jessicaxmaria's Reviews (1.04k)

The definition of a 'beach read' in my estimation--hard to put down, and I read it in two days. It's plot-driven, though the shifting narratives give it a bit of character-study injection. I enjoyed guessing throughout what might have transpired (and this momentum of my guesses was what kept me reading without much stopping), and though I guessed correctly, there was still a lot of interesting things to happen along the way. The ending felt abrupt, but perhaps that's because the whole book was escalating to a point that anything afterwards would seem disappointing. I liked it, and definitely recommend for a quick, compelling read... though there's not much substance left after it's over.

I'm so glad Margaret Atwood has published so many novels, because I cannot wait to read them all but also pace myself. I definitely paced myself as I read this novel, which I loved from its first paragraph. Her writing slowly unfolds to reveal a bleak future that has roots in the news of the last decade or so. It's devastating, beautiful, and a marvel as a novel. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy, and one day coming back to Snowman's plight.

Though I knew much of these scandalous stories, there was a lot to enjoy about Petersen's take on them in terms of celebrity culture and the way it's evolved. I always enjoy classic Hollywood tales, and this did not disappoint.

I wanted to read this book since discovering Flynn--like most people--with 2012's [b:Gone Girl|8442457|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339602131s/8442457.jpg|13306276]. Dark Places is a lot like Gone Girl in that there's a central mystery, a rather unlikable protagonist, and you're guessing what will happen with nearly every sentence. I should say that Libby isn't unlikable -- she's hard to like. And she knows it. I love the complexity of Flynn's characters, and how there's never just a "good guy" and a "bad guy." I pride myself on my detective work (haha) so this was a pleasure for me to read, and I was putting the clues together at every turn. In the end I wasn't 100% right, but I was almost there... it's also somewhat gruesome and I was definitely frightened a few times. Can't wait to read another Flynn book.

A book that captured my attention from its opening because of its immediate noir atmosphere -- jogging in Central Park at night with a mysterious figure looming in the path lights? -- yep, that'll do it. New York as backdrop was both nostalgia for me, who just moved from the city, and also the perfect setting for the maze Scott McGrath and his two unlikely parters in crime-uncovering find themselves in. The additional graphics, to include news stories and deep-net screenshots, added some fun reading but didn't detract at all from story, but I'm not sure they exactly enhanced anything, either -- but it was fun! The mystery itself is great and I loved following it and trying to piece together the mystery of Cordova. There are some damn creepy characters and descriptions; sometimes I would get shivers while I read. The eventual reveal of Ashley Cordova's motivations was pretty well-explained if pat, but I liked that juxtaposition with how open the very end is. And I liked the ending, though I don't think a lot of others might.

It's really a 4.5/5, I dock it half due to some areas with oddly simplistic writing given how beautifully described other parts are.

After an inviting, interesting premise -- a premise I related too somewhat closely about being shunned by friends and not understanding the reason why -- I was entirely disappointed by the writing, characters, and narrative, and I think after this I am done with Murakami. 1Q84 had me until the last third, and after spending so much time on that novel I thought I would take a breather from Murakami. But this book really solidified how much I just do not want to ever pick up a Murakami again. It was painful near the end to try to complete it. My mouse lingered on the 2-star "It was Ok" review but no, I really 1-star "Did not like it."

Thankfully the entire book club agreed. (It's a book club of women, and I think especially with this book, that's important to note given the way Murakami writes women in it...)