The first chapter was intriguing and exciting, but from then on the writing alternated between succinct sentences (which had me struggling toDNF @ 20%
The first chapter was intriguing and exciting, but from then on the writing alternated between succinct sentences (which had me struggling to connect with characters) and long-winded explanations of investigation techniques.
I increased the audiobook speed, but even that didn’t help.
I’ve heard the second half is better, but with so many books on my tbr, I can’t wait that long....more
Absorbing, tense, sent-shivers-down-my-spine, and best of all – an eye-popping twist!
Well, Christian White more than led me down the garden path on thAbsorbing, tense, sent-shivers-down-my-spine, and best of all – an eye-popping twist!
Well, Christian White more than led me down the garden path on this one. Bravo! I'm still recovering. Feels like I've been hit by a sledgehammer. I even dreamed of this book last night. And, there were things that raised my hackles while reading, sneakily planted clues that should have led me to the correct conclusion, but of course it's easy to say that now that I have all the facts. Not to mention, I failed to notice what was missing.
I'm going to steer clear of including a synopsis, as I think it's best to just dive in, knowing as little as possible. I can tell you it's domestic drama, psychological suspense, and crime/mystery, but that's about it. As the title states, there are two narrators – ‘The Wife' (Abby) and ‘The Widow' (Kate) with chapters alternating between the two POV's. At 320 pages it's a quick read. I wouldn't call it fast-paced, but the two perspectives are engaging and relatable.
I loved the island setting of Belport – the claustrophobia, the isolation, the breathtaking scenery, the gossipy busybodies, locals living in a protective bubble, and the close-knit community guarding many a secret. Those moths freaked me out though – do they really get into cereal boxes like that? Ew!
Side note: The passages on taxidermy gave me the heebie-jeebies. I'm not bagging anyone for their hobby (as long as they never discuss it with me), but let's just say if I had a friend who gave me a ‘stuffed' animal as a gift, then we're going to have words!
This author's debut, The Nowhere Child made me a fan. The Wife and the Widow, even more so. Just read it!...more
Haunting, innovative and poignant, The Dutch House demonstrates compassion and understanding.
Sister and brother, Maeve and Danny Conroy grew up in TheHaunting, innovative and poignant, The Dutch House demonstrates compassion and understanding.
Sister and brother, Maeve and Danny Conroy grew up in The Dutch House.
Their mother left when they were small, sneaking away from The Dutch House in the middle of the night.
A few years later, their father brings Andrea (their future stepmother), along with her two young daughters to live in The Dutch House.
When their father dies, their evil stepmother banishes them from The Dutch House, to fend for themselves, alone and penniless.
But, no matter how far they travel, or how many years pass, Maeve and Danny just can’t let go of The Dutch House.
An epic generational saga of family dysfunction, neglect, abandonment, stolen inheritance, and a troubled relationship between siblings. Maeve and Danny’s impenetrable unbreakable bond was warm, supportive, and loving in some respects, and I was sympathetic to their plight. However, it was also unhealthy and destructive, capable of sabotaging and undermining any other relationship they had, or formed, and tended to be controlling, co-dependent, and demanding. Furthermore, their inability to come to terms with their past invaded every facet of their lives and affected every decision.
The story was influenced by both fairy tale and folklore. There were references or similarities to Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and the Nutcracker ballet, among others. The Dutch House – named after the nationality of its original owner’s the VanHoebeeks (whose portraits were on prominent display above the fireplace) – was a character in itself and took on a eerie, ever-present life of its own. The three-storey mansion, built in the 1920’s, was grand, imposing, sprawling, and contained a cellar, attic, multiple bedrooms, and even a ballroom, and let’s face it, you can’t get more fairy tale than that? Danny always referred to it by its title, never just house or home.
Our sole POV was a middle-aged Danny (first person) reflecting back on his childhood and early adult years and how they shaped the man he became in his late forties/early fifties. The story opened in 1956 when Danny was eight (Maeve fifteen) with the arrival of Andrea into their lives, stepping across the threshold of The Dutch House for the first time. Events encompass the next fifty years, somewhat chronologically, but also contained flashbacks and flash forwards smack bang in the middle of any given chapter. Meaning, there were one or two occasions where I had to remind myself what stage of life Danny was narrating from. But, Ann Patchett, did include little reminders which got me back on track, so all good.
The book art, the painting of 12-year-old Maeve in her Red Riding Hood coat is probably my favourite cover of all time. I just can’t stop staring at it! Mesmerising!
The Dutch House was a sensational novel that entertained, informed and amused. Deserves pride of place on your bookshelf....more
Teenager Amy lives an insular existence in the Clearing, raised by the Elders through strict routine, bra4.5 “I'm still shaking with disbelief" stars!
Teenager Amy lives an insular existence in the Clearing, raised by the Elders through strict routine, brainwashing, deprivation, punishment, and fear to believe that everyone outside of it is a threat.
Having lost her first son, Freya is overly-cautious when it comes to protecting her second. Her isolated property is a safe house – fence, alarm, dog, shutters, panic button, even a fire bunker – Freya is prepared for anything. Or is she?
Freya and Amy's worlds are about to collide, with devastating consequences.
In the Clearing is one of those mind-bending reads where little makes sense for most of the novel. And it's maddening and confusing, I'm not going to lie. It’s not an edge-of-your-seat thriller – I would even go as far to say that some parts were slow – but keep reading, don't let your mind wander, and pay close attention to EVERYTHING, because the payoff is a million times worth it. This crazy twisty-turny novel left me gasping and reeling. I now understand why the pacing took its time, and that it had to be executed in such a sly way for it to work. When I turned the last page, I had to go back and re-read some sections because I was unable to comprehend how I could possibly have been so misled? The clues were all there waiting to be unravelled, but apparently not by me. Ingeniously and skillfully done J.P. Pomare.
Chapters switched between Amy and Freya, and also included excerpts from Amy's journal. There is some pretty disturbing content regarding cults and child abuse, but it's written in a way that doesn't overwhelm, and cutaway scenes prevented things from becoming too graphic or explicit.
For those who share my preference for creepy twisted psychological thrillers, In the Clearing is a dead certainty. ...more
The first half of Good Girls Lie contained many gothic horror and YA thriller elements I love – an isolated, prestigious all girls boarding school2.5.
The first half of Good Girls Lie contained many gothic horror and YA thriller elements I love – an isolated, prestigious all girls boarding school setting complete with arcane rules and social structures, secret societies, mean girls, gossip, ghost stories, past tragedies, and suspicious deaths. The intricate level of detail that went into describing Goode School – gated ivy-covered walls, enclosed glass-and-wood walkways, massive curving twin staircases, spooky tree-lined pathways, etc, had my anticipation levels high. The POV's – new sophomore student (all the way from England) Ash Carlyle and the dean of students (Ford Julianne Westhaven) were mysterious and fascinating, and the unknown third person omniscient narrator increased my foreboding.
But, while reading I had my misgivings, was fairly certain I had uncovered the major twists, but kept telling myself there must be bigger shockers to come, that surely that couldn't be all there was to it? Unfortunately, that ended up being all there was to it. The clues were too obvious, nothing surprised me, the story headed exactly where I expected, and on top of that, took far too long to get there. Too much time was spent re-explaining redundant information, when a particular secret/s had already been revealed. Character POV's were introduced throughout whose story arcs led nowhere, and there were subplots that either fizzled out or served no purpose. And don't get me started on the ridiculousness of the plot the further I read. Maybe the succinct chapter titles – The Dean, The Meeting, The Warning, The Hanging (you get the point) should have alerted me to the fact that the plot was intended to be ironic rather than sophisticated. I did appreciate the title though and its clever play on words
If you are looking for a playful, entertaining, amusing thriller, and are willing to suspend your disbelief, you may find this more satisfying, but if you are after a creepy, complex, suspenseful gothic horror then I’m unable to recommend this. If this is J.T. Ellison’s usual style then I'm afraid she's not the right fit for me....more
Engaging, interesting, honest, and raw! Andrea Barber's autobiography contains so much depth and heart.
For those who aren't aware, Andrea Barber is thEngaging, interesting, honest, and raw! Andrea Barber's autobiography contains so much depth and heart.
For those who aren't aware, Andrea Barber is the child actor who graced our screens in the 1980’s and 1990’s, first as Carrie Brady on Days of Our Lives, and then, playing the character she's most known for – Kimmy Gibbler of Full House fame. In 2015, after a whopping twenty years away from Hollywood, she returned to acting, to reprise her role as Kimmy in the Netflix reboot, Fuller House.
I was thrilled to learn more about Andrea Barber. The intervening years between Full House and Fuller House were of particular interest. Back in 2008, after re-watching all the seasons of Full House, I looked her up, and as I recall, could barely find out a thing. And there are reasons for that, but you'll have to read the book to find out why.
Andrea's openness when discussing her own struggles with anxiety and post-partum depression, and how terrified and isolated she felt, is brave and inspirational. She also talks extensively about how she eventually reached out for help, and discusses her treatment and the things she has changed and implemented to minimize the effects. Her willingness to share intimate details regarding her private personal life in order to facilitate others recovery is about as selfless as you can get.
During the course of the book she never betrays any confidences, or bags anybody, and I very much admire her discretion. I also respect how humble and grounded she comes across as – how grateful and appreciative she is for all the opportunities and privileges she received early on.
As much as I would have loved to see Andrea take on other characters in TV shows and movies from the 90’s onwards, I am glad she had the opportunity to achieve and accomplish so many other things completely free of Hollywood – college, travel, career goals outside of the industry, marriage, and children.
I understand that she is only acting, but am still astounded over how different Andrea is from Kimmy Gibbler, yet her portrayal of her onscreen is utterly believable.
A quick, well-organised, easy read. I enjoyed reading this immensely. Now I'm an even more devoted fan....more
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