spiralnode's review
dark
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
3.0
'White Bodies' is firmly placed into the easy reads suspenseful thrillers. It's written well enough to keep the plot moving forward with an interested reader, but it fails to do anything to outshine its competition. So if it is thematically something you might enjoy, by all means pick it up, otherwise it's fair to skip it.
The heart of the story is the relationship between twins Tilda and Callie - Tilda is larger than life, dramatic, adventurous and is emerging as a young actress, while Callie is reserved, protective of Tilda and loves spending her days reading and recommending books to others as part of her job. Their love is obsessive, as it soon emerges that Callie has a past of looking after Tilda a bit too intrusively, spying on her and wanting to be with her so much that she eats her things, like her papers or hairs. So when Tilda introduces her to her new boyfriend Felix, Callie is suspicious. She observes behaviours that indicate control, such as the fact that he cleans Tilda's apartment or offers to pay to renovate it. But surely Tilda is in love, despite what seems like a more distant demeanor and more withdrawn features?
What I liked best about the book is the references to various known crime canon: Alfred Hitchcock films, particularly 'Strangers on a Train', 'Single White Female' or the books by Jo Nesbø. It's one of my favourite genres in all types of media, so I kept looking for clues as to what these mentions might mean.
The directions that the plot took were not thoroughly unexpected, I did anticipate who was at fault but not quite how. I didn't see any noticeable plot holes, nothing that I'd call poorly constructed or doubtful.
But I do wish there was more to it. The whole text went by really quickly, which is a plus for engagement, but instead of some extra scenes being added with characters that were uninteresting and irrelevant, such as Wilf, I would have liked to see more on the inner life of Callie that would give me some insight into her behaviours. The dual storyline set in present and past helped, but there would have been lots more to explore as to her why, the parents' relationship with the two girls, what happened when they stopped living together and so on.
Many thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for my ARC!
The heart of the story is the relationship between twins Tilda and Callie - Tilda is larger than life, dramatic, adventurous and is emerging as a young actress, while Callie is reserved, protective of Tilda and loves spending her days reading and recommending books to others as part of her job. Their love is obsessive, as it soon emerges that Callie has a past of looking after Tilda a bit too intrusively, spying on her and wanting to be with her so much that she eats her things, like her papers or hairs. So when Tilda introduces her to her new boyfriend Felix, Callie is suspicious. She observes behaviours that indicate control, such as the fact that he cleans Tilda's apartment or offers to pay to renovate it. But surely Tilda is in love, despite what seems like a more distant demeanor and more withdrawn features?
What I liked best about the book is the references to various known crime canon: Alfred Hitchcock films, particularly 'Strangers on a Train', 'Single White Female' or the books by Jo Nesbø. It's one of my favourite genres in all types of media, so I kept looking for clues as to what these mentions might mean.
The directions that the plot took were not thoroughly unexpected, I did anticipate who was at fault but not quite how. I didn't see any noticeable plot holes, nothing that I'd call poorly constructed or doubtful.
But I do wish there was more to it. The whole text went by really quickly, which is a plus for engagement, but instead of some extra scenes being added with characters that were uninteresting and irrelevant, such as Wilf, I would have liked to see more on the inner life of Callie that would give me some insight into her behaviours. The dual storyline set in present and past helped, but there would have been lots more to explore as to her why, the parents' relationship with the two girls, what happened when they stopped living together and so on.
Many thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for my ARC!
slut4pennywise's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Jane Robins' debut, White Bodies, is a mesmerizing mystery with a very suspenseful storyline.
Twin sisters Tilda and Callie Farrow are as different as night and day both in looks and temperament. Tilda is quite beautiful, outgoing and popular whereas Callie is quiet, shy and socially awkward. Tilda's light shines brightly and her acting career is currently on the upswing. Callie enjoys her job working in a bookstore where she is comfortable discussing books with regular customers. Despite their differences, Tilda and Callie talk daily and get together once a month for movie night.
Although Callie enjoys hanging out with her sister, she is a little taken aback when Tilda begins frequently inviting her to spend time with her and her new boyfriend Felix Nordberg. Callie is initially impressed with Felix's ability to rein in her somewhat flighty sister but after witnessing a couple of troubling incidents, she becomes convinced that Tilda is the victim of domestic violence. When Tilda brushes off her concerns, Callie joins an on-line support for advice and after she befriends two women on the forum, she has to decide just how far will she go to protect her sister.
Callie is devoted to her sister so it is not any surprise that she is a little worried about some of her disturbing observations. With a long history of trying to protect Tilda from her own frailties and any type of harm from the people around her, she immediately begins compiling extensive notes in which she documents practically everything about her sister and Felix. Callie soon comes across as obsessed as she goes to extreme lengths to gather information about Felix and his relationship with Tilda.
As Tilda begins pulling away from her sister, Callie begins to heavily rely on two friends she has made on the domestic abuse forum. After tragedy strikes, one of the women she has befriended proposes a rather extreme plan but will Callie agree to this outrageous scheme? When Felix unexpectedly dies, Callie is under unbearable pressure to act on her online friend's behalf, but can she take such a drastic measure?
Fast-paced and engrossing, White Bodies is an intriguing mystery that is impossible to put down. With a meticulously crafted storyline, an increasingly unreliable narrator and clever plot twists, Jane Robins brings the novel to a completely unexpected but satisfying conclusion. A brilliant debut that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend to fans of the genre.
Twin sisters Tilda and Callie Farrow are as different as night and day both in looks and temperament. Tilda is quite beautiful, outgoing and popular whereas Callie is quiet, shy and socially awkward. Tilda's light shines brightly and her acting career is currently on the upswing. Callie enjoys her job working in a bookstore where she is comfortable discussing books with regular customers. Despite their differences, Tilda and Callie talk daily and get together once a month for movie night.
Although Callie enjoys hanging out with her sister, she is a little taken aback when Tilda begins frequently inviting her to spend time with her and her new boyfriend Felix Nordberg. Callie is initially impressed with Felix's ability to rein in her somewhat flighty sister but after witnessing a couple of troubling incidents, she becomes convinced that Tilda is the victim of domestic violence. When Tilda brushes off her concerns, Callie joins an on-line support for advice and after she befriends two women on the forum, she has to decide just how far will she go to protect her sister.
Callie is devoted to her sister so it is not any surprise that she is a little worried about some of her disturbing observations. With a long history of trying to protect Tilda from her own frailties and any type of harm from the people around her, she immediately begins compiling extensive notes in which she documents practically everything about her sister and Felix. Callie soon comes across as obsessed as she goes to extreme lengths to gather information about Felix and his relationship with Tilda.
As Tilda begins pulling away from her sister, Callie begins to heavily rely on two friends she has made on the domestic abuse forum. After tragedy strikes, one of the women she has befriended proposes a rather extreme plan but will Callie agree to this outrageous scheme? When Felix unexpectedly dies, Callie is under unbearable pressure to act on her online friend's behalf, but can she take such a drastic measure?
Fast-paced and engrossing, White Bodies is an intriguing mystery that is impossible to put down. With a meticulously crafted storyline, an increasingly unreliable narrator and clever plot twists, Jane Robins brings the novel to a completely unexpected but satisfying conclusion. A brilliant debut that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend to fans of the genre.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of Callie Farrow and her sister Tilda Farrow. Obsession, murder, abuse and a twisted plot that will make this book an exceptional read.
This book made an exceptional change from the beginning till the last pages, it was a slow burning plot, but with a twisted ending!
I was quite surprised with this read, in the beginning everything points at Callie as she is totally obsessed with her sister and her new boyfriend, Felix. Callie even makes a diary and follows her sister! So we start doubting if she is really seeing psychological/physic abuse between them or she loves being tragic. So while Callie enters to the disturbing world of abusers and victims needing to escape, she becomes paranoid and neurotic and maybe seeing signs that doesn't exist?
While we are reading the story, we learn the past of the two sisters too, and it seems that the pattern is repeating... will Callie be able to help Tilda before it's too late?
This had been a brilliant read, original and with an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you guessing all the book. I highly recommend you to read this book, because after all the turns it has it will leave no one indifferent!
