Helpful Score: 2
This is not a new storyline, it's been done over and over so it was easy to skim through it and not miss anything. It doesn't take long after the story finally gets started to know 'who dunnit' and the last few pages will tell the 'why' and that's all you need. The rest of the book is slow and draggy as it repeats over and over, so get started then start skimming you won't miss anything.
Helpful Score: 2
I've enjoyed Heather Gudenkauf's books but this one is uninspiring. The characters are not that likeable and the mystery was weak and drawn out.
I was curious enough to read to the end, and was glad when it was finally done.
I was curious enough to read to the end, and was glad when it was finally done.
I've read every one of Ms. Gudenkauf's books. If this had been the first one I would never have read any of her others. This one was such a let down. I had the feeling that she was pushed to write a book and had no original idea for a story. This was a redundantly told story with a very predictable ending. The main character Sarah was overstepping her bounds throughout the storyline and able to do things that I thought were available to her too fast. I felt no connection to her secretive husband Jack. They kept mentioning their twin daughters who were off at school, who had no bearing to the storyline. His sister Amy, an important character in the story, was a joke with no resolution within the storyline. It was just a sad overall concept for a story written in an unsuccessful way. Sorry...this one did not hit the mark.
I finished this book more than a month ago but held off on writing a review as it was rather thought provoking. I kept wondering how I'd have felt if the man I'd been married to for 20 years had hidden the
secrets that Jack did from Sarah. While I can see that you might not want to discuss your Mom's murder in depth, even with your wife, ultimately I don't think you could ever feel the love and trust again that was destroyed by the opening of this can of worms.
The mystery and suspense was overwhelming and kept me up all night flipping pages till finally (only a few short pages from the end) I realized the who and why. I'm not real sure I bought the actions and help of the sheriff's secretary (it's a small town but still, I don't know) but the story sure kept me clutching the book so tight I thought my fingers were going to break my Kindle. It was kind of like driving on ice. I couldn't let go in case of a spin out and crash. I'm sure I sighed a breathe of release once it was over and had to get out of bed for awhile before going to sleep. Definitely, going to check out more books by Gudenkauf in the hopes there are more mysteries of this caliber on her
shelf.
secrets that Jack did from Sarah. While I can see that you might not want to discuss your Mom's murder in depth, even with your wife, ultimately I don't think you could ever feel the love and trust again that was destroyed by the opening of this can of worms.
The mystery and suspense was overwhelming and kept me up all night flipping pages till finally (only a few short pages from the end) I realized the who and why. I'm not real sure I bought the actions and help of the sheriff's secretary (it's a small town but still, I don't know) but the story sure kept me clutching the book so tight I thought my fingers were going to break my Kindle. It was kind of like driving on ice. I couldn't let go in case of a spin out and crash. I'm sure I sighed a breathe of release once it was over and had to get out of bed for awhile before going to sleep. Definitely, going to check out more books by Gudenkauf in the hopes there are more mysteries of this caliber on her
shelf.
