Someone please re-do this without diluting it so terribly. I loved the concept and the writing style, but the choice to overlook a gigantic gaping super obvious plothole (how did no one catch or mention this before pub?!?!) had me turning off an entire section of my brain just to get through this. 

 

Energy: Passive. Dismissive. Hasty. 

 

Annoying character contradictions - the main character was blasé about everything even when terrifying…yet we are to believe they are invested in their family and protecting them. To sum this up without spoilers would be “~MC comes face to face with a monster and responds with ‘Darn punk kids and their makeups”~. 

I love a good fake vid/Ai plot, but in this case, it didn’t even make sense. Missed opportunity to add a camera to their home and have extra spooks because of the complexities of ‘bird nesting’ custody arrangement/internet issues/batteries/typical cam probs (instead of ignoring the existence of cameras while pointing out the existence of cameras). 

Examining the complicated feelings around a victim who didn’t ‘light up the room’. Expressive, easy to listen audio narration and accents (to my ears). Lisa Jewell-ish writing style with rich backdrop, situations, and characters (if only it didn’t screw up the phrogging and tech). 

 

Scene: 🇮🇪 Set in a gated community near Dublin, Ireland

Perspective: A person with narcissistic tendencies is killed in their home while relaxing. Their friend who has recently moved their entire family back to their hometown in Ireland after selling their American company. 

Timeline: Now (2020s). Then (1990s?).

🔥 Fuel: Scary dilemmas. Escalating stakes. Twists and turns. Who is the killer? Who is posting the videos? Why are they doing this? 

📖 Cred: Suspend all disbelief 

 

Airpods. Among Us. Barbeques. Bunk bed. Security gate. Tiktok. Phrogging vids. 

·       Phrogging plots

·       Psychological suspense

·       Kid says creepy things

·       Knowing more than/having to be smarter than the main character

·       Realistic amateur sleuthing friend group

·       Rapid conclusions wrap-up

·       Letting the wrong person in

·       Gated neighbourhood mystery

·       Overhearing character thoughts via third person narration/fly on the wall feels

·       Immersive and descriptive world building

·       Character driven stories and family studies

Content Heads-Up: Infidelity. Alcohol (casual, intoxication). Murder. Divorce (sharing custody, sharing homes). Narcissism. Drugging. Bullying. Sexual assault (accusation). Body shaming (fatphobia, freckles, teeth). Voyeurism, invasion of privacy. Stalking. Lying. Blackmailing. Loss of employment.

 

Rep: Irish. Persian ancestry. Cis. Hetero. Pale, flush, freckled, tanned, and ambiguous skin tones. Queer.

 

📚 Format: Library Audio