fuzzywuzzy's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was an unpredictable read that gives the reader a few surprises which a good thriller just do. I took one star off simply because her first two books were mind blowing and this one didn't have that affect on me. Nonetheless, she's a fabulous author and this book is still worth reading.
Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this AR in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this AR in exchange for an honest review!
nattentiondeficit's review against another edition
2.0
I was unable to stop listening to this story (audiobook) I was fully enthralled in it. However, a lot of it seemed unbelievable and in the the end I found that I didn’t buy it. It was also predictable. I guess I like books that have plot twists I didn’t see coming. I knew this one a mile out. At the end it felt like the author wanted to hurry up and finish. The ending was rushed while the rest of the build up to the climax was painstakingly slow. It’s frustrating when the reader (or listener) knows more than the people investigating. It made me want to skip ahead.
I don’t know if it’s because this book is part of a series that I haven’t read, but some of the storylines seemed sloppy and unnecessary.
Top reasons this book annoyed me.
1. I found a lot of the story to be incredibly frustrating. Alex could have gotten her self out of that horrible situation so many times and yet she continued to suffer there for WEEKS without doing anything about it (except complain to her friend).
2. I also could not believe Mags took so long to tell the parents about the emails. I’m sorry but that was one of the most frustrating parts.
3. In the beginning when the Thai police say the girls were hiding from the fire, I’m sitting thinking, “why the hell are the parents not questioning this?” WHO HIDES INSIDE A BURNING BUILDING TO ESCAPE FIRE?! They should have said the girls were trapped, not that they were hiding. That was just dumb.
4. Furthermore-For being so “brilliant” Jake was a damn idiot. I don’t feel I need to elaborate why.
5. Kate’s was such a one dimensional, egotistical person. She weaseled her way into making Alex and Rosie’s parents think she genuinely cared for them and their situation. This made me dislike her from the start.
6. Am I supposed to believe a lawyer would so easily let their client self incriminate themselves such as the case was with Jamie and his lawyer?
7. As a “seasoned” reporter Kate sure made some armature mistakes that made the story unbelievable. Too many to list.
8. Jenny and her shitty ex husband get back together at the end?? After they spent the whole book HATING each other. I’m sorry, no.
9. It was sad but totally predictable that the detective wouldn’t be there for his wife’s death. His wife that he supposedly cared so much for but also kept leaving her alone to be cared for by nurses while she was DYING.
I’m giving 2 stars because somehow the book kept me engaged but in the end I had a lot of problems with it.
I don’t know if it’s because this book is part of a series that I haven’t read, but some of the storylines seemed sloppy and unnecessary.
Top reasons this book annoyed me.
1. I found a lot of the story to be incredibly frustrating. Alex could have gotten her self out of that horrible situation so many times and yet she continued to suffer there for WEEKS without doing anything about it (except complain to her friend).
2. I also could not believe Mags took so long to tell the parents about the emails. I’m sorry but that was one of the most frustrating parts.
3. In the beginning when the Thai police say the girls were hiding from the fire, I’m sitting thinking, “why the hell are the parents not questioning this?” WHO HIDES INSIDE A BURNING BUILDING TO ESCAPE FIRE?! They should have said the girls were trapped, not that they were hiding. That was just dumb.
4. Furthermore-For being so “brilliant” Jake was a damn idiot. I don’t feel I need to elaborate why.
5. Kate’s was such a one dimensional, egotistical person. She weaseled her way into making Alex and Rosie’s parents think she genuinely cared for them and their situation. This made me dislike her from the start.
6. Am I supposed to believe a lawyer would so easily let their client self incriminate themselves such as the case was with Jamie and his lawyer?
7. As a “seasoned” reporter Kate sure made some armature mistakes that made the story unbelievable. Too many to list.
8. Jenny and her shitty ex husband get back together at the end?? After they spent the whole book HATING each other. I’m sorry, no.
