Scan barcode
bew's review against another edition
4.0
I've just finished the birthday, it was as good as it seemed early on. I was guessing who was responsible several times but hadn't guessed correctly but it will be a spoiler if I explain why. I gave it four stars instead of my usual three, it could have had more but I was disappointed with who was responsible.
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Birthday'. I often find police procedurals a bit dry and lacking pace, but I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.
Yes, there were times when the plot didn't progress over much, usually when leads dried up but the characters were really well written and I found that I enjoyed reading about them as much as the main plot.
I really liked Natalie as a leading lady. The balance between her home and work life was well written, and I am desperate to know how her home life progresses - her husband is an arsehole btw. I really didn't like him (come on Mike!)
The main plot was well developed and felt tense at times, particularly in the race-against-time ending. It was also quite creepy in that the killer wasn't some psycho, evil genius on a rampage but someone with no regrets about what they were doing. An almost innocent evil.
It was also well written, with a good blend of dialogue and description. I could picture certain things so clearly.
I also really loved the actual book itself. It was a heavy paperback with thick pages and clear writing and I loved holding it - a weird thing to review but it added to my enjoyment I think.
Will definitely be looking out for more books by Carol Wyer.
Yes, there were times when the plot didn't progress over much, usually when leads dried up but the characters were really well written and I found that I enjoyed reading about them as much as the main plot.
I really liked Natalie as a leading lady. The balance between her home and work life was well written, and I am desperate to know how her home life progresses - her husband is an arsehole btw. I really didn't like him (come on Mike!)
The main plot was well developed and felt tense at times, particularly in the race-against-time ending. It was also quite creepy in that the killer wasn't some psycho, evil genius on a rampage but someone with no regrets about what they were doing. An almost innocent evil.
It was also well written, with a good blend of dialogue and description. I could picture certain things so clearly.
I also really loved the actual book itself. It was a heavy paperback with thick pages and clear writing and I loved holding it - a weird thing to review but it added to my enjoyment I think.
Will definitely be looking out for more books by Carol Wyer.
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
A book that I didn’t love but it was OK. It’s seem to drag a bit at times despite the fact that it was high attention situations.
bethanlouux's review against another edition
5.0
Best book I’ve read in a long while! Absolutely gripping from the very first page. Quite creepy, but that makes it even more jaw dropping at times! Incredible book.
dawnlaw's review against another edition
5.0
There is one word for this book …. Absolutely stunning! Ok yes technically two words, but it is, wow it blew me away. Totally my favourite book so far of 2018.
I am a big Carol Wyer fan so was super excited to read this, I loved everything about it from the cover to the characters to the story.
It was great to have a new detective book to read, I liked Natalie right off, she has flaws, she’s not perfect but she works damn hard and really cares. This is a great start to a new series that I am going to love I’m already wishing I could have the next book!
Carol has the knack of drawing you in to the story, holding you there with baited breath, hardly daring to breath in case you miss a vital clue, the suspense is a killer.
This book was amazing I really liked it, it’s totally going to get 5 stars although it is a shame I can’t give it more, it’s easily worth a 7. Buy it, you won’t regret it!
I am a big Carol Wyer fan so was super excited to read this, I loved everything about it from the cover to the characters to the story.
It was great to have a new detective book to read, I liked Natalie right off, she has flaws, she’s not perfect but she works damn hard and really cares. This is a great start to a new series that I am going to love I’m already wishing I could have the next book!
Carol has the knack of drawing you in to the story, holding you there with baited breath, hardly daring to breath in case you miss a vital clue, the suspense is a killer.
This book was amazing I really liked it, it’s totally going to get 5 stars although it is a shame I can’t give it more, it’s easily worth a 7. Buy it, you won’t regret it!
justme17021212010524's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25
The Birthday was really well written and I had my suspicions but kept being thrown off, I kept trying to figure out who it was. I loved the way it was written but I also wish there was more interactions with Mike…
David, as little as we saw, irritated me a bit. I know the story was about the murders and mysteries but I also would’ve liked if there had been more of Natalie‘s life
Anyway, I really liked the story and do recommend
David, as little as we saw, irritated me a bit. I know the story was about the murders and mysteries but I also would’ve liked if there had been more of Natalie‘s life
Anyway, I really liked the story and do recommend
helgamharb's review against another edition
4.0
5 year old Ava Sawyer disappears at a birthday party held at a garden center. 2 years later her body is found in the grounds of the center still clad in her yellow party dress.
Then 7 year old Audrey Briggs, one of Ava’s classmates who was also present at the birthday party, is strangled to death, wearing almost an identical yellow dress Ava was wearing.
Are the two murders connected? Is someone targeting the children who attended that fateful birthday party? What is the murderer’s motive?
Matters get worse, when another girl goes missing.
Suspects are galore, with shaky alibis and plenty of motives and Detective Natalie Ward and her team are trying to follow every lead to uncover the truth and stop the culprit.
The Birthday was a well-written, fast-paced and thrilling read, full of surprises.
Thanks to Carol Wyer, Bookouture and the NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
Then 7 year old Audrey Briggs, one of Ava’s classmates who was also present at the birthday party, is strangled to death, wearing almost an identical yellow dress Ava was wearing.
Are the two murders connected? Is someone targeting the children who attended that fateful birthday party? What is the murderer’s motive?
Matters get worse, when another girl goes missing.
Suspects are galore, with shaky alibis and plenty of motives and Detective Natalie Ward and her team are trying to follow every lead to uncover the truth and stop the culprit.
The Birthday was a well-written, fast-paced and thrilling read, full of surprises.
Thanks to Carol Wyer, Bookouture and the NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
danielle81's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0