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beingfacetious's review against another edition
5.0
ftr this is a VERY personal taste 5-star rating. If you are me, I highly recommend this.
ETA: I do not remember when I bought this or why, but it sat on my bookshelf for YEARS and I repeatedly came close to giving it to the library. Am so glad I didn't. Also, to be a LITTLE less vague, this one gives me Luther (and Alice) vibes.
ETA: I do not remember when I bought this or why, but it sat on my bookshelf for YEARS and I repeatedly came close to giving it to the library. Am so glad I didn't. Also, to be a LITTLE less vague, this one gives me Luther (and Alice) vibes.
bbckprpl's review against another edition
2.0
Just not a good fit, I guess. I wasn't feeling the suspense where I was supposed to, and I didn't invest much in the main characters (so whether they lived or not wasn't all that important to me). That's kind of a big deal, when you like the serial killer better than the 'good guys'. Truth was, I didn't feel much either way. :shrug: is basically my whole opinion of this book. Eh.
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
2.0
'Heart Sick' was gripping from the start for me, with a cast of strong, well-developed characters, a unique subplot and a classic - if somewhat weak/uninteresting - who-dunnit main plot.
For me the most interesting aspect of this novel was the relationship between Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell. The interspersed chapters describing Archie's torture at the hands of Gretchen were beautifully gruesome and compelling. The chemistry between Archie and Gretchen is hard to understand but came through the words on the page wonderfully. I felt as magnetically drawn to Gretchen as what Archie was.
Therefore at this point I would have given a 4 star review, and then something happened. Well, the ending happened, and I felt a disappointment so crushing that I wanted to drink drain cleaner.
Tenuous would be a positive description for the ending, unbelievable and weak would be the realistic description for this novel.
My disappointment was so consuming that I have given this book two stars, because it was 'ok' overall. Shame!
For me the most interesting aspect of this novel was the relationship between Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell. The interspersed chapters describing Archie's torture at the hands of Gretchen were beautifully gruesome and compelling. The chemistry between Archie and Gretchen is hard to understand but came through the words on the page wonderfully. I felt as magnetically drawn to Gretchen as what Archie was.
Therefore at this point I would have given a 4 star review, and then something happened. Well, the ending happened, and I felt a disappointment so crushing that I wanted to drink drain cleaner.
Tenuous would be a positive description for the ending, unbelievable and weak would be the realistic description for this novel.
My disappointment was so consuming that I have given this book two stars, because it was 'ok' overall. Shame!
rewwer157's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
stsylvester666's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a LONG time. I loved the twists and turns (and it doesn’t hurt that it’s based where I live). This book was enthralling and sickening all at once.
katiescho741's review against another edition
3.0
I don't usually read Crime Fiction, but I was drawn to this one when I learnt it had a twisted female serial killer who seemed to have this detective under her thumb. Gretchen is a brilliant character and I liked that she seemed to commit violence because she liked it. Detective Archie is the other side of her coin and he was interesting because of how super broken he was. I liked that it started with the moment Archie found out that Gretchen was the killer.
Unfortunately, their story is the side plot of a pretty weak main story about the "After School Killer". I enjoyed the main story chapters well enough but as the book went on I realised I was waiting to get back to Gretchen and Archie and when she did to him for 10 days. I felt that things were teased but never quite revealed properly - like his ex-wife says something like "Everytime he was with me and the kids he looked like he wanted to tear his eyes out", and I was waiting for the Nineteen Eighty Four-style mental torture scene to explain this but it never came. Don't get me wrong, the things that were described were grim as fuck, but it felt like the author was holding back in order to keep it mainstream Crime Fiction.
Perhaps the sequels will expain more of their time together but I wish there'd been more of it in Heartsick. It was a quick and easy read though, and worth a look if you want a female serial killer.
Unfortunately, their story is the side plot of a pretty weak main story about the "After School Killer". I enjoyed the main story chapters well enough but as the book went on I realised I was waiting to get back to Gretchen and Archie and when she did to him for 10 days. I felt that things were teased but never quite revealed properly - like his ex-wife says something like "Everytime he was with me and the kids he looked like he wanted to tear his eyes out", and I was waiting for the Nineteen Eighty Four-style mental torture scene to explain this but it never came. Don't get me wrong, the things that were described were grim as fuck, but it felt like the author was holding back in order to keep it mainstream Crime Fiction.
Perhaps the sequels will expain more of their time together but I wish there'd been more of it in Heartsick. It was a quick and easy read though, and worth a look if you want a female serial killer.
chelsnovot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
jmrkls1's review against another edition
3.0
Suspense/mystery--some pretty intense parts that creeped me out a bit. Very quick beach read.
mila_goodreads's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't stop reading until finishing the book in just one evening. That's how interesting it was. Really liked all of the books from Gretchen and Archie series. One of my favorite authors and top of my list of books I've enjoyed reading.
aapayne's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. What a great debut novel!!! Thank you Rose Larson for the recommendation!!