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Als Psychotherapeutin und mit eigener verkorkster Familiengeschichte glaubt Robin, alle menschlichen Abgründe zu kennen. Doch dann erhält sie eines Tages während einer Sitzung einen Anruf, der sie völlig aus der Fassung bringt. Ihre Schwester Melanie, zu der sie jahrelang keinen Kontakt hatte, teilt ihr mit, dass jemand brutal auf ihren Vater, seine neue Frau Tara und deren zwölfjährige Tochter geschossen hat. Tara erliegt kurz darauf ihren Verletzungen. Obwohl Robin zweifelt, dass es das Richtige ist, sich den Geistern der Vergangenheit zu stellen, macht sie sich auf den Weg in ihren Heimatort. Ihr ist klar, dass es viele Menschen gibt, die einen Grund hätten, ihren Vater zu hassen – allen voran ihre eigene Familie. Aber was für ein Monster schießt auf eine Zwölfjährige?
448 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2018
742 people are currently reading
4832 people want to read
About the author
Joy Fielding
121 books2,185 followersJoy Fielding (née Tepperman; born March 18, 1945) is a Canadian novelist and actress. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, she graduated from the University of Toronto in 1966, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. As Joy Tepperman, she had a brief acting career, appearing in the film Winter Kept Us Warm (1965) and in an episode of Gunsmoke. She later changed her last name to Fielding (after Henry Fielding) and began writing novels.
Fielding is also the screenwriter of the television film Golden Will: The Silken Laumann Story.
At the age of 8, Joy Tepperman wrote her first story and sent it into a local magazine, and at age 12 sent in her first TV script, however both were rejected. She had a brief acting career, eventually giving it up to write full-time in 1972. She has published to date 22 novels, two of which were converted into film. Fielding's process of having an idea to the point the novel is finished generally takes a year, the writing itself taking four to eight months. Joy Fielding sets most of her novels in American cities such as Boston and Chicago. She has said that she prefers to set her novels in "big American cities, [as the] landscape seems best for [her] themes of urban alienation and loss of identity. Fielding is a Canadian citizen. Her husband's name is Warren, and they have two daughters, Annie and Shannon. They have property in Toronto, Ontario, as well as Palm Beach, Florida.
Fielding had an interview with the Vancouver Sun in 2007, just after her publication of Heartstopper. She enjoys catching readers off guard with the endings of her stories, but insists that "[it] isn't what her fiction is about", but rather more about the development of her characters. Discussing her novels with the Toronto Star in 2008, she said "I might not write fiction in the literary sense. But I write very well. My characters are good. My dialog is good. And my stories are really involving. I'm writing exactly the kind of books I like to write. And they're the kind of books I like to read. They're popular commercial fiction. That's what they are."
Fielding has been noted as a novelist who is more popular in the United States and foreign countries, rather than in her native Canada. For example, the novel Kiss Mommy Goodbye was more popular in the States, and See Jane Run in Germany. In addition, she had an American agent and publisher, although she has now switched to a Canadian publisher.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, she graduated from the University of Toronto in 1966, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. As Joy Tepperman, she had a brief acting career, appearing in the film Winter Kept Us Warm (1965) and in an episode of Gunsmoke. She later changed her last name to Fielding (after Henry Fielding) and began writing novels.
Fielding is also the screenwriter of the television film Golden Will: The Silken Laumann Story.
At the age of 8, Joy Tepperman wrote her first story and sent it into a local magazine, and at age 12 sent in her first TV script, however both were rejected. She had a brief acting career, eventually giving it up to write full-time in 1972. She has published to date 22 novels, two of which were converted into film. Fielding's process of having an idea to the point the novel is finished generally takes a year, the writing itself taking four to eight months. Joy Fielding sets most of her novels in American cities such as Boston and Chicago. She has said that she prefers to set her novels in "big American cities, [as the] landscape seems best for [her] themes of urban alienation and loss of identity. Fielding is a Canadian citizen. Her husband's name is Warren, and they have two daughters, Annie and Shannon. They have property in Toronto, Ontario, as well as Palm Beach, Florida.
Fielding had an interview with the Vancouver Sun in 2007, just after her publication of Heartstopper. She enjoys catching readers off guard with the endings of her stories, but insists that "[it] isn't what her fiction is about", but rather more about the development of her characters. Discussing her novels with the Toronto Star in 2008, she said "I might not write fiction in the literary sense. But I write very well. My characters are good. My dialog is good. And my stories are really involving. I'm writing exactly the kind of books I like to write. And they're the kind of books I like to read. They're popular commercial fiction. That's what they are."
Fielding has been noted as a novelist who is more popular in the United States and foreign countries, rather than in her native Canada. For example, the novel Kiss Mommy Goodbye was more popular in the States, and See Jane Run in Germany. In addition, she had an American agent and publisher, although she has now switched to a Canadian publisher.
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March 16, 2018
The Bad Daughter by Joy Fielding is a 2018 Ballantine Books publication.
I can’t remember the last time I gave a book a one -star rating. I HATE it so much I almost can’t bear to do it.
If this book had been written by a novice, if it was a debut, or independently, or self-published without the money for all the spit and polish the big five authors have at their disposal, I probably would have fudged the rating a little.
However, Joy Fielding has been a published author since the early seventies. She has over twenty-five novels under her belt, making her a seasoned professional and a veteran author. Back in the nineties, the bulk of my reading material fell into the romantic suspense category and while JF may not have been on my top five list, I did read a fair amount of her novels. Which is why I know she is capable of doing much better than this.
Although I have been explaining to first time readers of JF, this book is NOT the best representation of her work, my husband and I had an interesting conversation about my disappointment with this book, as well as with several other recent releases by those ‘go-to’ authors I used to read so religiously back in the day. I wondered out loud which one of us had changed- me or them?
My husband’s theory is that maybe my memory is faulty. Perhaps those books written back in the seventies, eighties and nineties weren’t as good as I remembered. That’s an interesting point, so I may use that as an excuse to go back and re-read a few older titles to put his theory to the test. Part of me hopes he’s right because I hate to think these authors are phoning in, not putting in the same effort, or not writing to their full potential.
I have also mused over the rapid changes in writing styles and trends and wonder if that old school formula stands the test of time. I’m slow to accept and adapt to change and so maybe these veteran authors are struggling to keep up, believing it might be better to ‘dance with the one who brought you’ choosing to stick with the style they know, hoping their long -time fans will remain loyal.
But, I would rather not think any of that, and would prefer to just chalk this one up as a one off and believe with all my heart that JF will be back, better than ever, with her next endeavor.
Regardless, I can’t in good conscience recommend this book even to her most devout and devoted fans no matter how supportive or loyal you want to be. I also don’t want this book to be the first impression a reader has of this author. So, I’m recommending you give this one a pass. Try one of her older books or wait for her next one and go from there.
1 star
I can’t remember the last time I gave a book a one -star rating. I HATE it so much I almost can’t bear to do it.
If this book had been written by a novice, if it was a debut, or independently, or self-published without the money for all the spit and polish the big five authors have at their disposal, I probably would have fudged the rating a little.
However, Joy Fielding has been a published author since the early seventies. She has over twenty-five novels under her belt, making her a seasoned professional and a veteran author. Back in the nineties, the bulk of my reading material fell into the romantic suspense category and while JF may not have been on my top five list, I did read a fair amount of her novels. Which is why I know she is capable of doing much better than this.
Although I have been explaining to first time readers of JF, this book is NOT the best representation of her work, my husband and I had an interesting conversation about my disappointment with this book, as well as with several other recent releases by those ‘go-to’ authors I used to read so religiously back in the day. I wondered out loud which one of us had changed- me or them?
My husband’s theory is that maybe my memory is faulty. Perhaps those books written back in the seventies, eighties and nineties weren’t as good as I remembered. That’s an interesting point, so I may use that as an excuse to go back and re-read a few older titles to put his theory to the test. Part of me hopes he’s right because I hate to think these authors are phoning in, not putting in the same effort, or not writing to their full potential.
I have also mused over the rapid changes in writing styles and trends and wonder if that old school formula stands the test of time. I’m slow to accept and adapt to change and so maybe these veteran authors are struggling to keep up, believing it might be better to ‘dance with the one who brought you’ choosing to stick with the style they know, hoping their long -time fans will remain loyal.
But, I would rather not think any of that, and would prefer to just chalk this one up as a one off and believe with all my heart that JF will be back, better than ever, with her next endeavor.
Regardless, I can’t in good conscience recommend this book even to her most devout and devoted fans no matter how supportive or loyal you want to be. I also don’t want this book to be the first impression a reader has of this author. So, I’m recommending you give this one a pass. Try one of her older books or wait for her next one and go from there.
1 star
March 20, 2018
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
2.5 Stars
I started reading Joy Fielding's novels in my early twenties and have never looked back. A new book is published almost every year, and I’m always excited for it to be released.
Robin Davis is a therapist in the midst of an appointment with a patient when she feels what she thinks is a panic attack coming on. It’s been over five years since she’s had one, but she knows exactly what brought it on…the recent phone calls from her sister, Melanie.
Robin’s relationship with her sister Melanie has been contentious since Robin was born. Once Melanie had to share their mother’s attention…she was vicious with Robin. As they got older, Robin hoped it would get better, but if anything, it got worse. Robin hasn’t even returned Melanie’s calls yet…but she instinctively knows that it can’t be good. Melanie would never call with GOOD news.
Robin hasn’t communicated with her family for almost six years….
So why is Melanie calling now?
She finally calls her sister back. Melanie tells her she’d better sit down. She proceeds to tell Robin that their father, his wife, Tara, and his twelve-year-old step-daughter, Cassidy….have all been attacked in an apparent home invasion. All three are in critical condition.
“It’s Dad”
“Is he dead?”
“He’s in the hospital.”
“Did he have a heart attack?”
“No.”
“A car accident?”
“No.”
“Someone shot him?”
“Bingo.”
Robin knows she needs to go home to Red Bluff. She encourages her brother, Alec to come home too but he has his own reasons for wanting to stay away. With all of the secrets in the family and the rumors swirling around, Robin doesn’t know who she can trust.
Was this really a random robbery that went wrong or something much more sinister?
Wow! This family was the definition of dysfunctional. While I felt for Robin, I really wanted her to stand up for herself. I also had a hard time with the constant snippy remarks from Melanie to….well everyone, but especially Robin. It started to grate on me and it was hard to focus on the story at times.
Although this definitely isn't my favorite Joy Fielding novel, it was a quick and easy read that I flew through in just a few sittings. I did figure out who was responsible for the crime early on and did have to suspend disbelief quite a bit. However, I really wanted to see how things played out and I am still happy that I read it. I'm hoping that I will enjoy this author's next book as much as I have enjoyed her previous novels.
I'd like to thank, Ballantine Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
2.5 Stars
I started reading Joy Fielding's novels in my early twenties and have never looked back. A new book is published almost every year, and I’m always excited for it to be released.
Robin Davis is a therapist in the midst of an appointment with a patient when she feels what she thinks is a panic attack coming on. It’s been over five years since she’s had one, but she knows exactly what brought it on…the recent phone calls from her sister, Melanie.
Robin’s relationship with her sister Melanie has been contentious since Robin was born. Once Melanie had to share their mother’s attention…she was vicious with Robin. As they got older, Robin hoped it would get better, but if anything, it got worse. Robin hasn’t even returned Melanie’s calls yet…but she instinctively knows that it can’t be good. Melanie would never call with GOOD news.
Robin hasn’t communicated with her family for almost six years….
So why is Melanie calling now?
She finally calls her sister back. Melanie tells her she’d better sit down. She proceeds to tell Robin that their father, his wife, Tara, and his twelve-year-old step-daughter, Cassidy….have all been attacked in an apparent home invasion. All three are in critical condition.
“It’s Dad”
“Is he dead?”
“He’s in the hospital.”
“Did he have a heart attack?”
“No.”
“A car accident?”
“No.”
“Someone shot him?”
“Bingo.”
Robin knows she needs to go home to Red Bluff. She encourages her brother, Alec to come home too but he has his own reasons for wanting to stay away. With all of the secrets in the family and the rumors swirling around, Robin doesn’t know who she can trust.
Was this really a random robbery that went wrong or something much more sinister?
Wow! This family was the definition of dysfunctional. While I felt for Robin, I really wanted her to stand up for herself. I also had a hard time with the constant snippy remarks from Melanie to….well everyone, but especially Robin. It started to grate on me and it was hard to focus on the story at times.
Although this definitely isn't my favorite Joy Fielding novel, it was a quick and easy read that I flew through in just a few sittings. I did figure out who was responsible for the crime early on and did have to suspend disbelief quite a bit. However, I really wanted to see how things played out and I am still happy that I read it. I'm hoping that I will enjoy this author's next book as much as I have enjoyed her previous novels.
I'd like to thank, Ballantine Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 27, 2018
2.5*
Oh my! This didn’t work out as well as I had hoped. This was my introduction to Joy Fielding, who’s been on my radar for several years. I have a few of her books on my shelf, but had yet to open one and dive in. Until now. Well...maybe this just wasn’t the right one to start with.
Robin receives a phone call from her estranged sister Melanie. Their father, his new wife Tara and Tara’s daughter Cassidy were all gunned down in what looks like a home invasion. Robin quickly returns home to support her family and find the animal responsible for these horrendous murders. Was it a simple robbery? Or was it so much more personal than that?
