Scan barcode
A review by kt1432
What Waits in the Woods by Terri Parlato
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
An ex-ballet dancer returns to her hometown in the midst of a murder investigation of one of her high school best friends.
After enjoying this author’s first work, All the Dark Places, I was excited to be pulled back into the suburbs of Boston with Detective Rita taking on a new case. The title and cover gave vibes of a creepy murderer lurking in the woods and I was sold!
Only it wasn’t quite that lol. This time around there is very little action, and very little detective work. Most of the plot seemed focused on slow-paced background stories for red herrings, and they are plentiful, yet not necessary to the overall plot. There’s lots of rehashing old family drama and old high school rivalries, and the creepy woods angle never really came to fruition.
When the final reveal is made, it kind of makes sense why most of the story was background on red herrings, because the murderer and motive were pretty unrealistic and out of left field.
Overall not my favorite (2 or 2.5 ⭐️ for me means “just okay or didn’t really care for it,” not awful), but I will still read the next in the series.
After enjoying this author’s first work, All the Dark Places, I was excited to be pulled back into the suburbs of Boston with Detective Rita taking on a new case. The title and cover gave vibes of a creepy murderer lurking in the woods and I was sold!
Only it wasn’t quite that lol. This time around there is very little action, and very little detective work. Most of the plot seemed focused on slow-paced background stories for red herrings, and they are plentiful, yet not necessary to the overall plot. There’s lots of rehashing old family drama and old high school rivalries, and the creepy woods angle never really came to fruition.
When the final reveal is made, it kind of makes sense why most of the story was background on red herrings, because the murderer and motive were pretty unrealistic and out of left field.
Overall not my favorite (2 or 2.5 ⭐️ for me means “just okay or didn’t really care for it,” not awful), but I will still read the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent