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Review Date: 5/19/2020
I know that there is a lot of bad talk about this book, and it honestly almost turned me off of reading it, which would have been a huge mistake. After listening to an interview with the author on the Barnes & Noble Podcast, I decided to try for it again, and it really is a beautiful story. Does this reflect what every Mexican experiences? Nope, not at all. Is this reflective of the migrant experience? Probably not at all. Could this story have happened to one single family in the history of Mexico? Yeah, probably. But you really need to remember - this isn't a documentary. This isn't a memoir. This is a FICTION book about a mom and her son trying to get to safety.
I encourage anyone to read the book for the story. Read Lydia & Luca's story. Of the life they had. The life they lost. How they survived. How they managed to go on with life and not just give up. Lydia wanted a better life for her son. If nothing else, THAT was a beautiful story. I found myself cheering them on, I cried with them, I became so overwhelmed with emotion, I had to stop reading for a while. But I went back because the story is amazing.
And the audio narration really brought it to life as well. The speech sounded authentic.
I encourage anyone to read the book for the story. Read Lydia & Luca's story. Of the life they had. The life they lost. How they survived. How they managed to go on with life and not just give up. Lydia wanted a better life for her son. If nothing else, THAT was a beautiful story. I found myself cheering them on, I cried with them, I became so overwhelmed with emotion, I had to stop reading for a while. But I went back because the story is amazing.
And the audio narration really brought it to life as well. The speech sounded authentic.
Review Date: 4/23/2020
Helpful Score: 2
Romance isn't my usual genre. I hardly ever read them, and when I do, I don't usually enjoy them. For that reason alone, I hadn't paid much attention to this one when it was first offered with the Book of the Month Club, and planned to skip it. But then I kept seeing reviews from others about what a fun read it was, even from other non-romance folks like me. April 2020 has been tough, and the thought of a fun, entertaining mind-vacation was too appealing, so I ordered the book. And read it in 2 days!
January and Gus were fun to get to meet, it was interesting to hear their back stories. I really, really appreciated that the whole book is from only one POV, January's, rather than skipping between the two, as well. There was enough going on in January's story as it was, and it was interesting to read her break through Gus's shell as well.
As they are both author's, though different genres, it was fun to read how they defended - and joked about - their respective genres. The bet was entertaining on many levels as well.
I'm not a romance convert, but I will look for this author again.
It also helped that the description of the Western Michigan beauty was pretty well spot on, from my old memories. Though, I'm not sure I've figured out where North Bear Shore was supposed to be.
January and Gus were fun to get to meet, it was interesting to hear their back stories. I really, really appreciated that the whole book is from only one POV, January's, rather than skipping between the two, as well. There was enough going on in January's story as it was, and it was interesting to read her break through Gus's shell as well.
As they are both author's, though different genres, it was fun to read how they defended - and joked about - their respective genres. The bet was entertaining on many levels as well.
I'm not a romance convert, but I will look for this author again.
It also helped that the description of the Western Michigan beauty was pretty well spot on, from my old memories. Though, I'm not sure I've figured out where North Bear Shore was supposed to be.
Review Date: 4/11/2020
This is a bit of a spy/military/FBI historical fiction work based in a small area of Michigan, Berrien County.
Review Date: 3/2/2018
Helpful Score: 1
Received this as a Book of the Month selection, ahead of its publication date.
Story takes place over 2 time periods, with several points of view, with several mystery story lines. I'm happy to say that I didn't solve the mystery before the reveal, which made the whole book much more enjoyable than others I've read recently.
Story takes place over 2 time periods, with several points of view, with several mystery story lines. I'm happy to say that I didn't solve the mystery before the reveal, which made the whole book much more enjoyable than others I've read recently.
Review Date: 11/27/2016
Going in, I didn't know what to expect, & at first it was hard to follow because of unfamiliar names & terms & words -because it takes place in Iceland. And I didn't realize that this book was based on a true historical event, so that was shocking when I discovered that at the end. But overall - I love this book. I hated finishing it. I wanted more. It was beautiful.
Review Date: 11/27/2016
Going in, I didn't know what to expect, & at first it was hard to follow because of unfamiliar names & terms & words -because it takes place in Iceland. And I didn't realize that this book was based on a true historical event, so that was shocking when I discovered that at the end. But overall - I love this book. I hated finishing it. I wanted more. It was beautiful.
Review Date: 11/27/2016
Going in, I didn't know what to expect, & at first it was hard to follow because of unfamiliar names & terms & words -because it takes place in Iceland. And I didn't realize that this book was based on a true historical event, so that was shocking when I discovered that at the end. But overall - I love this book. I hated finishing it. I wanted more. It was beautiful.
Review Date: 5/11/2020
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Death on the Beach is book 2 in Anna Johannsen's Island Murder series. I hadn't read book 1 in the series, but feel that the story continues well enough that you can read this as a stand alone book. There were some references to a previous case and previous relationships, probably discussed in the first book, but the book could stand alone.
Lena Lorenzen is a detective in the German police and just starting her vacation time when called in to help search for a 14 year old missing girl, Maria, on the small island of Föhr. Lena experiences some resistance from the local police force, , but begins organizing searches and conducting interviews. The missing girl is a child of a family in the Brethren religious organization, similar to the Mennonites in the USA, and her father doesn't seem concerned that his daughter is missing. When a body is found on the beach, Maria's mother works behind her husband's back to talk to Lena and work with the police force. While the first impression is that of a suicide, Lena has a feeling there is more to the story, and won't stop until she's got the whole picture.
I could tell this was part of a series; character descriptions and relationships just seem to be more defined and detailed in a series. That slowed me down a bit on this book. And this book is translated from German to English, but as with many books translated out of their native language, some of the word usages and phrasing is a bit awkward, and the story just doesn't flow for me as much. But overall, this was a good police procedural book, exploring a bit of different cultures, and it was good to see a book in Germany not set in Berlin! I haven't read others by this author, but I have put book in in this series, The Body on the Beach, on my to be read list.
Death on the Beach is book 2 in Anna Johannsen's Island Murder series. I hadn't read book 1 in the series, but feel that the story continues well enough that you can read this as a stand alone book. There were some references to a previous case and previous relationships, probably discussed in the first book, but the book could stand alone.
Lena Lorenzen is a detective in the German police and just starting her vacation time when called in to help search for a 14 year old missing girl, Maria, on the small island of Föhr. Lena experiences some resistance from the local police force, , but begins organizing searches and conducting interviews. The missing girl is a child of a family in the Brethren religious organization, similar to the Mennonites in the USA, and her father doesn't seem concerned that his daughter is missing. When a body is found on the beach, Maria's mother works behind her husband's back to talk to Lena and work with the police force. While the first impression is that of a suicide, Lena has a feeling there is more to the story, and won't stop until she's got the whole picture.
I could tell this was part of a series; character descriptions and relationships just seem to be more defined and detailed in a series. That slowed me down a bit on this book. And this book is translated from German to English, but as with many books translated out of their native language, some of the word usages and phrasing is a bit awkward, and the story just doesn't flow for me as much. But overall, this was a good police procedural book, exploring a bit of different cultures, and it was good to see a book in Germany not set in Berlin! I haven't read others by this author, but I have put book in in this series, The Body on the Beach, on my to be read list.
Review Date: 5/20/2020
Overall, this wasn't bad. It was a very slow burn, lots of twists and turns. But not a stay-up-all-night read for me. Maybe because I read SO many thrillers? I don't know. But I saw the twists and turns coming long off. And I didn't care for any of the characters at all. I was actually disgusted by many of the characters and hoped death on them all at different points. Not great, but it was an ok thiller.
Review Date: 5/29/2020
Helpful Score: 1
This book is everything I don't like about women's fiction and books about new moms. Lots of details about poopy diapers, bad sex, breastfeeding, and oh so much complaining! Let's add more sex, more complaints about not enough sex, bad sex. Complaints about their post-baby bodies. It's the definition of too much for me. I usually quit somewhere in the first chapter.
So why did I rate this 3 stars? Because the writing is really pretty good. It's realistic. It's honest. And there is serious character development.
I still didn't love the story line. But it felt real, honest.
So why did I rate this 3 stars? Because the writing is really pretty good. It's realistic. It's honest. And there is serious character development.
I still didn't love the story line. But it felt real, honest.
Review Date: 6/26/2020
This was such a disappointment.
It is THE poor re-telling of the same story. Reading the summary, I thought "oh, like Amityville Horror", and reading the first page, I thought "The Haunting of Hill House" (a very poor knock-off of Haunting of Hill House). But I bought the book. No returns. So I kept reading. Somewhere past the half way mark, I really couldn't understand all the rave reviews of this book. Did these readers not ever read a haunted house book before? See the movies? IT wasn't spooky or thrilling or suspenseful - it stayed so on-script that I knew what would happen all along the way. I looked at some of the reviews, and saw some with 2 star ratings - one commented that it was like fan-fic for the Netflix version of Haunting of Hill House. THAT is what was bugging me. THAT is what this is. I turned on the series to re-watch the first episode and it all clicked.
As for the book-within-a-book thing - Yeah, nice touch, I suppose. But I've read better.
It is THE poor re-telling of the same story. Reading the summary, I thought "oh, like Amityville Horror", and reading the first page, I thought "The Haunting of Hill House" (a very poor knock-off of Haunting of Hill House). But I bought the book. No returns. So I kept reading. Somewhere past the half way mark, I really couldn't understand all the rave reviews of this book. Did these readers not ever read a haunted house book before? See the movies? IT wasn't spooky or thrilling or suspenseful - it stayed so on-script that I knew what would happen all along the way. I looked at some of the reviews, and saw some with 2 star ratings - one commented that it was like fan-fic for the Netflix version of Haunting of Hill House. THAT is what was bugging me. THAT is what this is. I turned on the series to re-watch the first episode and it all clicked.
As for the book-within-a-book thing - Yeah, nice touch, I suppose. But I've read better.
Review Date: 5/27/2020
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my review. I'd like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This was a fun book to read. Romance sorts aren't my usual sort of book, but this was a fun story and a quick read. The story starts at Lucy's sister's wedding and we get a view into her family, and, well, her life. She's a bit down and disappointed with life so when her sister's back-up honeymoon becomes available, she decided to break the cycle of doing what everyone else wants her to do and take a spur of the moment trip. Her first trip out of the country.
I cheered for Lucy as she stepped out of the usual and did something spontaneous. While I wouldn't have actually thrown my phone out the window to get away from endless text messages, I applauded her for continuing with her trip and taking the chance to have some fun. The addition of Cary, an old high school classmate and Oliver, the mystery man at the hotel added some drama, though not as much as I expected. The added news story of the "honeymooners' - a pair of criminals ripping off hotels while pretending to be on their honeymoon - was an additional element of drama. But it all worked for the story.
This fun book was a quick read with great character development.
This was a fun book to read. Romance sorts aren't my usual sort of book, but this was a fun story and a quick read. The story starts at Lucy's sister's wedding and we get a view into her family, and, well, her life. She's a bit down and disappointed with life so when her sister's back-up honeymoon becomes available, she decided to break the cycle of doing what everyone else wants her to do and take a spur of the moment trip. Her first trip out of the country.
I cheered for Lucy as she stepped out of the usual and did something spontaneous. While I wouldn't have actually thrown my phone out the window to get away from endless text messages, I applauded her for continuing with her trip and taking the chance to have some fun. The addition of Cary, an old high school classmate and Oliver, the mystery man at the hotel added some drama, though not as much as I expected. The added news story of the "honeymooners' - a pair of criminals ripping off hotels while pretending to be on their honeymoon - was an additional element of drama. But it all worked for the story.
This fun book was a quick read with great character development.
Review Date: 4/11/2020
Helpful Score: 4
I loved the description of this book and was so excited to read it. Actually bought the book new, which I almost never do. And I was so disappointed! I found the main character Oona to be annoying and whiny. She did mature over the years, but it was just too late for me.
Another issue that caused my enjoyment to drop was all the comments about the music. Music was a constant in Oona's life, and all through the book she has music playing, goes to see bands play, introduces others to music, but since it was all artists I was unfamiliar with, I just felt like I was missing something. I was born in 1976, so the character of Oona was a bit older than I was, but the music she listened to was nothing I had heard growing up. I'd hoped for some nostalgia with some of my favorite songs and bands, as well, but that was just missing. Several times she would mention a song or artist and I would stop and take the time to go and look for the song, and it did add a little to the character description, but it was a bit annoying. If ever a book needed a play list of theme songs, this was the book.
Maybe my expectations were just too high, but overall, it was highly disappointing.
Another issue that caused my enjoyment to drop was all the comments about the music. Music was a constant in Oona's life, and all through the book she has music playing, goes to see bands play, introduces others to music, but since it was all artists I was unfamiliar with, I just felt like I was missing something. I was born in 1976, so the character of Oona was a bit older than I was, but the music she listened to was nothing I had heard growing up. I'd hoped for some nostalgia with some of my favorite songs and bands, as well, but that was just missing. Several times she would mention a song or artist and I would stop and take the time to go and look for the song, and it did add a little to the character description, but it was a bit annoying. If ever a book needed a play list of theme songs, this was the book.
Maybe my expectations were just too high, but overall, it was highly disappointing.
Review Date: 5/24/2020
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my review of the book. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book is expected to publish at the end of May, and I can't help but think that it may be the perfect book to start off the summer with! And I have to say, it makes me so glad to be 'old and married' rather than dating, because poor Cara really does have a run of bad luck with her dates from matching apps!
Much of Cara's life is unknown to me - I haven't used dating apps, I don't have a huge family with lots of family events and weddings and the like. But it sure was fun to read about! The women's fiction/contemporary fiction genre is a new one for me, I haven't read many over the years, but I am noticing some standard plot lines from one to the next. This started out much like the others, but I thought the twist of meeting a cool guy friend near the beginning and making a pact to be each other's 'plus one' for the summer's events was a cute idea. Reminded me of a song, St. Patrick's Day, that I always thought would make a cute story. And of course, as Joe and Cara get to know each other more, as 'just friends', their relationship grows and changes. But you expected that, right?
I didn't love Cara's self image at the beginning of the book. But maybe that comes from too many years of lots of dates, of feeling like she was 'less' for not finding Mr Right, with too many suggestions that she was 'too nerdy' for her love of puzzles - even if it did lead to a cool job! - that hurt her self image. I would imagine that happens for a lot of women - and for that matter, a lot of men as well.
This was a fun little book, a quick and easy read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read over the summer months.
This book is expected to publish at the end of May, and I can't help but think that it may be the perfect book to start off the summer with! And I have to say, it makes me so glad to be 'old and married' rather than dating, because poor Cara really does have a run of bad luck with her dates from matching apps!
Much of Cara's life is unknown to me - I haven't used dating apps, I don't have a huge family with lots of family events and weddings and the like. But it sure was fun to read about! The women's fiction/contemporary fiction genre is a new one for me, I haven't read many over the years, but I am noticing some standard plot lines from one to the next. This started out much like the others, but I thought the twist of meeting a cool guy friend near the beginning and making a pact to be each other's 'plus one' for the summer's events was a cute idea. Reminded me of a song, St. Patrick's Day, that I always thought would make a cute story. And of course, as Joe and Cara get to know each other more, as 'just friends', their relationship grows and changes. But you expected that, right?
I didn't love Cara's self image at the beginning of the book. But maybe that comes from too many years of lots of dates, of feeling like she was 'less' for not finding Mr Right, with too many suggestions that she was 'too nerdy' for her love of puzzles - even if it did lead to a cool job! - that hurt her self image. I would imagine that happens for a lot of women - and for that matter, a lot of men as well.
This was a fun little book, a quick and easy read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read over the summer months.
Review Date: 2/28/2017
On GoodReads, 2 stars is "it was ok" and that's how I feel about this book. IT was ok. It's also about 300 pages longer than it needs to be to tell the whole story. The author has some go-to words that she repeats all through the book, and so often, that you want to scream.
In the Author's Note, she says this was a story she's had in mind most of her life, that it took the longest for her to write. I think she tried to over-do it. And being published by Mira, there is way more sex in this book than ever needed.
I started reading this in 2013, couldn't finish it, put it aside. Came back to try again in 2015, same situation. Finally finished it in 2017. After all that, even though the later books in the series sound interesting, I'm not sure I'll go that route.
Oh, and the TV Show that is advertised on the cover? They made 7 episodes, only 5 aired. The ratings dropped so drastically that even Fox wouldn't keep it on any longer.
In the Author's Note, she says this was a story she's had in mind most of her life, that it took the longest for her to write. I think she tried to over-do it. And being published by Mira, there is way more sex in this book than ever needed.
I started reading this in 2013, couldn't finish it, put it aside. Came back to try again in 2015, same situation. Finally finished it in 2017. After all that, even though the later books in the series sound interesting, I'm not sure I'll go that route.
Oh, and the TV Show that is advertised on the cover? They made 7 episodes, only 5 aired. The ratings dropped so drastically that even Fox wouldn't keep it on any longer.
Review Date: 11/2/2016
I'm torn on my rating - this isn't a fan-girl gush about how much I loved the book type of story. This is a confusing, intense, dark, disturbing in-your-face type of historical fiction/suspense/thriller/mystery. I'm still trying to sort out my feelings about the story. The images of life in WWII concentration camps was horrible and brutal, dark, depressing - but maybe not all that impossible. This fictional view of the camps is very different than any other view or impression I've read - and maybe that could happen because this is fiction. The scenes and descriptions were so detailed and brutal and awful that I felt physically ill while reading it, but I think it somehow managed to fit in with the story, as odd as that sounds.
For about the first half of the book, I was constantly confused and irritated, with the unnamed character and story line, and trying to keep straight who was who. I had a mental family tree and every time I thought I had it figured out, I'd read a new line and have to start again from the beginning. But when the reveal finally occurred - I was shocked and surprised - it all fell into place. Some of the character traits were a bit obvious, and some of it was hard to believe. But the character of Alice is just such a very strong personality, a never-give-up type, that it works. While I don't believe every person who survived the concentration camps came out with such a strong will to live, I believe some did. Which is what makes this fictional history possible in my mind.
Overall, I think I just have to go with - if this was the first book by Sarah Rayne I had read, I might not have ever picked up another. It was that brutal and intense. But I have read 5 of her Nell West mysteries, so I have experienced other sides of her writing. I will certainly look for and read her other books. And I think this one will stay with me for a very, very long time. I still may be in shock.
For about the first half of the book, I was constantly confused and irritated, with the unnamed character and story line, and trying to keep straight who was who. I had a mental family tree and every time I thought I had it figured out, I'd read a new line and have to start again from the beginning. But when the reveal finally occurred - I was shocked and surprised - it all fell into place. Some of the character traits were a bit obvious, and some of it was hard to believe. But the character of Alice is just such a very strong personality, a never-give-up type, that it works. While I don't believe every person who survived the concentration camps came out with such a strong will to live, I believe some did. Which is what makes this fictional history possible in my mind.
Overall, I think I just have to go with - if this was the first book by Sarah Rayne I had read, I might not have ever picked up another. It was that brutal and intense. But I have read 5 of her Nell West mysteries, so I have experienced other sides of her writing. I will certainly look for and read her other books. And I think this one will stay with me for a very, very long time. I still may be in shock.
Review Date: 5/31/2020
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I wish to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for an opportunity to read and review this book. :)
This was my first book my Hannah Mary McKinnon, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. I read the description offered on Net Galley, and saw the overall star rating on Good Reads, but didn't read any reviews before I started on it. From the beginning, the build up was for something terrible to happen. You could feel it. As Eleanor walked and walked, you knew that that would be the day, you know? We knew something was going on with her dad, her favorite person in the world. That her world revolved around her dad. I didn't get the full thriller vibe from the book, not even suspense. Maybe just a plain old mystery? I don't know.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and the writing style. But it didn't feel like a suspense/thriller to me. More of a women's fiction maybe? It's not an 'everything happy and we live in the clouds with rainbows and unicorns' kind of book to be sure, but the thriller/suspense genre gives me a much different expectation. Had I gone in without knowing it was to be a thriller, I might have enjoyed it more. But overall, it was a very compelling read. I finished it in less than 2 days, wanted to see what would happen next, what would be resolved, how it would work out. But also felt let down that there wasn't more of a thrill. If that makes sense. Or maybe I have just read far too many thriller/suspense novels and have a different expectation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is new to the thriller/suspense genres, or someone who is looking for a compelling, page turning women's fiction sort of book.