Ready for a trip to the dark side?
This book made an exceptional change from the beginning till the last pages, it was a slow burning plot, but with a twisted ending!
I was quite surprised with this read, in the beginning everything points at Callie as she is totally obsessed with her sister and her new boyfriend, Felix. Callie even makes a diary and follows her sister! So we start doubting if she is really seeing psychological/physic abuse between them or she loves being tragic. So while Callie enters to the disturbing world of abusers and victims needing to escape, she becomes paranoid and neurotic and maybe seeing signs that doesn't exist?
While we are reading the story, we learn the past of the two sisters too, and it seems that the pattern is repeating... will Callie be able to help Tilda before it's too late?
This had been a brilliant read, original and with an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you guessing all the book. I highly recommend you to read this book, because after all the turns it has it will leave no one indifferent!
Ready for a trip to the dark side?
slowreadersclub's review against another edition
4.0
White Bodies is a darkly gripping, psychological character-driven novel about the relationship between two twin sisters, Callie and Tilda, and the seemingly perfect relationship between Tilda and Felix. Tilda is a stunning actress whose beauty and charisma makes her the centre of attention whenever she goes, and Callie, the narrator is the polar opposite of her sister. She is extremely reserved and introvert, preferring to observe and make notes about those around her, especially Tilda and her relationship with Felix.
I was fascinated by Callie as the narrator, who at times seemed totally unreliable and her obsession with Tilda was very unsettling, however, I couldn’t help but love her as a character, she had such an honest naivety about her that I found her truly endearing.
Robins is a beautiful writer who has created an exceptional novel, with multilayered characters that keep you guessing as to who is being deceptive, and who is unstable. Whilst some plot points were a little predictable, I still found that it kept me guessing in a lot of places and was a very creepy and unsettling read.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers, and anything a little bit sinister.
I was fascinated by Callie as the narrator, who at times seemed totally unreliable and her obsession with Tilda was very unsettling, however, I couldn’t help but love her as a character, she had such an honest naivety about her that I found her truly endearing.
Robins is a beautiful writer who has created an exceptional novel, with multilayered characters that keep you guessing as to who is being deceptive, and who is unstable. Whilst some plot points were a little predictable, I still found that it kept me guessing in a lot of places and was a very creepy and unsettling read.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers, and anything a little bit sinister.
sjj169's review against another edition
4.0
A book about jacked up twins? When I'm supposed to be reading some October horror.
Callie and Tilda are those twins. Callie has always been the unassuming sister that blended into the background so that star Tilda could shine.
Callie has some issues though..when she was growing up she wanted some of Tilda's shine to come her way and so she devised ways for that to happen. Including swallowing some..ah well you'll have to read it.
You think that's weird? It gets even weirder when Tilda forgets to flush the toilet.
Which led up to a phone conversation with my bookish bestie where I was explaining how I feel about this book...
She started smelling the oven that she left on after that.
Back to the book, This wassss goooood! The sisters grow up and they both have some issues. Tilda has found her some man candy in the form of Felix. Felix is rich and good looking and has 'a touch' of the OCD. Callie knows something isn't kosher and sets out tostalk show concern for her sister.
After awhile she knows that she needs support..so she joins a internet support group for abused women and their helpers. Then she starts questioning everything.
I don't want to give away anymore than I probably already have. I liked this one enough that I almost five starred the sucker. The ending deducted a star for me but I just about hate all thriller endings so I'm a sucky judger. Not that it ever stops me.
Booksource: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. They didn't ask for a review but I'm assuming they wanted one. AND surprise surprise I LIKED it!
Callie and Tilda are those twins. Callie has always been the unassuming sister that blended into the background so that star Tilda could shine.
Callie has some issues though..when she was growing up she wanted some of Tilda's shine to come her way and so she devised ways for that to happen. Including swallowing some..ah well you'll have to read it.
You think that's weird? It gets even weirder when Tilda forgets to flush the toilet.
Which led up to a phone conversation with my bookish bestie where I was explaining how I feel about this book...
She started smelling the oven that she left on after that.
