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
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (3)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (1)
- North Carolina (1)
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia (1)
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (1)
- Canada (1)
- England (5)
- France (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Scotland (1)
- 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
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
-
Daily Prompt 18 March monday1 hour ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Harris, Robert "Fatherland"14 hours ago
-
Breath as Prayer16 hours ago
-
-
The Magic All Around By Jennifer Moorman19 hours ago
-
-
Books from the Backlog #81 day ago
-
-
Don’t Foget Me by Rea Frey1 day ago
-
-
-
-
Sunday Post2 days ago
-
-
Timeline by Michael Crichton3 days ago
-
-
33. Ferris4 days ago
-
-
Persistence: A Review of Ghost Coach4 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Witch Hat Atelier: Kitchen, Volume 11 week ago
-
Catching up1 week ago
-
Review: Dating Dr. Dil1 week ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?5 months ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra8 months ago
-
-
-
Sundays with Sam – The Sunday Post11 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)