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problemreader's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had romance, suspense and humor. I couldn’t put it down. Great read!
yoteach87's review against another edition
3.0
The first of February 2018 starts off with the tale of an unexpected heroine, Nora, who’s picking up the pieces to her life after a brutal divorce. Her ex-husband, Hugh, is a popular and successful artist who’s most recent muse is the woman he left Nora for. What’s more, Hugh has a baby with this woman. When Hugh and his new wife are murdered, the suspicion immediately swings to Nora. And why wouldn’t it? She has a motive. It becomes a race against time before Nora ends up as the killer in the public’s eyes, while she tries to track down the real killer.
Tips for Living is very much like a cozy murder mystery. While the cover states that this will be a “novel of suspense,” methinks of a certain line from The Princess’ Bride (“You keep using that word…”). There was never a point in the book where I was at the edge of my seat with chills. That is not to say this book doesn’t have a rousing and entertaining plot line with twists and turns, just that it doesn’t come with the heart-pounding action or drama that the word ‘suspense’ normally conjures. There are your typical murder-mystery elements, so the breaking of new ground is not on Shafransky’s list. But all told, the entertainment factor is still clear and present.
At first, Nora’s characterization bothered me. Once again, following the pattern set forth for a female protagonist by titles like The Girl on the Train, Nora is an unreliable narrator. Her issue is not alcohol or amnesia-related, but rather an issue with sleepwalking. From the get-go, Nora wonders if she was the one who murdered Hugh and his new wife in some hypnotic sleepwalking episode. Certain clues seem to support this idea, and Nora’s continual self-mistrust rings a familiar tune. However, by the middle (and when Nora starts to pursue a romantic relationship) she starts to show her independence and shirks her weaknesses in favor of her strengths.
By the story’s end, I was pleased with the result. Tips for Living is a slower-paced thriller that relies on the cold North Eastern setting and characters to bring about a truly gruesome crime.
THE BOTTOM LINE
What I liked:
The location and atmosphere of the book is a nice change of pace than the usual settings for these sort of thrillers. Nora, while at times a meddling protagonist, rises above the norm at key moments in the story to set herself apart.
What I disliked:
Once again, the novel features a female protagonist who is also an unreliable narrator (see The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, A Stranger in the House, and The Woman in the Window). Since this has become a trope, I find it tiresome. The pacing is slow, especially for a book that boasts of being “a novel of suspense” on the cover.
Tips for Living is very much like a cozy murder mystery. While the cover states that this will be a “novel of suspense,” methinks of a certain line from The Princess’ Bride (“You keep using that word…”). There was never a point in the book where I was at the edge of my seat with chills. That is not to say this book doesn’t have a rousing and entertaining plot line with twists and turns, just that it doesn’t come with the heart-pounding action or drama that the word ‘suspense’ normally conjures. There are your typical murder-mystery elements, so the breaking of new ground is not on Shafransky’s list. But all told, the entertainment factor is still clear and present.
At first, Nora’s characterization bothered me. Once again, following the pattern set forth for a female protagonist by titles like The Girl on the Train, Nora is an unreliable narrator. Her issue is not alcohol or amnesia-related, but rather an issue with sleepwalking. From the get-go, Nora wonders if she was the one who murdered Hugh and his new wife in some hypnotic sleepwalking episode. Certain clues seem to support this idea, and Nora’s continual self-mistrust rings a familiar tune. However, by the middle (and when Nora starts to pursue a romantic relationship) she starts to show her independence and shirks her weaknesses in favor of her strengths.
By the story’s end, I was pleased with the result. Tips for Living is a slower-paced thriller that relies on the cold North Eastern setting and characters to bring about a truly gruesome crime.
THE BOTTOM LINE
What I liked:
The location and atmosphere of the book is a nice change of pace than the usual settings for these sort of thrillers. Nora, while at times a meddling protagonist, rises above the norm at key moments in the story to set herself apart.
What I disliked:
Once again, the novel features a female protagonist who is also an unreliable narrator (see The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, A Stranger in the House, and The Woman in the Window). Since this has become a trope, I find it tiresome. The pacing is slow, especially for a book that boasts of being “a novel of suspense” on the cover.
krreid's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was an enjoyable read. It was a quick but captivating read about a double murder in a small town - the victims are the cheating ex-husband of the main character & his new wife. I enjoyed the way this was written & it was a good whodunnit.
doctabird's review against another edition
2.0
The story was ok, but the writing was clunky and often took me away from the story. Another example of telling me instead of showing me.
wingless13's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable read that took me less than a day to finish. The story kept me turning the pages and wanting to know how and who did it. Everything is narrated from Nora's point of view so you discover clues as she does.
coach_sean's review
2.0
There is simply too much good stuff out there to read something that isn't for you. This story has ben told before, and many many times. The subject is neurotic, and I simply don't have the time. I gave up at half way.
kjonker's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book more than I initially thought I would! I enjoyed the main character, Nora. I loved her "realness", flaws and self doubt that made her relatable. I love twists as much as the next person, but About 3/4 into the book I started getting a little exhausted with the many ways the story felt like it was turning, but I feel the author finally tied it up nicely. It was an enjoyable read!