Told from Robin’s POV, she has her own inner dialogue throughout. Normally I love this in a book. It adds to the character’s depth and is typically done with a sense of humor that gives me some chuckles while I read. But for me, that formula just didn’t work at all. It added nothing to Robin’s character or the storyline. In fact, I just started to find it somewhat annoying.
On the positive side the storyline had a few great twists that surprised me along the way. (which is always good!)
I hope if you give this one a try, you’ll enjoy it…this just wasn’t the best fit for me. It was just…ok.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, and Joy Fielding for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my! This didn’t work out as well as I had hoped. This was my introduction to Joy Fielding, who’s been on my radar for several years. I have a few of her books on my shelf, but had yet to open one and dive in. Until now. Well...maybe this just wasn’t the right one to start with.
Robin receives a phone call from her estranged sister Melanie. Their father, his new wife Tara and Tara’s daughter Cassidy were all gunned down in what looks like a home invasion. Robin quickly returns home to support her family and find the animal responsible for these horrendous murders. Was it a simple robbery? Or was it so much more personal than that?
Told from Robin’s POV, she has her own inner dialogue throughout. Normally I love this in a book. It adds to the character’s depth and is typically done with a sense of humor that gives me some chuckles while I read. But for me, that formula just didn’t work at all. It added nothing to Robin’s character or the storyline. In fact, I just started to find it somewhat annoying.
On the positive side the storyline had a few great twists that surprised me along the way. (which is always good!)
I hope if you give this one a try, you’ll enjoy it…this just wasn’t the best fit for me. It was just…ok.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, and Joy Fielding for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2018
Since the author Joy Fielding has remained faithful to her spelling,
I could guess the perpetrator very early ... If you have also read many books from her
and know her writing style.Then you know where to find the culprit.
I could guess the perpetrator very early ... If you have also read many books from her
and know her writing style.Then you know where to find the culprit.
February 22, 2018
The Bad Daughter by Joy Fielding is a bit of a slow burn mystery/thriller read that was full of secrets and lies surrounding the family involved. When first introduced to the main character, Robin, readers know her past holds a lot to uncover as she begins suffering from a panic attack from merely hearing her sister’s voice after a couple of years.
When Robin gets in touch with her sister, Melanie, she gets the horrific news that her father, his wife and daughter have been shot in what looks like a home invasion. All are clinging onto life at the hospital pushing Robin to return home to Red Bluff, California where she confronts her past to unravel the events of the present.
Now for anyone who follows my reviews one would think that my mid range rating for this one probably came from the slow pace/lack of action but for this one that wasn’t the case. I struggled with deciding how exactly to rate this book as it actually did a great job of holding my attention as I learned all about the family and what had happened that night.
However, as easy as this one was to become engrossed in while reading it also contained something that really for lack of a better way to put it just completely ticked me off. Possibly a mild spoiler but the author had included an autistic character within the story which had me thinking yay for the reality of today’s society where autism is prevalent. But then this was basically used as an excuse to throw suspicion of the character. Of course pretty much every character in a read like this is suspicious but it couldn’t help but grate at my nerves that nothing other than being withdrawn made that character questionable in the characters eyes.
In the end I also thought that the mystery of who had shot the family wasn’t really one that was too terribly hard to solve either but it may come as a shock to some. So while this held my attention rather well to keep the pages turning the things I came across lowered my rating of course.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
When Robin gets in touch with her sister, Melanie, she gets the horrific news that her father, his wife and daughter have been shot in what looks like a home invasion. All are clinging onto life at the hospital pushing Robin to return home to Red Bluff, California where she confronts her past to unravel the events of the present.
Now for anyone who follows my reviews one would think that my mid range rating for this one probably came from the slow pace/lack of action but for this one that wasn’t the case. I struggled with deciding how exactly to rate this book as it actually did a great job of holding my attention as I learned all about the family and what had happened that night.
However, as easy as this one was to become engrossed in while reading it also contained something that really for lack of a better way to put it just completely ticked me off. Possibly a mild spoiler but the author had included an autistic character within the story which had me thinking yay for the reality of today’s society where autism is prevalent. But then this was basically used as an excuse to throw suspicion of the character. Of course pretty much every character in a read like this is suspicious but it couldn’t help but grate at my nerves that nothing other than being withdrawn made that character questionable in the characters eyes.
In the end I also thought that the mystery of who had shot the family wasn’t really one that was too terribly hard to solve either but it may come as a shock to some. So while this held my attention rather well to keep the pages turning the things I came across lowered my rating of course.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 10, 2018
I haven’t read a Joy Fielding book before, so I was very excited to get this copy from netgalley in exchange for a review.
Robin a therapist is estranged from her family, but when her sister Melanie gets in contact to tell her that their dad has been shot she is forced to go home.
This is not you’re average family, dad married Robins friend Tara which was a bit twisted as she was engaged to his son Alec. Her sister Melanie is to put it politely a pain in the ass!! They say you can pick you’re friends but not you’re family and in this case they are right. Boy what a dysfunctional family they are, they make the Adams family seem normal!!
The attack in their home of the dad, his wife Tara and step daughter Cassidy looks like a random robbery gone wrong
Throughout this book I thought I knew who the guilty party was, then I would change my mind a few pages later. I’m so pleased that the most obvious culprit didn’t do it as this would have made it a very predictable read!!!
Robin a therapist is estranged from her family, but when her sister Melanie gets in contact to tell her that their dad has been shot she is forced to go home.
This is not you’re average family, dad married Robins friend Tara which was a bit twisted as she was engaged to his son Alec. Her sister Melanie is to put it politely a pain in the ass!! They say you can pick you’re friends but not you’re family and in this case they are right. Boy what a dysfunctional family they are, they make the Adams family seem normal!!
The attack in their home of the dad, his wife Tara and step daughter Cassidy looks like a random robbery gone wrong
Throughout this book I thought I knew who the guilty party was, then I would change my mind a few pages later. I’m so pleased that the most obvious culprit didn’t do it as this would have made it a very predictable read!!!
December 23, 2017
3.75 stars
Robin is a thirty-three year-old psychologist and her life is uprooted when she has to return home to see her family. Feelings of anxiety and distress pick at her for the entire time she interacts with her older sister, Melanie. As if it’s not bad enough that her father’s life hangs in the balance, her relationship with her lawyer boyfriend also hangs by a thread.
I really enjoyed this author’s writing style! The complex and toxic relationships featured in this novel really made it a worthwhile read! The narrator was down to earth and a bit melodramatic at times, but Robin was relatable and likable. There weren’t any big twists/ reveals in this story (it became crystal clear who the villain was before the final explanation) but the overall journey to the truth was a satisfying one.
*NetGalley ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.
Robin is a thirty-three year-old psychologist and her life is uprooted when she has to return home to see her family. Feelings of anxiety and distress pick at her for the entire time she interacts with her older sister, Melanie. As if it’s not bad enough that her father’s life hangs in the balance, her relationship with her lawyer boyfriend also hangs by a thread.
I really enjoyed this author’s writing style! The complex and toxic relationships featured in this novel really made it a worthwhile read! The narrator was down to earth and a bit melodramatic at times, but Robin was relatable and likable. There weren’t any big twists/ reveals in this story (it became crystal clear who the villain was before the final explanation) but the overall journey to the truth was a satisfying one.
*NetGalley ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2018
A hostile relationship with her sister and a complicated past with her fathers second wife have kept Robin estranged from her family for many years. When her fathers new family is attacked in their house, with her father, his wife and young daughter in critical condition in hospital, she returns to await their fate and hopefully mend some fences. Is this a robbery that's went awry or something a little more sinister?
This is a well written and fast paced book. The plot line was quite intresting, but I guessed where this one was going early on. The characters, some are likeable, others not so likeable, all seemed realistic to me. A dysfunctional family mystery that won't keep you guessing but don't let that put you off reading this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Joy Fielding for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a well written and fast paced book. The plot line was quite intresting, but I guessed where this one was going early on. The characters, some are likeable, others not so likeable, all seemed realistic to me. A dysfunctional family mystery that won't keep you guessing but don't let that put you off reading this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Joy Fielding for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2018
Joy Fielding isn’t known as the queen of suburban angst without a very good reason and pretty much guarantees her readers an addictive and suspenseful dose of family drama. Whilst her stories might be formulaic with a heavy dose of saccharine sweet melodrama overlaid, they are effortless page turners scattered with clues and red herrings throughout. Whilst her stories can often be anodyne and a stretch for the readers imagination they are highly compulsive reads. Having enjoyed her previous release, She’s Not There, and some of her excellent earlier efforts, The Bad Daughter falls woefully below her usually competent standards, being merely efficient at best. With a cast of extreme characters who feel like one-dimensional stereotypes and stilted dialogue devoid of subtext and real emotion, Fielding resorts to telling over showing for the most part. Readers who have encountered her novels before will likely be adept at recognising her familiar attempts at misdirection which in this instance feel clumsy and a little too obvious and make spotting the guilty party disappointingly easy.
With a premise that is worthy of salivating over, Joy Fielding’s central character is thirty-three-year-old Los Angeles therapist Robin Davis. Billing $175 per hour to dispense advice yet suffering from panic attacks and estranged from her family that remain in her remote hometown of Red Bluff for the last five years following her father’s hasty remarriage to her former best-friend, she has a number of her own issues. So when her older sister of three years, the acidulous Melanie, calls to impart the shocking news that their father, wealthy local developer Greg Davis and his much younger second wife, Tara, and her twelve-year-old daughter, Cassidy have been victims of what appears to be a home invasion, Robin reluctantly returns home. With all three left in critical condition suffering from gunshot wounds, Robin is left to confront the complicated history of the Davis family and make peace with her dictatorial father and come to terms with his capricious affections towards the children of his thirty-four year marriage to their mother and his first wife, Sarah.
Leaving her shaky relationship with corporate lawyer fiancé Blake Upton behind with the nagging doubt that he is cheating on her, Robin is in no state to handle the emotional strain of an acrimonious reunion with her immediate family. The sisters fractured relationship dates back to Robin’s birth and the blatant favouritism of their now deceased mother shown towards her. With every sentence Melanie utters littered with a customary barb or a snide remark, she is an exhausting character full of slights and bitterness. Melanie is soap-opera bad, putting down her sister at every opportunity with catty remarks on her imagined superior attitude and she positively radiates hostility. Robin is on better terms with younger brother, Alec, whose former engagement to his father’s wife, Tara, appears to give him a motive for loathing his father, less so Tara and a twelve-year-old child and if so, given they married five years ago, why has he waited all this time to act? As the sketchy details Alec reluctantly offers up to Sheriff Prescott place him firmly on the radar as perpetrator, Melanie’s eighteen-year-old autistic and awkward son, Landon, and his nocturnal activities and strange friend, Kenny, leave his aunt Robin on edge. Given that Cassidy has just come through a narrow escape with a bullet she is an extraordinary precocious and makes an unlikely twelve-year-old, able to compartmentalise and at ease tackling death and popcorn in the same breath. Disappointing, Robin is ludicrously gullible and for having a Master’s degree in psychology from Berkeley she appears to walk around wearing blinkers and although she comes out with the required therapy truisms she is completely lacking in life experience, somewhat hard to believe given the family and town that she grew up as part of. She positively sucks up the obvious poppycock that she is told prima facie and is extraordinarily wet behind the ears.
So whilst the premise of The Bad Daughter is tempting, the poor mystery and soap opera characters makes the result feel neither wholly mystery or family drama, but I readily admit that the novel is easily readable and provides the required twists and turns, albeit they feel a little unconvincing. Admittedly not all the surprises are wholly transparent and the early encounters are encouraging but with repetitive instances illustrating certain attributes of characters the surprises quickly become predictable. The result is an overwritten novel with shallow characters and frequent episodes of eye-rolling with the most disappointing aspect being that the mystery is so sub-standard and the attempts by Fielding to conjure up motives and circumstantial evidence linking the locals and family to the crime feels like overreaching. In short, a disappointing but readable novel of family dysfunction and sordid secrets with a final gobsmacking disclosure to blow the novel out of the water. Regardless reading a Joy Fielding novel is always an undemanding diversion and walk down memory lane and I doubt that I would ever stop indulging in her work! So whilst objectively The Bad Daughter is far-fetched and might not win any literary prizes, this will be of less concern to Fielding’s regular readers, myself included!
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
With a premise that is worthy of salivating over, Joy Fielding’s central character is thirty-three-year-old Los Angeles therapist Robin Davis. Billing $175 per hour to dispense advice yet suffering from panic attacks and estranged from her family that remain in her remote hometown of Red Bluff for the last five years following her father’s hasty remarriage to her former best-friend, she has a number of her own issues. So when her older sister of three years, the acidulous Melanie, calls to impart the shocking news that their father, wealthy local developer Greg Davis and his much younger second wife, Tara, and her twelve-year-old daughter, Cassidy have been victims of what appears to be a home invasion, Robin reluctantly returns home. With all three left in critical condition suffering from gunshot wounds, Robin is left to confront the complicated history of the Davis family and make peace with her dictatorial father and come to terms with his capricious affections towards the children of his thirty-four year marriage to their mother and his first wife, Sarah.
Leaving her shaky relationship with corporate lawyer fiancé Blake Upton behind with the nagging doubt that he is cheating on her, Robin is in no state to handle the emotional strain of an acrimonious reunion with her immediate family. The sisters fractured relationship dates back to Robin’s birth and the blatant favouritism of their now deceased mother shown towards her. With every sentence Melanie utters littered with a customary barb or a snide remark, she is an exhausting character full of slights and bitterness. Melanie is soap-opera bad, putting down her sister at every opportunity with catty remarks on her imagined superior attitude and she positively radiates hostility. Robin is on better terms with younger brother, Alec, whose former engagement to his father’s wife, Tara, appears to give him a motive for loathing his father, less so Tara and a twelve-year-old child and if so, given they married five years ago, why has he waited all this time to act? As the sketchy details Alec reluctantly offers up to Sheriff Prescott place him firmly on the radar as perpetrator, Melanie’s eighteen-year-old autistic and awkward son, Landon, and his nocturnal activities and strange friend, Kenny, leave his aunt Robin on edge. Given that Cassidy has just come through a narrow escape with a bullet she is an extraordinary precocious and makes an unlikely twelve-year-old, able to compartmentalise and at ease tackling death and popcorn in the same breath. Disappointing, Robin is ludicrously gullible and for having a Master’s degree in psychology from Berkeley she appears to walk around wearing blinkers and although she comes out with the required therapy truisms she is completely lacking in life experience, somewhat hard to believe given the family and town that she grew up as part of. She positively sucks up the obvious poppycock that she is told prima facie and is extraordinarily wet behind the ears.
So whilst the premise of The Bad Daughter is tempting, the poor mystery and soap opera characters makes the result feel neither wholly mystery or family drama, but I readily admit that the novel is easily readable and provides the required twists and turns, albeit they feel a little unconvincing. Admittedly not all the surprises are wholly transparent and the early encounters are encouraging but with repetitive instances illustrating certain attributes of characters the surprises quickly become predictable. The result is an overwritten novel with shallow characters and frequent episodes of eye-rolling with the most disappointing aspect being that the mystery is so sub-standard and the attempts by Fielding to conjure up motives and circumstantial evidence linking the locals and family to the crime feels like overreaching. In short, a disappointing but readable novel of family dysfunction and sordid secrets with a final gobsmacking disclosure to blow the novel out of the water. Regardless reading a Joy Fielding novel is always an undemanding diversion and walk down memory lane and I doubt that I would ever stop indulging in her work! So whilst objectively The Bad Daughter is far-fetched and might not win any literary prizes, this will be of less concern to Fielding’s regular readers, myself included!
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 4, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded down.
First of all, thank you to Ballantine Books for sending me a review copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
The Bad Daughter was my first time reading Joy Fielding and I have some mixed feelings I need to talk out. The Bad Daughter focuses on what I would call a broken family. The mom passed away from cancer, the dad is a philander who married his daughter's best friend, the brother was always put down by the dad so he runs off to San Francisco, and the two sisters just can NOT get along. But when the main character (Robin) hears her dad and his new family are in the hospital she goes home and ends up dealing with a bunch of past issues, plus dealing with the search for who put her father, his new wife, and his wife's child in the hospital. Nothing is as it seems, and suspicion is thrown on almost everyone in this book. Including an autistic teenager which may or may not bother some people.
Even though the premise of the book sounded intense, a lot of this book moved pretty slowly in my opinion. This book is really more of a mystery than a thriller. There was a little bit of suspense, but most of the book was Robin and her sister arguing and dealing with past issues between themselves. I was so irritated with Robin as a main character. She and her sister Melaine have never really liked each other, and have quite the turbulent relationship throughout the book. The biggest issue I had with Robin is that she just couldn't stand up to her sister. Melanie would say incredibly rude things to her and Robin literally seemed to have no backbone, and ended up having panic attacks instead of standing up for herself properly.
The ending was something else though. I was almost done with the book and still had absolutely no clue "whodunnit" so that is definitely saying something. I guess it might be easy for some people to figure out, but I didn't see it coming at all.
Final Thought: The Bad Daughter is not a bad book, not by any means. But between the slowness and my irritation with Robin this was only a 3.5 star read for me. The book left me wanting more than what I got, which is always hard for me. I would still recommend for lovers of a good mystery and people who enjoy reading about dysfunctional families. Just don't go into this book expecting a fast-paced mystery/thriller.
*This title was published on 27 Feb 2018*
First of all, thank you to Ballantine Books for sending me a review copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
The Bad Daughter was my first time reading Joy Fielding and I have some mixed feelings I need to talk out. The Bad Daughter focuses on what I would call a broken family. The mom passed away from cancer, the dad is a philander who married his daughter's best friend, the brother was always put down by the dad so he runs off to San Francisco, and the two sisters just can NOT get along. But when the main character (Robin) hears her dad and his new family are in the hospital she goes home and ends up dealing with a bunch of past issues, plus dealing with the search for who put her father, his new wife, and his wife's child in the hospital. Nothing is as it seems, and suspicion is thrown on almost everyone in this book. Including an autistic teenager which may or may not bother some people.
Even though the premise of the book sounded intense, a lot of this book moved pretty slowly in my opinion. This book is really more of a mystery than a thriller. There was a little bit of suspense, but most of the book was Robin and her sister arguing and dealing with past issues between themselves. I was so irritated with Robin as a main character. She and her sister Melaine have never really liked each other, and have quite the turbulent relationship throughout the book. The biggest issue I had with Robin is that she just couldn't stand up to her sister. Melanie would say incredibly rude things to her and Robin literally seemed to have no backbone, and ended up having panic attacks instead of standing up for herself properly.
The ending was something else though. I was almost done with the book and still had absolutely no clue "whodunnit" so that is definitely saying something. I guess it might be easy for some people to figure out, but I didn't see it coming at all.
Final Thought: The Bad Daughter is not a bad book, not by any means. But between the slowness and my irritation with Robin this was only a 3.5 star read for me. The book left me wanting more than what I got, which is always hard for me. I would still recommend for lovers of a good mystery and people who enjoy reading about dysfunctional families. Just don't go into this book expecting a fast-paced mystery/thriller.
*This title was published on 27 Feb 2018*
March 11, 2018
3 stars rounded down for me.
First off, this was my first read by Joy Fielding. I have heard wonderful things about this author and overall, I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't overly impressed.
This was a very slow burning mystery that took me awhile to get into. I definitely wouldn't put this in the thriller category. I was bummed because I figured out who the killer was fairly early in but it still was a pretty entertaining read. I was a little annoyed because I felt like the author focuses so much on Robin and her sister Melanie who fight and argue over past issues. This is what I would call a dysfunctional family buried with lies and deception.
Would I recommend this one? Not something I would put high on my ladder but it was an ok read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for granting my wish and giving me an early arc of this book.
