A review by meows_and_migraines
The Squatter by Jonathan Dunne

dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Interesting premise, but mediocre execution. I don't like to disparage an author's writing style, but this left a lot to be desired. Confusing character perspective changes that happen randomly, poor delivery of  'cliffhanger' chapter ends. Every chapter includes some form of 'little did they know how bad it would be,' rendering it ineffective and annoying. 

Characters, save for Molly and maybe her kids, are paper-thin and lack depth. They jump from one jarring personality to another with no rhyme or reason. Backstories and motivations are introduced and then quickly forgotten. I.E.
a teacher berates a girl to tears, words drenched in sarcasm. Only to suddenly be comforting and loving and praising the girls she just tore apart - and this isn't some act. This change is written off as normal and natural. And what the hell was up with Mollys sexual dream about Pendergrast and then being pushed out the window? Why??? What does that have to do with anything else in the story (spoiler: IT DOESN'T). It is like the author wrote without any plan or idea of what to do with ANYONE.
 

There is the tiniest hint of promise, but it all falls flat. And the ending....What a joke. I'm giving this 2 stars for doing something different with Molly embracing the haunting. Too bad that interesting take came in the form of such a lackluster and disappointing novel. 
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