The Row

by J.R. Johansson

A death sentence. A family torn apart. One girl’s hunt for the truth.

Seventeen-year-old Riley Beckett is no stranger to prison. Her father is a convicted serial killer on death row who has always maintained that he was falsely accused. Riley has never missed a single visit with her father. She wholeheartedly believes that he is innocent.

Then, a month before the execution date, Riley’s world is rocked when, in an attempt to help her move on, her father secretly confesses to her that he actually did carry out the murders. He takes it back almost immediately, but she cannot forget what he’s told her. Determined to uncover the truth for her own sake, she discovers something that will forever change everything she’s believed about the family she loves.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Crime, Suspense

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2016

About the author

J.R. JOHANSSON is the author of the Night Walkers Series (INSOMNIA, PARANOIA and MANIA) as well as standalone novels, CUT ME FREE, THE ROW and TO THE BONE. Her books have been published in over a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. She lives in a valley by the mountains where the sun shines 300+ days per year with a hot tub named Valentino.

Reviews

[Coos Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una de esas veces donde casi le grito al libro que por favor me dé las respuestas a mis inquietudes. Una historia cruda y turbia, con un ritmo amigable y trepidante. No me resultó predecible, por lo contrario, me tuvo de acá para allá con mis dudas. Un thriller escalofriante por la situación que atraviesa la protagonista: una chica que no sabe si su papá es o no un femicida. Todo le hace dudar, porque en el fondo de su corazón, ella desea que nada de eso pasara, por las mujeres que han perdido la vida, y por la posición en la que se encuentra su padre.

Todo el libro nos mantiene con la interrogante: ¿fue él el que cometió el crimen? Si lo fue, ¿cómo se puede seguir adelante sabiendo que quien te engendró es un asesino? Y si no lo fue, ¿quién le devuelve los once años que pasó preso, y que lo están llevando hacia la silla eléctrica? Un libro que no se puede soltar. Super recomendado.

Hice una videoreseña más completa, por si gustan ver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ1kv...

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars


***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Row by J.R. Johansson
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication Date: October 11, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

A death sentence. A family torn apart. One girl’s hunt for the truth.

Seventeen-year-old Riley Beckett is no stranger to prison. Her father is a convicted serial killer on death row who has always maintained that he was falsely accused. Riley has never missed a single visit with her father. She wholeheartedly believes that he is innocent.

Then, a month before the execution date, Riley’s world is rocked when, in an attempt to help her move on, her father secretly confesses to her that he actually did carry out the murders. He takes it back almost immediately, but she cannot forget what he’s told her. Determined to uncover the truth for her own sake, she discovers something that will forever change everything she’s believed about the family she loves.

What I Liked:

WOAH. I had a feeling that I would enjoy this book, but dang. I really really enjoyed it. I've read all of Johansson's published books - Insomnia, Paranoia, Mania, Cut Me Free, and now this one - and I have to say, despite my varying ratings, this one is probably my favorite of her books. This book was so engrossing and a little twisted, and I couldn't read it fast enough.

Riley is used to being the girl whose father is on death row. When she was six, her father was convicted of murdering three women. Eleven years later, he has maintained his innocence, and Riley has grown up believing that he will be released someday, because he didn't do those crimes. But when the latest hearing goes poorly, and her father only has a month before execution, Riley scrambles to find out more details about the case. She was so young when everything went down - what really happened? Riley digs deep to uncover shocking truths about the case, her parents, and the murders.

I could not put this book down, and read it in one sitting. It's getting harder and harder to just sit for hours and read, without getting up to do this or that, work or schools, etc. But this book had my attention and held it until the end. If I say nothing else, let me say that this book was so engrossing and page-turning. Johansson sets the tone and there is no way I was putting this one down until I was finished. I needed answers as much as Riley did!

I liked Riley and was totally behind her drive to find answers. Her father has four weeks to live, and she needs some of the blanks to be filled. One thing that I really liked about her was that she knew she wasn't going to make a difference in the case or find some groundbreaking clue that none of the lawyers saw - she wanted answers for herself, because there were so many things kept from her because of how young she was when the murders first happened. Riley is so tough and strong, not in a physical way necessarily, but mentally and emotionally. She's grown up visiting her father for two hours on a Friday. She's grown up with a stressed mother who has gotten fired from one job to the other because of her husband. Riley and her mother have dealt with so much, but both have stood behind Riley's father every step of the way. The family loyalty was pretty great, especially on Riley's part.

The mystery of it all was so fascinating. Did her father kill those women? Did he not? If he didn't, who did? Why would he confess that he did do the murders, but then take it back? One way or another, there are only four weeks left, and Riley wants answers. I loved how Johansson spun us round and round, bouncing suspicion from one character to the other. The only person who I felt was supremely innocent was Riley, and Jordan.

Riley meets Jordan at the mall one day, early in the book, with his little brother Matthew. After this encounter, Riley and Jordan become friends. Riley tells Jordan about her father and the case, and Jordan wants to help her. Jordan becomes a very important part of the story, and an anchor to Riley. He is sweet and caring, but also protective of her. He's such a nice guy, even with everything he has going on in his personal life. He is a good friend to Riley, and eventually a good more-than-friend.

Yup, there is some subtle romance in this book. Very minimal, but very sweet. I shipped Riley and Jordan from the start, and I'm glad to see things work out for them.

I won't say more about the case and who actually did it but... trust me, the build-up is worth it. You think you know what happened, and who did it, but you don't. I came up with so many potential suspects, and even towards the end, I guessed wrong. Johansson wrote this very well! Overall, I was really pleased with this book.

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything specific that I didn't like!

Would I Recommend It:

I do recommend this one, if you like suspense novels! I don't seem to read much suspense/mystery novels in YA, so this was a welcome change. I like Johansson's novels but this one is probably my favorite. It's too bad it seems to be flying under the radar because it is such a fascinating, disturbing, and intriguing book!

Rating:

4 stars. I am curious to see what Johansson will come up with next! I think this is her best yet, so I'm excited to see.

[Aguslovesbucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Terminé el libro o el libro terminó conmigo? Absolutamente, todavía tengo los ojos llorosos.

Por un lado, debo decir que mi experiencia con esta lectura ha sido tremendamente maravillosa; tanto que jugó con mi mente. Me encontré con tres plot twists seguidos que me dejaron completamente boquiabierta.

Por otro lado, me encantó que la historia se narrara desde la perspectiva de la hija del prisionero, Riley, profundizando en sus sentimientos y en todo lo que ha tenido que pasar desde pequeña.

Sin duda, la aparición de Jordan en su vida fue como un bálsamo para enfrentar todas las situaciones relacionadas con su papá.

Me encantó muchísimo. Tendré esta historia en mi cabeza por varios días, sin poder superarla. 😭✨️

[Maximiliano · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5* maybe.

He leído peores. Me gustaría volver a escribir reseñas por acá así que capaz edite esto mas tarde. (Si me leen después de una semana y aún no ven la reseña tonces espérenla en el wrap up de enero jsjs)

Unas semanas después:

Al final le di 2 estrellas y tienen mi reseña en el Wrap Up de Enero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITK0h...

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

Before I stared reading YA, I read a lot of thrillers, mysteries and true crime. While The Row sounded right up my alley, I ended up having mixed feelings about it. That's possibly because I've read so many adult Silence of the Lambs kinds of books, in which an FBI agent/police officer/psychologist sets out to delve into the mind of a serial killer. I feel like these adult-oriented books offer more psychological complexity than this book did.

The main character in The Row is Riley, a girl whose father sits on death row after being convicted for killing several women. Riley's dad is running out of appeals, and she's trying not to run out of hope. When her father makes an unexpected statement to her during a visit, she's shocked and sets out to try to find out the truth: is her father innocent or guilty?

What I liked:
I liked Riley, though I thought her distinct voice (this takes place in Texas) seemed to flatten out as the book went on.
I liked that the book kept me guessing. I had several theories about the identity of the killer. I was partly right, but I thought the book did a good job of raising a lot of questions.
I thought Riley's relationship with her father (she visits him in prison) was interesting and well-portrayed. Also loved her relationship with her father's lawyer.

What I didn't love
The romance in the book didn't really work for me. The fact that Riley ends up in a relationship with the son of the chief of police seemed a little too contrived. Then I thought he'd have more of a role in the book, but he seemed sort of like a hanger-on.
I thought that the book could have delved more into the (abnormal!) psychology of many of the characters.

All that said, this book has a good amount of suspense and is a compelling read. While I wished for a little more, I can see from my Goodreads feed that this has wowed a lot of readers.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review.
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin

[Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todos los feelings.
Es tremendo este libro, crees que sabés a dónde va, pero tiene dos giros de trama que te dejan hecho bolsa en el piso. El final me desarma.

[Juan Quiroga · Rating 4 out of 5]

RESEÑA COMPLETA EN MI BLOG: https://lavidadeungamerprincipiante.b...

[Colleen Houck]

This book is unlike anything I've read before. The heroine is the daughter of a man on death row and it was interesting to explore what happens to the family left behind when the father is imprisoned. The love interest was dreamy and pretty much perfect. It leaves your heart racing to the end. If you like thrillers this is a great pick.

[Martina Rumas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Este thriller juvenil me ha dejado un poco como al principio. Está bien, es entretenido, pero no creo que sea mi mejor lectura del año ni el mejor thriller que haya leído.

Lo empecé un poco mal porque al leer las primeras páginas me di cuenta de que trataba algunos temas difíciles para mí como el perder a un padre o el trato tan difícil que tiene la protagonista con su madre, entre otras cosas. Todo esto me causaba angustia, pero es algo personal y decidí seguir leyendo.

Pronto me di cuenta de que estaba enganchada y que necesitaba saber más. La historia habla de Riley, quien lucha por conocer los hechos que llevaron a su padre a la cárcel y así poder liberarlo. Además, desde el principio ya te cuentan que el señor está condenado a muerte y que le queda un mes para que ese desenlace se cumpla.

Pues bien, Riley, de 17 años, hace un amigo y juntos investigan todos los hechos, porque es sabido que los muchachos de 17 años con recursos limitados saben más que la policía, pero bueno, lo pasamos por alto porque la investigación intriga mucho. Además, pronto la gente que ellos conocen empiezan a ayudarlos con el rompecabezas.

OJO SPOILERS: El caso es que a mitad del libro el padre dice algo sin importancia y ya le empiezan a dar a eso mucho muchísimo bombo. Tanto que tú dices pero pa qué te centras tanto en esa tontería? Pues no se sabe, pero debido a ello ya conoces el final y por eso no me ha impactado tanto.
FIN DE SPOILERS

Soy de la opinión de que un thriller es bueno si no te ves venir el final, a menos que este escrito con una virtuosidad que no te quede otra que admirarlo, pero no es el caso porque, aunque no está mal escrito para nada, es bastante sencillo.

Cacé al malo hacia la mitad, así que supongo que no se va a la pila de mis thrillers favoritos aunque he pasado un buen rato leyéndolo.

[Brenda Zlotolow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uno de mis libros más esperados de este 2018 y muy contenta estoy de haberlo podido leer tan pronto. La premisa de este libro es muy interesante y poco vista, al menos en literatura juvenil; un hombre está preso desde hace más de 10 años y acusado de haber asesinado brutalmente a 3 mujeres; el estado de Texas lo sentenció a pena de muerte, pero a 4 semanas de su ejecución, su hija Riley de tan solo 17 años, está dispuesta a todo por revertir esta condena. Riley empieza a desandar un camino difícil de transitar y en el que deberá realizarse preguntas cuyas respuestas tiene que estar dispuesta a enfrentar, para poder conocer la verdad y devolverle la libertad a ese hombre en el que ella tanto cree y confia.

Recomiendo un montón este libro y disfruté mucho de una lectura que se me hizo muy sencilla y adictiva de leer. Quiero destacar a la autora, cuya pluma me conquistó y de la que percibí una gran fluidez para narrar que permite volar a través de sus páginas y ni siquiera sentir qué es una novela de más de 400 páginas. La trama tiene giros, personajes que aparecen para complejizar las cosas y aportar nuevas preguntas, y para nada se hace un libro predecible. Esta muy bien elaborado, y logra que el lector atraviese con la lectura distintos climas, momentos, y tenga diferentes percepciones a medida que va avanzando.

A la abogada que llevo dentro le hubiera gustado algo más de detalle en lo que respecta a la investigación y condena de nuestro protagonista pero es un gusto exclusivamente personal que no le quita disfrute ni adrenalina a la novela. Un thriller juvenil que sale de lo común y que llega para proponerle a los lectores una historia diferente.

[Maud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtAsO...

Pffff, J.R. Johansson does it again! Possibly my favourite book by her that she has published so far. <3 I absolutely loved and adored this book. What I loved:

Characters: We have got an amazing main character who I just want to hug, a really cute and sweet boy with an even more adorable brother. Riley's thoughts and feelings all make so much sense and I loved how it is not just about saving her father but also about who she is as a person if he is actually guilty.

Story: finally a realistic one in which teenagers are trying to figure out who did it. They don't find new evidence, they talk with the people that were there and that they know. And the whole mystery... Man it was so good! I love it when there is a bit of a time frame during which the characters have to complete their mission or else... Well in this case Riley's dad will die. It added even more tension to this story!

Looking at all of this, what more could I have asked for? This book is perfection!

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to YA Bound Book Tours and Netgalley for letting me read an e-galley of this book. I have been a huge fan of this author since I first read Insomnia. I have yet to be disappointed by any of her books, and this one totally held up that trend. I don't read a lot of this kind of contemporary YA, but it was such a good read.

I really liked the characters. Like Riley, I was intent on having to know just whether her father was really guilty or not. With all the reality tv lately about other murder cases getting new evidence and finding people innocent, this will be something that connects to those who find that interesting. The ending of the book definitely was suspenseful, and hard to put down. I would totally love to see this as a movie. Another great story from Johansson.

You can read my full review on Lisa Loves Literature

[°•Anto•° · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es uno de mis libros favoritos, lo bueno que es no se puede explicar. No me demoré nada en leerlo, es tan interesante, ver si al padre lo dejan libre o no, si es culpable o no, es muy adictivo la verdad.

[Fiebre Lectora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha sido un libro muy diferente de todo lo que he estado leyendo estas últimas semanas, y puede que sea por eso, me ha resultado de lo más refrescante; los nervios, la emoción, la intriga, el ritmo tan frenético que se establece por la carrera a contrarreloj de la protagonista para intentar encontrar algo que le haga descubrir la verdad sobre su padre.

Y lo fascinante de su situación, que pasa de estar segura de su inocencia a tener dudas a raíz de una conversación con él, y que busca liberarle, por supuesto, pero también conocer la verdad, y hacer lo correcto, sin olvidar todo el amor que siente por él, y lo difícil que ha sido su propia vida, siempre señalada y odiada por ser "hija de".

Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...

[Moriah Chavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This review also appeared here on A Leisure Moment*

**I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

“Like Mama always says: if you make yourself priceless, people can’t throw you away.”

The Row was beyond spectacular. I mean, by the synopsis, I knew it had to be good, but I didn’t expect it to be that good. It had mystery and intrigue, love and loss, and it combined all those elements to make for a whirlwind thriller that kept me on my toes.

Riley Beckett had a strict routine. Every Friday, she visited her dad on the row—death row. For eleven years, her dad stood by his innocence, until the Supreme Court turned down his last appeal and his execution date was set in stone. Then Riley’s visits were numbered, and her dad does the unthinkable: admits he was guilty. Riley Beckett had pluck. She didn’t back down and refused to give up because it would have been the easiest route. When her dad admitted guilt to the very thing that had shaped her life, her world got turned on its axis, but she still refused to let up. I loved her character. Her voice was genuine and real, and the pent up frustrations that she had toward the justice system and the doubts that clouded her mind about her father were artfully presented on each page. She showed that strength doesn’t come from always being the winner but from standing tall when the whole world is against you.

“If I cry for a monster, do I become one? How can I mourn a murderer?"

Jordan instantly had my attention. He had such a huge heart, and I couldn’t imagine a better way for him and Riley to meet. His little brother, Matthew, was almost too adorable for words. Jordan’s demons were different but as bad as Riley’s. The two shouldn’t have worked, and there were moments when they didn’t get along at all. They argued and disagreed, but they also leaned on one another for support. While they were on different sides of the case, each just wanted the truth. It made them an impervious duo. I did have a few doubts toward the beginning, but the more they were around each other and showed the other support, the more I knew that it wouldn’t have worked if it had been any other way.

I had no idea who to trust throughout this entire novel. I questioned everyone and thought everyone could have done it at some point. Even Mr. Masters became a suspect, and I loved him to death. He acted as Riley’s father when hers couldn’t meet expectations. The questions didn’t let up, and like Riley, each new bit of information made my head spin.

“So screw all of them. Screw chance, fate, karma, luck, providence, and everything in between. With only fifteen days left, I’m certainly not waiting around for them to show up now.”

I haven’t read something this heart racing in a long time. I could barely put it down. My eyes blurred over the words a few times while reading in bed because I didn’t want to stop reading. Full of mystery, thrills, and twists that you’ll never see coming, The Row has set the standard high for my TBR pile.

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[Rê · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 “Daddy is a serial killer” Stars

ARC via NetGalley

Thank you, Macmillan.

The Row has one of those big premises that just catches your attention, you know? It certainly caught mine.

I’m a huge “Dexter” fan (Dex, I love you. Deb, I love you. Season 1 to 4, I love you), so when I hear a book/movie/TV show is about a “serial killer” in any way, I’m instantly like “where? When can I get my hands on it?” Which is completely weird. I’m well aware.

So, of course I was interested in reading about the daughter of a man accused of being a serial killer, who was trying to prove her Daddy’s innocence even though he was weeks away from execution. Of course.

And that’s really what this book is about: Riley, the daughter of a man in the death row, and how she deals with that fact.

Riley’s life since she was six has been reduced to that single fact: her father is a convicted murderer, and no one wants anything to do with her because of that. So Riley is lonely—even her mother doesn’t have time for her, and she only seems happy when it’s visitation day and she gets to talk to her Daddy.

From the start you get to see how strong Riley’s love and respect for her father is, which might seem odd because the man is accused of torturing and murdering three women, but you have to see it from her POV. To her, he’s just her Daddy. The one who was taken by the police when she was sick. The one who to this day claims to be innocent. Riley believes her father is innocent, and that belief comes across so genuine that you can’t help but think the same. Riley also holds on to the hope that her dad will find a way to get out and prove his innocence so tightly that you end up hoping for the same.

But the day her father loses his final appeal comes and his execution is scheduled. A desperate Riley tries to comfort her Daddy just to hear him confess his guilt. This is the moment everything changes for her,

Even though deep down she knows there’s a chance he’s just telling her this because he’s desperate and trying to push her away or trying to help her move on, her father’s confession opens to paths: he either lied to her when he said he was innocent or when he said he was guilty. Nonetheless, he lied to her.

It might seem like such a small thing for the rest of the world, especially when we’re talking about a man who’s weeks away from execution for a horrible crime, but it’s the moment that defines Riley’s relationship with her dad, with herself and even with the world. It’s the first step she takes into her life as an adult, and I love that symbolism.

Riley goes from the girl who believes in everything because her Daddy told her so to the young woman who wants to figure things out for herself. And she starts that by going after the truth about her father’s case. No more hiding and trying to ignore what happened there. No more believing in his innocence just because she had been told by her mom and dad he didn’t do it countless times.
Like I said, I loved that. I think it was a really smart to show a person’s relationship with her parents can define them and help redefine them even when said parents aren’t present (one in jail and one working too many hours).

It also helped that, at that point, I was completely involved in the plot and wanted to know the truth about her father’s case just as much as Riley.

Another positive was Riley’s relationship with Jason, the boy she shouldn’t have been friends with because of who his father was. I liked that Jason had a connection with Riley that dated back to before they even met—the picture thing was a really important piece of information that allowed me to accept that friendship faster.

I LOVED the ending. For a moment there, I thought I was going to be cheated of a real, meaninful ending, but then everything turned out the way it needed to be to make this story even better. So, thank you for that.

Overall, this book has a great premise and some great moments that kept me engaged from start to finish. It wasn’t my typical choice (light on romance), but one I don’t regret having made at all.

[Lucía Cafeína · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Ostras, ¡menudo enganche! Ha sido un libro de lo más diferente, muy alejado de todo lo que he estado leyendo últimament y ha sido la mar de refrescante. La situación de la protagonista, que se encuentra intentando demostrar la inocencia de su padre, lo que la lleva a investigar todo lo que ocurrió y descubrir que no es cierto todo lo que había pensado que era verdad; el misterio, la intriga y los nervios que te entran al no saber si quieres que sea culpable o inocente... wow.

[Lid · Rating 4 out of 5]

No soy una persona muy de thrillers, no me suelen llamar mucho la atención, pero este me ha sorprendido muy gratamente.

La historia tiene un ritmo muy bueno, me ha durado dos días y medio, y el final me ha parecido muy acertado - casi el único de los que pensaba que podía dejarme realmente contenta.

Sí que había cosas que me iba oliendo y el final no me ha sorprendido tantísimo, pero lo he disfrutado mil por todo lo que supone el libro: los secretos del pasado, la destrucción de la familia perfecta, las consecuencias de la cárcel en la persona encerrada y sus familiares... La historia tiene un punto tenso y agridulce que me ha encantado. A eso se suma el romance con Jordan, que al inicio no lo veía para nada pero al final he visto al perfecto apoyo 💜

Reseña: https://librosdelcielo.blogspot.com/2...

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! This is a fantastic book! The plot of the story, the characters.... holy crap you will never regret grabbing a copy of this book! The reality feel of this story is amazing! Add this to your to be read list and get it when it's released!

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

GRADE: B

Riley Beckett has just four weeks to prove her father isn't a serial killer. After twelve years on death row he's exhausted his appeals and the execution date has been set. With the help of Jordan, a guy she meets at the mall with whom she has a deeper connection than she realizes, she'll do whatever it takes to prove her father's innocence.

THE ROW kept me guessing almost until the end. I was almost certain I knew the identity of the killer from the beginning but I was wrong. Unlike other books where protagonists try to uncover evidence to a crime, JR Johansson wisely didn't make the teens smarter than the cops. Riley and Jordan didn't break into evidence or obtain evidence the police overlooked. They merely persisted in asking questions and the dominos began to fall.

I liked and rooted for Riley. Her loyalty to her father was admirable. I could see why she'd put him on a pedestal, to protect herself and see him as a good man in a bad situation.

Johansson took a lot of liberties with visiting death row including allowing contact and adding a new visitor without screening or approval from the inmate. Riley and Jordan's meeting was way too coincidental as were other conveniences, which kept THE ROW from being a five star read.

[Deitre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Row was beyond spectacular. I mean, by the synopsis, I knew it had to be good, but I didn’t expect it to be that good. It had mystery and intrigue, love and loss, and it combined all those elements to make for a whirlwind thriller that kept me on my toes.

Read the rest of the review for this phenomenal book!

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[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.

Not only did the cover pull me into wanting to read this book but the blurb as well. A teen who has a father in prison more over on death row what can this book be about. Is he guilty or is he innocence? How will Riley's life change if he dies? So many questions I had and they were answered. Riley has had a hard life ever since her father went away and was sentenced to death row for the murders of three people. She doesn't get close to anyone and you would expect that, so when she gets close to one person she gets a big surprise as to who he is. Which of course leads her to fight within herself on rather she should leave him alone or ask him for help on helping her fight for her father's innocence.
With the death sentencing looming on Riley and the statement her father makes to her, she slowly enlists the help of Jordan and later on the attorney for her father and goes out to find the truth to get her father out but will it be too late or will the truth hurt her in the end? Who knows. I can honestly say I loved this story from the beginning to the end and really felt for Riley as a character. Now her mother I couldn't imagine being the wife to a supposed serial killer and not being able to fully move on with your life.
I can honestly say that if you like page turners and bit of truth finding then pick this book up. I really liked this author's writing style, character development and how she is able to pull you in and not let you go.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I was looking for! I read a lot of young adult literature and I have never read anything like The Row before. A novel about brutal murders and a father sentenced to death has the potential to be dark and too intense for young readers--that was not the case in The Row. J.R. Johansson found the perfect balance of intensity, character-driven plot, and suspects. This book is intense, but not scary; this book has threads of romance, but the romance does not over power the book.

The Row is the perfect book for readers who are looking for a page-turner. I thought I pegged the resolution early on, but Johansson kept me guessing until the very end.

[Martha Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

A ver, que en general la historia no estuvo tan mal, pero claramente no fue algo sorprendente. Cuando terminé el libro fue como: "Meh, lo que sigue". Tuvo sus momentos interesantes y divertidos, pero estos fueron tan puntuales que cuando llegaban a suceder ya estaba cansada de leer y realmente no me importaba mucho lo que pasaba.

Ahora, se preguntaran porque fue un Meh. Creo que lo principal fue que hay demasiado relleno, hay muchas paginas que no aportan absolutamente nada a la historia, podría saltarme capítulos enteros (o solo leer los diálogos) y aun así nada importante ocurría. El poder de las casualidades es grande aquí; solo cuando Riley se dispone a investigar datos comienzan a salir a flote. La falta de información es frustrante. Sé que en un thriller la información debe obtenerse de las migas que el autor va dejando, pero aquí la autora dejó migas demasiado pequeñas y sin sentido, que quizá se llegó a insinuar algo coherente, pero entre tanto relleno la pista pasaba desapercibida.

Debo confesar que a pesar de la falta de información fue demasiado fácil saber quien era el culpable de los asesinatos. Solo hizo falta una frase para saberlo, aunque es obvio para quien se ha visto un mínimo de documentales policíacos. El final explica casi nada de los asesinatos (pasados o actuales), siendo la motivación para llevar éstos acabo realmente tonta y tratándose de manera superficial.

De los puntos buenos que puedo dar es que es una lectura que se lee muy fácil a pesar de estar escrito en primera persona. Los personajes están bien desarrollados, quizá no son un mar de lo profundos que son, pero tampoco son un chapoteadero, están bien y uno llega a empatizar un poco con ellos. El plot twist que se dio ya casi al final del libro es muy bueno, aunque la falta de información lo arruinó un poco ya que no explica porque esa persona realizo tal acción.

No sé si vuelva a leer Condenado a muerte, pero sí que seguiré leyendo a Johansson, que ya solo me falta un libro para haberme leído todo lo que ha escrito.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5

Siento que este libro fue una obra de arte. No esperaba que me gustará tanto como me gustó. Lo he disfrutado Muchísimo

[Brenda (Entre letras y páginas) · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I've won this through NetGalley. *

I had marked this book as to-read on March 6th, 2015, so you can very well imagine how excited I was when I was told I had won the opportunity to review it.

This is the story of Riley Beckett, a 17-year-old girl from Texas who has had his father in prison for 12 years due to some murders he's accused of having committed ("violent beatings followed by strangulations."). She decides to do some research to find out the truth about what happened:

"If he's innocent, then we must still fight. If he's guilty then I'd rather know now. And without only twenty-four days left until his execution, I can't afford to waste any more time without at least trying to find out for myself."

Throughout the book, we can see how much Riley is suffering, and how she doesn't get on very well with her mother:

"Mama gives me a sharp glance and I shut my mouth, ruming silently and fighting to calm down. It's hard enough to cope with our situation, but the worst part is when she speaks to me like I'm not strong. When she implies that I'm weak after I spend everyday fighting to prove myself and everyone else that I'm tough enough to face my situation, my life. The pain of her doubtong me hurts worse than it would from anyone else."

"Why is Mama never around me when I need her most? (...) [This] question ricochets through my body like a microscopic bullet. I don't usually let myself think like that. The thought pierces every cell until there is nothing in me that doesn't hurt, that doesn't bleed. This particular question is the one I actively try not to ask... because I'm honestly not sure I can handle it if the truth is that the only parent who really cares about me is on death row awaiting execution."

As regards the characters, the author makes you feel as if YOU could be the one going through the main character's situations.
The one I liked the most was Matthew, a little 6-year-old boy who is too sweet to be real. The appearance of a little kid never fails to make a story more appealing. But apart from him, I didn't feel any connection or sympathy for the rest of the characters.

The romance was just PERFECT because it is not the main theme in the story. Riley does not lose sight of her decision to research just because there's a boy. One of the characteristics in Johansson's books is that love does not happen instantly. It takes its time, and the characters get to really know each other before even kissing.

The narrative is beautiful.

"I feel like I can't understand anything about my life without knowing what he is. A martyr or a monster? A hero or a demon? And whatever he is, does it change who I am?"

I feel that despite the fact that the events in the story were all justified and explained, they were not enough motive as to generate all the consequences that we see. (I can't explain any further without spoiling, so I won't.) Besides, I get the feeling that the book could have been shortened up. Maybe I didn't connect too much with the story because I didn't feel identified with Riley.

Still, I really enjoyed The Row, and I recommend it to someone who wants to read something that is a mix of suspense, mistery and romance.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who suffers in the aftermath of a horrible crime? The victims? The victims' families? The man who may have been wrongly charged and imprisioned? The perpetrator's family? The Row gives an inside look at the cost of defending your family, even when the world says they are unworthy, when the world judges you along with the guilty.

Riley's father is on death row for a series of murders he says he didn't commit. Riley has never doubted his innocence. To her, he is her father. The smart and kind man who taught her chess during her weekly visits and wrote her a letter for everyday she couldn't visit him. But with his execution date drawing near, Riley's father unexpectedly confesses to Riley. He retracts his confession, tells Riley it was only to help her move on, but the only thing Riley knows now is that he has lied to her - she's just not sure if the lie is about being guilty or innocent. When she meets Jordan, the son of the man responsible for putting her father in jail, Riley is surprised to find she enjoys spending time with him. Together they attempt to discover the truth about Riley's father once and for all.

It is interesting to have a story told from the guilt party's family's perspective. If you are looking for a book that supports the victims' families then look elsewhere, because this is Riley's story. She is just as much of a victim in what appears to her to be a faulty justice system and a world in which people seek to punish her along with her father.

Riley does come across as a little immature. She is intelligent and sensible, but her language choice and perspective can seem younger than her sixteen years. But perhaps this is understandable given her circumstances and relationship with her father.

Jordan, the police chief's son, is a great addition to the story - another angle and person impacted by the crimes in a way one usually doesn't think about. Jordan is very patient and understanding with Riley, even when she doubts him. He cares about her and it's sweet to see him so supportive. He also rides a motorbike. So there's that.

When I'm reading a mystery I like to suspect everyone. I was even thinking Jordan could have been responsible at one point until I remembered he would have only been six and it was unlikely he committed multiple counts of torture and murder. Suspecting everyone has its perks, I correctly guessed who the culprit was but was surprised at how it all unfolded.

The Row is a great addition to the collection of intriguing and thoughtful YA mystery books.

Find more reviews on my blog Madison's Library.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley Beckett has lived a lonely life since her father was convicted of being a serial killer. People have tarred her with the same brush and she faces harassment at home and at school. Her only constant is the visits she makes to her father on death row. But now the final appeal has been disallowed and an execution date has been set.

Riley is determined to prove that her father is innocent of the murders of the three women he was convicted for. She meets a new friend when she decides to travel to a distant mall to people watch. She is first introduced to Jordan by his younger brother who invites her to play racing cars with them. She and Jordan strike up a friendship but both are concealing things about their identities. Riley hasn't mentioned that she is the daughter of a serial killer and Jordan hasn't mentioned that his father is the police officer who put him away.

Jordan and Riley bond over their shared grief. Jordan recently lost his mother in a drunk driving accident and his father has buried himself in work ever since. Riley's problems with a father in prison leave a massive hole in her life.

Their new relationship nearly founders when she learns his identity but they agree to work together to look at the whole case again. Since the trial happened when Riley was six, she is getting a much different view of the evidence now that she is seventeen. Her investigation allows her to learn some disturbing things about her parents - things that make her reevaluate what she believes about them.

This was a very interesting story told from an viewpoint that was new to me: what it is like for the child of a serial killer who strongly believes that they are innocent. Following Riley's path as she learns about her father with one stunning revelation after another made a very engaging story.

Fans of mysteries will enjoy this tense thriller.

[Laura Díaz]

🔗CONDENADO A MUERTE🔗 de @vreuropaya @jrjohansson

Un thriller juvenil que te hará dudar todo el tiempo.

Sinopsis:

Por primera vez en más de una década Riley tiene esperanza. Nuevas pistas podrían evitar que su padre sea ejecutado por unos asesinatos de los que se le acusó injustamente. Sin embargo, tras perder su última apelación, la condena se vuelve inminente y Riley se embarca en una carrera contra reloj para demostrar su inocencia. Pero ¿merece su padre ser salvado?

Opinión:
Una buena manera de empezar con el genero de thriller y sobre todo para gente joven o poco acostumbrada a los libros con tramas de homicidios, delitos, pruebas, prisión, investigación y misterios.
El principio es duro y engancha muchísimo. He de ser sincera y decir que yo adiviné la conclusión de esta historia muy pronto, quizás demasiado pronto.
Pero es verdad que yo estoy muy acostumbrada a este tipo de tramas. Mis series favoritas son de investigación y resolución de crímenes, por lo tanto casi siempre sé por dónde van este tipo de historias.

En cambio si tu eres alguien que empiece con las historias de este estilo, o que le interese cambiar de género, o que quiera un libro que enganche y te mantenga pendiente durante la lectura, un libro para pasar el rato intentando averiguar el final: pues perfecto, esto es exactamente lo que buscas.

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[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Row by J.R. Johansson was a tremendous read! The book, designed for teens and YA, was full of twists and turns. I felt it was suspenseful and kept me on my toes wanting to know what happens next!

Riley Beckett has been visiting her father in prison for 17 years. He is on death row and the time is quickly coming to an end. Riley is feeling desperate about his upcoming execution, and about what really happened. The fact that her dad has been found guilty of being a serial killer, the man who writes her a letter everyday and loves her is so overwhelming to her. She begins a new friendship with a boy who doesn’t treat her differently or weirdly, but even then , there are more secrets.

Riley tries to find out more information, which lead to more questions and still more...slowly she feels she is finding out so much more, but...what is the truth? The Row has so many great themes woven within the story. It shines a light onto what is justice and what is fair. J.R.Johansson has written an excellent book that I highly recommend!