Publication date: 2/27/18
Published to GR: 3/10/18
First off, this was my first read by Joy Fielding. I have heard wonderful things about this author and overall, I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't overly impressed.
This was a very slow burning mystery that took me awhile to get into. I definitely wouldn't put this in the thriller category. I was bummed because I figured out who the killer was fairly early in but it still was a pretty entertaining read. I was a little annoyed because I felt like the author focuses so much on Robin and her sister Melanie who fight and argue over past issues. This is what I would call a dysfunctional family buried with lies and deception.
Would I recommend this one? Not something I would put high on my ladder but it was an ok read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for granting my wish and giving me an early arc of this book.
Publication date: 2/27/18
Published to GR: 3/10/18
August 29, 2017
Nachdem ich festgestellt habe, dass es kein Thriller ist, wie ich irrtümlicherweise angenommen habe, muss ich jetzt ein bisschen netter sein. Aber dennoch gebe ich dem Buch nur 3 Sterne, denn ob Thriller oder nicht, zog es sich waaahnsinnig und hätte mich in geruckter Form (und nicht als Hörbuch) wahrscheinlich kaum zum Lesen motivieren können. Und auch das Ende war ebenso vorhersehbar wie absurd.
Joy Fielding und ich passen vielleicht einfach nicht zusammen. Nach "Im Koma" ist das das zweite Buch, das mich nicht überzeugen konnte :(
Joy Fielding und ich passen vielleicht einfach nicht zusammen. Nach "Im Koma" ist das das zweite Buch, das mich nicht überzeugen konnte :(
February 23, 2018
I wanted to like this book more than I did. But I suppose 2018 has been this way, some very good books, some not so.
The story goes thus Robin a psychologist gets a phone call from her sister Melanie about a home invasion in which their Dad, step-mom Tara (who actually was Robin’s classmate and best friend and Robin’s brother’s ex-fiance) and her child Cassidy have been shot. She rushes home, has a lot of panic attacks, reacts in the story at the apt times, tolerates her sister Melanie’s snarky comments, brings Cassidy back home. Her lawyer boyfriend Blake also joins her, Melanie’s autistic son looks suspicious. And soon their brother Alec joins them. The entire family gets together after 5 years or so…. Around this shooting…
Another book by Joy Fielding, I have read some of her books, but this book was different, too placid most times till the last 20%, where the ending had the twists. The entire family and the extended family, all were dysfunctional, there were hardly any emotions. Robin was either having a panic attack or she was coping up with her sister’s rude remarks. Her face had a scrunched up look apparently — So she didn’t impress me
Her sister Melanie, was always angry throughout the book, she didn’t seem to care for anyone, including her autistic son, she seemed to be full of resentments — So she didn’t impress me.
Alec their brother, both the sisters don’t seem to know him, and neither did I get to know him — So I ain’t impressed.
Blake, the voice of reason, was the only one who impressed me. He hardly had any role in the book other than being a support to Robin. But he provided a certain aura of calmness to the story… But he was not part of the plot… So a good secondary character with no role…
The plot was a whodunit, who shot them all, revealed at the end with clues all over the book. The pace was good, slow at parts, as not much of a story did occur in the 2 weeks post shooting. The ending though dramatic was slightly unbelievable. But as I have been told, artistic license and all that…
I did read the book at one go, I skimmed over the parts where nothing happened, to leap over the ending.
But this is one of the rare times, I seem indifferent to the book. It took everything in me to write the review. My brain didn’t want to think about the book. So no idea if I liked the book or not…
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bonnier Zaffre and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The story goes thus Robin a psychologist gets a phone call from her sister Melanie about a home invasion in which their Dad, step-mom Tara (who actually was Robin’s classmate and best friend and Robin’s brother’s ex-fiance) and her child Cassidy have been shot. She rushes home, has a lot of panic attacks, reacts in the story at the apt times, tolerates her sister Melanie’s snarky comments, brings Cassidy back home. Her lawyer boyfriend Blake also joins her, Melanie’s autistic son looks suspicious. And soon their brother Alec joins them. The entire family gets together after 5 years or so…. Around this shooting…
Another book by Joy Fielding, I have read some of her books, but this book was different, too placid most times till the last 20%, where the ending had the twists. The entire family and the extended family, all were dysfunctional, there were hardly any emotions. Robin was either having a panic attack or she was coping up with her sister’s rude remarks. Her face had a scrunched up look apparently — So she didn’t impress me
Her sister Melanie, was always angry throughout the book, she didn’t seem to care for anyone, including her autistic son, she seemed to be full of resentments — So she didn’t impress me.
Alec their brother, both the sisters don’t seem to know him, and neither did I get to know him — So I ain’t impressed.
Blake, the voice of reason, was the only one who impressed me. He hardly had any role in the book other than being a support to Robin. But he provided a certain aura of calmness to the story… But he was not part of the plot… So a good secondary character with no role…
The plot was a whodunit, who shot them all, revealed at the end with clues all over the book. The pace was good, slow at parts, as not much of a story did occur in the 2 weeks post shooting. The ending though dramatic was slightly unbelievable. But as I have been told, artistic license and all that…
I did read the book at one go, I skimmed over the parts where nothing happened, to leap over the ending.
But this is one of the rare times, I seem indifferent to the book. It took everything in me to write the review. My brain didn’t want to think about the book. So no idea if I liked the book or not…
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bonnier Zaffre and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
February 16, 2019
Well, I think this one was a bad fit for me. I've heard such great things about this author's other books, so I do encourage readers (and I plan to do so myself) to explore some of her other work. In a prolific career, not every book will work for every reader.
Robin is a therapist who is estranged from her sister Melanie. But when Melanie starts calling her, she sets off panic attacks that Robin hasn't experienced for many years. However, Melanie called to tell her something has happened to their father and Robin knows she must go home, though she has never forgiven her father for things he has done. But can Robin ever hope to make amends with this family after all that happened in the past?
After thinking about it, my main problem was that I just didn't connect with the characters or their story. They were unlikeable--which sometimes works--but in a sort of dull way. I didn't love-to-hate them. Another reviewer also mentioned that it may have worked better without the crime elements, and when I read that I completely agreed! It could have been about the dysfunctional family and the secrets and damage they all harbor.
Robin is a therapist who is estranged from her sister Melanie. But when Melanie starts calling her, she sets off panic attacks that Robin hasn't experienced for many years. However, Melanie called to tell her something has happened to their father and Robin knows she must go home, though she has never forgiven her father for things he has done. But can Robin ever hope to make amends with this family after all that happened in the past?
After thinking about it, my main problem was that I just didn't connect with the characters or their story. They were unlikeable--which sometimes works--but in a sort of dull way. I didn't love-to-hate them. Another reviewer also mentioned that it may have worked better without the crime elements, and when I read that I completely agreed! It could have been about the dysfunctional family and the secrets and damage they all harbor.
