I was asked by Liz of Sourcebooks Landmark, to be a part of the blog tour… I was thrilled to bits to receive such a kind offer and in a blink, I accepted. I thank both the author, Kaela Coble and the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark for this honour. And here I go…
My review
I wanted a book which would take me away from my real life and allow me to immerse myself totally into its story and I proudly declare that this book accomplished that. After reading all the heartwarming books about friends in the last few days, I was so very ready to read about characters on the other end of spectrum. The not-so-good ones, the grey characters who are slightly good but largely bad. I feel such characters add spice to the story and make an interesting read.
Danny appeared to be one such character, who was wicked enough to get his friends gathered around. Post his funeral, he had a letter for each of them. We get a shock this was planed, Danny did not die of an overdose accident, he committed suicide, and the letters each have a secret about these friends. The first opened was of Danny himself, he killed his step father…
What will the other letters contain? What are the secrets these so called best friends seem to be hiding? How do these secrets affect all of them? How did Danny know about all these secrets? The biggest of all why did Danny commit suicide? The whole book was like can opened, worms everywhere…
This is Kaela Coble’s debut book, and what a fabulous job she has done. By her words, she pulled me deep into the story layer by layer. Each secret is revealed in turns, and the suspense is built till it reaches a crescendo. Kaela has done a fabulous write up of the group of best friends, the crew, who were supposed to be always there for each other at all times, but each one is the first to run away. The dynamics of this ever changing group was fun to watch.
The story is written in different POVs and in the then and the now time line. And Danny is an active force in both. In the then time era, he is in the background but yet makes his presence felt. In the now era, he is the ghost, the voice from the beyond keeping us hooked to the story.
This book is not a whodunit, though it has an atmosphere similar to that. But it is a whydunit, because the secrets hold the key, and the author Kaela has seen to it that the role of the characters unfold in such a way, that the reader can’t help but be pinned to the book. Initially, I played detective and tried guessing the secrets, but I gave up halfway through and just enjoyed the book for the pure fun and suspense imbibed into its pages
Kaela has structured each of her characters around the secret, so that when revealed, it shows the layers and the depth of the character. A clever bit of writing. Kaela has seen to it that each secret brings its own thrills and contrivances. The book, written as a thriller, also has a surprising depth in the feelings. I thought I ‘knew’ this book from the blurb, but Kaela proved me wrong, the book had a surprising sentimental depth to it too. Quite a different read…
The only niggle, I had was that the book was a bit slow in parts, and I wanted things happening from the get-go. And at 368 pages, it was quite a long book to read it in one sitting.
But in truth, this book was a race against time… I raced against time and against all my other work, to get to the last page to get to the TRUTH. Only the truth can set you free and in this book, that was true both for the characters and for me. I couldn’t leave the book till I finished it. A Fantabulous read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating : 4 stars
About the Author
Kaela Coble lives in Burlington, Vermont, and is a member of the League of Vermont Writers and a graduate of the WoMentoring Project. This is her first novel.
Twitter: @kaelacoble
Book blurb
To all my old friends:
So here you all are. Nice to see you can show up for a person once he’s dead.
When Ruby St. James returns to her hometown, it is to the grave of her old friend Danny, a member of a group that was, ten years ago, Ruby’s whole world. The crew made a pact back then: stay together, stay loyal, and stay honest. But that was before all of the lies. Because even friends keep secrets. They just don’t stay secret for long.
Now Danny has left behind a letter for each of them, issuing one final ultimatum: share your darkest betrayal to the group, or risk it coming out in a trap he has created. When past mistakes resurface, the lines of friendship blurb, and four old friends are left trying to understand what it means to lie to the ones you love best.
Product Details
Publication date : 6th February 2018
Publisher : SOURCEBOOKS Landmark
Language : English
Available on Amazon
24 Responses
Love your review, Shalini! This one sounds really good and I do have it added. I’m starting to have patience with slower parts in books, but it’s hard. Will have to try this one. Thanks for sharing and hope all is well. <3
Hi Mischenko, sorry for delayed reply. I don’t have net, can’t make calls, some problems with the service provider
I liked your post too. I am unable to check anything today. 😢
Intriguing…. all these secrets…
Also I love that title which, based on your review, seems perfect.
Thank you so much Nina… Sorry down with flu. Brain slow
Believe me I know the feeling… recovering myself. 🙂
Flu?? Take a break. Have some rest.
Yes, Vijay. High fever, with other symptoms. In bad shape.
Yeah same here severe cold and cough. But no fever anyways take good care.
Yes u2
Yeah season changing here so all these are common . Almost everyone suffering from. Cold
Not cold, other symptoms. Anyways will message when ok, Vijay. Please take care of yourself and your health
K get well soon. Good night
U2
In a bad shape, suddenly in 2 hours, things have turned worse
Hi there Shalini, not seen you for a few days. How’s the week going?
Not well, down with respiratory infection, in a bad shape… Can I talk when I can look at the screen. Headache and fever are killing me
Sure, get well soon ☺️
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Thanks Michael
Wonderful review, Shalini! Thank you for posting, and have a good Sunday! MIchael 😉
,hi Michael, Sunday is nearly done on to Monday. Down with the flu