352 p.
Publisher: Forge Books
Published: 3/28/17
Source: From publisher for review
Mia Haas has built a life for herself far from the North Dakota town where she grew up, but when she receives word that her twin brother is missing, she’s forced to return home. Once hailed as the golden boy of their small town, Lucas Haas disappeared the same day the body of one of his high school students is pulled from the river. Trying to wrap her head around the rumors of Lucas’s affair with the teen, and unable to reconcile the media’s portrayal of Lucas as a murderer with her own memories of him, Mia is desperate to find another suspect.
All the while, she wonders, if he’s innocent, why did he run?
As Mia reevaluates their difficult, shared history and launches her own investigation into the grisly murder, she uncovers secrets that could exonerate Lucas—or seal his fate. In a small town where everyone’s history is intertwined, Mia will be forced to confront her own demons, placing her right in the killer’s crosshairs.My thoughts:
I have to admit I didn't like Mia for half of the book. I didn't connect to her and she kept making stupid mistakes. Then she had to complicate those mistakes with prescription drug abuse. I just kept wondering why she was making it harder for her brother to exonerate himself if he was innocent. If he was guilty, she seemed to be throwing away the key to any sort of fair trial. It was frustrating.
Then the middle of the book happened and I just became swept up into the thriller aspect of the book. I really became interested and invested in the outcome. I wanted to know who killed this girl and why so many things happened. Parts were still disconnected for me, but it no longer mattered... I had to know who done it.
There were several twists and turns in the book and things became clearer despite Mia's bungling. It also became more harrowing and while I did fall for the red herrings, I did suspect that the true culprit had something to do with the murder. It was an interesting ride.
I give this book 3 stars. If you stick with this one (and not everyone who reviewed it felt the same as I did about the beginning), there is a good payoff in the end. I am curious about this author now and I would read another thriller by her.
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Sounds like a maybe book or not
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteThis happens to me too when in the beginning I have a hard time with the plot or a character then something happens and the book is a page turner! Thanks for sharing your great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm an ending girl so I don't mind a slow beginning but I wish it would have picked up slightly before the middle.
DeleteUsually as long as I know it will pay off in the end, I'm okay with a sow or shaky start. Great review for this!
ReplyDeleteYep, that is me as well. :)
DeleteI really love that cover. I'm glad you had a good payoff for sticking with it.
ReplyDeleteFor What It's Worth
The cover is creepy when you get the context. :)
DeleteUgh. I feel like I'm not going to be as generous with Mia as you were. But I'm glad you persevered and gave her leniency.
ReplyDeleteIt was more of the disconnect that bothered me more than anything else. Her stupid mistakes actually make sense for the character even if it was annoying.
DeleteI'm a huge scaredy-cat, so I tend to very rarely read thrillers, and when I do, it's only the most insanely high-rated and most recommended books. So I shall probably skip this one, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts :D
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
It is dark, but not scary. I'm a total wimp with these things and I wasn't at all scared to turn off the light at night while reading the book. :)
DeleteI know what you mean. It did actually make sense and I think that is why the disconnect bothered me more.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you'd read another book by the author. It sounds like a good one - once you get pass the beginning and Mia's annoying-ness. lol
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
LOL! True. I think once I got to the middle I could really see this author's potential.
DeleteGlad to hear the last half picked up for you!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! :)
DeleteIt was good that you persevered as you would have missed out on what turned out to be not bad a story after all. Tanks for sharing. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was happily surprised. :)
DeleteNot loving Mia, but you have me curious about the thriller. Mayhaps this is an author to watch for.
ReplyDeleteI didn't end up loving her either, but I did like her by the end. :)
DeleteI've had a few thrillers lately where the payoff makes the journey worth it (sometimes barely lol) or where the MC is unlikable. that seems to be the latest thing. :) Glad this one was mostly good- it does have an interesting premise.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good payoff here, thank goodness. :)
DeleteI'm a bit of a quitter of the book doesn't grab me, haha. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt made me curious within the mystery so I had to know whodoneit. LOL
DeleteI am not big on main characters that bungle everything unless it's a comedy and even then it has to be well done. And authors that use main characters mistakes to move the story along isn't a plus for me either. Not sure I would have stuck with it but I am glad you ended up liking the thriller aspects!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's not quite that kind of bungling and there is a reason (no reason bugs me to no end) so I think that is why I could continue. :)
DeleteShe does sound irritating, but it does speak well of the book that the other elements pulled you end and kept you reading. I'll keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree. :)
DeleteI don't necessarily mind characters like Mia in this type of story, unless it's completely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteNot ridiculous but frustrating... thank goodness. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a great thriller and often, the second half of a book can really make it for me, even if the first half isn't a 5-Star read. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
ReplyDeleteI agree! :)
DeleteAh complicated about this one. Sorry it didn't deliver much
ReplyDeleteIt actually did toward the end. :)
DeleteI don't usually read a lot of thrillers (I should read more), but I like the premise of this one, so I'll keep it in mind! And also good to know that if I don't like the beginning, I just need to stick with it a bit because the payoff is worth it.
ReplyDeleteYep, you have to stick with it. You may not have as much problem as I did in the beginning as well. :)
DeleteA good payoff in the end is usually enough to keep me going! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteOh man. Hard when a character rubs you wrong. But the thriller side sounds great!
ReplyDeleteIt did end up being a good thriller. :)
DeleteI haven't heard of this one so now I'm curious! I kind of like the cover too - gives me a Rapunzel feel! But down where - the rabbit hole?
ReplyDeleteRebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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Definitely not Rapunzel.... it is quite creepy when you get the meaning... :)
DeleteI'm glad this book was able to win you over in the end. I can't read horror because of my wussy tendencies, but I wish I could. LOL I used to be able to years ago, but not now.
ReplyDeleteGreat review.
It really isn't horror at all, but the mystery and thriller aspects are a bit dark.
DeleteI really enjoy a good Thriller especially with a twist.
ReplyDeleteMe too! :)
DeleteSounds interesting. I love a good thriller. I really don't read enough of them. Great review.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
I agree. I need more thrillers.
DeleteSometimes characters just don't work for us. Oh well. Glad the suspense was awesome though!
ReplyDeleteTrue, but in a way I don't think she was supposed to work, so that is good... I think. LOL
DeleteI'm intrigued now but main characters doing way too stupid stuff annoys me to no end. But the thriller aspect of the book might be worth it :) Great review Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like the thriller aspect. I agree with the annoying stuff. :)
Deletenooo you gave this 3 stars, that sucks.. but I see why.. and I think i would have the same issues >.<
ReplyDelete3 is still entertaining though. :)
DeleteConsidering the slow start and dumb decisions, it seemed to be a good read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
LOL! It wasn't bad at all.
Delete