February 8, 2018
This is my second Joy Fielding book and the second that I have really enjoyed... why have I not read her books sooner!
This is a story of one dysfunctional family! Robin Davis has not spoken to her family in 6 years... ever since her father married her best friend... yep.. told you it was dysfunctional!! Then she receives a call from her sister to say that her father, her best friend Tara and her daughter Cassidy have been shot in what appears to be a home invasion and are all clinging to life.
This is a story or family, of lies and secrets. I enjoyed the story, it was a quick and easy read. Thanks to Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
This is a story of one dysfunctional family! Robin Davis has not spoken to her family in 6 years... ever since her father married her best friend... yep.. told you it was dysfunctional!! Then she receives a call from her sister to say that her father, her best friend Tara and her daughter Cassidy have been shot in what appears to be a home invasion and are all clinging to life.
This is a story or family, of lies and secrets. I enjoyed the story, it was a quick and easy read. Thanks to Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
March 2, 2018
This book was an enjoyable read. Robin is a psychotherapist who suffers anxiety and panic attacks, and her anxiety is extreme when she receives a phone call from her sister telling her that her father, stepmother and daughter have been shot and are in critical condition in what seems to have been a home invasion. She immediately rushes home.
It soon becomes apparent it was not a home invasion and the investigation turns to the family members and acquaintances. The story moves slowly at times with superfluous references relating to Robin's state of mind and her relationship with her "mean" sister.
Who was the bad daughter? I did not, but should have guessed the twist near the end.
I've read many of Ms. Fielding's books and enjoyed all of them, but this was not one of her best.
It soon becomes apparent it was not a home invasion and the investigation turns to the family members and acquaintances. The story moves slowly at times with superfluous references relating to Robin's state of mind and her relationship with her "mean" sister.
Who was the bad daughter? I did not, but should have guessed the twist near the end.
I've read many of Ms. Fielding's books and enjoyed all of them, but this was not one of her best.
March 15, 2018
It started out great but about 1/2 way fell flat. I did keep reading and it did keep my interest. But I didn’t love it!
January 20, 2018
Robin hasn’t heard from her sister, Melanie, in years so when she received a phone message from her, she knew it couldn’t be good. Robin gets panic attacks fairly often and the news that her estranged best friend, Tara, had been shot and killed and that Tara’s 12-year-old daughter, Cassidy, and Robin’s father had also been shot and were in the hospital in critical condition sends Robin into a tail spin. Though Robin has no love for her father, she returns home. There she tries to piece together what actually had happened. Was this a home invasion or was this personal? Was her brother Alec involved somehow? After all, Alec and Tara had been engaged at one time and Alec and Robin’s father had stolen her affections away from his son and married Tara himself. Quite a good motive, wouldn’t you say? But that had happened years ago so why would Alec suddenly seek revenge?
Joy Fielding has been writing psychological suspense since the early ‘70s. I was quite a big fan of hers back then but somehow I got away from her work. When I saw this book being offered to book reviewers, I thought it was about time I tried one of her books again. And I’m glad I did!
Ms. Fielding knows how to weave together a good story and how to keep those pages turning for her readers. The main character, Robin, is down to earth and likeable. I also really liked Melanie, as obnoxious as she was. Her witty barbs were entertaining, though not to those they were directed to. And the ending was quite a surprise to me though I should have seen it coming. I remember thinking at several points, hmm, that’s odd, but I never took the thought any further. Even after I learned the big reveal, I didn’t quite believe it. Very surprising ending indeed! I think this may be more of a mystery rather than suspense book as I didn’t personally find it suspenseful. And it's not the kind of book that I'll long remember. But I definitely had to keep reading to find out what had really happened and found it enjoyable. I think I’m going to have to go back and read those books of this author’s that I’ve missed.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Joy Fielding has been writing psychological suspense since the early ‘70s. I was quite a big fan of hers back then but somehow I got away from her work. When I saw this book being offered to book reviewers, I thought it was about time I tried one of her books again. And I’m glad I did!
Ms. Fielding knows how to weave together a good story and how to keep those pages turning for her readers. The main character, Robin, is down to earth and likeable. I also really liked Melanie, as obnoxious as she was. Her witty barbs were entertaining, though not to those they were directed to. And the ending was quite a surprise to me though I should have seen it coming. I remember thinking at several points, hmm, that’s odd, but I never took the thought any further. Even after I learned the big reveal, I didn’t quite believe it. Very surprising ending indeed! I think this may be more of a mystery rather than suspense book as I didn’t personally find it suspenseful. And it's not the kind of book that I'll long remember. But I definitely had to keep reading to find out what had really happened and found it enjoyable. I think I’m going to have to go back and read those books of this author’s that I’ve missed.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
February 14, 2018
Robin returns home after she gets a phone call from her estranged sister informing her that their dad , his wife Tara and her daughter Cassidy has been shot in a home invasion . Soon they realize that it was more of a personal attack and with no lack of suspects Robin and the Sheriff have their work cut out for them
A fast paced mystery with a dysfunctional family full of lies and secrets. It was easy to guess early on who the killer was but still an enjoyable read due to the compelling characters
I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
A fast paced mystery with a dysfunctional family full of lies and secrets. It was easy to guess early on who the killer was but still an enjoyable read due to the compelling characters
I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 22, 2018
It's a good read but way too wordy for me. Gave it a 4 because it did read well and told a decent story. In order to give it the proper review - still a 4 rating - I need to think about what were the weak and strong points of this story besides being too wordy.
In a couple days I'll do that. I need a break.
Recent cataract surgery has slowed down my reading right now. Can't see worth a hoot.
BUMMER.
Final review.
It turns out to be a decent thriller. It is a WHO-DONE-IT thing. Lots of suspects. But easy to follow.
Every chapter seems to lead to one of the suspects then you start thinking --- MMmmm.
Weakness is ---- like I said a bit wordy.
Strong points --- it keeps you guessing --- really guessing.
It's worth the read. Good book.
After thinking for a while about this thrilla I'm changing it to a 5.
In a couple days I'll do that. I need a break.
Recent cataract surgery has slowed down my reading right now. Can't see worth a hoot.
BUMMER.
Final review.
It turns out to be a decent thriller. It is a WHO-DONE-IT thing. Lots of suspects. But easy to follow.
Every chapter seems to lead to one of the suspects then you start thinking --- MMmmm.
Weakness is ---- like I said a bit wordy.
Strong points --- it keeps you guessing --- really guessing.
It's worth the read. Good book.
After thinking for a while about this thrilla I'm changing it to a 5.
