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A review by litwithleigh
Possession by Katie Lowe
4.0
Book outlet read #4 (see other reviews at bottom! I know ya wanna)
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 2/5
THE PLOT
Hannah doesn't remember anything from the night her husband Graham died, but when Conviction, a popular true crime podcast, takes a deep dive into the case, Hannah's life is turned upside down.
MY (UNPOPULAR) OPINION
I recently made an Instagram reel (shameless plug) on books I loved that others didn't... and this book def joins that group.
I can totally see why others didn't enjoy it. I think this book was slotted into the wrong genre. This isn't really a thriller—it's a contemporary fiction with a contrived thriller-esque ending. If you're expects thrillz with a Z, this isn't the book for you. I enjoyed this because I didn't read it with my "thriller goggles" (aka expecting certain markers of the genre) but with my "contemporary goggles" instead. If I was wearing thriller goggles, my rating would've been lower for shizzle.
Possession explores abusive relationships (btw appreciate the "resources" at the end of the book), gaslighting, PTSD, and eating disorders. The writing is strong enough to tackle these subjects by taking you inside the mind of an intelligent women riddled with self-doubt and all-around confusion due to a traumatic upbringing and abusive relationship.
I also enjoyed seeing "the other side" of true crime podcasts. I don't listen to podcasts, although I've seen my fair share of true crime docs, but I (selfishly/naively) have never considered how it impacts those involved. I think there's a fine line between exposing innocence and then pointing a finger at another suspect for clicks. You can overturn a conviction without a new suspect, so drawing negative attention toward someone else is unnecessary, and in a world where anyone can say anything (as Katie Lowe deftly shows) this is dangerous.
ANYWAYZZZ BEING TOO SERIOUS GUYS so let's talk about that double pack of ass ending. I felt like this was an attempt to fit the book into the thriller genre. Out of nowhere we've got twists coming out the wazoo that make no sense. Contrasted against a serious and introspective novel, it felt cheap and random. The ending was some The Golden Couple shit. Sad face :(
All in all, I (controversially) enjoyed this book and the insights it provided... until that boo boo ending.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: great writing, well-paced with bite-sized chapters, introspective look at difficult topics and being on the receiving end of negative national attention
Cons: TERRIBLE, forced, cliche thriller ending that clashed with the vibez of the book, I wanna fight Sarah and Graham and Darren and... well EVERYONE but Hannah and Evie.
Book outlet reads
#1 - The Reunion
#2 - One Step Behind
#3 - The Scholar
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 2/5
THE PLOT
Hannah doesn't remember anything from the night her husband Graham died, but when Conviction, a popular true crime podcast, takes a deep dive into the case, Hannah's life is turned upside down.
MY (UNPOPULAR) OPINION
I recently made an Instagram reel (shameless plug) on books I loved that others didn't... and this book def joins that group.
I can totally see why others didn't enjoy it. I think this book was slotted into the wrong genre. This isn't really a thriller—it's a contemporary fiction with a contrived thriller-esque ending. If you're expects thrillz with a Z, this isn't the book for you. I enjoyed this because I didn't read it with my "thriller goggles" (aka expecting certain markers of the genre) but with my "contemporary goggles" instead. If I was wearing thriller goggles, my rating would've been lower for shizzle.
Possession explores abusive relationships (btw appreciate the "resources" at the end of the book), gaslighting, PTSD, and eating disorders. The writing is strong enough to tackle these subjects by taking you inside the mind of an intelligent women riddled with self-doubt and all-around confusion due to a traumatic upbringing and abusive relationship.
I also enjoyed seeing "the other side" of true crime podcasts. I don't listen to podcasts, although I've seen my fair share of true crime docs, but I (selfishly/naively) have never considered how it impacts those involved. I think there's a fine line between exposing innocence and then pointing a finger at another suspect for clicks. You can overturn a conviction without a new suspect, so drawing negative attention toward someone else is unnecessary, and in a world where anyone can say anything (as Katie Lowe deftly shows) this is dangerous.
ANYWAYZZZ BEING TOO SERIOUS GUYS so let's talk about that double pack of ass ending. I felt like this was an attempt to fit the book into the thriller genre. Out of nowhere we've got twists coming out the wazoo that make no sense. Contrasted against a serious and introspective novel, it felt cheap and random. The ending was some The Golden Couple shit. Sad face :(
All in all, I (controversially) enjoyed this book and the insights it provided... until that boo boo ending.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: great writing, well-paced with bite-sized chapters, introspective look at difficult topics and being on the receiving end of negative national attention
Cons: TERRIBLE, forced, cliche thriller ending that clashed with the vibez of the book, I wanna fight Sarah and Graham and Darren and... well EVERYONE but Hannah and Evie.
Book outlet reads
#1 - The Reunion
#2 - One Step Behind
#3 - The Scholar