Back to the book, This wassss goooood! The sisters grow up and they both have some issues. Tilda has found her some man candy in the form of Felix. Felix is rich and good looking and has 'a touch' of the OCD. Callie knows something isn't kosher and sets out to
After awhile she knows that she needs support..so she joins a internet support group for abused women and their helpers. Then she starts questioning everything.
I don't want to give away anymore than I probably already have. I liked this one enough that I almost five starred the sucker. The ending deducted a star for me but I just about hate all thriller endings so I'm a sucky judger. Not that it ever stops me.
Booksource: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. They didn't ask for a review but I'm assuming they wanted one. AND surprise surprise I LIKED it!
babs_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
What a mind bend! I wasn't prepared for the wrench thrown at me toward the end.
In a spine tingling, suspenseful story, White Bodies, embodies what it means to be psychologically twisted. I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, palms sweaty. . .
Will she? Won't she?
My emotions rode a roller coaster full of ups and downs and a few roundabouts for good measure.
Love can be dangerous, and it can come in any form. . . family, friendship or intimacy, it can destroy. It sparks little flames inside of us until a full blown fire is raging and we find ourselves doing things and saying things we never dreamed of. Some might say it breeds obsession.
In a spine tingling, suspenseful story, White Bodies, embodies what it means to be psychologically twisted. I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, palms sweaty. . .
Will she? Won't she?
My emotions rode a roller coaster full of ups and downs and a few roundabouts for good measure.
Love can be dangerous, and it can come in any form. . . family, friendship or intimacy, it can destroy. It sparks little flames inside of us until a full blown fire is raging and we find ourselves doing things and saying things we never dreamed of. Some might say it breeds obsession.
renwar96's review against another edition
4.0
A special thank you to Netgalley for giving me the ebook version of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book kept me wondering up until the very end. The main character Callie certainly had some hang ups of her own (eating things of her twin sisters. ie. hair, teeth, lipstick.) that were very strange and a little hard to accept. All the people in this book had their own strange personalities but it was the kind of story that, as it's unravelling, you have to keep wondering what's the truth. Definitely a read for anyone into suspenseful thrillers.
michbella17's review against another edition
3.0
I was very intrigued by the synopsis of this book and was so happy when I was approved for an ARC. I will give Robin's debut 3.5 stars. Our protagonist, Callie is seemingly already obsessed with her sister but becomes even more obsessed when she's certain her sister's husband is super controlling and abusive. Callie then gets dragged into the website, controllingmen.com that is an online support group for people that have loved ones in abusive relationships.
I found this story dragged me in right away. The first chapter opens with Felix's funeral and Callie fells responsible for his death and she is shocked that the police haven't come to find her yet. The story then backs up to when Tilda and Felix have just met and have just started dating. I found it a slow build-up to Felix's death again. Some chapters in the first half flip back to when Callie and Tilda were kids, giving the reader a glimpse into the weird dysfunctional relationship these two sisters have. The second half was more exciting.
I did like the writing style of Robins. It was a good mixture of description and dialogue. The story is told in first person POV of Callie. Within a few chapters I was pretty certain I had the ending figured out and for the most part I was right. I feel I must comment on Callie's "weird behaviour" that she starts as a little girl and I must say this was one of the weirdest things a character in any book I've read has ever done and I just didn't get how it added to the story or was needed.
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for this ARC.
I found this story dragged me in right away. The first chapter opens with Felix's funeral and Callie fells responsible for his death and she is shocked that the police haven't come to find her yet. The story then backs up to when Tilda and Felix have just met and have just started dating. I found it a slow build-up to Felix's death again. Some chapters in the first half flip back to when Callie and Tilda were kids, giving the reader a glimpse into the weird dysfunctional relationship these two sisters have. The second half was more exciting.
I did like the writing style of Robins. It was a good mixture of description and dialogue. The story is told in first person POV of Callie. Within a few chapters I was pretty certain I had the ending figured out and for the most part I was right. I feel I must comment on Callie's "weird behaviour" that she starts as a little girl and I must say this was one of the weirdest things a character in any book I've read has ever done and I just didn't get how it added to the story or was needed.
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for this ARC.