3 stars
or a debut novel, this one is well-written. Overall, it was interesting to read.
The majority of the book felt like it was trying to shock the reader with shallow explorations of mental health, violence, murder, and self harm. Not generally my cup of tea, but I’m always interested in books that become TV shows or movies. I just can’t help myself.
One issue I had however was that as soon as you meet The Killer, it felt painfully obvious they were The Killer. The main character is completely clueless and tries to lead you in different directions, but based on initial descriptions it’s pretty obvious who she will sleep with, who is a total creep, and who actually committed the murders. Because of this, parts of the book felt drawn out. I already knew who did it and it was dull to have to sit around and watch the main character figure it out as it becomes more and more obvious to the reader. It seems Flynn had the ending a little too planned out and slipped in a few too many details while writing. However, for the most part the book was interesting and I can see why it has gained such popularity.
The ending felt a bit rushed and everything wraps up a little too easily, but perhaps that was just me trying to get through it.
Not really the type of book I enjoy. Still, it was well-written and used some interesting perspectives. Good fit for those who enjoy murder thrillers, especially those that take place in small towns full of gossip and secrets.