DNF around 50% in. If you liked Will Dean’s The Last One or the last Christina Henry book, you’ll probably enjoy this. I, for one, do not enjoy when tDNF around 50% in. If you liked Will Dean’s The Last One or the last Christina Henry book, you’ll probably enjoy this. I, for one, do not enjoy when there is a genre switch of this particular kind.
Audio Notes: I actually did like the writing, though, as well as the author’s narration of her own book. (Rarely done well, even when there is an acting background, as there is with this author.) I’ll definitely check out her other thrillers, because the build up was well done—I just really dislike this kind of reveal. Leaving unrated....more
DNF around 28%. It's not awful, but I've just read a million better versions of this grumpy boss story. Some of the humor is kind of cute, but a lot oDNF around 28%. It's not awful, but I've just read a million better versions of this grumpy boss story. Some of the humor is kind of cute, but a lot of it also isn't quite as clever as it's meant to be, and I find the weird lofty aristocracy ties intrusive and annoying. Plus his feelings are revealed way too soon with far too little substance. Meh....more
Loved the scene with the magpie, loved the central mystery, loved both Cassie and the detective and their personal lives and struggles even more. But Loved the scene with the magpie, loved the central mystery, loved both Cassie and the detective and their personal lives and struggles even more. But ugh, what a wall-climber of an ending!
She died just as she lived: alone, perplexed, and wearing something a bit shit.
There's nothing like a British rom com when the writing is sharp. So fuShe died just as she lived: alone, perplexed, and wearing something a bit shit.
There's nothing like a British rom com when the writing is sharp. So funny from beginning to end, with sparky chemistry and a lively heroine with a very full life—but one who sometimes feels uncertain and unanchored as well. There are also surprisingly touching secondary relationships, which are very close in feeling to the best parts of Sarra Manning's Unsticky.
Just…needs more plot and feeling. And not a thriller, but really not deep enough thematically and character-wise to be a literary thriller or literaryJust…needs more plot and feeling. And not a thriller, but really not deep enough thematically and character-wise to be a literary thriller or literary fiction, either.
2.5 stars
Audio Notes: The audiobook is a nice experience, though....more
4.5 stars Loved the forensics (seriously, I’ll listen to talk about dissecting bodies all day) and the prickly, empathetic mortuary assistant at the c4.5 stars Loved the forensics (seriously, I’ll listen to talk about dissecting bodies all day) and the prickly, empathetic mortuary assistant at the center of this series.
Could’ve lived without the set-up for book two, though—I was already hooked! No need to be that obvious nor to leave that dissatisfying of a cliffie. The only part that disappointed me.
Audio Notes: Ellie Kendrick is marvelous. She does all the varied voices well, but Cassie’s strikes exactly the right careful, considered tone, especially when she murmurs gentle reassurances to the dead that she cares for....more
2. The logistics of the crime needed some work—the crime itself is already asking the reader to take on 1. It’s too easy, too early to guess the twist
2. The logistics of the crime needed some work—the crime itself is already asking the reader to take on a lot already, but it would have easily been more convincing if only a few of the details had been better thought-out/explained
3. The resolution is a bit annoying, because this is not how mental illness works.
However.
I do like this author’s writing—she has a real knack for getting you inside a character’s head and drawing you inexorably towards places you wouldn’t personally want to go, but the POV makes the decision seem completely reasonable for them. I’ve read three of Adele Griffin’s books by this point, and with each one, multiple POVs have been clearly and vividly presented with worlds, attitudes, and uncomfortable scenarios that are easy to get lost in. The plots are riveting, too; she’s like a more restrained,well-written, upmarket Frieda McFadden, with similar sensationalist popcorn entertainment value.
I rather enjoyed the little surprise at the end as well. I didn’t expect it (probably should have if I’d thought about it more), but I’m happy with where the story went.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Lucy Paterson’s vocal performances for the various characters were spot on....more
Not a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a worNot a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a work party with no memory of what happened to her.
I don't have the brain space to write the review this book deserves, but it's a good companion piece to Consent, Know My Name, and The Female of the Species. Like TFOTS, this one delves into sensitive subjects under the guise of riveting fiction, and also explores racism, cultural identity, complicated parental bonds, and various relationships. (view spoiler)[The amount of dismay and rage I felt when she finally tells her boyfriend about her rape and she ends up comforting him. Unfortunately a familiar dynamic for many women, as well as all the fallout that follows. (hide spoiler)]
I was not at all prepared for this, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless. Really well-written, and an author to watch.
Audio Notes: The audio performance by Rosa Escoda is absolutely perfect....more
Clever little twist about halfway through, but lost some steam towards the end.
I do enjoy this author’s books, though, this is the third boo3.5 stars
Clever little twist about halfway through, but lost some steam towards the end.
I do enjoy this author’s books, though, this is the third book of hers I’ve read and they’ve all been very entertaining. Sort of Freida McFadden-ish, but better character work and less sensationalist....more
Some entertaining twists and turns, and treats its central subject with respect. (It's annoying to me when thrillers treat serious crimes with no regaSome entertaining twists and turns, and treats its central subject with respect. (It's annoying to me when thrillers treat serious crimes with no regard for the pscyhological impact. You don't have to spend a lot of time on it, but glossing over stuff tv movie-style sticks in my craw when it comes to books. This one includes the right amount for the type of book it is.) It’s all far-fetched if you think about it too hard, but enjoyable all the same. An eminently optionable miniseries or streaming movie project.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Despite a bunch of narrators and switching between different time periods, it wasn't hard to follow the story or characters at all. Well done....more
Somehow this weird combo of zany British rom com + obsessive grumpy billionaire erotica works. It’s stuffed with a lot of tropes, the miscommunicationSomehow this weird combo of zany British rom com + obsessive grumpy billionaire erotica works. It’s stuffed with a lot of tropes, the miscommunication is a bit annoying, and it is a little too long, but I enjoyed her work stuff and various friendships, the power dynamics aren’t too bad, and the sex is pretty damned sexy. Overall, fun!
But. Dreamworks has never been involved with Bond as far as I know, so…research, please.
Wendy Darling
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