Scan barcode
A review by jacs63
The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
** spoiler alert ** I was told by someone that this wasn't very good, and boy, were they right.
It was truely awful and so disappointing, as so many people rave about Lisa Jewell.
I borrowed this one from the library and saved my money, and I'm glad I did.
I read in the 'Acknowledgements' that she wasn't going to write a sequel, but she gave in to pressure from her fans. Well, she needs to develop a back-bone.
I gave the book 2 stars, just for the fact that I am sure LJ can write. I'm just not sure that this is her best work.
The first book was 'good'. A bit over-hyped, as all books are these days, with pages and pages of adulation from other famous authors and social media people.
I was mildly underwhelmed though, but thought it was 'ok.' A different type of story, but it went on a bit.
This book is so much worse.
Nothing actually happens in it.
It's so BORING.
So many plot holes.
Interpol are a bit 'pants', aren't they? Knowing all about Lucy and Henry etc but letting them travel back to the UK on false passports, and doing nothing.
Rachel's character was a waste of good paper.
I only read the book really, because her most intriguing character in the first book, Phin, might make an appearance. Except he doesn't. Not till the last 2 chapters or so. And he does nothing. What a wasted opportunity.
LJ introduces a new character, with the Detective investigating the case, but even he can't save the story. He's so under-written.
There's one suicide from a secondary character, who does it to save another character.
There is a character who rapes someone, but this isn't new. He did it in the last book.
And.........nothing else.
I can't believe anyone gave this 4 or 5 stars, but then again there no accounting for taste, as they say.
My recommendation is, give it a miss. It's awful.
It was truely awful and so disappointing, as so many people rave about Lisa Jewell.
I borrowed this one from the library and saved my money, and I'm glad I did.
I read in the 'Acknowledgements' that she wasn't going to write a sequel, but she gave in to pressure from her fans. Well, she needs to develop a back-bone.
I gave the book 2 stars, just for the fact that I am sure LJ can write. I'm just not sure that this is her best work.
The first book was 'good'. A bit over-hyped, as all books are these days, with pages and pages of adulation from other famous authors and social media people.
I was mildly underwhelmed though, but thought it was 'ok.' A different type of story, but it went on a bit.
This book is so much worse.
Nothing actually happens in it.
It's so BORING.
So many plot holes.
Interpol are a bit 'pants', aren't they? Knowing all about Lucy and Henry etc but letting them travel back to the UK on false passports, and doing nothing.
Rachel's character was a waste of good paper.
I only read the book really, because her most intriguing character in the first book, Phin, might make an appearance. Except he doesn't. Not till the last 2 chapters or so. And he does nothing. What a wasted opportunity.
LJ introduces a new character, with the Detective investigating the case, but even he can't save the story. He's so under-written.
There's one suicide from a secondary character, who does it to save another character.
There is a character who rapes someone, but this isn't new. He did it in the last book.
And.........nothing else.
I can't believe anyone gave this 4 or 5 stars, but then again there no accounting for taste, as they say.
My recommendation is, give it a miss. It's awful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol