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The Last Good Day of the Year
A new powerful thriller from the globally-embraced author of Between.
Ten years ago, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seven-year-old Samantha and her next door neighbor, Remy, watched as a man broke into Sam’s home and took her younger sister, Turtle, from her sleeping bag. Remy and Sam, too afraid to intervene at the time, later identified the man as Sam’s sister Gretchen’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steven, who was sent to prison for Turtle’s murder.
Now, Sam’s shattered family is returning to her childhood home in an effort to heal. As long-buried memories begin to surface, Sam wonders if she and Remy accurately registered everything they saw. The more they re-examine the events of that fateful night, the more questions they discover about what really happened to Turtle.
Master storyteller Jessica Warman keeps readers guessing in this arresting page-turner.
Ten years ago, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seven-year-old Samantha and her next door neighbor, Remy, watched as a man broke into Sam’s home and took her younger sister, Turtle, from her sleeping bag. Remy and Sam, too afraid to intervene at the time, later identified the man as Sam’s sister Gretchen’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steven, who was sent to prison for Turtle’s murder.
Now, Sam’s shattered family is returning to her childhood home in an effort to heal. As long-buried memories begin to surface, Sam wonders if she and Remy accurately registered everything they saw. The more they re-examine the events of that fateful night, the more questions they discover about what really happened to Turtle.
Master storyteller Jessica Warman keeps readers guessing in this arresting page-turner.
278 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
About the author
Jessica Warman
11 books386 followersJessica Warman is the author of Breathless, which received three starred reviews and was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Where the Truth Lies. The idea for Between came from an incident in her childhood, when a local boy went missing after a party on a yacht (he was eventually found, alive).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
April 10, 2015
This... was an interesting read, indeed.
The blurb talks about how this is a powerful thriller, but a more apt description would be a "quiet" thriller that sends ripples of emotions to the reader in frequent, yet small doses. This is actually the first time I've read something like it, because when I see THRILLER, I expect SUSPENSE! MYSTERY! TWISTS AT EVERY CORNER! But Last Good Day of the Year is anything but. The first 90% is all backstory, and the actual "thriller" part comes almost at the very end.
That doesn't mean to say that it didn't work, though, because I found myself liking the overall touch. When Sam was seven years old, she witnessed someone go inside their house and kidnap her four year old sister, Tabitha (nickname: Turtle). If something like that happened to me, my life would definitely change, and so would my parents', my siblings', my neighbors' and friends'. And the book here emphasizes that - how the lives of Sam and the people close to her heart changed, and how they felt the grief, the sadness, the blame, and the regret and how these all followed them for years until the present time. I felt all of these emotions in my very core as I read along, as there was this brutal honesty but softness in Sam's voice that would hold your heart and tenderly accompany you from finish to end.
If there is one thing that I didn't like, though, it's just that there were times the narration felt dragging at times. Like I mentioned, the book was 90% character backstory, and the rest were actually for the "thriller" part (or the knowing of who kidnapped Turtle). It would narrate quite extensively about certain details that I felt were quite irrelevant, although I guess the author really wanted to flesh out the characters and let us see some sort of domino effect. It's just weird when the book's shorter than the usual novel and yet there were times you would feel like it's taking forever.
Also going to throw this out there: while I appreciated the backstory, I was disappointed that the actual "thriller" part was so, so, so short, and the details and evidences pointing at the real killer were given to us in an "avalanche". There weren't really any clues beforehand and so the story gives it all to us in one go as if all of a sudden, the characters had a moment of HUGE epiphany. I usually look forward to the discovering of clues, to the reading between the lines, to thinking about the puzzle pieces myself when it comes to this type of books, so to see it nonexistent here bummed me out. The transition to that point of the book was also not there. So it was like "character backstory, backstory, backstory, OH THE KILLER WAS THIS DUDE AND THIS IS WHY" and every character would be like, "OH I SEE NOW" as if they all simply accepted it. I wish there were more tension :(
All in all, it's an interesting novel and I would read more of this kind of thrillers, as long as the tension is also in abundance (or at least present even in small amounts). I think contemporary readers would definitely like this.
The blurb talks about how this is a powerful thriller, but a more apt description would be a "quiet" thriller that sends ripples of emotions to the reader in frequent, yet small doses. This is actually the first time I've read something like it, because when I see THRILLER, I expect SUSPENSE! MYSTERY! TWISTS AT EVERY CORNER! But Last Good Day of the Year is anything but. The first 90% is all backstory, and the actual "thriller" part comes almost at the very end.
That doesn't mean to say that it didn't work, though, because I found myself liking the overall touch. When Sam was seven years old, she witnessed someone go inside their house and kidnap her four year old sister, Tabitha (nickname: Turtle). If something like that happened to me, my life would definitely change, and so would my parents', my siblings', my neighbors' and friends'. And the book here emphasizes that - how the lives of Sam and the people close to her heart changed, and how they felt the grief, the sadness, the blame, and the regret and how these all followed them for years until the present time. I felt all of these emotions in my very core as I read along, as there was this brutal honesty but softness in Sam's voice that would hold your heart and tenderly accompany you from finish to end.
If there is one thing that I didn't like, though, it's just that there were times the narration felt dragging at times. Like I mentioned, the book was 90% character backstory, and the rest were actually for the "thriller" part (or the knowing of who kidnapped Turtle). It would narrate quite extensively about certain details that I felt were quite irrelevant, although I guess the author really wanted to flesh out the characters and let us see some sort of domino effect. It's just weird when the book's shorter than the usual novel and yet there were times you would feel like it's taking forever.
Also going to throw this out there: while I appreciated the backstory, I was disappointed that the actual "thriller" part was so, so, so short, and the details and evidences pointing at the real killer were given to us in an "avalanche". There weren't really any clues beforehand and so the story gives it all to us in one go as if all of a sudden, the characters had a moment of HUGE epiphany. I usually look forward to the discovering of clues, to the reading between the lines, to thinking about the puzzle pieces myself when it comes to this type of books, so to see it nonexistent here bummed me out. The transition to that point of the book was also not there. So it was like "character backstory, backstory, backstory, OH THE KILLER WAS THIS DUDE AND THIS IS WHY" and every character would be like, "OH I SEE NOW" as if they all simply accepted it. I wish there were more tension :(
All in all, it's an interesting novel and I would read more of this kind of thrillers, as long as the tension is also in abundance (or at least present even in small amounts). I think contemporary readers would definitely like this.
January 3, 2018
2.6/5
First of all you have to know that you are not facing a 100% thriller. Here on Goodreads is marked as “Young Adult” too and I think that it’s better said like that.
This was for me more of a teen-mystery. And the reason is pretty easy: the main characters are actually teens and there’s involved too some odd romance that in the end wasn’t fully developed.
That’s right. We get a lot of backstory and present story of our main girl Sam and two guys, Noah and Remy. None of those romances were well explained in the end so that’s a part of the plot that wasn’t actually finished.
I think that this is the main problem for me with this book.
It starts with a good, nice story and has a quite good development too, but nothing is finished in the end except for the main mystery.
There are a lot of elements in this story and there’s a lot of narration of the past but in the end they took me nowhere.
I was having a good time reading this book, the story was interesting and got my attention. It was slightly slow but it didn’t bother me.
I liked to read of the past, the feels and what’s happening now in the present but when I was left with more or less than fifty pages, I started questioning something: nothing had truly happened in the seeking of the “Who actually did it?” and there were not that many pages left to read. Did I miss something? The answer was no. All in a sudden everything is revealed, Sam got an illumination and Remy too and now they have to tell the truth about whom they really saw that night.
In the last thirty pages I was already so confused on what was happening and in the last twenty I got completely lost.
I barely remembered who was the person behind of all this and all in a sudden he’s the main protagonist. Nope, that didn’t work out at all for me.
I was so damn confused that I couldn't enjoy the finale as I wanted. Too rushed, hasty and messy.
I had some problems with characters too. There are quite a few names there and sometimes I was mistaking someone with another one. All their stories and roles are not that very clear.
All the side characters are super flat and because of that sometimes hard to distinguish.
I picked up this book because is about a kidnap set during New Year’s Eve and that was pretty appropriate to read during those days and I really don’t regret reading it, it was going pretty well until the end that completely messed up the book, I mean, in a mystery the clues and pieces must be put together slowly and with a logic, in here it was all of a sudden and it was very hard to follow and understand, at least fo me.
“People always say the worst thing would be to lose everything. If you lose everything, you have nothing left to live for. But they've got it all wrong. The worst thing is to lose almost everything, because then you have to keep going for whoever’s left down there with you in the steaming bog of shit that life becomes.”
First of all you have to know that you are not facing a 100% thriller. Here on Goodreads is marked as “Young Adult” too and I think that it’s better said like that.
This was for me more of a teen-mystery. And the reason is pretty easy: the main characters are actually teens and there’s involved too some odd romance that in the end wasn’t fully developed.
That’s right. We get a lot of backstory and present story of our main girl Sam and two guys, Noah and Remy. None of those romances were well explained in the end so that’s a part of the plot that wasn’t actually finished.
I think that this is the main problem for me with this book.
It starts with a good, nice story and has a quite good development too, but nothing is finished in the end except for the main mystery.
There are a lot of elements in this story and there’s a lot of narration of the past but in the end they took me nowhere.
I was having a good time reading this book, the story was interesting and got my attention. It was slightly slow but it didn’t bother me.
I liked to read of the past, the feels and what’s happening now in the present but when I was left with more or less than fifty pages, I started questioning something: nothing had truly happened in the seeking of the “Who actually did it?” and there were not that many pages left to read. Did I miss something? The answer was no. All in a sudden everything is revealed, Sam got an illumination and Remy too and now they have to tell the truth about whom they really saw that night.
In the last thirty pages I was already so confused on what was happening and in the last twenty I got completely lost.
I barely remembered who was the person behind of all this and all in a sudden he’s the main protagonist. Nope, that didn’t work out at all for me.
I was so damn confused that I couldn't enjoy the finale as I wanted. Too rushed, hasty and messy.
I had some problems with characters too. There are quite a few names there and sometimes I was mistaking someone with another one. All their stories and roles are not that very clear.
All the side characters are super flat and because of that sometimes hard to distinguish.
I picked up this book because is about a kidnap set during New Year’s Eve and that was pretty appropriate to read during those days and I really don’t regret reading it, it was going pretty well until the end that completely messed up the book, I mean, in a mystery the clues and pieces must be put together slowly and with a logic, in here it was all of a sudden and it was very hard to follow and understand, at least fo me.
July 5, 2016
3.5 Stars.
The Last Good Day Of The Year was an incredibly compelling read. The storyline begins on New Year's Eve ten years prior, when a man in a Santa costume lifted then four year old Turtle from her sleeping bag, lying between Sam and next door neighbour Remy while their parents celebrated the new year. By the time her parents understood what had happened through their drunken stupor, Turtle had vanished along with the man who had taken her. Ten years later, and the family are once again faced with the distress of Turtle's disappearance as they move back into their former home due to financial hardship. With a new family member, five year old Hannah who is seen as Turtle's replacement.
Sam's mother harbours resentment for older sister Gretchen, now married but experiencing marital issues. Although back living at home, Gretchen spends most of her time with neighbour and best friend Abby as she cares for her ill father. Her former boyfriend was convicted of Turtle's disappearance but remains absolute in his innocence. Even though the storyline follows Sam's before and after perspective, her family unit is a pivotal part of the storyline. Relationships are broken as Sam's parents attempt to pick up the pieces of their lives ten years later, resuming their friendship with the neighbours, Remy's parents who were present on that fateful night. But it's Sam's friendship with Remy that she wants to rebuild. Torn from one another as seven year olds and having not stayed in touch. Remy has moved on and now has a girlfriend, but it isn't long until their shared experience drives the two now seventeen year olds back together.
The storyline was incredibly unnerving. A child brazenly taken but no body was ever found. The family still live in hope that Turtle may still be alive, the man having been committed still pleading his innocence even days before he is to be sentenced to death.
I couldn't tear myself away. The storyline left me feeling both restless and anxious, the emotion of Turtle's disappearance and both Sam and Remy reliving that night having taken a toll on my nerves. Among the main storyline, we also see glimpses of the unsolved case from crime author David Gordon, who published a book about the trauma of the four year old's disappearance. It adds an extra element of emotion as the reader can see how others have perceived the case, rather than just from the family that remains behind.
More mystery than thriller, the storyline was completely engrossing. I really enjoyed the switch from before to after the event as it added to the tension throughout the storyline. But unfortunately it was the crescendo of the storyline which left me feeling disappointed. Although disturbing, it was anticlimactic and confusing. Turtle deserved justice and as a reader, I don't feel as though it was achieved. Those who knew what happened to the then four year old, not one person had spoken up and lacked the action slash reaction growth and learning curve. The epilogue was unexpected and I still don't know why it was truly needed, as it raised more questions than answers.
The Last Good Day of The Year is an engrossing read, a pacified mystery that will leave readers feeling uncomfortable and unnerved. Although the ending felt rushed and lacked the shock factor that most readers will expect, it's the emotional journey of The Last Good Day Of The Year, rather than the destination.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2016/07/t...
The Last Good Day Of The Year was an incredibly compelling read. The storyline begins on New Year's Eve ten years prior, when a man in a Santa costume lifted then four year old Turtle from her sleeping bag, lying between Sam and next door neighbour Remy while their parents celebrated the new year. By the time her parents understood what had happened through their drunken stupor, Turtle had vanished along with the man who had taken her. Ten years later, and the family are once again faced with the distress of Turtle's disappearance as they move back into their former home due to financial hardship. With a new family member, five year old Hannah who is seen as Turtle's replacement.
Sam's mother harbours resentment for older sister Gretchen, now married but experiencing marital issues. Although back living at home, Gretchen spends most of her time with neighbour and best friend Abby as she cares for her ill father. Her former boyfriend was convicted of Turtle's disappearance but remains absolute in his innocence. Even though the storyline follows Sam's before and after perspective, her family unit is a pivotal part of the storyline. Relationships are broken as Sam's parents attempt to pick up the pieces of their lives ten years later, resuming their friendship with the neighbours, Remy's parents who were present on that fateful night. But it's Sam's friendship with Remy that she wants to rebuild. Torn from one another as seven year olds and having not stayed in touch. Remy has moved on and now has a girlfriend, but it isn't long until their shared experience drives the two now seventeen year olds back together.
The storyline was incredibly unnerving. A child brazenly taken but no body was ever found. The family still live in hope that Turtle may still be alive, the man having been committed still pleading his innocence even days before he is to be sentenced to death.
I couldn't tear myself away. The storyline left me feeling both restless and anxious, the emotion of Turtle's disappearance and both Sam and Remy reliving that night having taken a toll on my nerves. Among the main storyline, we also see glimpses of the unsolved case from crime author David Gordon, who published a book about the trauma of the four year old's disappearance. It adds an extra element of emotion as the reader can see how others have perceived the case, rather than just from the family that remains behind.
More mystery than thriller, the storyline was completely engrossing. I really enjoyed the switch from before to after the event as it added to the tension throughout the storyline. But unfortunately it was the crescendo of the storyline which left me feeling disappointed. Although disturbing, it was anticlimactic and confusing. Turtle deserved justice and as a reader, I don't feel as though it was achieved. Those who knew what happened to the then four year old, not one person had spoken up and lacked the action slash reaction growth and learning curve. The epilogue was unexpected and I still don't know why it was truly needed, as it raised more questions than answers.
The Last Good Day of The Year is an engrossing read, a pacified mystery that will leave readers feeling uncomfortable and unnerved. Although the ending felt rushed and lacked the shock factor that most readers will expect, it's the emotional journey of The Last Good Day Of The Year, rather than the destination.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2016/07/t...
September 29, 2022
Grade: B+
Ten years ago, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seven-year-old Samantha and her next door neighbor, Remy, watched as a man broke into Sam’s home and took her younger sister, Turtle, from her sleeping bag. Remy and Sam, too afraid to intervene at the time, later identified the man as Sam’s sister Gretchen’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steven, who was sent to death row for Turtle’s murder. Now, Sam and her family have moved back to the home from where Turtle disappeared and she starts to wonder if she can trust her memories.
THE LAST GOOD DAY OF THE YEAR pulled me in from the first paragraph in a way that screams, this is a special story. Samantha's narration switches from 1986, when Turtle was abducted, and 1996, when Sam and her family move back to their small PA town, I guess teens might see this as a period piece, pre-social media when having the Internet was optional. Since Turtle's disappearance, Sam has always been the "good daughter" to her preoccupied parents, but within her thoughts are layers of complexity and angst. I wouldn't characterize TLGDOTY as a thriller as much as a character study of the impact of a little girl's kidnapping and presumed murder on Sam, her family and her neighborhood. Although I didn't finish on one sitting, I had a hard time putting down my kindle. What kept me from giving TLGDOTY an A was the ending was fairly ambiguous and I felt like readers deserved more. I also wish there has been a few more clues earlier on. That's about all I can say without giving anything away
I'm a Jessica Warman fan and THE LAST GOOD DAY OF THE YEAR is her best work yet. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I think most readers teen and adult women will enjoy this novel.
THEMES: family, kidnapping, secrets, coming of age
ETA: I enjoyed the audiobook too.
Ten years ago, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seven-year-old Samantha and her next door neighbor, Remy, watched as a man broke into Sam’s home and took her younger sister, Turtle, from her sleeping bag. Remy and Sam, too afraid to intervene at the time, later identified the man as Sam’s sister Gretchen’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steven, who was sent to death row for Turtle’s murder. Now, Sam and her family have moved back to the home from where Turtle disappeared and she starts to wonder if she can trust her memories.
THE LAST GOOD DAY OF THE YEAR pulled me in from the first paragraph in a way that screams, this is a special story. Samantha's narration switches from 1986, when Turtle was abducted, and 1996, when Sam and her family move back to their small PA town, I guess teens might see this as a period piece, pre-social media when having the Internet was optional. Since Turtle's disappearance, Sam has always been the "good daughter" to her preoccupied parents, but within her thoughts are layers of complexity and angst. I wouldn't characterize TLGDOTY as a thriller as much as a character study of the impact of a little girl's kidnapping and presumed murder on Sam, her family and her neighborhood. Although I didn't finish on one sitting, I had a hard time putting down my kindle. What kept me from giving TLGDOTY an A was the ending was fairly ambiguous and I felt like readers deserved more. I also wish there has been a few more clues earlier on. That's about all I can say without giving anything away
I'm a Jessica Warman fan and THE LAST GOOD DAY OF THE YEAR is her best work yet. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I think most readers teen and adult women will enjoy this novel.
THEMES: family, kidnapping, secrets, coming of age
ETA: I enjoyed the audiobook too.
October 14, 2016
Someone needs to explain to whoever wrote the blurb for this book what thriller means. Because this book is most certainly not that. There's nothing even thrilling about it. And when will publishers learn that lying to the readers in the summary only sets them up for huge disappointment?
That's not a very promising start for this review, but it will explain why The Last Good Day of the Year made me so mad by the time I finished it. The truth is this is not even a mystery novel, and if it's meant to be, it sucks at being one. Unlike other books of the genre, that focus on police investigation or at least finding the truth, this is really a story about the emotional catastrophe that comes after a tragedy as big as having your daughter/sister kidnapped in the middle of the night and never hearing about her again.
That part is fairly well done. I read a lot of crime novels and true crime news, and they never explore too deeply what happens to the families of the victims. This book is all about the family of the victim, and when it's trying to be something else, it fails miserably.
The story starts in the New Year night of 1986. Sam and her best friend Remy, both 7 years old, witness how a man comes into the basement where they are supposedly sleeping and takes Sam's little sister, Turtle, away. The first few pages tell us they never find Turtle, so everyone assume she's been murdered. Sam and Remy point the finger to Steven, Sam's older sister's ex boyfriend, and he goes to jail.
The plot then develops in a non linear fashion, and it moves SO, SO slowly. I don't always mind that as long as a) the plot eventually gets somewhere and b) there's good character development in between. I'm sorry to say that where the plot leads is to a huge disappointment and the character development is very poor.
"You'd be surprised how easy it is to spend every moment with a person without ever truly getting to know them", says Sam, the protagonist who narrates in first person, about her mother. And that line is so true about Sam as well. I can't really tell you who Sam is. The author shares things about her --she's a "good" girl, she doesn't like the smell of Old Spice, she takes care of her sister-- but her personality just doesn't come through, and that really bothers me, because how am I suppose to care about her if she's so damn bland?
Seems like all the characters in this book can be divided in two: either the emotional wrecks or the unfeeling robots. There's not a single interesting character in this story.
Another thing that really makes this book disappointing is all the threads the author throws around that in the end mean nothing. Sam's relationship with two boys doesn't seem to have any importance in the end, nor is resolved in any way. There's something mildly intriguing about the mother of the guy who got convicted for the crime, but again, it just fades in the story. Sam's chapters are interjected with chapters of the fictional crime book that was written about Turtle, but they don't really reveal anything important and the author of the story, who is supposedly trying to get to the truth, is also extremely irrelevant in the end. When you get to the final pages of the book, you feel like you've been reading 250 pages of fillers that the author put there so you don't realize the HUGE plot holes in the story.
This is one of those books where everything gets "solved" in the last five pages, and it's so rushed and badly explained that not only it's hard to understand but also doesn't make ANY sense. It doesn't fit the timeline nor what the narrator has been telling us until then, and no, it's not a case of the clever twist of the unreliable narrator, unfortunately. There's no excuse for such a terrible resolution, if you can call it that, after you've been fed chapters and chapters of nothing.
That's not a very promising start for this review, but it will explain why The Last Good Day of the Year made me so mad by the time I finished it. The truth is this is not even a mystery novel, and if it's meant to be, it sucks at being one. Unlike other books of the genre, that focus on police investigation or at least finding the truth, this is really a story about the emotional catastrophe that comes after a tragedy as big as having your daughter/sister kidnapped in the middle of the night and never hearing about her again.
That part is fairly well done. I read a lot of crime novels and true crime news, and they never explore too deeply what happens to the families of the victims. This book is all about the family of the victim, and when it's trying to be something else, it fails miserably.
The story starts in the New Year night of 1986. Sam and her best friend Remy, both 7 years old, witness how a man comes into the basement where they are supposedly sleeping and takes Sam's little sister, Turtle, away. The first few pages tell us they never find Turtle, so everyone assume she's been murdered. Sam and Remy point the finger to Steven, Sam's older sister's ex boyfriend, and he goes to jail.
The plot then develops in a non linear fashion, and it moves SO, SO slowly. I don't always mind that as long as a) the plot eventually gets somewhere and b) there's good character development in between. I'm sorry to say that where the plot leads is to a huge disappointment and the character development is very poor.
"You'd be surprised how easy it is to spend every moment with a person without ever truly getting to know them", says Sam, the protagonist who narrates in first person, about her mother. And that line is so true about Sam as well. I can't really tell you who Sam is. The author shares things about her --she's a "good" girl, she doesn't like the smell of Old Spice, she takes care of her sister-- but her personality just doesn't come through, and that really bothers me, because how am I suppose to care about her if she's so damn bland?
Seems like all the characters in this book can be divided in two: either the emotional wrecks or the unfeeling robots. There's not a single interesting character in this story.
Another thing that really makes this book disappointing is all the threads the author throws around that in the end mean nothing. Sam's relationship with two boys doesn't seem to have any importance in the end, nor is resolved in any way. There's something mildly intriguing about the mother of the guy who got convicted for the crime, but again, it just fades in the story. Sam's chapters are interjected with chapters of the fictional crime book that was written about Turtle, but they don't really reveal anything important and the author of the story, who is supposedly trying to get to the truth, is also extremely irrelevant in the end. When you get to the final pages of the book, you feel like you've been reading 250 pages of fillers that the author put there so you don't realize the HUGE plot holes in the story.
This is one of those books where everything gets "solved" in the last five pages, and it's so rushed and badly explained that not only it's hard to understand but also doesn't make ANY sense. It doesn't fit the timeline nor what the narrator has been telling us until then, and no, it's not a case of the clever twist of the unreliable narrator, unfortunately. There's no excuse for such a terrible resolution, if you can call it that, after you've been fed chapters and chapters of nothing.
June 1, 2015
One of the main reasons why I don't like reading synopsis' beforehand is because it tends to leave me with big expectations. That was the case for this book, and I went in thinking I was getting a lot more than what was delivered. The Last Good Day of they Year certainly has great writing and an interesting storyline, but I feel like it didn't hit the mark for me and I didn't get the "powerful thriller" aspect that was promised.
It took me a long time to finish reading the book because I had a hard time after the first few chapters and I couldn't connect with the characters. And even though I understand why the author gave so much backstory surrounding the tragedy, I still felt overwhelmed whenever she'd take us in the past or bring up segments from ---(I forgot the name of the man) his book.
I guess my main issue with the story is that I wanted to feel more for the characters, in particularly Sam, especially since this book is based on such a horrific event. I wanted to feel their emotions and invest more in the story, but I couldn't. Sadly, I was more focused on finding out who the real killer was and just finishing it.
Like I said, the author is a great writer; her words flowed perfectly. But the story itself kind of fell short on the mystery aspect, and when the real murderer is unveiled, there wasn't a lot of momentum towards it. It felt a bit rushed actually, compared to the pace of the rest of the book.
Overall, it's an okay read. If you don't mind backstories, details, a subtle mystery with family drama, do give this one a try.
It took me a long time to finish reading the book because I had a hard time after the first few chapters and I couldn't connect with the characters. And even though I understand why the author gave so much backstory surrounding the tragedy, I still felt overwhelmed whenever she'd take us in the past or bring up segments from ---(I forgot the name of the man) his book.
I guess my main issue with the story is that I wanted to feel more for the characters, in particularly Sam, especially since this book is based on such a horrific event. I wanted to feel their emotions and invest more in the story, but I couldn't. Sadly, I was more focused on finding out who the real killer was and just finishing it.
Like I said, the author is a great writer; her words flowed perfectly. But the story itself kind of fell short on the mystery aspect, and when the real murderer is unveiled, there wasn't a lot of momentum towards it. It felt a bit rushed actually, compared to the pace of the rest of the book.
Overall, it's an okay read. If you don't mind backstories, details, a subtle mystery with family drama, do give this one a try.
March 15, 2015
What can I say about this book without giving away everything....... It reminded me of the Ramsey case and that was very scary because I remember my parents telling me to always lock the door and never ever go anywhere unless you go with someone else.
Sam and her best friend Remy watch as someone kidnaps Sam's little sister Turtle. As the police look for the kidnapper Sam's family decides to move away for awhile to heal. But not even moving can heal them so they move back to the old house and try to get on. Sam and Remy start to rethink about the kidnapping and what they really saw and who they really saw. Being so young they are not sure that they have the right man in prison.
As things start to come back to the girls in flashes they realize they may have not have seen what they told the police and the wrong man may be in prison. Is there a predator lurking in there neighborhood that everyone loves and trusts or is the right man in prison and the girls just don't remember because they were so young?
This story will have you at the end of your seat wanting to read faster just to find out if the girls were wrong or if they were right.
You will need your tissues for this one because I did.
Sam and her best friend Remy watch as someone kidnaps Sam's little sister Turtle. As the police look for the kidnapper Sam's family decides to move away for awhile to heal. But not even moving can heal them so they move back to the old house and try to get on. Sam and Remy start to rethink about the kidnapping and what they really saw and who they really saw. Being so young they are not sure that they have the right man in prison.
As things start to come back to the girls in flashes they realize they may have not have seen what they told the police and the wrong man may be in prison. Is there a predator lurking in there neighborhood that everyone loves and trusts or is the right man in prison and the girls just don't remember because they were so young?
This story will have you at the end of your seat wanting to read faster just to find out if the girls were wrong or if they were right.
You will need your tissues for this one because I did.
April 14, 2017
Addicting fast paced mystery! Loved it!
November 14, 2015
My full review can also be found on my blog, The Hardcover Lover.
In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for review purposes.
When I first requested The Last Good Day of the Year by Jessica Warman, I really thought I had no chance for approval. I don't really read thrillers, so why would Bloomsbury take a chance on me with no solid evidence of me reading the genre? Spoiler alert... I don't... well I didn't until now. I was shocked when it showed up in my mailbox, and afraid to give it a chance. You'll soon find out why this book may have been the game changer for me because I absolutely loved it!
While The Last Good Day of the Year gets off to a slow and confusing start, it's hella intense and scary enjoyable. I'm only saying that it's confusing because there are so many characters. There are the obviously important ones, and then there are some ones that are thrown in that just seem misplaced. By the time I was at the end of the book, I understood the inclusion of these characters, and why Warman was keeping me on my toes. OMG. It's just so crazy!
The reader probably shouldn't be enjoying a story about a four-year-old being abducted and most likely murdered, but it's hard not to enjoy. I don't want to compare it to a train wreck, but readers definitely won't be turning their eyes from this one once they start reading. Warman writes with an intensity that draws readers in and makes them crave more. It becomes a need to finish this book and figure out what happened to Turtle that New Year's Eve in 1986.
The book is told with a before and after perspective, and it jumps around a lot. Sometimes Sam is reflecting on what happened in 1986, and other times, it's 1996 when she and her family have moved back to the home where Turtle was taken. There are even a few times when Sam reflects on what happened a few months prior to her move back to Shelocta. You definitely have to piece together the puzzle, but it's worth it when you get to the shocking ending.
Now here's the part where I normally recommend the book to readers of certain books, but I have nothing to go on! So... if you are a fan of thrillers and mysteries, this might be the book you'll want to kick off your recreational summer reading. Trust me... you don't want to miss this that will keep you up at night!
In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for review purposes.
When I first requested The Last Good Day of the Year by Jessica Warman, I really thought I had no chance for approval. I don't really read thrillers, so why would Bloomsbury take a chance on me with no solid evidence of me reading the genre? Spoiler alert... I don't... well I didn't until now. I was shocked when it showed up in my mailbox, and afraid to give it a chance. You'll soon find out why this book may have been the game changer for me because I absolutely loved it!
While The Last Good Day of the Year gets off to a slow and confusing start, it's hella intense and scary enjoyable. I'm only saying that it's confusing because there are so many characters. There are the obviously important ones, and then there are some ones that are thrown in that just seem misplaced. By the time I was at the end of the book, I understood the inclusion of these characters, and why Warman was keeping me on my toes. OMG. It's just so crazy!
The reader probably shouldn't be enjoying a story about a four-year-old being abducted and most likely murdered, but it's hard not to enjoy. I don't want to compare it to a train wreck, but readers definitely won't be turning their eyes from this one once they start reading. Warman writes with an intensity that draws readers in and makes them crave more. It becomes a need to finish this book and figure out what happened to Turtle that New Year's Eve in 1986.
The book is told with a before and after perspective, and it jumps around a lot. Sometimes Sam is reflecting on what happened in 1986, and other times, it's 1996 when she and her family have moved back to the home where Turtle was taken. There are even a few times when Sam reflects on what happened a few months prior to her move back to Shelocta. You definitely have to piece together the puzzle, but it's worth it when you get to the shocking ending.
Now here's the part where I normally recommend the book to readers of certain books, but I have nothing to go on! So... if you are a fan of thrillers and mysteries, this might be the book you'll want to kick off your recreational summer reading. Trust me... you don't want to miss this that will keep you up at night!
December 14, 2015
This book had the potential to be good but it failed so miserably. The entirety of it was pretty much just backstory and then the plot twist was just thrown in at the end with absolutely no build up to it. I found it really stupid and disappointing. And I wasn't shocked at who the real murderer was and it wasn't because the ending was predictable cause it wasn't at all. It was because it came completely out of nowhere so I was left extremely confused. It was a big waste of my time and the main reason I finished reading was to find out the big plot twist.
July 9, 2016
Devoured in one sitting! I really interesting story that aroused a lot of emotions. Highly recommend if you are a fan of YA mystery. 4.5 Stars
June 7, 2017
Tabitha?? Turtle?? The westing game anyone??
January 9, 2018
It was New Year's Eve when Sam, her sister, and their friend Remy were sleeping in the basement. Someone dressed as Santa came into their house and stole Sam's sister. Although someone was charged for her kidnapping, Sam has to live with knowing she saw this happen and then remembers details for the next ten years of her life that have a lasting effect. Will anything ever be the same again?
**Some mature content and foul language**
**Some mature content and foul language**
October 25, 2016
Okay, so here's the main problem with this book: it suffers from an extreme case of a deceptive blurb. The blurb implies that it's a hard hitting thriller in which the protagonist realises she was mistaken about who's responsible for the disappearance of her sister 10 years ago and she decides to investigate.
And TECHNICALLY, that's what happens.
However.
The first 200 pages of this book flip flops between 1986, when Sam's little sister was abducted, and 1996 when the family moves back to that same house. And it's almost all set up. It's not until about page 150-200 that Sam starts to suspect that maybe the guy she accused at the age of seven may not have been guilty, and it's not until the last 50 pages or so that the plot really takes off.
So it wasn't a BAD book, per se. It did take me a ridiculously long time (FIVE DAYS) to read it, considering it's only 288 pages. And it's definitely not the thriller that the blurb makes it out to be. But it is a somewhat compelling story about how the members of one family deal with the loss of a family member. So if that sounds like your cup of tea, maybe give this a go.
And TECHNICALLY, that's what happens.
However.
The first 200 pages of this book flip flops between 1986, when Sam's little sister was abducted, and 1996 when the family moves back to that same house. And it's almost all set up. It's not until about page 150-200 that Sam starts to suspect that maybe the guy she accused at the age of seven may not have been guilty, and it's not until the last 50 pages or so that the plot really takes off.
So it wasn't a BAD book, per se. It did take me a ridiculously long time (FIVE DAYS) to read it, considering it's only 288 pages. And it's definitely not the thriller that the blurb makes it out to be. But it is a somewhat compelling story about how the members of one family deal with the loss of a family member. So if that sounds like your cup of tea, maybe give this a go.
June 29, 2015
This is not a book I would normally read, but a friend of mine recommended it to me so I decided to give it a try.
It is about a four-year-old girl that is kidnapped from home. Usually I don't enjoy mystery novels but this book may have me reading more.
This story is very intriguing from the beginning. It pulls you in from the first chapter but then drags a little. The ending is rapid and it comes to the point that you can't put it down. It is a very quick read so it is a book I would highly recommend.
Usually with young adult books, I find the outcomes to be very predictable. However, the end of this book is actually shocking. I promise that what you think will happen is not what happens.
I'm used to reading sad books but there were parts of this book that made your skin crawl. I would not recommend reading it in while home alone or at night. I read the first chapter late at night and let's say I slept with the TV on that night.
It is about a four-year-old girl that is kidnapped from home. Usually I don't enjoy mystery novels but this book may have me reading more.
This story is very intriguing from the beginning. It pulls you in from the first chapter but then drags a little. The ending is rapid and it comes to the point that you can't put it down. It is a very quick read so it is a book I would highly recommend.
Usually with young adult books, I find the outcomes to be very predictable. However, the end of this book is actually shocking. I promise that what you think will happen is not what happens.
I'm used to reading sad books but there were parts of this book that made your skin crawl. I would not recommend reading it in while home alone or at night. I read the first chapter late at night and let's say I slept with the TV on that night.
December 14, 2021
I was left with more questions than answers at the end of this book...I thought it would be clear by the end what happened to Turtle, but the end eludes to 'facts or lies' -one that she was dead and would never be found, or being raised as a girl named Jane by a mother who sells Mary Kay (Darla Tickle, Ed Tickle's long time girlfriend who left a few years after Turtle's kidnapping sold Mary Kay)... but who would've cared for Turtle for three years while Darla waited to leave her murderous, kidnapping boyfriend? And Turtle was four when she was taken-if she'd been stashed in a basement or attic for three years while she awaited her new mother you'd think she'd remember that, but "Jane" only dreams of another family where "everybody calls her Turtle or sometimes Tabitha." (which is a dumb nickname btw)
At the end of the story we learn Ed had killed another girl who disappeared in another town and cut off her hair for a souvenir, and also swung by to drop a picture in the he'd taken of Turtle asleep in her bed when he used to swing by through a hole he'd cut in his attic that lead to his neighbor's attics? (the description of the houses in the book were townhouses in a cul-de-sac not a four plex- I was trying to figure out how they were all connected so this made no sense to me. He also terrorized his elderly, dementia-minded neighbor lady for no reason and nobody believed her of course. He also possibly murdered his Amish friend Frank because he knew about Ed taking Turtle or saw him in the Santa suit- Frank was also suspected of Turtle's kidnapping and murder by the author of the book about Turtle's disappearance after he'd written the book, and was kicked out of his Amish community for "inappropriate behavior" but his body was never found even though his trailer burnt down the night Turtle disappeared. (the cops are really dumb in this book, but so is not just making him an accomplice after those implications.) Then Abby (Ed's daughter) and Gretchen (Turtle's much older sister and Abby's best friend) murder Ed because they figure out what he did, instead of going to the cops. So unfortunately Ed is never questioned, (even by the avenging bff's) and the truth or closure never come for the family, or Kate's family, because the girls-excuse me, grown ass almost thirty year old women at this point- poison him and he's slowly dying upstairs, at one point I suspected those two of the murder/kidnapping because their characters seem bitchy and mean enough to do it, and it was just going nowhere.
Another hanger is when they are teens near the end of the story Sam and Remy remember it wasn't Steven they saw in the Santa suit take Turtle (duh) but someone who looked more like Frank, but apparently they were wrong again because it was Ed, a family friend who lived next door and they saw all the time...just ugh.
It was a disappointing ending to me, it was full of holes, and seemed rushed. It could've ended so much better in my opinion.
At the end of the story we learn Ed had killed another girl who disappeared in another town and cut off her hair for a souvenir, and also swung by to drop a picture in the he'd taken of Turtle asleep in her bed when he used to swing by through a hole he'd cut in his attic that lead to his neighbor's attics? (the description of the houses in the book were townhouses in a cul-de-sac not a four plex- I was trying to figure out how they were all connected so this made no sense to me. He also terrorized his elderly, dementia-minded neighbor lady for no reason and nobody believed her of course. He also possibly murdered his Amish friend Frank because he knew about Ed taking Turtle or saw him in the Santa suit- Frank was also suspected of Turtle's kidnapping and murder by the author of the book about Turtle's disappearance after he'd written the book, and was kicked out of his Amish community for "inappropriate behavior" but his body was never found even though his trailer burnt down the night Turtle disappeared. (the cops are really dumb in this book, but so is not just making him an accomplice after those implications.) Then Abby (Ed's daughter) and Gretchen (Turtle's much older sister and Abby's best friend) murder Ed because they figure out what he did, instead of going to the cops. So unfortunately Ed is never questioned, (even by the avenging bff's) and the truth or closure never come for the family, or Kate's family, because the girls-excuse me, grown ass almost thirty year old women at this point- poison him and he's slowly dying upstairs, at one point I suspected those two of the murder/kidnapping because their characters seem bitchy and mean enough to do it, and it was just going nowhere.
Another hanger is when they are teens near the end of the story Sam and Remy remember it wasn't Steven they saw in the Santa suit take Turtle (duh) but someone who looked more like Frank, but apparently they were wrong again because it was Ed, a family friend who lived next door and they saw all the time...just ugh.
It was a disappointing ending to me, it was full of holes, and seemed rushed. It could've ended so much better in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2018
YES!! Go read this book!!
This book is definitely going to be on my end of year favorites list. This is just the type of Mystery/Thriller I like, and I'm kind of mad it wasn't shoved in my face earlier!!
The first thing that jumped out at me was the setting. This whole thing takes place in a town called Shelocta, which is a real town located about 15 miles from where I live. I always find it fun to read books that are set in Western PA-- it gives me an instant connection to the book. Also, this was set in the 90's!! The references weren't enough to put my 90's nostalgia into high gear, but it was cool to go back in time a little.
Then, there's the characters. Remy, the boy next door, was my fave. I don't know why I like the kinds of book boys that are aloof, but you know that if the m/c breaks through their outer shell they'll be adorable, but I do. Remy is the kind of character that is frustrating, but worth sticking with. Sam wasn't someone I super connected with, but the mystery was enough to keep me with her.
The Mystery: I wanted to know what happened to the sister. I wanted to know why in the hell someone would dress as Santa Claus on New Year's Eve. If Steven was supposedly innocent, I wanted to know how/why there would be 2 people dressed as Santa Claus after Christmas. There was so much grief and pain to wade through to get the heart of what happened, but once we got there, there were more answers than I was expecting.
Bonus: Mixed in are police interviews and excerpts from a true-crime book about the case. I love a good epistolary element to break things up & these ones added a lot to the book.
I gotta talk about that ending!!! I won't give any spoilers, but AHHHHH. This ending totally messed with my head and freaked me out. I don't usually sit around thinking someone is going to break into my house, but the night I finished this, I jumped at every creak and shadow.
OVERALL: A+ YA Mystery/Thriller!! This is just the kind of Mystery/Thriller I like-- very character driven, deals with issues beyond the actual mystery, deep, and twisted. I totally, 100% recommend to anyone looking to get lost in a good mystery.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
This book is definitely going to be on my end of year favorites list. This is just the type of Mystery/Thriller I like, and I'm kind of mad it wasn't shoved in my face earlier!!
The first thing that jumped out at me was the setting. This whole thing takes place in a town called Shelocta, which is a real town located about 15 miles from where I live. I always find it fun to read books that are set in Western PA-- it gives me an instant connection to the book. Also, this was set in the 90's!! The references weren't enough to put my 90's nostalgia into high gear, but it was cool to go back in time a little.
Then, there's the characters. Remy, the boy next door, was my fave. I don't know why I like the kinds of book boys that are aloof, but you know that if the m/c breaks through their outer shell they'll be adorable, but I do. Remy is the kind of character that is frustrating, but worth sticking with. Sam wasn't someone I super connected with, but the mystery was enough to keep me with her.
The Mystery: I wanted to know what happened to the sister. I wanted to know why in the hell someone would dress as Santa Claus on New Year's Eve. If Steven was supposedly innocent, I wanted to know how/why there would be 2 people dressed as Santa Claus after Christmas. There was so much grief and pain to wade through to get the heart of what happened, but once we got there, there were more answers than I was expecting.
Bonus: Mixed in are police interviews and excerpts from a true-crime book about the case. I love a good epistolary element to break things up & these ones added a lot to the book.
I gotta talk about that ending!!! I won't give any spoilers, but AHHHHH. This ending totally messed with my head and freaked me out. I don't usually sit around thinking someone is going to break into my house, but the night I finished this, I jumped at every creak and shadow.
OVERALL: A+ YA Mystery/Thriller!! This is just the kind of Mystery/Thriller I like-- very character driven, deals with issues beyond the actual mystery, deep, and twisted. I totally, 100% recommend to anyone looking to get lost in a good mystery.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
September 16, 2016
I only finished this book because I wanted to see the big reveal. And it was as disappointing as the rest of the book. I was really looking forward to this one, I thought it would be good and creepy, and I love books about kidnapped children!
But alas, this book was confusing (the story jumps around from ten years in the past to present to excerpts from the true crime book written about the story's kidnapping to a few months before present day...) and boring (the kidnapping took place right at the beginning, and it wasn't even an open case); the characters were bland (I couldn't really tell you anything about the main character, Sam) and the secondary characters' stories were confusing (there seemed to be an info dump at the end of the book with complete opposites to what we had been told all along in an attempt to make a twist ending.)
I ended up skimming most of this book, and was looking forward to it being over. Even the big reveal wasn't worth reading the book.
But alas, this book was confusing (the story jumps around from ten years in the past to present to excerpts from the true crime book written about the story's kidnapping to a few months before present day...) and boring (the kidnapping took place right at the beginning, and it wasn't even an open case); the characters were bland (I couldn't really tell you anything about the main character, Sam) and the secondary characters' stories were confusing (there seemed to be an info dump at the end of the book with complete opposites to what we had been told all along in an attempt to make a twist ending.)
I ended up skimming most of this book, and was looking forward to it being over. Even the big reveal wasn't worth reading the book.
March 6, 2017
Just a horror/who done it story. I was entertained certainly, but nothing about it is fabulous. I did not like the big reveal at the end and the whole "throw Darla into it" seemed like an off hand unnecessary anti-twist. Warman has an okay tone, but this wasn't anything special.
January 29, 2021
Okay ...
Me gustó el libro, me gustó como nos entregaron un final convincente y bien estructurado pero eso no le quita que el 95% fue un poco aburrido.
Soy de las que prefiere una buena trama a personajes interesantes y creo que por eso no lo disfruté tanto.
Me gustó el libro, me gustó como nos entregaron un final convincente y bien estructurado pero eso no le quita que el 95% fue un poco aburrido.
Soy de las que prefiere una buena trama a personajes interesantes y creo que por eso no lo disfruté tanto.
January 3, 2017
LOVED this amazing book. Could not put it down. Skilfully plotted and tense. Brilliant.
January 9, 2018
When I picked up this book I didn’t expect it to impress me as much as it did. The base plot is simple enough, it being about a young girl who gets kidnaped with doubts circling about whether or not the guy who was blamed and jailed for her disappearance is really to blame.
Following this book you get sucked into Jessica’s unique style of writing where she places you smack bang in the characters thoughts, sometimes completely changing in the next paragraph just to show the fluidity of ones thinking. There are also excerpts from a book, articles or transcripts that are placed throughout the novel that allow you to determine, for yourself, who the real criminal is.
I recommend that you all read this book, but be warned you’ll probably feel slightly scared by the end of it. 😂
Following this book you get sucked into Jessica’s unique style of writing where she places you smack bang in the characters thoughts, sometimes completely changing in the next paragraph just to show the fluidity of ones thinking. There are also excerpts from a book, articles or transcripts that are placed throughout the novel that allow you to determine, for yourself, who the real criminal is.
I recommend that you all read this book, but be warned you’ll probably feel slightly scared by the end of it. 😂
July 24, 2018
I'd give this 3 1/2 stars, but I'm rounding up because I really liked Between. I didn't realize this was the same author until I started reading this. A lot of people are salty in their reviews because this was marketed as a thriller and they don't think it is one. I don't know, my copy of the book doesn't say thriller and the summary on the back is pretty accurate. It kept me turning the pages, and though it's dark and I felt it could have gone a bit deeper, overall I enjoyed it.
October 24, 2021
Hook beaucoup trop tardif… 19 chapitres sans savoir où on va c’est vraiment trop long. Pas de plot twist à la fin sauf la dernière page, dommage qu’on nous spoile par une petite phrase ce qu’on aurait du découvrir en surprise après. La dernière page a clairement fait monter la note.
March 1, 2016
Quand je me suis décidé à sortir ce roman de ma PAL je ne savais pas vraiment à quoi m’attendre. En effet j’ai déjà lu auparavant ‘Reste avec moi’ de la même auteure mais j’avais été mitigé face à cette lecture même si j’avais apprécié l’atmosphère assez glauque du récit. Et puis il faut avouer que la couverture m’a totalement intrigué ce qui m’a poussé à l’achat.
‘Maintenant qu’il est trop tard’ raconte l’histoire d’une famille brisée suite à l’enlèvement d’une de leur petite fille le soir du nouvel an. Ce soir-là, Sam, notre héroïne, est couchée avec son ami d’enfance Rémy ainsi que sa petite sœur surnommée Tortue. Alors qu’ils tentaient de s’endormir paisiblement, les deux jeunes enfants ont été les témoins directs de l’enlèvement de la petite Tortue. A la suite de cet événement le reste de la famille a déménagé mais doit revenir dans son ancienne maison à cause de différents soucis familiaux.
Nous retrouvons donc dix années plus tard, Sam, nous racontant son aventure et surtout le calvaire qu’elle a vécu et que malheureusement elle vit encore. Ne vous attendez pas à une enquête criminelle mais plutôt aux conséquences psychologiques qu’ont dû traverser cette famille pour tenter de réapprendre à vivre après un tel drame.
Sam est devenue une adolescente et tente de vivre comme tout le monde mais n’y parvient pas. Ce sentiment est encore plus poussé quand elle est en présence de sa sœur aînée à qui tout réussit et plus encore lorsqu’elle retrouve son ami d’enfance transformé par les étapes de la vie. Comment réussir à oublier quand tout ramène à la perte d’un être cher ? C’est sur ce sentiment que s’appuie l’auteure pour créer un univers triste et déprimant à souhait. Malheureusement nous n’en apprenons pas plus sur ce personnage ou sur ceux qui gravitent autour d’elle, tout n’est que question d’enlèvements et/ou de meurtres et l’auteure fait le vide, volontairement ou non, du reste.
J’ai apprécié de découvrir l’envers du décor d’une enquête criminelle mais surtout que l’aspect psychologique soit mis en avant plutôt que le côté policier. De ce fait ce roman est unique et dévoile comment le malheur des uns peut faire le bonheur des autres. Entre les journalistes cherchant le moindre scoop à brandir, le voisinage cherchant à être utile à tout va et les interrogatoires qui tournent en rond mais surtout un corps non retrouvé, j’ai eu plus d’une fois envie d’hurler contre le sort qui s’acharnait sur cette famille ‘tout le monde’. Je me suis mis aussi à la place de notre héroïne pour essayer de la comprendre car comme on peut le lire à travers les lignes de ce roman ce genre de drame n’arrive pas qu’aux autres et des milliers de personnes y sont malheureusement confrontées.
D’un autre côté l’aspect voyeurisme est vraiment poussé à son maximum ce que j’ai trouvé un peu glauque, j’ai eu l’impression de mettre mon nez dans des affaires qui ne me regardaient absolument pas et d’être un vautour cherchant le moindre indice quant à cette affaire.
Au travers du récit, l’auteure nous dévoile quelque passages du roman : ’48 minutes pour douter’ qu’un journaliste a écrit sur cette affaire. Plus nous avançons dans l’histoire et plus nous découvrons que l’accusé, en attente de peine de mort, à tout du coupable idéal mais comment ouvrir les yeux lorsqu’ils sont remplis de peine et de haine ? L’aspect de la présomption d’innocence est justement abordée et fait réfléchir aux conséquences psychologiques sur les familles, elles aussi victimes, des accusés et coupables.
Le final rattrape à lui seul les quelques défauts du livre et même s’il est un peu trop tiré par les cheveux les derniers mots me rendent perplexe quant à la compréhension que j’ai eu de ce roman. Ai-je bien compris où tout simplement je ne souhaite pas comprendre ? Comme il est dit dans le texte : « ce qu’il compte c’est que les gens veulent croire ».
Ce qui me surprend et me dérange surtout c’est que je ne sais vraiment pas si j’ai apprécié ce roman ou non. Je m’explique même si j’ai apprécié l’histoire racontée, les faits de l’enquête criminelle et surtout l’aspect psychologique très bien exploité par l’auteure, je ne me suis pas senti plus concerné et affligé par ces atrocités, même si je me suis, par moments, mis à leurs places. C’est comme si l’auteure ne voulait pas que je rentre totalement dans son univers et créait une barrière invisible que je ne pouvais franchir.
Pourtant sa plume est encore une fois assez fidèle à son autre roman, juste, efficace quand il le faut et vraiment addictive car ce roman se lit facilement mais il manque un je ne sais quoi pour vraiment être happé par l’histoire. Je comprends à présent pourquoi les avis divergent tant par rapport à ce roman.
En conclusion même si j’ai passé un bon moment avec ce récit, je n’ai pas été touché outre mesure par ce qui est arrivé à notre héroïne et sa famille. J’étais un peu comme le voisin de celle-ci, témoin et impuissant face à ce qu’ils pouvaient traverser et ressentir. Je pense tout de même garder un œil sur les futurs écrits de l’auteure rien que pour l’ambiance si particulière de ses romans.
‘Maintenant qu’il est trop tard’ raconte l’histoire d’une famille brisée suite à l’enlèvement d’une de leur petite fille le soir du nouvel an. Ce soir-là, Sam, notre héroïne, est couchée avec son ami d’enfance Rémy ainsi que sa petite sœur surnommée Tortue. Alors qu’ils tentaient de s’endormir paisiblement, les deux jeunes enfants ont été les témoins directs de l’enlèvement de la petite Tortue. A la suite de cet événement le reste de la famille a déménagé mais doit revenir dans son ancienne maison à cause de différents soucis familiaux.
Nous retrouvons donc dix années plus tard, Sam, nous racontant son aventure et surtout le calvaire qu’elle a vécu et que malheureusement elle vit encore. Ne vous attendez pas à une enquête criminelle mais plutôt aux conséquences psychologiques qu’ont dû traverser cette famille pour tenter de réapprendre à vivre après un tel drame.
Sam est devenue une adolescente et tente de vivre comme tout le monde mais n’y parvient pas. Ce sentiment est encore plus poussé quand elle est en présence de sa sœur aînée à qui tout réussit et plus encore lorsqu’elle retrouve son ami d’enfance transformé par les étapes de la vie. Comment réussir à oublier quand tout ramène à la perte d’un être cher ? C’est sur ce sentiment que s’appuie l’auteure pour créer un univers triste et déprimant à souhait. Malheureusement nous n’en apprenons pas plus sur ce personnage ou sur ceux qui gravitent autour d’elle, tout n’est que question d’enlèvements et/ou de meurtres et l’auteure fait le vide, volontairement ou non, du reste.
J’ai apprécié de découvrir l’envers du décor d’une enquête criminelle mais surtout que l’aspect psychologique soit mis en avant plutôt que le côté policier. De ce fait ce roman est unique et dévoile comment le malheur des uns peut faire le bonheur des autres. Entre les journalistes cherchant le moindre scoop à brandir, le voisinage cherchant à être utile à tout va et les interrogatoires qui tournent en rond mais surtout un corps non retrouvé, j’ai eu plus d’une fois envie d’hurler contre le sort qui s’acharnait sur cette famille ‘tout le monde’. Je me suis mis aussi à la place de notre héroïne pour essayer de la comprendre car comme on peut le lire à travers les lignes de ce roman ce genre de drame n’arrive pas qu’aux autres et des milliers de personnes y sont malheureusement confrontées.
D’un autre côté l’aspect voyeurisme est vraiment poussé à son maximum ce que j’ai trouvé un peu glauque, j’ai eu l’impression de mettre mon nez dans des affaires qui ne me regardaient absolument pas et d’être un vautour cherchant le moindre indice quant à cette affaire.
Au travers du récit, l’auteure nous dévoile quelque passages du roman : ’48 minutes pour douter’ qu’un journaliste a écrit sur cette affaire. Plus nous avançons dans l’histoire et plus nous découvrons que l’accusé, en attente de peine de mort, à tout du coupable idéal mais comment ouvrir les yeux lorsqu’ils sont remplis de peine et de haine ? L’aspect de la présomption d’innocence est justement abordée et fait réfléchir aux conséquences psychologiques sur les familles, elles aussi victimes, des accusés et coupables.
Le final rattrape à lui seul les quelques défauts du livre et même s’il est un peu trop tiré par les cheveux les derniers mots me rendent perplexe quant à la compréhension que j’ai eu de ce roman. Ai-je bien compris où tout simplement je ne souhaite pas comprendre ? Comme il est dit dans le texte : « ce qu’il compte c’est que les gens veulent croire ».
Ce qui me surprend et me dérange surtout c’est que je ne sais vraiment pas si j’ai apprécié ce roman ou non. Je m’explique même si j’ai apprécié l’histoire racontée, les faits de l’enquête criminelle et surtout l’aspect psychologique très bien exploité par l’auteure, je ne me suis pas senti plus concerné et affligé par ces atrocités, même si je me suis, par moments, mis à leurs places. C’est comme si l’auteure ne voulait pas que je rentre totalement dans son univers et créait une barrière invisible que je ne pouvais franchir.
Pourtant sa plume est encore une fois assez fidèle à son autre roman, juste, efficace quand il le faut et vraiment addictive car ce roman se lit facilement mais il manque un je ne sais quoi pour vraiment être happé par l’histoire. Je comprends à présent pourquoi les avis divergent tant par rapport à ce roman.
En conclusion même si j’ai passé un bon moment avec ce récit, je n’ai pas été touché outre mesure par ce qui est arrivé à notre héroïne et sa famille. J’étais un peu comme le voisin de celle-ci, témoin et impuissant face à ce qu’ils pouvaient traverser et ressentir. Je pense tout de même garder un œil sur les futurs écrits de l’auteure rien que pour l’ambiance si particulière de ses romans.
January 24, 2018
2.5 stars. Solid book, but I was hoping for a much more fast-paced thriller. I guessed the ending from the beginning but the clues leading up and the other suspects kept the story interesting.
November 2, 2021
Maintenant qu'il est trop tard de Jessica Warman n'est pas véritablement un thriller au sens premier du terme. On ne suit pas une enquête, ni un inspecteur. On est surtout témoins de la façon dont une famille tente de se reconstruire et d'avancer malgré le drame de la perte d'une enfant.
Ce roman traite donc du deuil, des relations dans une famille parfois dysfonctionnelle, de la façon dont on peut se remettre d'un drame pareil (ou pas).
En bref, une très très bonne lecture, percutante, qui restera longtemps dans ma mémoire ! Quasi coup de cœur !
Ce roman traite donc du deuil, des relations dans une famille parfois dysfonctionnelle, de la façon dont on peut se remettre d'un drame pareil (ou pas).
En bref, une très très bonne lecture, percutante, qui restera longtemps dans ma mémoire ! Quasi coup de cœur !
June 12, 2019
Definitely a good one. I liked that it was suspenseful without being scary. Plus being told from different time periods helped too
February 14, 2015
The Short:
This book is just irritating. Its less than 300 pages, but nothing happens until the last six chapters. I was so and reading this book because I kept reaching milestones of 50 or 100 pages, and there would still be no plot development. I didn't find any of the characters very well made or relatable, and there was honestly no point to this book other than to marginally frighten you. I got to the point where I had ten pages left, and I was still contemplating giving up on this book. I had such high hopes for this book from the synopsis, but it just didn't get anywhere near where I was hoping.
The Long:
This story is written in two ways. One, it was written in Sam's present day, Summer 1996, in a present tense. The second was retrospective, and it was current Sam telling the story of 1985, 1986, or earlier in 1996. I didnt really have a reference on which one I liked better, they were both sort of boring.
I kept getting feelings throughout this book that I have read this plot before. It reminded me somewhat of The Lovely Bones since it dealt with a family grieving and trying to make sense of a child's murder when they can't find the body. Also, it reminded me of a more obscure writing, one that I would be surprised if that many people have read. It was a story originally written on Reddit under the subreddit of r/nosleep. This story came in many parts, and was written under the screen name of 1000vultures. It told the story of a kid who his whole life had a stalker that was obsessed with this kid, and as he grew up, it became increasingly frightening to him. It was published under the name Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. I don't know if that was intentional that the author added so many similarities to Dathan's work, but I saw too many parallels to ignore it.
I honestly hated the characters. My most hated was not the murderer/kidnapped, but instead it was the man character's mom. She was probably the most hateful person that I have ever read about. I get that her daughter was kidnapped and probably killed, but she was the kind of mom that showed her favoritism so much, and I can't stand it when parents do that. She hit her oldest daughter at some point in the book, and that was the point when I lost all respect for her. The biggest problem that I had with the mom (I don't even remember if she was given a name.) was that she was a beauty pageant kid/mom. She was the type of person that would talk behind her best friend's back just because she didn't have makeup on. I just had a very deeply rooted hatred for this woman.
Throughout the book, there were a lot of snippets from a book about Turtle's murder. I liked that they were in there, but I felt that the snippets were out of context. Some of them had zero relevance to what the chapter it followed or preceded talked about. Also, you didnt know who the excerpt was referring to. It would say "he" and you were supposed to know what male character it was referring to.
I didnt like the marketing of this book. The first line on the back of my book says "A powerful THRILLER..." This book was probably the lest thrilling thriller I have ever read. I don't think I ahem been more disappointed with a book in a very long time.
My last grievance with this novel was the ending. I'm not going to spoil it (don't worry). I thought it was too open ended for this book. This book was a kind of book where you needed closure on everything, but this book gave you the "make up your own ending" kind of thing. It just irritated me.
I am going to end this review on a positive note since this was all negativity. The second to last chapter, and the first page and a half of the last chapter were magnificent, and actually thrilling. Those nine-and-a-half pages are the only reason that I cant give this book one star.
This book is just irritating. Its less than 300 pages, but nothing happens until the last six chapters. I was so and reading this book because I kept reaching milestones of 50 or 100 pages, and there would still be no plot development. I didn't find any of the characters very well made or relatable, and there was honestly no point to this book other than to marginally frighten you. I got to the point where I had ten pages left, and I was still contemplating giving up on this book. I had such high hopes for this book from the synopsis, but it just didn't get anywhere near where I was hoping.
The Long:
This story is written in two ways. One, it was written in Sam's present day, Summer 1996, in a present tense. The second was retrospective, and it was current Sam telling the story of 1985, 1986, or earlier in 1996. I didnt really have a reference on which one I liked better, they were both sort of boring.
I kept getting feelings throughout this book that I have read this plot before. It reminded me somewhat of The Lovely Bones since it dealt with a family grieving and trying to make sense of a child's murder when they can't find the body. Also, it reminded me of a more obscure writing, one that I would be surprised if that many people have read. It was a story originally written on Reddit under the subreddit of r/nosleep. This story came in many parts, and was written under the screen name of 1000vultures. It told the story of a kid who his whole life had a stalker that was obsessed with this kid, and as he grew up, it became increasingly frightening to him. It was published under the name Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. I don't know if that was intentional that the author added so many similarities to Dathan's work, but I saw too many parallels to ignore it.
I honestly hated the characters. My most hated was not the murderer/kidnapped, but instead it was the man character's mom. She was probably the most hateful person that I have ever read about. I get that her daughter was kidnapped and probably killed, but she was the kind of mom that showed her favoritism so much, and I can't stand it when parents do that. She hit her oldest daughter at some point in the book, and that was the point when I lost all respect for her. The biggest problem that I had with the mom (I don't even remember if she was given a name.) was that she was a beauty pageant kid/mom. She was the type of person that would talk behind her best friend's back just because she didn't have makeup on. I just had a very deeply rooted hatred for this woman.
Throughout the book, there were a lot of snippets from a book about Turtle's murder. I liked that they were in there, but I felt that the snippets were out of context. Some of them had zero relevance to what the chapter it followed or preceded talked about. Also, you didnt know who the excerpt was referring to. It would say "he" and you were supposed to know what male character it was referring to.
I didnt like the marketing of this book. The first line on the back of my book says "A powerful THRILLER..." This book was probably the lest thrilling thriller I have ever read. I don't think I ahem been more disappointed with a book in a very long time.
My last grievance with this novel was the ending. I'm not going to spoil it (don't worry). I thought it was too open ended for this book. This book was a kind of book where you needed closure on everything, but this book gave you the "make up your own ending" kind of thing. It just irritated me.
I am going to end this review on a positive note since this was all negativity. The second to last chapter, and the first page and a half of the last chapter were magnificent, and actually thrilling. Those nine-and-a-half pages are the only reason that I cant give this book one star.
June 26, 2016
HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE MACARONI THIS BOOK WAS INTENSE
This book is definitely the page turner. From the beginning, you're drawn in as Sam tells her witness of her own little sister's abduction. It's agonizing reading about how a family is stricken by a kidnapping but nevertheless, you can't stop flipping through the book. A combination of The Lovely Bones and any crime show out there, I dare you not to make sure your windows aren't locked at night.
Turtle's kidnapping seems fairly simple from the beginning. Sam witnesses the whole thing so you'd think that the real bad guy would be put away but as the story unravels and the Sam's family comes back a decade later, everything becomes a hot mess.
The most interesting part of the story for me was definitely Sam's family. I have to say that I'm a little jealous of the fact that every member of her family is a blonde, leggy model. They're definitely not your all-American family, though. They're lower middle class with a their own domestic struggles as well as also coping with the loss of one of them. Sam is the good one of the family, her older sister Gretchen is the trouble-maker and Hannah is deemed Turtle's replacement. I may be missing sister but for the sake of me, I cannot remember. Each of them play a key role in Turtle's kidnapping - even more so after reading that intense ending.
When the Myer family return to their old home and the site of Turtle's abduction, everything comes rushing back. Sam begins to reconnect with old best friend Remy who's been trying to forget the whole incident and the whole family realises that they are an able to connect on the same way with their old friends as before. As the reader, nothing much actually happens throughout the whole book but every small element finally adds up to the ending. Wrong people are accused of the crime and the right people are overlooked completely.
It's very different how the book doesn't actively focus on Sam's efforts to delve into her sister's kidnapping. It focuses more on how her and her family members cope with moving back and moving on and somehow all the other puzzle pieces slow click together. It ensures that you are the one filing all the clues in your head and putting them together. That was pretty cool how it includes the reader into the whole mystery. A big thumbs up from me!
That ending though!! No spoilers but if you're read it you probably know what I mean by saying that it really was a HUGE info dump. I didn't actually mind it but it did meant that I had to read each sentence pretty carefully and match it with all the previous hints I was given.
All in all, a gripping story about how a kidnapping affects a whole family and how the people who're supposed to trust the most can actually be the most dangerous.
Damn, I have to read more thrillers because if they leave you this speechless.
This book is definitely the page turner. From the beginning, you're drawn in as Sam tells her witness of her own little sister's abduction. It's agonizing reading about how a family is stricken by a kidnapping but nevertheless, you can't stop flipping through the book. A combination of The Lovely Bones and any crime show out there, I dare you not to make sure your windows aren't locked at night.
Turtle's kidnapping seems fairly simple from the beginning. Sam witnesses the whole thing so you'd think that the real bad guy would be put away but as the story unravels and the Sam's family comes back a decade later, everything becomes a hot mess.
The most interesting part of the story for me was definitely Sam's family. I have to say that I'm a little jealous of the fact that every member of her family is a blonde, leggy model. They're definitely not your all-American family, though. They're lower middle class with a their own domestic struggles as well as also coping with the loss of one of them. Sam is the good one of the family, her older sister Gretchen is the trouble-maker and Hannah is deemed Turtle's replacement. I may be missing sister but for the sake of me, I cannot remember. Each of them play a key role in Turtle's kidnapping - even more so after reading that intense ending.
When the Myer family return to their old home and the site of Turtle's abduction, everything comes rushing back. Sam begins to reconnect with old best friend Remy who's been trying to forget the whole incident and the whole family realises that they are an able to connect on the same way with their old friends as before. As the reader, nothing much actually happens throughout the whole book but every small element finally adds up to the ending. Wrong people are accused of the crime and the right people are overlooked completely.
It's very different how the book doesn't actively focus on Sam's efforts to delve into her sister's kidnapping. It focuses more on how her and her family members cope with moving back and moving on and somehow all the other puzzle pieces slow click together. It ensures that you are the one filing all the clues in your head and putting them together. That was pretty cool how it includes the reader into the whole mystery. A big thumbs up from me!
That ending though!! No spoilers but if you're read it you probably know what I mean by saying that it really was a HUGE info dump. I didn't actually mind it but it did meant that I had to read each sentence pretty carefully and match it with all the previous hints I was given.
All in all, a gripping story about how a kidnapping affects a whole family and how the people who're supposed to trust the most can actually be the most dangerous.
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