This was my first book my Hannah Mary McKinnon, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. I read the description offered on Net Galley, and saw the overall star rating on Good Reads, but didn't read any reviews before I started on it. From the beginning, the build up was for something terrible to happen. You could feel it. As Eleanor walked and walked, you knew that that would be the day, you know? We knew something was going on with her dad, her favorite person in the world. That her world revolved around her dad. I didn't get the full thriller vibe from the book, not even suspense. Maybe just a plain old mystery? I don't know.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and the writing style. But it didn't feel like a suspense/thriller to me. More of a women's fiction maybe? It's not an 'everything happy and we live in the clouds with rainbows and unicorns' kind of book to be sure, but the thriller/suspense genre gives me a much different expectation. Had I gone in without knowing it was to be a thriller, I might have enjoyed it more. But overall, it was a very compelling read. I finished it in less than 2 days, wanted to see what would happen next, what would be resolved, how it would work out. But also felt let down that there wasn't more of a thrill. If that makes sense. Or maybe I have just read far too many thriller/suspense novels and have a different expectation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is new to the thriller/suspense genres, or someone who is looking for a compelling, page turning women's fiction sort of book.
Review Date: 1/28/2020
Helpful Score: 2
This book is set in dual time lines, 1982 and 2017, in a small town in New York. Carly's Aunt Viv left home in 1982 and ended up in Fell, New York, then disappeared. After Carly's mom died from cancer in 2017, Carly found an article about her Aunt Viv. Carly needed time away from life to deal with the loss of her mother and decided to go to Fell, NY to search out details of her aunt.
Both Viv and then Carly work as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel, both trying to solve a mystery. There is a haunted story involving the Sun Down - doors open, there is the smell of fresh cigarette smoke, and then there is the ghost of a woman and one of a little boy. As Carly learns more about her aunt, where she could have gone, what could have happened to her, she learns more about herself as well.
This is a historical fiction ghost story set in more recent years. I stayed up late a few nights just to see what would happen next!
Both Viv and then Carly work as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel, both trying to solve a mystery. There is a haunted story involving the Sun Down - doors open, there is the smell of fresh cigarette smoke, and then there is the ghost of a woman and one of a little boy. As Carly learns more about her aunt, where she could have gone, what could have happened to her, she learns more about herself as well.
This is a historical fiction ghost story set in more recent years. I stayed up late a few nights just to see what would happen next!
Review Date: 3/7/2018
This is the w worst book with Kings name on it. It is endless, repetative, and painful to read or listen to. I had to leave me thoughts to balance all the rave reviews, which I honestly don't understand at all.
With proper editing, and cutting a good 500 pages, this could possibly be a decent story.
With proper editing, and cutting a good 500 pages, this could possibly be a decent story.
Review Date: 5/24/2020
Wow! What a roller coaster! This was my first book by Gudenkauf and I didn't know what to expect. Seeing the other reviews and ratings for the book, I was a bit worried that it wouldn't be 'all that' for me, but wow!!!
Throughout the book, the characters develop in alternating POV's and differing time lines, revolving around the death of a teen girl, Eve, in a small Iowa town in the mid-1990's. The murder goes unsolved until a new piece of evidence is found in 2020. Maggie, now an adult and a cop - also very pregnant and Eve's best friend before she died - is put in charge of the new evidence and the resolution of the crime. And that new piece of evidence holds all the answers. But before that, Gudenkauf takes us on one heck of a ride!
The differing POV's and time lines can get tough to get into - at least for me - but once I got familiar with the main characters, the story just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. And with the ending tied up and complete, I'm guessing this is a stand alone book, but I could see this as the start of a series really well too.
Mystery, suspense, worry, thrills and chills - this one had it all. Read it! It lives up to all those high marks!
Many thanks to the author and publisher, and to Net Galley, for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Throughout the book, the characters develop in alternating POV's and differing time lines, revolving around the death of a teen girl, Eve, in a small Iowa town in the mid-1990's. The murder goes unsolved until a new piece of evidence is found in 2020. Maggie, now an adult and a cop - also very pregnant and Eve's best friend before she died - is put in charge of the new evidence and the resolution of the crime. And that new piece of evidence holds all the answers. But before that, Gudenkauf takes us on one heck of a ride!
The differing POV's and time lines can get tough to get into - at least for me - but once I got familiar with the main characters, the story just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. And with the ending tied up and complete, I'm guessing this is a stand alone book, but I could see this as the start of a series really well too.
Mystery, suspense, worry, thrills and chills - this one had it all. Read it! It lives up to all those high marks!
Many thanks to the author and publisher, and to Net Galley, for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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