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ishoy00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
emmas_readingnook's review against another edition
5.0
I am a huge Claire Douglas fan and yet again this book didn’t disappoint. Heather and Jess were inseparable as teenagers, but that all changes when heathers sister, flora, goes missing and is presumed dead. They drift apart and now 18yrs later Jess is a Journalist, heather is married & they have a little boy. She is currently in hospital after allegedly attempting suicide & killing 2 people. Jess doesn’t believe it could be her friend; she was quiet, sensible, caring all traits unassociated with being a cold blooded killer, but 18 years had passed and people change. Can Jess report with an open mind, or will her old friendship & relationship with heathers family cloud her judgement?
We see floras story told through herself, her mum, Margot & Jess and it weaves beautifully from 1994 into the present timeline. With lots of twists, turns and secrets along the way, this will keep you hooked.
We see floras story told through herself, her mum, Margot & Jess and it weaves beautifully from 1994 into the present timeline. With lots of twists, turns and secrets along the way, this will keep you hooked.
mahen1991's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ve always enjoyed Claire Douglas's books, and this one was no exception. The story flowed smoothly, and while it was a slow burn, it kept me engaged throughout. Though not her best work, it was still a good read.
015zoe's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
lillyrose97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gemmalouise_'s review against another edition
mysterious
sad
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? No
2.25
shelbyanoel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lilysnape's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5. This one was so good, with sympathetic characters and several twists and turns that kept me reading without feeling incredulous or confused.
dovesfalling's review against another edition
3.0
I just finished this book two hours ago, and I'm struggling to remember the names of the main characters. Oof. Unfortunately, although I think this mystery has some solid points in its favour, it's also bloated in length, repetitive, and predictable. It struggles with its main character - JESS (just remembered), who is a bit of a paper doll. She doesn't really have many thoughts of her own - just seems to absorb whatever is happening to the person nearest to her and allows that to affect her day or her judgment.
The beginning is promising. A woman enters a home in a quiet seaside town and guns down its two residents - a middle-aged man and elderly lady. She then turns the gun on herself, only narrowly avoiding taking her own life.
When Jess - a disgraced journalist living in Bristol - learns of the shooting, she realizes that the alleged killer is her childhood best friend Heather. Jess wants the story, but she's also mindful that she and Heather did not part on the best of terms. Should she travel back to where she grew up, and risk digging up old hurts?
Naturally, she does, approaching Heather's mother Margot - one of the stronger, best developed characters - and finding herself once more embroiled in the lives of other people.
From there, the story meanders. There's so much repetition. In chapter after chapter, Jess heads out with her colleague Jack (who suffers from gay best friend trope), investigates the murders, talks to Margot, walks home alone, is frightened someone is following her, and fights with her partner Rory (who suffers from clueless boyfriend trope). A more careful editing of this novel could have ratcheted up the tension. Instead, it just feels like Jess is going in circles, and not very exciting circles either.
While I didn't mind the denouement, it felt messy and rushed - weirdly so, since the rest of the book is so long. Douglas' writing is strong in parts, but this mystery could have been cut in half, and I would have enjoyed meatier characters, and less tidy explanations for some pretty huge questions.
The beginning is promising. A woman enters a home in a quiet seaside town and guns down its two residents - a middle-aged man and elderly lady. She then turns the gun on herself, only narrowly avoiding taking her own life.
When Jess - a disgraced journalist living in Bristol - learns of the shooting, she realizes that the alleged killer is her childhood best friend Heather. Jess wants the story, but she's also mindful that she and Heather did not part on the best of terms. Should she travel back to where she grew up, and risk digging up old hurts?
Naturally, she does, approaching Heather's mother Margot - one of the stronger, best developed characters - and finding herself once more embroiled in the lives of other people.
From there, the story meanders. There's so much repetition. In chapter after chapter, Jess heads out with her colleague Jack (who suffers from gay best friend trope), investigates the murders, talks to Margot, walks home alone, is frightened someone is following her, and fights with her partner Rory (who suffers from clueless boyfriend trope). A more careful editing of this novel could have ratcheted up the tension. Instead, it just feels like Jess is going in circles, and not very exciting circles either.
While I didn't mind the denouement, it felt messy and rushed - weirdly so, since the rest of the book is so long. Douglas' writing is strong in parts, but this mystery could have been cut in half, and I would have enjoyed meatier characters, and less tidy explanations for some pretty huge questions.