9. It was sad but totally predictable that the detective wouldn’t be there for his wife’s death. His wife that he supposedly cared so much for but also kept leaving her alone to be cared for by nurses while she was DYING.
I’m giving 2 stars because somehow the book kept me engaged but in the end I had a lot of problems with it.
kelbi's review against another edition
4.0
Really good well-written and engrossing book. I recommend it
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
This is the third novel in the Kate Waters series and is another great read. I wasn't sure if I would like it because of the missing teens in Thailand story line (as it reminded me to much of the movie/book [b:The Beach|607639|The Beach|Alex Garland|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348547768s/607639.jpg|1020156] which I didn't like and Brokedown Palace which I did ). I liked that we got the Alex's point of view what was going on in Thailand as it added to feeling invested in the ending. I also like how Kate was personally dragged into this case. I would recommend this one if you enjoy slow British suspense.
(Review Not on Blog)
This is the third novel in the Kate Waters series and is another great read. I wasn't sure if I would like it because of the missing teens in Thailand story line (as it reminded me to much of the movie/book [b:The Beach|607639|The Beach|Alex Garland|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348547768s/607639.jpg|1020156] which I didn't like and Brokedown Palace which I did ). I liked that we got the Alex's point of view what was going on in Thailand as it added to feeling invested in the ending. I also like how Kate was personally dragged into this case. I would recommend this one if you enjoy slow British suspense.
marlina10's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this murder mystery. The plot line about the girls in Thailand was a nice change from all the “suspicious woman next door,” stories lining the shelves these days. I appreciated the story from the different characters’ angles and the layered ending. I think it’s an ending that may stay with me for a while, and which I’ll think about from time to time, and to me that’s the mark of a good book.
marcccb's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars
Kate Waters is back and this time it's personal...
Two friends Alex and Rosie take a trip to Thailand, but it ends with them found dead, naked. Kate Waters is there again and hops on the story quicker than ever, but this time, it affects her as well. How, you might ask? Well that's for you to read and find out. No spoilers here!
I love Kate. Barton writes her so prefectly as the reporter and I cannot see her another way. I think Kate really shines in this one especially because we've all seen her as a reporter in the two previous novels, but this is the first time we learn more abuot her and her family and see her as a motherly role. I think this is very important because guess what? Reporters are people as well!
I enjoyed the first half of the novel and the mystery was there, but then from then on it kind of slowed down for me, but I still read along to figure out who the killer was.
The novel had some little twists and it was nice to get back into the familiar world of Barton's writing. Can't wait for another Kate Waters novel!
Kate Waters is back and this time it's personal...
Two friends Alex and Rosie take a trip to Thailand, but it ends with them found dead, naked. Kate Waters is there again and hops on the story quicker than ever, but this time, it affects her as well. How, you might ask? Well that's for you to read and find out. No spoilers here!
I love Kate. Barton writes her so prefectly as the reporter and I cannot see her another way. I think Kate really shines in this one especially because we've all seen her as a reporter in the two previous novels, but this is the first time we learn more abuot her and her family and see her as a motherly role. I think this is very important because guess what? Reporters are people as well!
I enjoyed the first half of the novel and the mystery was there, but then from then on it kind of slowed down for me, but I still read along to figure out who the killer was.
The novel had some little twists and it was nice to get back into the familiar world of Barton's writing. Can't wait for another Kate Waters novel!
dr_manuela_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy this author and her writing. There is always a slight twist at the end which in enjoyable.
This is a story of what a mother will do to keep her child safe. Kate’s son Jake may be involved in a murder or disappearance of two young girls. Girls go off on a trip to Thailand. One is rough while the other wants to explore. Of course one of the mother’s cannot believe that is her child in the same way that Kate Connor believe that is her son.
This is a story of what a mother will do to keep her child safe. Kate’s son Jake may be involved in a murder or disappearance of two young girls. Girls go off on a trip to Thailand. One is rough while the other wants to explore. Of course one of the mother’s cannot believe that is her child in the same way that Kate Connor believe that is her son.