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yami4books's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Had to read this for a book report but ended up really loving it. Love the mystery.
suspensethrill's review
3.0
I gave this one 3 stars because I really like David Bell as an author, but this was not his finest work.
The book opens with Jason as a teenager being interviewed by police regarding the disappearance of his best friend, Logan. They were fighting over mutual love interest Reagan and Logan threw a punch that we are supposed to wonder throughout the book of it killed him.
Fast forward 25 years or so-Jason and his wife Nora have moved back to his hometown in Ohio after suffering financial difficulties in NYC. They are just starting to get their marriage back on track when his unpredictable, alcoholic sister (Hayden) and her teenage daughter (Sierra) show up on his doorstep. Hayden is going through a 12 step program and is trying to make right with those she wronged in the past. She needs to leave Sierra with her brother while she takes care of one item (which of course is mysterious and vague). When Hayden doesn't return as promised, Jason and Sierra begin looking for her.
I really wanted to like this book. Typically, mysteries hold my attention by the action, not the character development, but David Bell has a way of getting me attached to his characters that most authors in this genre do not. I think it's one of his strongest qualities as a writer. However, the "mystery" of Hayden and who killed Logan fell short for me. It was a little to easy to figure out. Also, I felt Jason and Reagan's adult relationship was unrealistic. I would be extremely uncomfortable with my husband meeting with a high school love interest a minimum of once a month alone. The characters weren't really like able in this book, not even Jason, but somehow I still felt the pull to finish this one. If you are wanting to read a novel of Mr Bell's for the first time, please don't choose this one! Start with Cemetery Girl or The Hiding Place. If you are a die hard fan, go ahead and read it.
The book opens with Jason as a teenager being interviewed by police regarding the disappearance of his best friend, Logan. They were fighting over mutual love interest Reagan and Logan threw a punch that we are supposed to wonder throughout the book of it killed him.
Fast forward 25 years or so-Jason and his wife Nora have moved back to his hometown in Ohio after suffering financial difficulties in NYC. They are just starting to get their marriage back on track when his unpredictable, alcoholic sister (Hayden) and her teenage daughter (Sierra) show up on his doorstep. Hayden is going through a 12 step program and is trying to make right with those she wronged in the past. She needs to leave Sierra with her brother while she takes care of one item (which of course is mysterious and vague). When Hayden doesn't return as promised, Jason and Sierra begin looking for her.
I really wanted to like this book. Typically, mysteries hold my attention by the action, not the character development, but David Bell has a way of getting me attached to his characters that most authors in this genre do not. I think it's one of his strongest qualities as a writer. However, the "mystery" of Hayden and who killed Logan fell short for me. It was a little to easy to figure out. Also, I felt Jason and Reagan's adult relationship was unrealistic. I would be extremely uncomfortable with my husband meeting with a high school love interest a minimum of once a month alone. The characters weren't really like able in this book, not even Jason, but somehow I still felt the pull to finish this one. If you are wanting to read a novel of Mr Bell's for the first time, please don't choose this one! Start with Cemetery Girl or The Hiding Place. If you are a die hard fan, go ahead and read it.
bookcaptivated's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
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