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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Aftermath in Books

Feb 13, 2018  
A
Aftermath
Clara Kensie | 2016
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
As a young teen, Charlotte was kidnapped, and spent over four horrible years as a prisoner of her kidnapper, locked in his attic. The only thing that kept Charlotte going through the violence was the thoughts of her family: her mom, dad, and twin sister, Alexa. She imagined Alexa fulfilling all the fantasies the girls wrote down in their dream book. Then, one day, Charlotte manages to escape. She's suddenly "free," but the life she returns to as a sixteen-year-old is nothing like she imagined. Her parents have split, her mother is an alcoholic, her father is using her disappearance for fame, and her sister has completely changed. Charlotte, meanwhile, is struggling with the return to normalcy and finds herself obsessed with the girl kidnapped before herself: a girl her keeper tortured her with to behave, using her death as a way to keep Charlotte in life. Will Charlotte ever be able to move on until she knows what happened to the girl before her?

This was an interesting and rather original novel. Where often you get a story leading up to a kidnapping, or a mystery trying to solve who kidnapped someone, in Kensie's tale, Charlotte's actual confinement takes up little of the story. She learns who her kidnapper is pretty quickly (he never revealed his name to her). Instead, the novel truly does focus on the aftermath of her kidnapping: how will Charlotte recover from this horrible trauma. And, indeed, how will her family recover as well? The novel hooks you very quickly, and I found myself then wondering how Kensie would sustain such an odd plot without the push of a kidnapping or whodunnit (although there is Charlotte's desire to find the girl before her, but we only have her word that she existed). But the novel is very nuanced and has a psychological depth to it. Initially, I was wary that Charlotte wasn't going to exhibit a lot of signs of a young girl who spent four years trapped and abused; she seemed to jump easily from twelve to sixteen. But as Kensie peels away the layers, we do see how much Charlotte is suffering, and how hard it is for her to adjust to life outside of the attic.

While the tale focuses on Charlotte, we also get to see how her disappearance affected her family, as well, which is an interesting technique, as many kidnapping stories don't always involve the family. The dynamic between Charlotte and her twin, for instance, is a complex one, and well-portrayed. Kensie also throws in several surprises along the way, plot-wise: in a novel where you wouldn't think there would be much to hide. These devices don't seem contrived, however, but fit in nicely with the flow of the story.

Overall, this was a nice change of pace from a typical kidnapping novel and well-written. I still think some of Charlotte's adjustment was a little too easy overall, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. A strong 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review; it is available everywhere as of 11/1/2016.
  
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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum, #12) in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
TS
Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum, #12)
Janet Evanovich | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, Mystery
10
8.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ooooh...I think this is the best book in the series! Somehow I think I've said that before, but I guess I didn't mean it until now. Wow! I literally read this book in about 10 hours of on & off reading. I just couldn't put it down.
Stephanie is back to being a bounty hunter. Grandma joins Sally Sweet's band for a brief run. Lula starts hooking up with Tank (a match made in heaven since Tank doesn't talk & Lula can't shut up!!!) A Ranger impersonator out to take over Ranger's life. A kidnapping, bombs, robberies, the list goes on. Nonstop action from beginning to end.
  
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Keisha Davis (8 KP) rated Then She Was Gone in Books

Apr 9, 2018  
Then She Was Gone
Then She Was Gone
Lisa Jewell | 2017 | Thriller
10
8.1 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow. Just wow. What a story. This reminded me heavily of The Lovely Bones. The stories bore some similarities. I liked how the book was referenced in the story (pay attention or you’ll miss it).

The story moved along well. I personally had the plot figured out mid book but then again I watch hours and hours of criminal programs so I’m kind of an armchair expert haha.

I enjoyed the fact it jumped from perspective. It gave personality to the story.

The loss of a child. Unanswered questions. A runaway? Murder? Kidnapping? Hope. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Guilt. This story has a plethora of emotions. Definitely a must read.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2186 KP) rated Ghost of a Gamble (A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery, #4) in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
GO
Ghost of a Gamble (A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery, #4)
Sue Ann Jaffarian | 2014
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Emma and Granny have traveled to Las Vegas to investigate a ghost haunting a lightbulb. What they discover leads to a murder and a kidnapping. Can they stop this new chain of events?

As always, the plot is strong with some nice work from the characters and plenty of great twists before it is all over. The characters, new and old, living and dead, are strong, and I enjoyed spending time with them. All told, a great trip to Vegas that won't leave you broke from gambling.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-ghost-of-gamble-by-sue-ann.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.