4.5
That book was wow!
There are some things that I would like to change about it.
And that feeling struck when u read a good book. All the madness in this book was amazingly written it felt somehow like reading poems, it took me to Argentine and how people thought back then and how the war affected several fragile souls. I read it in two days which it's been a long time since it happened. I felt like I don't want to put it down. So yes. It was a beautiful read.

the ending….. DESTROYED ME

2.5 - there were things I liked about this book including the varying styles of writing...yet it all seemed a bit disconnected. I'd say that it's pushed to 3 because it's been the first time in a while where I couldn't guess the ending. However there is a reason why, which I'm not sure I enjoy either haha.

Wow! That's how I describe this book. I loved following Eva Maria as she was investigating the death of her psychoanalyst's wife and trying to help prove Vittorio's innocence. I kept trying to figure it out and figured there was a twist but it wasn't as I expected. I had to keep reading to find out who the true murderer was! Very intriguing and edge of your seat type of book! You just never know what to expect! I also enjoyed the Argentinian history that was inserted into the story and how well it fit.

I received a digital copy of this book courtesy of the First to Read Program in exchange for my honest review.

Was very surprised by the ending, and not in a good way. I feel like the entire book was leading up to this grand finale, and it totally fell flat. I like a mystery that feels at least a little bit solvable, and there were barely any clear hints or clues that it would end the way it did. And ultimately, the "bad guy" got away...twice. Trigger warnings would have been really helpful, but they are also a spoiler.

3.5 stars

Vittorio, a psychoanalyst, marries a beautiful dancer, Lisandra. Lisandra is found dead from a fall out of their 6th story window. Vittorio is arrested for her murder. So far so good. But then one of Vittorio's patients decides to help him and begins investigating. From here, you journey through Eva Marie's life along with Lisandra and Vittorio's. Honestly, I forgot it was a suspenseful mystery. Instead it was an interesting read about the people in Buenos Aries Argentina after the junta. There are several references to the political upheaval and horrible tortures and killings. Luckily for those who are not versed in South American history, there were several footnotes to illuminate the reader. I was startled when the killer reveals themself and even more startled by what followed. Once again, I would not compare this book to The Girl on the Train or The Silent Wife. This book is much smoother in its progression. You are comfortable right until the ending is revealed. As an aside, this book was translated to English. The author uses language that might be considered crude to the normal American reader.

This book was provided by Penguin in exchange for an objective review.

Content note for book and review: child rape, child abuse

How many fucking times: STOP SENSATIONALISING RAPE/CHILD RAPE/CHILD ABUSE AND USING IT AS A FUCKING PLOT TWIST

Aside from being actively harmful to so many survivors, it's just so fucking LAZY.

I felt I shouldn't read this book, I knew I should stop? It was mediocre before it got terrible. But I kept going. I wish I'd listened to myself, the ending was so fucking triggering - and needlessly so. So needless. Fuck this shit.

The first half was frustrating because the book basically relied on the novelty of Buenos Aires to create excitement. If you know the place, all the mate-sucking Borges-quoting junta-splaining in the world is not going to get you in the escapist frantic thriller zone that the author is clearly trying to facilitate. The second half, though, is a bizarre list of sexcapades that ultimately uses trauma as gotcha in a way that while not necessarily badly intentioned comes off as...tacky.