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dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Tami Hoag is one of the most compelling authors. She just sucks you into the story and doesn't let go. The villan in this one was a little predictable, but I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
Sent to a bookcrosser
Sent to a bookcrosser
hollie313's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
doc_k55's review against another edition
3.0
I think I read this when it came out, years ago. It's been so long I forgot, though... anyway, while I think Tami Hoag crafts a good story, and she sets the scene beautifully, it was a very, very slow read for me. I'd pick it up - read ten pages - put it down. At 400+ pages, that meant it took a very long time to finish. It is not as gripping a story as others of its ilk. I think she doesn't really move things along expeditiously until the last 150 pp of the book. That said, if you are looking for a novel about a serial killer set in a beautiful Louisiana setting, this fits the bill.
fleurette's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book much more than I thought I would. It may not be a very short book but it’s an easy and fast read. There are some things that bother me (I list them below) but I still enjoyed it a lot.
To my utterly astonishment I quite like the main characters - Laurel and Jack. And I’m surprised because as much as I like tortured characters, Laurel and Jack are not the best example of well-crafted troubled souls. Especially Jack who is a bit inconsistent to me. But somehow I ended up liking them anyway. Also, the idea of love between them is an overstretch and not really believable. They know each other for just a few days but they are already deeply in love. Not really convincing.
The suspense part is well-maintained but not ground-breaking. The killer is the person you suspect from the very beginning, so no surprise here. Though, to be totally honest, there are some other suspects and the whole thing may not be that obvious to some readers. And those other baddies make a pretty interesting bundle on their own.The other thing I’ve expected from the beginning is Savannah’s death. Unfortunately, I was right. Despite all the signs I hoped for her to survive because I wish her well. I would prefer to see her finally finding her peace and happiness, either in this book or in her own story. Sadly, she is gone.
I haven’t read many books by Tami Hoag but I generally liked the experience, so I think I will more of her in the future.
To my utterly astonishment I quite like the main characters - Laurel and Jack. And I’m surprised because as much as I like tortured characters, Laurel and Jack are not the best example of well-crafted troubled souls. Especially Jack who is a bit inconsistent to me. But somehow I ended up liking them anyway. Also, the idea of love between them is an overstretch and not really believable. They know each other for just a few days but they are already deeply in love. Not really convincing.
The suspense part is well-maintained but not ground-breaking. The killer is the person you suspect from the very beginning, so no surprise here. Though, to be totally honest, there are some other suspects and the whole thing may not be that obvious to some readers. And those other baddies make a pretty interesting bundle on their own.
I haven’t read many books by Tami Hoag but I generally liked the experience, so I think I will more of her in the future.
esquiredtoread's review against another edition
4.0
This was good. Once I stopped expecting a romance and completely leaned into the mystery I enjoyed it much more. It was super dark and gritty though and long so it took a bit to get through. I was totally pulled into the characters though and I want more from them.
This book was originally published in 1996 and I would definitely recommend it. Just very mis-marketed and very dark and depressing. Yet, the writing was good and the mystery unraveled at a great pace. I'll keep Tami Hoag in mind for future used book shopping sprees.
Quick edit: This author is still writing?? She has mysteries published in 2018!!! I have to check them out because that is crazy impressive.
This book was originally published in 1996 and I would definitely recommend it. Just very mis-marketed and very dark and depressing. Yet, the writing was good and the mystery unraveled at a great pace. I'll keep Tami Hoag in mind for future used book shopping sprees.
Quick edit: This author is still writing?? She has mysteries published in 2018!!! I have to check them out because that is crazy impressive.
sophie_cale's review
2.0
I was told I need to read more outside of my favorite genres, so I went to the library and picked the first title that caught my eye.
THE LONG AND SHORT:
I don't read thrillers. Especially ones that are romance heavy. I was under the impression that this would be some mix of Criminal Minds + Law and Order. Instead I got something that you would find on the Lifetime network. In my opinion, that is not a good thing. In my head, Lifetime = melodramatic romance mixed with some violence for spice demonstrated by the washed up refugees of Hollywood.
THE LONG
I like southern settings, they are both familiar and exotically strange. Hoag is great at making the setting come to life, and to be honest, that was the only thing that kept me reading. While some of her characters had promise (Savannah, Jack, the Delahoussayes) I hated pretty much everyone else, ESPECIALLY Laurel. The real thriller-y part doesn't even begin until about page 300. The "perverse game" isn't much of the disturbing brain teaser it could have been either. The killer is pretty obvious once they show up and the mighty Laurel only figures it out when the killer gives themself away intentionally. There's no cat and mouse game, no matching of wits, just Laurel shaking in her boots and 'bravely not crying'. Everything before pg 300 is an incredibly over-dramatic angst fest by every character you meet. There was an over-repetition of phrases that drove me crazy and they didn't go away, even up to the very last page. Phrases like:
"If she had a brain in her head, she would walk away...."
