Search This Blog
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (9)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (4)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (3)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (9)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (3)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (2)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (2)
- Washington, D.C.* (2)
International:
- Argentina (1)
- Australia (3)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (2)
- England (22)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- India (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Friday, October 04, 2019
In a Word: Meh
7:08 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When a body is found in the small town of Portland, Pennsylvania, it's obvious the dead man has been the victim of a brutal murder. The crime bears an eerie resemblance to a 20-year-old killing, a cold case that has never been solved. Since the locals are notoriously unwilling to talk to outsiders, Portland native Parker Reed is assigned as lead detective on the case.
Becca Kingsley, another native, returns to her hometown around the same time to care for her estranged father, who is now dying of cancer. As she rekindles her friendship with Parker, her best friend and unrequited high school crush, old feelings quickly surface. But with the murder investigation turning up old rumors and long-buried secrets, Becca begins to question everything and everyone she's ever known. The killer is likely someone local. But, who? The more Parker and Becca uncover, the more dangerous life in Portland becomes for them ...
I usually love thrillers like River Bodies, the first in a new series by Karen Katchur, but sadly, this one left much to be desired. The characters are mostly unlikeable, which makes them difficult to connect and empathize with. I found the motorcycle gang, both its members and its activities, especially cliché and far-fetched. In addition, since we know from the outset who the murderer is, the book lacks suspense—a key element in a compelling thriller. The novel's overall vibe is sad, depressing, and overall, kind of pointless. That being said, I did find myself invested enough in the story to finish the book, but I can't say it was a satisfying read because it just ... wasn't. Needless to say, I won't be moving on with the series.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other small-town mystery/thriller series, although no specific titles are coming to mind)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
5 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'
-
Top Ten Tuesday ~ Yarn It!29 minutes ago
-
Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell4 hours ago
-
-
Top Five Tuesday ~ Baked Goods5 hours ago
-
-
24 Christmas Reading Calendar Ideas7 hours ago
-
-
Top Ten Tuesday...7 hours ago
-
-
-
-
A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell10 hours ago
-
TTT – I Want To Read About Food, Not Make It10 hours ago
-
Blog Tour for Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe11 hours ago
-
Until August by Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez11 hours ago
-
Middle-Grade Graphic Novel Round-Up14 hours ago
-
-
Review: Crap Taxidermy by Kat Su23 hours ago
-
-
Books read in October1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
October Reflections5 days ago
-
-
-
-
Reading Recap September 20244 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
-
Review: The Duke and I2 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus3 months ago
-
Sunday Post3 months ago
-
-
The Music of 2024: Q24 months ago
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ▼ 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
Not connecting with characters is a death sentence for a book!
ReplyDeleteToo bad. Sounds like this one could have been good.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I think I've been aware of this one vaguely. It looked like one I'd enjoy. If I remember, I probably won't try it. That being said, I might because I might forget your thoughts on it. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe words "that being said" are a sure sign that there's a whole lot more wrong with a book than right with it. I have used the phrase often when grasping for some kind of a positive thing to say. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that you said "Meh." That pretty much sums it up. P.S. I do like the cover, though.
ReplyDelete