One star feels kind of harsh, but considering 1) Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ defines one star as "did not like it" and I indeed "did not like it," 2) this was pretty poOne star feels kind of harsh, but considering 1) Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ defines one star as "did not like it" and I indeed "did not like it," 2) this was pretty poorly written, and 3) it had way too many plot holes and logical inconsistencies --- I had to do it. I'm not exactly the target audience for this book - thrillers aren't my favorite genre, and this book was extremely heterosexual in its views of male-female relationships (like, there's so much almost queer subtext that it was confusing when that was never fully acknowledged and (view spoiler)[ i feel like the predatory husband who cheated on his wife WITH A VULNERABLE CLIENT OF HIS was kind of excused in the end (hide spoiler)]). But one of my favorite WNBA players selected this for her book club read, so I read the whole damn thing.
The writing is painful, the characters don't behave in ways like anyone I've ever met, and it didn't even feel that suspenseful. Maybe because I don't read thrillers that often, I expect them to be as well-written as bestsellers like Gone Girl and My Sister, the Serial Killer. I don't know, other people seemed to love this, so maybe there's something about the appeal I'm just not getting here. ...more
I read this because 1) it's been on some Gone Girl read-alike lists and 2) I needed some more suspense novels to book talk at the senior center. I thiI read this because 1) it's been on some Gone Girl read-alike lists and 2) I needed some more suspense novels to book talk at the senior center. I think Gone Girl was leagues more inventive and clever than this one, but it was a decent read that will satisfy those who like legal thrillers....more
This was my first K'wan book, and he really lived up to his reputation- Well-written, good twists, great pacing. Way too graphic for me, though. I migThis was my first K'wan book, and he really lived up to his reputation- Well-written, good twists, great pacing. Way too graphic for me, though. I might check out some of his Hood Rat or Animal novels next, and hope for fewer scenes of torture and sexual abuse....more
3.5 stars. I haven't actually watched Twin Peaks but I think this book was sorta like Twin Peaks? Creepy horror-lite investigation of a girl's suicide3.5 stars. I haven't actually watched Twin Peaks but I think this book was sorta like Twin Peaks? Creepy horror-lite investigation of a girl's suicide (or murder?). The victim is the daughter of a reclusive cult-horror film producer, and a disgraced journalist begins to investigate the mysterious family.
Pessl excels at building suspense, making it nearly impossible to tear myself away even when I wasn't sure I was even enjoying what I was reading. I don't know that it was completely satisfying - I had read a review that promised "twists," but there were none that spun me for a loop. But still, a good stay-up-late-read-all-night read.
Complaint: Pessl needs to learn how to write about "characters" of color. E.g. You can't compare the Asian-American character(slash prop) to a samurai, or say the Cuban character(slash prop) had a "tropical authority." Just don't. This book seemed really well-researched in some other ways, just do the world a favor and research how to write POC if you're white. There are like a billion articles within a single Google search....more
Read this because I'm trying to get a feel for the library's more popular authors. I admit that I barely read this - I read the first 75 pages, then aRead this because I'm trying to get a feel for the library's more popular authors. I admit that I barely read this - I read the first 75 pages, then a chapter or two in the middle, and finally the last 30 pages. It was fine, not as bad as it could be, but it gave the same level of satisfaction as a law and order episode. I did enjoy the descriptions of technology from when the book was written (1990), though....more
It's going to take me a while to get the chill out of my bones from this Dexter meets teen angst YA thriller. It's about a 17-year-old Jazz, son of a It's going to take me a while to get the chill out of my bones from this Dexter meets teen angst YA thriller. It's about a 17-year-old Jazz, son of a serial killer, who grew up watching and learning from his "Dear Old Dad" about how to torture and kill. Now his dad's behind bars, but there's another killer on the loose. And Jazz wants to use his upbringing to help the police find the killer, though it ends up hitting a lot closer to home than he expects.
Part of me wants to say that this should be recommended to older high schoolers only, because I'm afraid parents will slaughter me if I put these gory descriptions of mutilated and tortured bodies in the hands of their young impressionables. But then again:
1. When I was in 8th-9th grade, I bordered on obsession with serial killers and death cults, and I would have eaten this book right up. If a librarian had given this to me, I would not have reported her to the authorities. Maybe I would have asked her for another book recommendation.
2. The book still deals with a lot of common coming of age themes that teens might relate to, especially those growing up in the shadow of abuse. Granted, this is a fictionalized case of EXTREME abuse, but just like many other survivors, Jazz struggles with flashbacks and lost memories, worries that he'll turn into his father, and difficulties with intimacy. In the hands of the right reader, Lyga's descriptions of Jazz's inner turmoil could be a comfort (strange to say about a book on serial killers, I know).
Ultimately, I think young people know what they can handle, and I'll probably recommend this to kids 13+. I just need to remember to emphasize that the author does not hold back any of the violent details from the reader....more
I didn't think I liked psychological suspense until I read Gillian Flynn. I liked Gone Girl a little bit better than this, but this one was less prediI didn't think I liked psychological suspense until I read Gillian Flynn. I liked Gone Girl a little bit better than this, but this one was less predictable.
What I think I appreciate about Gillian Flynn's writing (aside from the pacing and dark dark dark women) is that no details seem wasted. The descriptions of people and settings all reveal something about the psychologies of character and place. Will definitely read whatever comes out next....more
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