"Jack took in the rigid set of her shoulders-so slim, so delicate, too often carrying a burden that would have crushed a lesser person."
by the 14th time I've read similar lines, I very much wanted both Laurel and Jack to be done in by the fell Killer. Something is very wrong when, as a reader, you're cheering on a serial killer.
I hear tell that her later books are much better, and this book is nearly 20 years old, so I'm striving to be fair and not write Hoag of as a terrible experiment gone wrong.
THE LONG AND SHORT:
I don't read thrillers. Especially ones that are romance heavy. I was under the impression that this would be some mix of Criminal Minds + Law and Order. Instead I got something that you would find on the Lifetime network. In my opinion, that is not a good thing. In my head, Lifetime = melodramatic romance mixed with some violence for spice demonstrated by the washed up refugees of Hollywood.
THE LONG
I like southern settings, they are both familiar and exotically strange. Hoag is great at making the setting come to life, and to be honest, that was the only thing that kept me reading. While some of her characters had promise (Savannah, Jack, the Delahoussayes) I hated pretty much everyone else, ESPECIALLY Laurel. The real thriller-y part doesn't even begin until about page 300. The "perverse game" isn't much of the disturbing brain teaser it could have been either. The killer is pretty obvious once they show up and the mighty Laurel only figures it out when the killer gives themself away intentionally. There's no cat and mouse game, no matching of wits, just Laurel shaking in her boots and 'bravely not crying'. Everything before pg 300 is an incredibly over-dramatic angst fest by every character you meet. There was an over-repetition of phrases that drove me crazy and they didn't go away, even up to the very last page. Phrases like:
"If she had a brain in her head, she would walk away...."
"Jack took in the rigid set of her shoulders-so slim, so delicate, too often carrying a burden that would have crushed a lesser person."
by the 14th time I've read similar lines, I very much wanted both Laurel and Jack to be done in by the fell Killer. Something is very wrong when, as a reader, you're cheering on a serial killer.
I hear tell that her later books are much better, and this book is nearly 20 years old, so I'm striving to be fair and not write Hoag of as a terrible experiment gone wrong.
cindya's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this; but must say it was hard not to skip ahead. I found the hero & heroin just too troubled for my own liking.
relly's review against another edition
5.0
Very good
4.5 ⭐️
This was a great book, and still just as good on the reread
I enjoyed Laurel and Jack to a certain extent as well. Both were troubled characters that were fighting for survival in everyday life.
I felt for Laurel the most as she was stuck in her upbringing and I really enjoyed her casting off those ties at the end. She fought for herself and for her sister. She had a quiet strength that kept her going long after everyone expected her to stop
Jack I also liked but I had a harder time connecting with him. He martyrs himself time and time again. Both characters tried their hardest to stay apart from society for their own reasons, and yet when they were pulled in by friendships and obligations Laurel was the better character, she didn’t kick and scream as much as Jack did. She gave in gracefully and tried her best to help those who needed it.
The mystery kept me entertained, even on the reread when I knew who was the killer. It was a long book that drew you in and kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what would happen next. The characters were well portrayed, and their emotions were brought out well by the author. The heartbreak had me crying in parts but in the end it is about triumphing over your fears and those who wish hurt upon you.
4.5 ⭐️
This was a great book, and still just as good on the reread
I enjoyed Laurel and Jack to a certain extent as well. Both were troubled characters that were fighting for survival in everyday life.
I felt for Laurel the most as she was stuck in her upbringing and I really enjoyed her casting off those ties at the end. She fought for herself and for her sister. She had a quiet strength that kept her going long after everyone expected her to stop
Jack I also liked but I had a harder time connecting with him. He martyrs himself time and time again. Both characters tried their hardest to stay apart from society for their own reasons, and yet when they were pulled in by friendships and obligations Laurel was the better character, she didn’t kick and scream as much as Jack did. She gave in gracefully and tried her best to help those who needed it.
The mystery kept me entertained, even on the reread when I knew who was the killer. It was a long book that drew you in and kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what would happen next. The characters were well portrayed, and their emotions were brought out well by the author. The heartbreak had me crying in parts but in the end it is about triumphing over your fears and those who wish hurt upon you.