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amysbooknook8's review
3.0
3.5 stars! Emma in the Night is the second novel that I read by Wendy Walker. I was very impressed with her novel, "Don't Look For Me", so I decided to read this one too.
Emma in the night follows the viewpoints of Cass (Emma's younger sister) and Abby (forensic psychologist). Emma and Cass disappear in the night and all that is left is Emma's vehicle left abandoned at the beach with a pair of Emma's shoes in the sand. The case was never solved.
Three years later, Cass shows up at her mother's doorstep saying that her and Emma had been held on an island off the coast of Maine for the last three years. Cass says that she was able to escape and she needs everyone to start looking for Emma (although Cass apparently can't recall exactly where the Island is). As Abby and her old partner, Agent Strauss dig into Cass's story about where she and Emma have been all this time, they begin to ask more questions rather than finding answers. Cass is determined to ensure that the authorities return to the island and rescue Emma.
The book is more about power, control, and the workings of a really messed up family. This novel was not the best by Walker but it was overall an interesting read. I found myself lost a few times in the reading because I felt that the thoughts going on through Abby's and Cass's mind were almost too elaborated at times (which can be seen as positive or negative depending on the read). I was confused a few times because I wasn't sure if I was reading from someone else's POV or if someone else was elaborating their story through the eyes of someone else... Lets just say that there was some confusion within the book as I was reading...
Overall, the book did have some twists and turns that I was not expecting, although it was nothing that WOW'd me. I thought the book could have been shortened a bit but it was a good book and I would recommend for a quick and easy read!
Emma in the night follows the viewpoints of Cass (Emma's younger sister) and Abby (forensic psychologist). Emma and Cass disappear in the night and all that is left is Emma's vehicle left abandoned at the beach with a pair of Emma's shoes in the sand. The case was never solved.
Three years later, Cass shows up at her mother's doorstep saying that her and Emma had been held on an island off the coast of Maine for the last three years. Cass says that she was able to escape and she needs everyone to start looking for Emma (although Cass apparently can't recall exactly where the Island is). As Abby and her old partner, Agent Strauss dig into Cass's story about where she and Emma have been all this time, they begin to ask more questions rather than finding answers. Cass is determined to ensure that the authorities return to the island and rescue Emma.
The book is more about power, control, and the workings of a really messed up family. This novel was not the best by Walker but it was overall an interesting read. I found myself lost a few times in the reading because I felt that the thoughts going on through Abby's and Cass's mind were almost too elaborated at times (which can be seen as positive or negative depending on the read). I was confused a few times because I wasn't sure if I was reading from someone else's POV or if someone else was elaborating their story through the eyes of someone else... Lets just say that there was some confusion within the book as I was reading...
Overall, the book did have some twists and turns that I was not expecting, although it was nothing that WOW'd me. I thought the book could have been shortened a bit but it was a good book and I would recommend for a quick and easy read!
cortnyhelmick's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
shambreciar's review
4.0
Really a 3.5. Just kind of rambled sometimes. Overall story was good and kept me interested.
chewedgum's review against another edition
3.0
A book from the lost times. This was a bit difficult to follow, but ultimately fine. :)
clairepeep's review
3.0
Emma in the Night starts strong and has a solid premise. Somewhere, the book seems to lose itself a bit. The characters lack real development, although I could entertain an argument that this reflects the various forms of serious dysfunction from which they all seem to suffer. Even the attempt to somewhat redeem the protagonist in the last chapter feels rushed and too tidy. Meanwhile, the FBI agent dedicated to the case of the disappearance and personally invested in the family dynamics underlying the events also experiences very little growth/change/improvement.
writerdove's review
4.0
I read and enjoyed AINF and was so excited about this book, but it didn't quite hit the spot for me. I really loved the premise and the beginning was gripping, but the constant switching between characters was confusing and the second half of the book felt a little flat to me. I however think it is a personal preference as often I don't enjoy these style of books. Many do, and Walker's writing is beautiful and very skilled.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this book.
breathcue's review against another edition
3.0
Phew, glad I made it through this one. For a while I thought I was going to abandon it, but I really wanted to know the ending so I powered through. The writing style was okay, but having the story being told all in past tense in Cass's voice got kind of boring to me. Something exciting would happen or a twist would be revealed, and then it would stall out and nothing would happen because we just had to hear the characters analyzing it for a while. The end was satisfying though, so I'm glad I got there.
mimisu77's review
3.0
This was a pretty standard mystery/psychological thriller. The mother was a horrible character, which she was supposed to be so the author did a good job with her. The other characters were a little flat. I’d read others by this author but I wasn’t wowed.
readbyredhead's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book, but it was such a slow read and it really didn’t catch my interest until it was almost over.