sjorgie's review against another edition
1.0
I've enjoyed the author's Joe Pickett series very much so I was eager to read this one. It was so bad, that I actually double checked to see if there was two authors named CJ Box. No, it was just a poorly written book.
eslismyjam's review
3.0
Deeply creepy thriller. Kept me turning the pages but did feel a bit dated somehow.
ogameliabedelia's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cnorbury's review
3.0
I'm drawn to novels that take place in the West or Midwest due to the sense of wide-open space, loneliness, and foreboding those areas can evoke. Box is a master at setting his scenes to maximize the effect of that openness. Sort of like a story that takes place on an island in the ocean can't help but be affected by the water in many ways-- overt or subtle.
Unfortunately, the plot didn't quite work for me. I found only one remotely likable character who had a significant role--Gracie Sullivan; the young, pragmatic sister. Rogue LEOs who don't have a valid and specific reason to flout the legal system (Cody Hoyt) are more annoying than endearing. Rookie cops (Cassie Dewell) who blindly follow the example of their mentors (Hoyt) plus don't use an ounce of common sense or smart police procedure to take down a serial killer should NOT be allowed to solve the case unscathed and become a national heroine.
Offsetting that is a really creepy villain and a second, almost as creepy villain. Their crimes are heinous and numerous. However, the villain who ***PARTIAL but VAGUE SPOILER ALERT*** "came late to the game" *** didn't seem to have much motivation for his role in the crimes other than perverse desires and a need to control others.
When I read dark, sort of depressing stories like this, I need some ray of hope or optimism at the end that things will get better for the MC, and/or that the villain got what he deserved, a character repented or grew in a positive way, or some moral lesson was learned by someone along the way. I didn't get enough of that to enjoy this book as much as I wanted to based on the excellent start.
Unfortunately, the plot didn't quite work for me. I found only one remotely likable character who had a significant role--Gracie Sullivan; the young, pragmatic sister. Rogue LEOs who don't have a valid and specific reason to flout the legal system (Cody Hoyt) are more annoying than endearing. Rookie cops (Cassie Dewell) who blindly follow the example of their mentors (Hoyt) plus don't use an ounce of common sense or smart police procedure to take down a serial killer should NOT be allowed to solve the case unscathed and become a national heroine.
Offsetting that is a really creepy villain and a second, almost as creepy villain. Their crimes are heinous and numerous. However, the villain who ***PARTIAL but VAGUE SPOILER ALERT*** "came late to the game" *** didn't seem to have much motivation for his role in the crimes other than perverse desires and a need to control others.
When I read dark, sort of depressing stories like this, I need some ray of hope or optimism at the end that things will get better for the MC, and/or that the villain got what he deserved, a character repented or grew in a positive way, or some moral lesson was learned by someone along the way. I didn't get enough of that to enjoy this book as much as I wanted to based on the excellent start.
jecamp86's review against another edition
4.0
Terrific and terrifying
This thriller was pretty fast paced, hard core and everything you could want out of a mystery. It takes turns you don't see coming and the ending leaves you wanting more.
This thriller was pretty fast paced, hard core and everything you could want out of a mystery. It takes turns you don't see coming and the ending leaves you wanting more.
jenaynayk's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75