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themysterymaven's review against another edition
3.0
3.75
I think what makes this story so interesting are all the carefully curated details that create a mystifying, eerie atmosphere. You have a missing person whose fan letters to none other than Alfred Hitchcock give insight into strange happenings taking place within her home, serving almost as personal diary entries that speak of odd behaviors and dark secrets. Then there’s the home itself, a family-run motel nestled in the hey-day hills of Vermont off Route 66, that boasts a concrete tower side-show attraction. As the tale weaves and winds through alternating timelines, and the motel has presently declined and decayed, the tower is it’s own character in the book, looming like a spectre, hiding clues within the crumbling walls.
Fun fact: Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Trouble With Harry in Vermont, the author’s state of residence, and the movie premiere was held there!!
It’s these curious little selections that add great depth and dimension, making this an overall fun mystery to sort out. Why do the families who own the motel experience never-ending tragedies through the generations? Who hides in Room 4? What lies in wait in the tower? And most of all, in a place that hosts 28 rooms, where is the hidden 29th, hinted at in maps and cryptic messages that are left by someone unknown???
I always enjoy this author’s works. And while I still haven’t settled on whether or not I like the particular ending of this novel, the build-up throughout was both nostalgic and nightmarish in the best of ways!
I think what makes this story so interesting are all the carefully curated details that create a mystifying, eerie atmosphere. You have a missing person whose fan letters to none other than Alfred Hitchcock give insight into strange happenings taking place within her home, serving almost as personal diary entries that speak of odd behaviors and dark secrets. Then there’s the home itself, a family-run motel nestled in the hey-day hills of Vermont off Route 66, that boasts a concrete tower side-show attraction. As the tale weaves and winds through alternating timelines, and the motel has presently declined and decayed, the tower is it’s own character in the book, looming like a spectre, hiding clues within the crumbling walls.
Fun fact: Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Trouble With Harry in Vermont, the author’s state of residence, and the movie premiere was held there!!
It’s these curious little selections that add great depth and dimension, making this an overall fun mystery to sort out. Why do the families who own the motel experience never-ending tragedies through the generations? Who hides in Room 4? What lies in wait in the tower? And most of all, in a place that hosts 28 rooms, where is the hidden 29th, hinted at in maps and cryptic messages that are left by someone unknown???
I always enjoy this author’s works. And while I still haven’t settled on whether or not I like the particular ending of this novel, the build-up throughout was both nostalgic and nightmarish in the best of ways!
burningupasun's review against another edition
4.0
This was honestly my favorite of hers so far. A bit predictable for me, in a few of the reveals, but still exciting, fast paced, and creepy.
tmort7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Not a big monster/fantasy person. But the way this book was written kept me turning the page.
ceceewing_'s review against another edition
3.0
I get so frustrated when I read mystery novels and thrillers because this truly was a book that was written remarkably well. It was eerie and built this slow dread that I loved, plus the first half really reminded me of The Shining and The Haunting of Hill House (the adaptations of both, I haven't had the chance to read either original work). But what fails here is what has failed for nearly every thriller I've ever read: the ending. It is rushed, it completely takes the wind out of the build up of the story, and ultimately left me feeling like my reading experience was pointless. Had this stuck the landing, it would have been an easy 4 star read and one that I recommended constantly. But with the ending it had I feel like The Night Sister is going to become yet another in a long line of thrillers that I forget about within a few weeks.
erickibler4's review against another edition
4.0
A suspenseful novel that features a young girl in the 1950s who lives in a spooky motel and writes letters to her favorite film director, Alfred Hitchcock. She and her younger sister have a fierce sibling rivalry.
In 1989, a group of kids try to figure out the mystery of the disappearance of one of those sisters.
Then in 2013, those kids, now adults, must cope with a death in their ranks.
The suspense is heightened by shifting between time periods, teasing revelations, and shifting POV.
A creepy tale to finish out your summer.
In 1989, a group of kids try to figure out the mystery of the disappearance of one of those sisters.
Then in 2013, those kids, now adults, must cope with a death in their ranks.
The suspense is heightened by shifting between time periods, teasing revelations, and shifting POV.
A creepy tale to finish out your summer.
rachelsonnet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
gratzee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
katie_holder's review against another edition
4.0
I like Jennifer McMahon, a lot. She is slowly sneaking her way into my favorite author spot which believe it or not is a spot many authors are vying for...especially Stephen King, he’s been trying for decades.
Anyways this book, it wasn’t Winter People (which is still my favorite read from 2020) but it was good. Spooky, a little gory but not terribly and just enough weird things happened to keep you on your toes.
I loved how the story went back and forth from 3 different eras and meshed so beautifully in the end.
Read it, it’s fun!
Anyways this book, it wasn’t Winter People (which is still my favorite read from 2020) but it was good. Spooky, a little gory but not terribly and just enough weird things happened to keep you on your toes.
I loved how the story went back and forth from 3 different eras and meshed so beautifully in the end.
Read it, it’s fun!
sammyisobsessed24's review against another edition
3.0
The concept is certainly interesting, and I enjoyed the majority of characters. The payout just didn't fully satisfy me, but the writing was pleasant and I was kept intrigued by the mystery until the end. It's decent.
garleighc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0