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A review by aahrobot
Deadly When Disturbed by D.M. Barr
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Firstly, thank you very much to D.M. Barr for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
So, this was the first book that I have ever actually taken notes on/annotated a little. There was so much happening and I didn't want to forget how I felt in the moment. I've thought about how to rate this for a day and finally settled on 3.5 stars.
This book wasn't bad. The twist shocked me, in a way, and in others, it didn't. The book begins with Samantha Ellingsworth, a depressed, soon to be divorced woman who ends up taking her own life. We later discover that Merry was behind that.
Then, we meet Dara, a successful relator, charity organizer, and stepmom. She is seen as this incredible woman working hard to support her family even though her and her husband come from pretty affluent families. She has to hire a new assistant and finds the perfect one in Meryl 'Merry' Rafter.
We also meet Celeste, seemingly a voice/ego living in Dara's brain. This is something that just felt convenient by the end of the book. Celeste is this character/voice/personality. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't have DID nor do I know anyone personally who does. But to have the book end with Dara/Celeste turn out to be a murderer felt stereotypical in a way.
I have a love/hate relationship with Merry. It was disgusting and oddly entertaining to learn more about her, her life, and all the awful things she has done. I did, sort of, guess the twist, but of course, Dara I didn't see coming (kind of). All in all, this wasn't a bad read, but there were some minor storylines that I just couldn't understand/get behind.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
So, this was the first book that I have ever actually taken notes on/annotated a little. There was so much happening and I didn't want to forget how I felt in the moment. I've thought about how to rate this for a day and finally settled on 3.5 stars.
This book wasn't bad. The twist shocked me, in a way, and in others, it didn't. The book begins with Samantha Ellingsworth, a depressed, soon to be divorced woman who ends up taking her own life. We later discover that Merry was behind that.
Then, we meet Dara, a successful relator, charity organizer, and stepmom. She is seen as this incredible woman working hard to support her family even though her and her husband come from pretty affluent families. She has to hire a new assistant and finds the perfect one in Meryl 'Merry' Rafter.
We also meet Celeste, seemingly a voice/ego living in Dara's brain. This is something that just felt convenient by the end of the book. Celeste is this character/voice/personality. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't have DID nor do I know anyone personally who does. But to have the book end with Dara/Celeste turn out to be a murderer felt stereotypical in a way.
I have a love/hate relationship with Merry. It was disgusting and oddly entertaining to learn more about her, her life, and all the awful things she has done. I did, sort of, guess the twist, but of course, Dara I didn't see coming (kind of). All in all, this wasn't a bad read, but there were some minor storylines that I just couldn't understand/get behind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit