Helpful Score: 10
What a twisted, crazy weird story. The synopsis reeled me in hoping for a story about a girl that goes missing and her brother who is finding clues 15 years later. This may have ben the underlying premise of the story, but the inclusion of a weird fairy story that has been passed down from former generations made for a weird book that I couldn't put down. I flipped page to page to find out how the story all fit together, but I was definitely disappointed by the inclusion of this weird underlying story of a fairy land.
Short and sweet this time - a good book in the mystery aspect, but I definitely did not enjoy all the fairy talk. I would only recommend this book to those who enjoy the supernatural and the mystery.
Short and sweet this time - a good book in the mystery aspect, but I definitely did not enjoy all the fairy talk. I would only recommend this book to those who enjoy the supernatural and the mystery.
Helpful Score: 6
I recently read the novel Don't Breathe A Word by Jennifer McMahon. I have read all of her previously written books and this one does not disappoint. This novel is beautifully written and it is utterly unputdownable. The setting is rural Vermont and is about the disappearance of a 12 year old girl, Lisa, who desires to become Queen of the Faires. The story alternates between the past and the present which is 15 years after Lisa has disappeared.
In the present time, Lisa's younger brother, Sam, and his girlfriend, Phoebe, receive a phone call which leads them to acquire a book written by the King of the Faires. This book was Lisa's bible which helped her to cross over and disappear and never to be heard from again. Through help from Sam's cousin, Evie, Phoebe and Sam learn about family secrets and a promise made years ago which could change their futures dramatically.
Don't Breathe A Word takes many twists and turns and has a very unexpected ending. If you enjoy reading about family secrets and fairy lore, this is definitely a novel you should not miss reading. It will leave you "breathless" and wanting to read the rest of Jennifer McMahon's novels.
In the present time, Lisa's younger brother, Sam, and his girlfriend, Phoebe, receive a phone call which leads them to acquire a book written by the King of the Faires. This book was Lisa's bible which helped her to cross over and disappear and never to be heard from again. Through help from Sam's cousin, Evie, Phoebe and Sam learn about family secrets and a promise made years ago which could change their futures dramatically.
Don't Breathe A Word takes many twists and turns and has a very unexpected ending. If you enjoy reading about family secrets and fairy lore, this is definitely a novel you should not miss reading. It will leave you "breathless" and wanting to read the rest of Jennifer McMahon's novels.
Helpful Score: 4
Ummmm...uhhhh...hmmmm...I liked all the mystery of the storyline but for *me*, I found the ending not fulfilling. Course I am one who likes nice tidy endings...unless there is a sequel to a book.
This book sure wasn't what I expected when I picked it up. With that said, I read it in 1 day because I was intrigued. I *might* read another of her earlier books which seem to be highly rated.
Passing on to the next one, not a keeper for me.
This book sure wasn't what I expected when I picked it up. With that said, I read it in 1 day because I was intrigued. I *might* read another of her earlier books which seem to be highly rated.
Passing on to the next one, not a keeper for me.
Helpful Score: 2
This was my first read by this author, and the story looked to be very intriguing. I just finished this book yesterday, and I can honestly say that I wish I hadn't read it.
The story started off lighter, and turned into something very ugly, and the ending was abrupt. I can say I guess it fit the story, but I felt like I had wasted my time reading this book, and definitely did not come away satified for having done so. I cannot say too much without giving any spoilers, but I woudn't recommend this book if you like a happy ending. Of any kind. No more Jennifer McMahon for me...
The story started off lighter, and turned into something very ugly, and the ending was abrupt. I can say I guess it fit the story, but I felt like I had wasted my time reading this book, and definitely did not come away satified for having done so. I cannot say too much without giving any spoilers, but I woudn't recommend this book if you like a happy ending. Of any kind. No more Jennifer McMahon for me...
Helpful Score: 1
What's real and what's magic? This read has you guessing right up until the ending and even then I'm still not sure what's real. Fast paced read about the dark things that can happen inside a family unit. Secrets, kidnapping, incest. Or is it all magic. Sam's sister Lisa disappears one summer to go join the land of the fairy's. 15 years later she shows up, just where has she been? If you aren't into a thriller with a lot of fairy/magic stuff going on, then I would skip this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Yikes! The best description of this book is just creepy, creepy, creepy! It touches on childhood fears and adult phobias. It is full of twists and turns, supernatural and real horrors (I'm not sure which is worse). It is told from Phoebe's point of view in the present and the child Lisa's, point of view 15 years ago leading to her disappearance. I am left a bit shaken by the ending and unsure if that is good or bad.
Helpful Score: 1
Wow. I read this book straight through. It was so odd and disturbing and crazy and entertaining that I couldn't put it down. The only thing that bothered me (even though it didn't take away from the story) is that when you finally get to the end and learn the truth, you're not sure what the truth really is...
Helpful Score: 1
WOW! I expected a story of faries. It was .... or was it? This was a crazy (in a good way) book. I read it straight through b/c I couldn't stop. This is the only book I have read by this author but will be reading the rest of her stuff. I loved it. Very different and kinda creepy but suspenseful & surprising at the same time.
Helpful Score: 1
A well-written story, it grabbed me from the beginning. I had not read any creepy stories for quite a long time before this one, so this story REALLY gave me the creeps! The author knows her craft and this is one of very few novels I have read that effectively alternates between two time periods. However, I don't intend to read any other novels by the author. The revelations and ending stuck with me rather like the odor of chopped garlic on my hands.
Helpful Score: 1
A nice mix of fantasy and mystery that kept me interested, reading and wondering what would happen next.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm a huge Jennifer McMahon fan, and I liked this newest book best of all of hers. She mixes supernatural with reality and always leaves you wanting more - this book is no exception. You'll have to decide for yourself whether Teilo, King of the Fairies, is real or not. Enjoy!
Creepy - deliciously creepy!!!
I was disappointed in this book. More than a third into the book and had to push myself to even finish it. I found I didn't really like any of the characters and the plot was quite convoluted. Someone else may view the story differently than I though.
Felt it was a great book that kept me intrigued throughout the whole thing and kept me wanting to keep reading. However, maybe it's just me but I did not understand the ending which really frustrated me. I still think about what/who it was really about as I write this review. I have read one other book by this author and liked it as well, going to check out her other books.
My initial reaction was that the story made no sense and had too many switchbacks. I also thought it was way too long. After thinking about it, though, I came to appreciate how the author handled the characters, and how she allowed the reader to make a judgment about the "true" ending. I didn't think I liked the book, but after thinking about it, I think there were some good features. The twist on the fairy realm was interesting, and the explanation for Lisa's disappearance was definitely unexpected (but also gross and creepy). As with all of this author's book, I liked the supernatural element.
The characters, especially Phoebe, seemed so dense that it bordered on ridiculous. When we're given backstory on her, though, it's clear that she was raised by a less-than-attentive mother, and already has a complex about being unintelligent. So while it seemed like she was making the dumbest possible decisions, she probably really was firing on all cylinders. The other characters were similarly dysfunctional. I had a hard time understanding why no one was willing to involve the police, but were bent on solving the mysteries of life on their own, but chalked it up to their collective stupidity. The Scooby Doo gang would have done a better job, but again, this crew did not have a lot going for them.
The characters, especially Phoebe, seemed so dense that it bordered on ridiculous. When we're given backstory on her, though, it's clear that she was raised by a less-than-attentive mother, and already has a complex about being unintelligent. So while it seemed like she was making the dumbest possible decisions, she probably really was firing on all cylinders. The other characters were similarly dysfunctional. I had a hard time understanding why no one was willing to involve the police, but were bent on solving the mysteries of life on their own, but chalked it up to their collective stupidity. The Scooby Doo gang would have done a better job, but again, this crew did not have a lot going for them.
a good mystery.
Startling book!
