Search This Blog
April Reviews Link-Up
May Reviews Link-Up
June Reviews Link-Up
July Reviews Link-Up
August Reviews Link-Up
September Reviews Link-Up
October Reviews Link-Up
November Reviews Link-Up
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (3)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah
- Vermont (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (1)
- Canada (1)
- England (7)
- France (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Italy (1)
- Scotland (2)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Friday, May 01, 2015
Compelling Mystery Would Have Benefited From Subtlety, Tighter Structure
5:04 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ridgedale, an idyllic New Jersey college town, has its share of minor crimes. Break-ins, domestic squabbles, robberies, etc. aren't uncommon, but murder? In the last two decades, there have been only two. When the body of a dead baby is found in a wooded area on university property, it appears as though that stat may be changing. Cause of death will take some time to determine, but in the meantime, everyone has a theory.
As a reporter for the local newspaper, Molly Sanderson covers the fun, artsy side of Ridgedale. Focusing on lively arts/lifestyle/human interest stories has helped lift her out of the oppressive grief she's felt ever since the loss of her own child. It's only a fluke that she's assigned the story of the newborn's death, but Molly's determined to find out what happened to the infant. Even if it kills her.
The more clues Molly uncovers, the more sinister the story becomes. Ridgedale may look like a peaceful little hamlet where nothing bad ever happens, but she's beginning to see the truth—the townspeople are keeping some pretty dark secrets. Unlocking them will put everything Molly holds dear at risk. It may even cost her her sanity or, worse, her life.
Where They Found Her, Kimberly McCreight's sophomore novel (Reconstructing Amelia was her debut), tells a chilling, suspenseful story about a grieving mother's desperate search for redemption. The sorrow and guilt that plague Molly make her a sympathetic character, one with whom it's easy to identify. As for the supporting cast, they all seem pretty stereotypical and bland. Plotwise, Where They Found Her has a clumsy, choppy structure. While some of its twists are well-crafted, others seem to come totally out of left field. The novel could definitely benefit from tighter plot structure and more subtlety. Although it's depressing, Where They Found Her is a compelling novel. It kept me turning pages, but in the end, I just didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Where They Found Her from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
The more clues Molly uncovers, the more sinister the story becomes. Ridgedale may look like a peaceful little hamlet where nothing bad ever happens, but she's beginning to see the truth—the townspeople are keeping some pretty dark secrets. Unlocking them will put everything Molly holds dear at risk. It may even cost her her sanity or, worse, her life.
Where They Found Her, Kimberly McCreight's sophomore novel (Reconstructing Amelia was her debut), tells a chilling, suspenseful story about a grieving mother's desperate search for redemption. The sorrow and guilt that plague Molly make her a sympathetic character, one with whom it's easy to identify. As for the supporting cast, they all seem pretty stereotypical and bland. Plotwise, Where They Found Her has a clumsy, choppy structure. While some of its twists are well-crafted, others seem to come totally out of left field. The novel could definitely benefit from tighter plot structure and more subtlety. Although it's depressing, Where They Found Her is a compelling novel. It kept me turning pages, but in the end, I just didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
3 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
These Tangled Threads: A Novel of Biltmore50 minutes ago
-
-
-
-
An Inconvenient Letter by Julie Wright4 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
First Lines Fridays: April 19, 20249 hours ago
-
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt19 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
Reading as a retreat from reality2 days ago
-
42. Before Nightfall2 days ago
-
-
Top Ten Tuesday ~ Come Sail Away2 days ago
-
-
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell3 days ago
-
Novel Love Story4 days ago
-
-
Beneath Unknown Skies4 days ago
-
Invisible Woman by Katia Lief1 week ago
-
Reading Recap March 20241 week ago
-
Waiting on Wednesday - Think Twice2 weeks ago
-
-
-
March Monthly Wrap-up2 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?6 months ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra9 months ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ▼ 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)
Well at least it was a page turner. I've had very few of those lately.
ReplyDeleteI want to read this one, love the premise but I'm glad I'm forewarned about the bland secondary characters and not sure I'll like the twists that come out of the blue.
ReplyDeleteI have this one, but haven't read it yet. It's a bummer that the story wasn't as structured as it could have been. This wasn't super high on my TBR list, and now I'm not sure I will bother. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDelete