped to bring this to life and give the characters dimension. Hallett's writing is clever, and layers up tension and suspicion subtlety around a substantial cast of characters and leaving you beginning to suspect nothing in the village is quite what it seems. It made the book completely absorbing.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the ending. The Appeal is a web of information and its characters form a complex social hierarchy which slowly begins to break down over the course of the book. Not just a suspenseful mystery, it provides a critical look at a tight-knit community, social power, and status. However it doesn't examine how the events of the case would rock the village in its aftermath. My investment in the characters extended into their hierarchy, and as the story drew to an end and the crimes where exposed I found myself disappointed with with the way this thread of the book was cut. For me, it was one of the most interesting aspects of the story and without it the big reveal felt like it was missing something. Despite this, The Appeal is fantastically written. I read it in two sittings, totally drawn in by the daily tribe politics and unravelling scandal.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the ending. The Appeal is a web of information and its characters form a complex social hierarchy which slowly begins to break down over the course of the book. Not just a suspenseful mystery, it provides a critical look at a tight-knit community, social power, and status. However it doesn't examine how the events of the case would rock the village in its aftermath. My investment in the characters extended into their hierarchy, and as the story drew to an end and the crimes where exposed I found myself disappointed with with the way this thread of the book was cut. For me, it was one of the most interesting aspects of the story and without it the big reveal felt like it was missing something. Despite this, The Appeal is fantastically written. I read it in two sittings, totally drawn in by the daily tribe politics and unravelling scandal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Chronic illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Minor: Violence and Murder
kstericker's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THIS RIPS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
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