This started off great – suspenseful, with awesome NYC vibes and an interesting main character. But then it suddenly turned into a high-stakes thriller using the character’s past and a rushed, predictable ending. I wish it had stayed more grounded instead of trying too hard to be 'twisty.' 

 

Energy: Secretive. Apprehensive. Impetuous. 

 

🐺 Growls. Characters suddenly went out of character and the villains got cartoonish. The high stakes scenario and “nick-of-time” rescues felt like a cliched showdown with too many convenient events.

 

🐕 Howls. The dialogue read stilted in text but not audio. The main character started cautious and alert but then made choices that didn't fit her personality, ignoring threats and rushing into danger. The shift from cozy suspense to high-stakes popcorn thriller was jarring.

 

🐩 Tail Wags. Immersive worldbuilding, easy to imagine the settings. I preferred audio over text. The audiobook was good for multitasking and well-paced, so it was easy to stay in the story. The initial mystery, the slow reveal of hints, and the subtle, cozy suspense. How the tension built slowly. 

 

Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in Manhattan, NYC.

Perspective: A copywriter who applies for the job of a deceased advice columnist on a whim and finds she has a talent for it. An unknown person writing to the advice columnist, so we see their life situation evolve over time. 

Timeline: Current (2010s or 2020s). Summer.

🔥 Fuel: Who was writing the letters to Constance about their life? Who is sending the threatening letters now that Alex has the job? Are they threats meant for her or clues to what happened to her predecessor? What is Alex’s big secret from the past that has her having to lay low? 

📖 Cred: Over-the-top

 

Art deco. Mailroom. Corner office. Coffee. Diner breakfast. Humidity. Pigeons. Whiskey. 

 

Content Heads-Up: Murder. Controlling, toxic relationship. Narcissistic, abusive relationship. Parental disinterest (for adult child). Alcohol (casual, bars). Kidnapping. Gun violence.

 

Rep: American. Cis. Hetero. Gay. Ambiguous skin tones.

 

📚 Format: Everand Audio + Library Digital