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Digital Reads Reviews

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My review

This book barely escaped being a DNF by the skin of its teeth… Whew!! A thriller of secrets which didn’t thrill or entice me.

I love a book which has secrets hidden in its pages, but the writing here was so s. l. o. w., that everything in the world including painting my nails distracted me away from it.

The story goes thus, Helen is going through a separation, her mum Barbara is diagnosed with breast cancer. She comes down for surgery, has an overdose of medications, and soon after, Helen’s child Barney is kidnapped.

The story was told in many different timelines and with different POVs at a pace slower than a snail. (It had me banging my head on the kindle, gently!!) Not a good sign at all. Barbara’s husband Neil was the ostrich, buried his head in the sand, not ever wondering about her past. Aaaghhh!!

My first book by Joanne Sefton, and instead of me feeling all the emotions of the book, the book, for the first time, felt my varied emotions: excited, bewildered, bored, I dozed holding the kindle, perked up for the last 20% then disillusioned and resigned.

The premise was good, but the pace slow, the characters unlikable, the dampened plot reveal, followed by The End. My biggest niggle was not any of the above factors, it was – I was told main character Helen was a good mom. I didn’t ever feel that, there were no such scenes shown. She was more overwhelmed with everything.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Avon, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating: 2 stars

About the Author

Joanne Sefton lives in Bath and as well as writing, she is a working barrister and mother. She is Scottish and has an MA in creative writing from Bath Spa University.

Book blurb

Nobody in Barbara Marsden’s family knows about her past, least of all her daughter Helen. But someone wants the truth to come out.

When Helen discovers a sinister note at Barbara’s house, she can’t understand who would want to threaten her mother. She’s determined to find out who sent it, but soon realises her search might hurt her own family and put Barbara at risk…

What really happened all those years ago? And who is going to end up paying the price?

Product Details

Publication date : 3rd September 2018

Publisher : Avon

57 Responses

  1. Thrillers aren’t my usual genre and I can’t imagine one at a slow pace.
    Thanks for the heads up.
    I’m currently reading a rather slow book but it’s exquisitely written so I’m savoring it! HUNGER by Samantha Chang.

    1. Wow… Maybe it was just me. Others have all lived it. But I just couldn’t get into it at all. I have red nails now, painted them while reading this book 😂😂

  2. OMGosh – thank you for this honest review. I wish there many more reviewers just like you Shalini!! I know you will have a great book waiting for you this week! Enjoy!

    1. Mackey… Hahaha thank you so much. Most liked this book. I just couldn’t get into it… This wasnt for me. On the brighter side, I have painted toes😉😉😂😂

  3. That is so disappointing, because the cover is actually quite attractive. 🙁 I’m laughing picturing you trying to swipe the kindle with wet nails and not getting polish on your clothes or kindle or furniture…hahaha! At least you have your nails done now 🙂 Better luck with the next book.

    1. Hahaha Maybelline paint dries fast in a minute or so… I took more time with my toes… They look fab in red!! 😂😂😂😂
      Everyone liked the book… I so didn’t….

  4. God don’t you hate it when you look at the reviews and everyone else loved it except you? Have SOOO been there. However, Shalini, this review was excellent, as always. Honest and I loved it. (Also, needed a laugh today–thank you!)

    1. Gin, I have red nails due to the distraction. So I am happy. I recently read a book that I raved and raved and others hated it…. 😂😂😂😂

  5. Oh thats a pain . getting through something that you don’t like to read. I feel so bad returning a half read book to the library.
    I have never tried to paint my nails and read a book. Will try that next time I have a not-so-interesting one to read.

  6. Well…this sounds awesome….erm…not 😂😂 It’s been a while since I have seen such a negative review for a book from you. But that’s what I always like about you: you are always honest! Lol…and at least you got to paint your nails 😂😂

  7. Fantastic and honest review, Shalini! I’m sorry this book didn’t work out for you. At least your nail polish is ready, it’s sometimes so hard to find the time, energy and motivation for doing it! 😂❤️

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