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A review by hannahadamson
Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one. It was very atmospheric and the mystery aspect was really interesting. I absolutely loved the small town setting and I didn't know who to trust the whole time which kept things exciting.
I've been really enjoying dark, mystery books recently and this book gave exactly that.
However, the plot was very slow to unravel. Looking back on this, not a lot really happened. Therefore, I think this book could have been 100 pages shorter. I spent most chapters wanting more from it. For example, a lot of chapters would end on an exciting cliffhanger, but then the next chapter didn't resolve any of it.
Also, I really didn't like the scenes between Grey and a certain character. (Hart) It just felt like the same conversation was repeated over and over again
Also I found that the ending wrapped everything up a little too quickly for me. The whole book was quite slow paced but then the big reveal at the end was over in a flash! And thats the best part of a mystery book, so I wish we'd spent a little more time there.
In addition to this, I didn't really like any of the characters and I don't think them being psychics added much to the story, I think i'd have preferred this book if the supernatural elements of the book weren't there.
Having said all that, I did read it really quickly and there were lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing and the reveal at the end did genuinely surprise me! Overall, if you're looking for a supernatural, small town mystery with a really dark and atmospheric setting I think you would enjoy this and I will definitely be picking up Ginny Myers Sain's books in the future!
make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading this one!
I've been really enjoying dark, mystery books recently and this book gave exactly that.
However, the plot was very slow to unravel. Looking back on this, not a lot really happened. Therefore, I think this book could have been 100 pages shorter. I spent most chapters wanting more from it. For example, a lot of chapters would end on an exciting cliffhanger, but then the next chapter didn't resolve any of it.
Also, I really didn't like the scenes between Grey and a certain character.
Also I found that the ending wrapped everything up a little too quickly for me. The whole book was quite slow paced but then the big reveal at the end was over in a flash! And thats the best part of a mystery book, so I wish we'd spent a little more time there.
In addition to this, I didn't really like any of the characters and I don't think them being psychics added much to the story, I think i'd have preferred this book if the supernatural elements of the book weren't there.
Having said all that, I did read it really quickly and there were lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing and the reveal at the end did genuinely surprise me! Overall, if you're looking for a supernatural, small town mystery with a really dark and atmospheric setting I think you would enjoy this and I will definitely be picking up Ginny Myers Sain's books in the future!
make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder