A review by joypouros
The Smuggler's Daughter by Kerry Barrett
medium-paced
2.5
I found the premise interesting but the dialogue clunky. I didn't like Phoebe at all. Parts of the plot are contrived.
There are two timelines.
In 1799, Emily Moon doesn't speak and most of the town thinks she is "simple". She witnesses her father murdered but can't tell anyone. She works to understand why he was murdered and why the murderer needs her mother's cooperation for something. The one person she can talk to is Arthur, who understands and helps her. They ultimately are successful in their mission and decide to marry and go to America.
In present day, 2019, Phoebe is a police officer who is on leave from being a cop after a tragic case she feels partly responsible. Her friend convinces her to go to a small town to try to flip a pub. Her friend ends up tangled in a mess similar to Emily's family.
Phoebe's character was a but of a mess. A supposedly competent cop who does an absurd amount of things a competent cop wouldn't do. There's a romantic component in Phoebe's storyline that is unnecessary and makes her appear less competent than she should be.
The backstory with the tragic case was unnecessary. Her friend, Liv, was also portrayed both as good at her job and completely lacking in common sense or due diligence. Dialogue was forced.
A good idea squandered.
There are two timelines.
In 1799, Emily Moon doesn't speak and most of the town thinks she is "simple". She witnesses her father murdered but can't tell anyone. She works to understand why he was murdered and why the murderer needs her mother's cooperation for something. The one person she can talk to is Arthur, who understands and helps her. They ultimately are successful in their mission and decide to marry and go to America.
In present day, 2019, Phoebe is a police officer who is on leave from being a cop after a tragic case she feels partly responsible. Her friend convinces her to go to a small town to try to flip a pub. Her friend ends up tangled in a mess similar to Emily's family.
Phoebe's character was a but of a mess. A supposedly competent cop who does an absurd amount of things a competent cop wouldn't do. There's a romantic component in Phoebe's storyline that is unnecessary and makes her appear less competent than she should be.
The backstory with the tragic case was unnecessary. Her friend, Liv, was also portrayed both as good at her job and completely lacking in common sense or due diligence. Dialogue was forced.
A good idea squandered.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape