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the_joyful_book_club's reviews
96 reviews
The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I started this book last night, just intending to dip my toes in and see what it was about. Cue hours later and I finished it in one day and I could not stop thinking about it.
This story is told in alternating timelines, from Jessica in the past, and her sister, Lindsey, in the present. We also see a podcast transcript sprinkled throughout, as well as some articles regarding the missing women at Southern State University. Alternating timelines aren't usually my favorite but the author made this story and subsequent plotlines of Jess and Lindsey flow easily. Their voices were never too similar to the point it was confusing, and the story kept me engrossed the entire time.
Jess is gone in ten seconds. At least that's how six-year-old Lindsey feels when one second, Jess is there, and then she disappears for the rest of time. But suddenly, bodies start being discovered in a local lake, and the investigation comes back to life.
A reporter finds Lindsey at work and together, they start looking at Jess' life again, piecing together what her freshman year of college was like, and what secrets she was hiding. But there are so many shady characters: the professor, the boyfriend, and other men who came in and out of Jess' life.
This story has an underlying theme of men pursuing young women, and how this affects their lives and relationships and the culture around them. The rage that Jess feels as she realizes she can't really trust any of the men in her life jumps off the page and your heart breaks for her. It's sort of the first time she's seeing things fully and we see her having a lot of realizations about what she does, and doesn't, know.
The author also does an excellent job with Lindsey's perspective. It's interesting to hear her share her thoughts on how Jess' disappearance affected her life and the revelations she starts to have about her family and her life, as well as Jess herself. It all felt realistic to me and it felt like Lindsey was a true friend that I was hearing about undergoing a lifelong tragedy.
If you enjoy dual timelines, small-town universities with a tragic history, and podcast investigations, you will enjoy this one!
This story is told in alternating timelines, from Jessica in the past, and her sister, Lindsey, in the present. We also see a podcast transcript sprinkled throughout, as well as some articles regarding the missing women at Southern State University. Alternating timelines aren't usually my favorite but the author made this story and subsequent plotlines of Jess and Lindsey flow easily. Their voices were never too similar to the point it was confusing, and the story kept me engrossed the entire time.
Jess is gone in ten seconds. At least that's how six-year-old Lindsey feels when one second, Jess is there, and then she disappears for the rest of time. But suddenly, bodies start being discovered in a local lake, and the investigation comes back to life.
A reporter finds Lindsey at work and together, they start looking at Jess' life again, piecing together what her freshman year of college was like, and what secrets she was hiding. But there are so many shady characters: the professor, the boyfriend, and other men who came in and out of Jess' life.
This story has an underlying theme of men pursuing young women, and how this affects their lives and relationships and the culture around them. The rage that Jess feels as she realizes she can't really trust any of the men in her life jumps off the page and your heart breaks for her. It's sort of the first time she's seeing things fully and we see her having a lot of realizations about what she does, and doesn't, know.
The author also does an excellent job with Lindsey's perspective. It's interesting to hear her share her thoughts on how Jess' disappearance affected her life and the revelations she starts to have about her family and her life, as well as Jess herself. It all felt realistic to me and it felt like Lindsey was a true friend that I was hearing about undergoing a lifelong tragedy.
If you enjoy dual timelines, small-town universities with a tragic history, and podcast investigations, you will enjoy this one!
A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
One thing I've noticed in reviews of this book: there is a cliffhanger mentioned. I wouldn't necessarily call it that, since the main mystery in Book 1 (this is a new series) is resolved, but there are larger issues that will be addressed (I assume) in future stories. So reading this book won't leave you on a true cliffhanger.
This story starts with Cordelia watching her neighbor, Jake, as his dead body lies on the snowy, Boston sidewalk. Cordelia lived across from Jake when she was alive, but now she's keeping a vigil over him until he's found. Cordelia has only been dead a few months herself, but she still hasn't entirely figured everything out. She knows she can disrupt electronics like crazy, and she can move some things but not everything. She also knows the woman who moved into her old unit, Ruby, drives her a bit crazy but the fact is that Ruby is alive and Cordelia is dead and they need each other to find out what happened to Jake.
This book is classified as a cozy mystery and I'd say that's accurate. There are definitely parts that are cheesy but this story never takes itself too seriously and remains a light-hearted and easy read.
Cordelia's character is really the star of the show. She has a moral code and she desperately is trying to do good, even though she's no longer alive. She's navigating the afterlife without any direction and everything is trial and error, which can lead to some hilarious situations.
In the beginning, Ruby's character is a little hard to like. She's written as very "Gen Z" or "Gen Alpha", and she comes across as just boneheaded. You can easily see why she drives Cordelia a bit crazy. That said, as the story deepens, we see growth in her character and I ended up admiring her tenacity.
If you're looking for an easy read, with a few well-intentioned ghosts, and a mystery in Boston, this will be the one for you.
This story starts with Cordelia watching her neighbor, Jake, as his dead body lies on the snowy, Boston sidewalk. Cordelia lived across from Jake when she was alive, but now she's keeping a vigil over him until he's found. Cordelia has only been dead a few months herself, but she still hasn't entirely figured everything out. She knows she can disrupt electronics like crazy, and she can move some things but not everything. She also knows the woman who moved into her old unit, Ruby, drives her a bit crazy but the fact is that Ruby is alive and Cordelia is dead and they need each other to find out what happened to Jake.
This book is classified as a cozy mystery and I'd say that's accurate. There are definitely parts that are cheesy but this story never takes itself too seriously and remains a light-hearted and easy read.
Cordelia's character is really the star of the show. She has a moral code and she desperately is trying to do good, even though she's no longer alive. She's navigating the afterlife without any direction and everything is trial and error, which can lead to some hilarious situations.
In the beginning, Ruby's character is a little hard to like. She's written as very "Gen Z" or "Gen Alpha", and she comes across as just boneheaded. You can easily see why she drives Cordelia a bit crazy. That said, as the story deepens, we see growth in her character and I ended up admiring her tenacity.
If you're looking for an easy read, with a few well-intentioned ghosts, and a mystery in Boston, this will be the one for you.
Waking Up In Vegas by JE Rowney
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This story starts with five friends arriving in Las Vegas for what should be an epic bachelorette party. We meet Jess, our bride-to-be, her maid-of-honor, Rachel, and her other friends, Megan, Olivia, and Lisa. As an amazing maid-of-honor, Rachel has booked incredible suites for the women at The Bellagio and has planned a night to remember, with VIP passes and luxury at every turn.
Except in the morning, no one remembers anything and Rachel is missing.
This story is told in alternating timelines: one from the night before, when the bachelorette party is off and running, and the next day when the women are on a frantic mission to find out what happened to Rachel.
If you love Las Vegas, you should enjoy this book. It's clear to me that the author has a deep appreciation for the city and its history. We see the luxury of The Bellagio, from the rooms to the views, to the artwork. Then we see limo rides throughout the strip, the exclusive clubs and events, and high-roller accommodations. This story reminded me how much I used to love going to Vegas, and it instantly brought back a lot of the feelings of excitement I felt when traveling there.
This story did drag a bit in the middle for me. I think this was because parts felt a bit predictable and so I was ready to move past those points. Another thing that I wished had been different was establishing the bond the women had with each other. In the first 30% or so of the story, there is a lot of the women sort of, fawning over each other. How beautiful and successful and the dresses shimmering and glittering in the lights and then Jess (the bride) constantly thanking Rachel for setting everything up. It felt repetitive. I think the author was trying to show us the true affection and friendship the women shared, but I wish this had been conveyed differently.
The end was...different. It was somewhat unbelievable based on how the story was told. If there had been more character development, it wouldn't have been as unrealistic.
There were definitely some logistical aspects in this book that didn't totally jive to me, but it was nothing that felt distracting or ruined the quality of the story.
If you enjoy stories with wild nights in Vegas, a girls' night to remember, and some mystery and luxury mixed in, this is the story for you!
Except in the morning, no one remembers anything and Rachel is missing.
This story is told in alternating timelines: one from the night before, when the bachelorette party is off and running, and the next day when the women are on a frantic mission to find out what happened to Rachel.
If you love Las Vegas, you should enjoy this book. It's clear to me that the author has a deep appreciation for the city and its history. We see the luxury of The Bellagio, from the rooms to the views, to the artwork. Then we see limo rides throughout the strip, the exclusive clubs and events, and high-roller accommodations. This story reminded me how much I used to love going to Vegas, and it instantly brought back a lot of the feelings of excitement I felt when traveling there.
This story did drag a bit in the middle for me. I think this was because parts felt a bit predictable and so I was ready to move past those points. Another thing that I wished had been different was establishing the bond the women had with each other. In the first 30% or so of the story, there is a lot of the women sort of, fawning over each other. How beautiful and successful and the dresses shimmering and glittering in the lights and then Jess (the bride) constantly thanking Rachel for setting everything up. It felt repetitive. I think the author was trying to show us the true affection and friendship the women shared, but I wish this had been conveyed differently.
The end was...different. It was somewhat unbelievable based on how the story was told. If there had been more character development, it wouldn't have been as unrealistic.
There were definitely some logistical aspects in this book that didn't totally jive to me, but it was nothing that felt distracting or ruined the quality of the story.
If you enjoy stories with wild nights in Vegas, a girls' night to remember, and some mystery and luxury mixed in, this is the story for you!
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was SO incredibly good. I raced through this book and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about getting back to it.
Rachel's podcast has blown up to be massively successful, and with that comes copycats. In an attempt to investigate something different, Rachel decides to cover the trial of a rape from the courtroom. After all, her podcast is meant to let the listener feel as though they're in the jury box. But throughout her trip, she finds letters begging her to look into the possible murder of a young woman in 1992. This leads her into another mystery but it's not one she's sure she should touch. This town may have grown over the years but a mystery from 25 years ago seems to have everyone on edge.
TRIGGER WARNING: This book does contain SA, Rape, and Violence. Most does occur off-page, but is discussed in a moderately graphic nature.
This story is told in a partially dual timeline. We see Rachel in the present day, and we see her letters from Hannah. Those letters are in the present day but its recounting the past and what happened to her and her sister twenty-five years earlier.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Rachel is interviewing anyone she can related to the case, and that includes prosecution and defense witnesses, and reporting back on her podcast and the podcast's blog. The story alternates between Rachel's POV, the letters from Hannah, and podcast episodes. I enjoyed this because it kept me engaged with the slight change in perspective and the chapters always felt short and like they flowed easily.
The ending of this story was wild. I did not even remotely see it coming. I liked that the ending surprised me, but didn't feel like it was so out there that it was unbelievable. There were very subtle clues throughout, and the author did an excellent job at making you feel sympathy and rage, and then back to sympathy again. The characters, even minor ones, are fairly well developed and serve purpose to the story.
Rachel's podcast has blown up to be massively successful, and with that comes copycats. In an attempt to investigate something different, Rachel decides to cover the trial of a rape from the courtroom. After all, her podcast is meant to let the listener feel as though they're in the jury box. But throughout her trip, she finds letters begging her to look into the possible murder of a young woman in 1992. This leads her into another mystery but it's not one she's sure she should touch. This town may have grown over the years but a mystery from 25 years ago seems to have everyone on edge.
TRIGGER WARNING: This book does contain SA, Rape, and Violence. Most does occur off-page, but is discussed in a moderately graphic nature.
This story is told in a partially dual timeline. We see Rachel in the present day, and we see her letters from Hannah. Those letters are in the present day but its recounting the past and what happened to her and her sister twenty-five years earlier.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Rachel is interviewing anyone she can related to the case, and that includes prosecution and defense witnesses, and reporting back on her podcast and the podcast's blog. The story alternates between Rachel's POV, the letters from Hannah, and podcast episodes. I enjoyed this because it kept me engaged with the slight change in perspective and the chapters always felt short and like they flowed easily.
The ending of this story was wild. I did not even remotely see it coming. I liked that the ending surprised me, but didn't feel like it was so out there that it was unbelievable. There were very subtle clues throughout, and the author did an excellent job at making you feel sympathy and rage, and then back to sympathy again. The characters, even minor ones, are fairly well developed and serve purpose to the story.
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is my third or fourth book from the talented Ann Cleeves, and I finally put my finger on why I adore her work so much. Her work keeps me guessing, but not in a non-stop twists and turns way. It really does feel like a puzzle that you're sorting out along with the investigators, and you have to think outside the box to understand the suspects and their motives.
This story introduces readers to a new investigator, Detective Matthew Venn. I loved where the author took this character. First, he is nothing like Vera Stanhope or Jimmy Perez. Matthew Venn has a quietness about him, and he seems to follow the rule that it is better to listen than to talk. But while Matthew has found some peace in his life, his past is not without strife. When our story starts, he's lingering outside the funeral of his father. He wasn't invited by his mother and he stays removed from the funeral due to the family's strict religious beliefs that cast him out in the past. But Matthew has moved on, and been successful in both his professional and personal life. He's found love with his husband, Jonathan, and his introduction to the reader is partially brought by the job transfer that allowed him to move back to North Devon.
This story starts with the murder of a man down on his luck. When one woman goes missing, the detectives are puzzled. But then another woman disappears in a crowded shopping area. All have a connection to a local community center, The Woodyard. So many secrets and so many suspects send investigators on a wild chase.
This story is a slow burn but does have a good amount of action throughout, and it never veers into feeling outlandish or unbelievable.
If you already enjoy Ann Cleeves, you'll like this book. But if you also enjoy a well-developed cast of characters trying to solve crimes in a small village by the sea, you'll love "The Long Call".
This story introduces readers to a new investigator, Detective Matthew Venn. I loved where the author took this character. First, he is nothing like Vera Stanhope or Jimmy Perez. Matthew Venn has a quietness about him, and he seems to follow the rule that it is better to listen than to talk. But while Matthew has found some peace in his life, his past is not without strife. When our story starts, he's lingering outside the funeral of his father. He wasn't invited by his mother and he stays removed from the funeral due to the family's strict religious beliefs that cast him out in the past. But Matthew has moved on, and been successful in both his professional and personal life. He's found love with his husband, Jonathan, and his introduction to the reader is partially brought by the job transfer that allowed him to move back to North Devon.
This story starts with the murder of a man down on his luck. When one woman goes missing, the detectives are puzzled. But then another woman disappears in a crowded shopping area. All have a connection to a local community center, The Woodyard. So many secrets and so many suspects send investigators on a wild chase.
This story is a slow burn but does have a good amount of action throughout, and it never veers into feeling outlandish or unbelievable.
If you already enjoy Ann Cleeves, you'll like this book. But if you also enjoy a well-developed cast of characters trying to solve crimes in a small village by the sea, you'll love "The Long Call".
The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
We first meet Dandy (Danielle) and Grandy (her grandfather) while they're out searching for treasure on the beach in Maple Bay. This is where we first hear about the Obelisk Treasure that is supposedly hidden somewhere in the sand and ocean surrounding Maple Bay.
The book then moves forward and Grandy has passed away. There is a strong level of grief that really comes through Dandy's character and her relationship with her grandfather is one of my favorite aspects of this story. We also then meet Peter and Cass, both of whom are struggling in their own ways and are called to Maple Bay for reasons that seem a little too good to be true, but both arrive in Maple Bay with high hopes.
One aspect I appreciated in this story is the theme of family and atonement. Whether a family by blood or by choice, we all have complex relationships that ebb and flow and this story includes several different types of relationships, the consequences of past actions, and how we try to correct our mistakes and move forward.
The one issue I had with this story was the number of characters. It started to feel overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone, who was related to whom, and how they fell into the story. Even minor characters seemed to pop up frequently, and it felt a bit distracting for me. As a caveat, many of the characters are related but unfortunately, they don't have similar names, so this is where it started to feel a bit chaotic.
The last 25% of this story is where the bulk of the thrills are, and if you enjoy a slow burn, you'll enjoy this one. This story has a complete ending, which is great with all of the character development that the author created. It's a lot to pack up but the author does a nice job at making sure no one is forgotten.
If you enjoy a slow-burn, centuries-old mystery, with a diverse cast of characters, you'll enjoy "The Treasure Hunters Club".
The book then moves forward and Grandy has passed away. There is a strong level of grief that really comes through Dandy's character and her relationship with her grandfather is one of my favorite aspects of this story. We also then meet Peter and Cass, both of whom are struggling in their own ways and are called to Maple Bay for reasons that seem a little too good to be true, but both arrive in Maple Bay with high hopes.
One aspect I appreciated in this story is the theme of family and atonement. Whether a family by blood or by choice, we all have complex relationships that ebb and flow and this story includes several different types of relationships, the consequences of past actions, and how we try to correct our mistakes and move forward.
The one issue I had with this story was the number of characters. It started to feel overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone, who was related to whom, and how they fell into the story. Even minor characters seemed to pop up frequently, and it felt a bit distracting for me. As a caveat, many of the characters are related but unfortunately, they don't have similar names, so this is where it started to feel a bit chaotic.
The last 25% of this story is where the bulk of the thrills are, and if you enjoy a slow burn, you'll enjoy this one. This story has a complete ending, which is great with all of the character development that the author created. It's a lot to pack up but the author does a nice job at making sure no one is forgotten.
If you enjoy a slow-burn, centuries-old mystery, with a diverse cast of characters, you'll enjoy "The Treasure Hunters Club".
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The author, Jason Rekulak, wrote an amazing book called "Hidden Pictures" a few years back. I think many readers are expecting this to follow the same suit, but it does not. There is no paranormal aspect and this doesn't have any horror to it either. None of this takes away from the story in any way, and I think it's more of a testament to the author's talent to successfully tell two different stories so well.
John Pirhalla narrates this audiobook. He does an excellent job bringing Frank to life. Frank's character is, above anything else, a dad. Even though he's been estranged from his daughter for a few years, he's still elated when she calls and tells him she's getting married. Maggie is still evasive and somewhat cold with him and Frank desperately wants to apologize and make up for lost time, but he can't help but feel something is a bit off with the wedding and the new family that Maggie is marrying into.
This story seems simple enough: a father and daughter reconnecting over her wedding, but there is a bad history that we never really get the full story of. The author does a nice job at leaving the reader guessing because Frank seems like a great father, but he's constantly trying to appease Maggie and she never wants to have a serious conversation with him. What could Frank have done that was that bad? And why does everyone seem to either love or completely hate the Gardners?
The ending of this story was done well. All aspects of the story receive resolution, and this story would also be great for a book club since it leaves room for discussion.
I could ramble on but then I'd be spoiling the entire book for you. If you enjoy tense and unsettling settings with family secrets all around, you'll enjoy "The Last One At The Wedding".
John Pirhalla narrates this audiobook. He does an excellent job bringing Frank to life. Frank's character is, above anything else, a dad. Even though he's been estranged from his daughter for a few years, he's still elated when she calls and tells him she's getting married. Maggie is still evasive and somewhat cold with him and Frank desperately wants to apologize and make up for lost time, but he can't help but feel something is a bit off with the wedding and the new family that Maggie is marrying into.
This story seems simple enough: a father and daughter reconnecting over her wedding, but there is a bad history that we never really get the full story of. The author does a nice job at leaving the reader guessing because Frank seems like a great father, but he's constantly trying to appease Maggie and she never wants to have a serious conversation with him. What could Frank have done that was that bad? And why does everyone seem to either love or completely hate the Gardners?
The ending of this story was done well. All aspects of the story receive resolution, and this story would also be great for a book club since it leaves room for discussion.
I could ramble on but then I'd be spoiling the entire book for you. If you enjoy tense and unsettling settings with family secrets all around, you'll enjoy "The Last One At The Wedding".
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It has been a long time since I have truly enjoyed and admired a character as much as I did with Augusta. I have liked other characters and enjoyed their adventures, but Augusta's character made me wish I knew her in real life. Even as a young woman, she's intelligent and is full of spirit. As an 80-year-old woman, Augusta still has all of that and more.
Augusta likes to stay busy, and because of that, she's still working at nearly 80 years old. Her job thinks she's barely 70 since she and her niece did some careful edits to her paperwork, but when the HR department asks her when she plans to retire, she knows she's busted. So she reluctantly retires and moves from Brooklyn, New York to Florida, and her new retirement community of Rallentando Springs. She hasn't fully moved in when she runs into Irving Rifkin, the first boy she ever dated.
This story has a dual timeline of Brooklyn in the 1920s and Rallentando Springs in the 80s. First, I enjoyed seeing both timelines. The author does an excellent job at bringing both places to life and it was easy for me to see everything in my mind, and this book would make a great movie. The visuals that were invoked were that good.
You could technically call this story a second-chance romance, but it's so much more than that. This story explores grief, and heartbreak, and makes you question what you thought you already knew all along. It was also interesting to see how even a minor miscommunication can alter the course of a relationship, whether it be platonic or romantic. This one made me do a lot of thinking, and would likely be great for a book club discussion.
I can confidently say this book is one of the best I've read all year. The writing is beautiful and the story is even better. If you enjoy second chances in life and in love, you'll love this one.
Augusta likes to stay busy, and because of that, she's still working at nearly 80 years old. Her job thinks she's barely 70 since she and her niece did some careful edits to her paperwork, but when the HR department asks her when she plans to retire, she knows she's busted. So she reluctantly retires and moves from Brooklyn, New York to Florida, and her new retirement community of Rallentando Springs. She hasn't fully moved in when she runs into Irving Rifkin, the first boy she ever dated.
This story has a dual timeline of Brooklyn in the 1920s and Rallentando Springs in the 80s. First, I enjoyed seeing both timelines. The author does an excellent job at bringing both places to life and it was easy for me to see everything in my mind, and this book would make a great movie. The visuals that were invoked were that good.
You could technically call this story a second-chance romance, but it's so much more than that. This story explores grief, and heartbreak, and makes you question what you thought you already knew all along. It was also interesting to see how even a minor miscommunication can alter the course of a relationship, whether it be platonic or romantic. This one made me do a lot of thinking, and would likely be great for a book club discussion.
I can confidently say this book is one of the best I've read all year. The writing is beautiful and the story is even better. If you enjoy second chances in life and in love, you'll love this one.
What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WOW. This story is just...WOW. I devoured this story in one day, and I can't stop thinking about it.
This story starts with a farmer finding a woman's body in his farm field. There is shock, horror, and disgust from nearly everyone in town. No one can believe this happened in Fairhill. Everyone knows everyone in Fairhill. Or do they?
The narrator for this book is primarily January LaVoy, but we also see Jorjeana Marie narrate for Diana, and Bennett Leddy narrate another character in the story. The narration was done well, and kept me engaged in the story. One thing I've struggled with, specifically with Shari Lapena books since they are typically domestic thrillers, is that sometimes the narrators have made me feel neurotic along with the characters. This does not happen in this book. The tension, panic, and fear come through, but it never crosses into annoyance.
There is a wide cast of characters in this story. However, once you're a few chapters in, we are seeing the same repeating characters, and I didn't find it confusing or hard to keep track of anyone. I think part of this also comes from each character being defined fully and having their own voice.
There isn't a ton of character development in this story. And while normally, readers may see that as a bad thing, in this case, it works splendidly. It becomes a cat-and-mouse game of trying to figure out who really could have killed Diana, as everyone is unreliable to an extent because we don't know them. Add in some sketchy behavior and suspects start to look even worse.
I did somewhat guess the ending, but I wasn't confident in my thoughts. This story kept me jumping from character to character because so many acted so guiltily (and stupidly).
If you're looking for a mystery set in a small town, with non-stop sketchy characters that will keep your attention and have you guessing until the end, this one is for you!
This story starts with a farmer finding a woman's body in his farm field. There is shock, horror, and disgust from nearly everyone in town. No one can believe this happened in Fairhill. Everyone knows everyone in Fairhill. Or do they?
The narrator for this book is primarily January LaVoy, but we also see Jorjeana Marie narrate for Diana, and Bennett Leddy narrate another character in the story. The narration was done well, and kept me engaged in the story. One thing I've struggled with, specifically with Shari Lapena books since they are typically domestic thrillers, is that sometimes the narrators have made me feel neurotic along with the characters. This does not happen in this book. The tension, panic, and fear come through, but it never crosses into annoyance.
There is a wide cast of characters in this story. However, once you're a few chapters in, we are seeing the same repeating characters, and I didn't find it confusing or hard to keep track of anyone. I think part of this also comes from each character being defined fully and having their own voice.
There isn't a ton of character development in this story. And while normally, readers may see that as a bad thing, in this case, it works splendidly. It becomes a cat-and-mouse game of trying to figure out who really could have killed Diana, as everyone is unreliable to an extent because we don't know them. Add in some sketchy behavior and suspects start to look even worse.
I did somewhat guess the ending, but I wasn't confident in my thoughts. This story kept me jumping from character to character because so many acted so guiltily (and stupidly).
If you're looking for a mystery set in a small town, with non-stop sketchy characters that will keep your attention and have you guessing until the end, this one is for you!
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This story starts with what should be a perfect graduation weekend at Princeton University. Except the new graduate, Naomi, isn't at any events and is instead floating, dead, in a nearby river. Her sister, Maya, is devastated and is torn between her grief for her sister, and her flashbacks to her own time at Princeton many years before.
This story is dual told from dual POVs, and also a dual timeline. From my perspective, this made the story hard to follow. You're seeing Naomi, in the months before her death, and Maya in the present day, as well as Maya in her own days at Princeton and the Sterling Club. The characters are sisters and their voices were similar and this added to the convoluted feeling of this story. I feel the author would have been more successful in this if Maya had been reading an old journal vs flashing to another timeline altogether.
Race and past traumatic experiences also come up in this story. Both Maya and Naomi are half-Black and half-Asian. I didn't mind hearing about Maya's past, trying hard to assimilate into the culture at Princeton. But I was struggling to believe Maya wouldn't share some of this with her sister when she decided to go to Princeton. An overall theme is whether Maya's silence gets her sister killed, and that seems major enough to have talked about.
If you enjoy stories that feature dark academia, a slow burn, and family history, you'll enjoy this debut from Lauren Ling Brown.