philantrop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nine people are invited to stay at a luxury resort in the Canadian wilderness. One of them doesn’t even depart with the others and then there were eight… When they arrive, they find out there’s no resort but a remote derelict old lodge with no power in the middle of nowhere, there’s a storm brewing, bears and wolves around, no phone signal and a killer among them - and no way home.
Sounds enticing? To me at least, that’s an irresistible premise and, indeed, for about two thirds of the novel the execution held up all my expectations: Things escalated quickly and satisfyingly for the reader (not so much for the characters…). I was already beginning to formulate a review that would praise this book as an exciting, suspenseful and thrilling work!
Sadly, this wouldn’t hold up: First of all, I would have loved to read continuously about the developments in and around the lodge. After all, it’s a great setting and almost part of the cast itself. The narration about the lodge which tells of the end of October, though, is regularly interrupted by jumping either to early November and the search and rescue party which is alerted to the entire affair by finding a crashed plane with a body inside.
These interruptions while making some sense severely disturb the sense of urgency that builds up during the time at the lodge. Also, during the search two of the protagonists feel drawn to each other but one of them is still bound to their spouse who has been in a coma for 14 months at the local hospital. There’s no reason for said spouse to even exist story-wise apart from preventing those two people who feel a strong mutual attraction to act upon it. Meh.
Due to the large cast of characters in this book - the nine people, the search and rescue party, some cops, some children, etc. etc. - in combination with the constantly switching perspective I had some difficulties keeping track of everything happening.
The ultimate let-down, though, came after those first two thirds: At that point, we entirely leave the people struggling to survive at and around the lodge and stay for most of the remainder of the book with the search party. Right when dramatic things at the lodge were happening, we moved elsewhere. Yes, the perspective of the search party has its own appeal but it was a jarring departure from people I really started wanting to die!
Shortly before the end, we return to the survivors’ perspective but it’s too late because we already know the basics of what happened and too little as well because White needs an entire chapter to actually untangle the complex web of connections she spun.
The final niggle that cost this novel the fourth star it would otherwise have gotten is Stella’s ultimate fate (which I will not spoil for you, of course!). It’s a cheap and often-used narrative device which I’m tired of.
All in all, for two thirds, this was a truly good read but it went downhill quickly. Amusingly, the mathematics are with me: 66% of 5 stars are 3.3 stars which I’m rounding down to three out of five stars.
nlotz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
swathi_narasimhan's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
One of the very good reads I have had in recent times.
This one is similar to Agatha Christie style murder mystery, so much so that it felt like a tribute. In addition, the story takes place in British Columbia, Canada. The setting has a lake, rapids, mountain and snow. Mix in 9 strangers locked in the island with no means to escape, killed one after another - I’m sold.
Loved the way the author gave depth to the characters, the setting and the psychology behind relationships. It was wow!
One of the very good reads I have had in recent times.
This one is similar to Agatha Christie style murder mystery, so much so that it felt like a tribute. In addition, the story takes place in British Columbia, Canada. The setting has a lake, rapids, mountain and snow. Mix in 9 strangers locked in the island with no means to escape, killed one after another - I’m sold.
Loved the way the author gave depth to the characters, the setting and the psychology behind relationships. It was wow!
stinamoore1971's review against another edition
5.0
REALLY enjoyed this book. Twists, twists, & more twists. Thought I had it figured out many times but was not correct. Good tribute to Agatha Christie also.
hedwig85's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jwa's review against another edition
3.0
Good thriller and storyline, kept me engaged until the end.
Felt like some of it was too long winded and could've been edited down. Lots of filler information I could've done without.
Enjoyed reading this one and sped through it but still think it was unnecessarily long.
Felt like some of it was too long winded and could've been edited down. Lots of filler information I could've done without.
Enjoyed reading this one and sped through it but still think it was unnecessarily long.
nwreader's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very entertaining and thrilling. It's about a group of "strangers" going to an elite getaway spa in the middle of the woods but don't realize they all will be facing demons from their past. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie type of mysteries, then this one is for you!
In the beginning, when they start introducing all the characters (roughing around 10 main characters) it can be a bit confusing. I had to write out who they were and occupation just so I could keep up. The chapters bounce between the past and present plus in between the point of views of all the characters. I really enjoyed how the writer review what happened to the characters based on evidence the two main SAR detectives find during their search. The ending wasn't super predictable and overall I enjoyed the murder mystery from start to finish.
4/5
This book was very entertaining and thrilling. It's about a group of "strangers" going to an elite getaway spa in the middle of the woods but don't realize they all will be facing demons from their past. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie type of mysteries, then this one is for you!
In the beginning, when they start introducing all the characters (roughing around 10 main characters) it can be a bit confusing. I had to write out who they were and occupation just so I could keep up. The chapters bounce between the past and present plus in between the point of views of all the characters. I really enjoyed how the writer review what happened to the characters based on evidence the two main SAR detectives find during their search. The ending wasn't super predictable and overall I enjoyed the murder mystery from start to finish.
4/5
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting Canadian, play on/reimagining of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None". It took a bit to get rolling, and I didn't love the chapters with the investigative team, but I understand the use of these for the plot.
bibliophile_394's review against another edition
4.0
Very intriguing and captivating plot. Loved the story. Built up for what could have been an epic climax, but just fell a little short in the end.
lannnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75