Resolution" by David Ellis promised to deliver interlinking spooky short stories, but unfortunately, it fell short of its promises. From the outset, I found the writing style to be off-putting and choppy, filled with unnecessary details that did little to enhance the mechanics of the story. Characters were introduced without purpose or meaningful development, leaving them feeling like mere placeholders in the narrative.
In addition to the issues with writing style, character development, and narrative structure, I was particularly put off by the author's use of an LGBTQ stereotype in the first story. The character description felt tacky, awkward, and out of place contributing to the overall lack of sensitivity and depth in the storytelling. This choice only added to my disappointment with "Resolution," as it highlighted a lack of nuance and thoughtful representation within the narrative.
The stories themselves meandered endlessly, lacking the tension and pacing necessary to hold my interest. This aimless wandering became exhausting, making it difficult to stay engaged with the book.
Adding to my frustration was the formatting disaster of the Kindle ARC. It was riddled with errors and inconsistencies, further detracting from the reading experience.
In summary, "Resolution" is a book in serious need of editorial attention. While it had the potential to be a collection of gripping tales, the execution ultimately fell flat, leaving me disappointed and unsatisfied as a reader..
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC In exchange for an honest review.