This book sounds like it could be ripped straight from the headlines - high schoolers on spring break in Aruba; one of them is murdered; and another faces a trial and jail in a foreign country. Anna is the main character, and when her best friend Elise is murdered in their vacation house, Anna is brought in almost immediately as a suspect.
I liked the way the author played with the timeline in the book. It bounced around between the spring break trip, Anna's trial, and the lives of the friends before it all went to hell. Different secrets were revealed and we got to know Anna and Elise bit by bit. I kept going back and forth on whether or not Anna had actually killed Elise. Sometimes I thought maybe she did, but other times I was convinced that she was a victim, too, of a biased investigation.
It was interesting to see how the investigation and trial played out and also how the media portrayed Anna - how everyone took snippets of conversations or pictures and tried to prove Anna was dangerous, uncaring, even a psychopath. I did think the story was a tad predictable in some parts, but overall, it was a fast-paced mystery. 4 stars
A woman realizes a childhood friend has written a best-selling novel based on her own early life.
Unfortunately, I DNFed this one. The relationship between the main character and her boyfriend was off-putting; they seemed so unhappy and it was bringing me down. Even in just the first couple chapters, it was all feeling a bit too melodramatic for me. The book-within-the-book was another low point. I thought the writing was kind of pedestrian. I didn't understand why all the characters were raving about it. I had to stop after about 50 pages. This book has great reviews on Goodreads, so it's probably a matter of "it's me, not you."
I have read a few Carlino books, and enjoyed them. Sorry this one didn't work for you. I loved Dangerous Girls! The pace, the anxiety, the little bit of doubt I carried with me (in my case) all the way to the end.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree about Dangerous Girls, it really kept me guessing!
DeleteDangerous Girls sounds so good! A pity about the predictability, but I like that it's fast and twisty. Great reviews, Angela :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy!
DeleteDangerous Girls sounds like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for putting it on my radar. It's a shame about Swear on This Life. Too many books and not enough time though, so you should definitely put down any books that you just aren't feeling.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI hope you enjoy Dangerous Girls if you decide to read it!
I loved Dangerous Girls! It totally got me. Sorry Swear n This Life didn't work for you!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone who hasn't liked Dangerous Girls!
DeleteDangerous Girls sounds like one I'd enjoy. I'll put it on my list to watch for at the library. The other ones sounds like it had promise, but we both know that not every book works for us. Sometimes we just have to move along to the next. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kay! Hope you enjoy Dangerous Girls!
DeleteOh no, I hate it when I have to give up on a book, especially so early. I'm glad you enjoyed Dangerous Girls though! I've been on a bit of a mystery kick, so I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI think Swear on This Life would probably annoy me for all of the reasons you mentioned, but Dangerous Girls sounds really good. I hadn't heard of that one before but will be adding it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteDangerous Girls was one I've seen around the blogosphere quite a bit, and I'm glad I read it!
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