January 15, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballentine for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. I have read Joy Fielding for years, and I enjoy her books, so I admit I was looking forward to this one. A tough relationship between sisters (and honestly, one of them does seem like she's...well, not nice), brings them back together when their Dad, step mom and step sister are all shot. There is a really complicated messy relationship there as well. The plot was very interesting and had me guessing back and forth, the characters were all well developed and realistic. Some you didn't like, but that's like life, right? I highly recommend this book. Get it as soon as it comes out, because you will love it.
July 27, 2017
wieder mal der Hammer und eine Freude das Werk zu lesen. es hat mich nicht mehr losgelassen. bis zum Schluss
Meine Rezension:
http://lovelybooksbytine.blogspot.de/...
Meine Rezension:
http://lovelybooksbytine.blogspot.de/...
February 20, 2018
Having read one of the authors other books and loving it, I couldn’t wait to read more. The Bad Daughter just sounded sooo good so was very much looking forward to reading it.
Admittedly to start with, I did struggle to get in to the book fully. Robin has a few issues and that’s before she finds out about her family. Her head is all over the place and it took a while to settle in but when I got settled, I couldn’t turn those pages quick enough!
Robin’s home town is one of those small ones where everyone knows everyone as well as their business. There was no wonder she couldn’t get away quick enough, especially when we get to meet her sister Melanie who is extremely unwelcoming and doesn’t seem to have a soft bone in her body. Admittedly, having your best friend marry your father is probably another reason that will have you running for the hills.
Even though Robin hasn’t spoke to her family since she found out about Tara and her father, obviously as soon as she hears the shocking news that both them and Tara’s child have been seriously hurt, she knows she has to go straight back.
Like Robin I couldn’t believe that anyone would hurt a child. I wanted to know as much as her and the police as to who could be behind it. I was constantly second guessing each character that came into the story as to whether it was them or not but when the truth does come out, well there was no way I would have ever guessed it right. No way in this world.
The Bad Daughter, once settled into it, had me tearing through the pages to get some answers. It certainly doesn’t disappoint when those answers are revealed. Definitely one to mess with your head!
Admittedly to start with, I did struggle to get in to the book fully. Robin has a few issues and that’s before she finds out about her family. Her head is all over the place and it took a while to settle in but when I got settled, I couldn’t turn those pages quick enough!
Robin’s home town is one of those small ones where everyone knows everyone as well as their business. There was no wonder she couldn’t get away quick enough, especially when we get to meet her sister Melanie who is extremely unwelcoming and doesn’t seem to have a soft bone in her body. Admittedly, having your best friend marry your father is probably another reason that will have you running for the hills.
Even though Robin hasn’t spoke to her family since she found out about Tara and her father, obviously as soon as she hears the shocking news that both them and Tara’s child have been seriously hurt, she knows she has to go straight back.
Like Robin I couldn’t believe that anyone would hurt a child. I wanted to know as much as her and the police as to who could be behind it. I was constantly second guessing each character that came into the story as to whether it was them or not but when the truth does come out, well there was no way I would have ever guessed it right. No way in this world.
The Bad Daughter, once settled into it, had me tearing through the pages to get some answers. It certainly doesn’t disappoint when those answers are revealed. Definitely one to mess with your head!
January 26, 2018
I love Joy Fielding's novels but have to admit to being not so fond of this one. Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy aspects of it I did, the story is pretty compelling for the most part.
I liked the family dynamics portrayed here, especially the relationship between Robin and Melanie the two sisters, plus the small town vibe was beautifully atmospheric.
The mystery element though let it down I felt. The "bad guy" was so blatantly obvious from so early on that it just irritated me that the other characters were so blind to it ESPECIALLY Robin who is a therapist, although the reasons why she didn't pick up on it are addressed in the finale, they were just stupid reasons so none of it rang true at all.
Ultimately I think this is one of those books which would have actually worked better without the crime elements - an exploration of how a fractured family might put itself back together after a tragedy, which makes up some elements of this - those were done in excellent style. The other stuff just didn't work for me at all. I think perhaps the reader was supposed to be chilled by the ultimate resolution but because of the way it was set up for this reader it just didn't work at all. The same theme has been explored in other novels and much better.
Not awful at all by any means but just not for me this time. Look forward to the next novel.
I liked the family dynamics portrayed here, especially the relationship between Robin and Melanie the two sisters, plus the small town vibe was beautifully atmospheric.
The mystery element though let it down I felt. The "bad guy" was so blatantly obvious from so early on that it just irritated me that the other characters were so blind to it ESPECIALLY Robin who is a therapist, although the reasons why she didn't pick up on it are addressed in the finale, they were just stupid reasons so none of it rang true at all.
Ultimately I think this is one of those books which would have actually worked better without the crime elements - an exploration of how a fractured family might put itself back together after a tragedy, which makes up some elements of this - those were done in excellent style. The other stuff just didn't work for me at all. I think perhaps the reader was supposed to be chilled by the ultimate resolution but because of the way it was set up for this reader it just didn't work at all. The same theme has been explored in other novels and much better.
Not awful at all by any means but just not for me this time. Look forward to the next novel.
March 3, 2018
At the end of last year I read ‘She’s Not There’ by Joy Fielding. I really enjoyed that book, so when I was asked to review ‘The Bad Daughter’ I immediately said yes. And when I read the book description, I was really excited to start reading as soon as possible.
In ‘The Bad Daughter’ we meet Robin Davis. Robin is a therapist who seems to have her life on track, but when her sister calls who she hasn’t talked to in years, memories of her past come fast. And soon Robin is having panic attacks. When her sister tells her, her father and his family is shot, Robin decides to go back to the town she ran away from. And soon she finds out her family has many secrets.
Just like with the previous book I read by Joy Fielding, this book grabbed me from the beginning and I just didn’t want to stop reading. From the very first page I just had so many questions going on in my head and I just had to keep on reading to find out the answers.
There was one thing I didn’t really like about this read and that was a pretty big thing: the characters. Somehow I just couldn’t connect with the main character Robin, and the other characters all just seemed off to me too. And don’t even start with the relationships between those characters, they were just very complicated.
But the fact that the author was able to make me want to keep on reading, and the fact I didn’t really figure out who was the one who shot Robin’s father till the very end made this a very thrilling and interesting read. Definitely another good read by Joy Fielding.
In ‘The Bad Daughter’ we meet Robin Davis. Robin is a therapist who seems to have her life on track, but when her sister calls who she hasn’t talked to in years, memories of her past come fast. And soon Robin is having panic attacks. When her sister tells her, her father and his family is shot, Robin decides to go back to the town she ran away from. And soon she finds out her family has many secrets.
Just like with the previous book I read by Joy Fielding, this book grabbed me from the beginning and I just didn’t want to stop reading. From the very first page I just had so many questions going on in my head and I just had to keep on reading to find out the answers.
There was one thing I didn’t really like about this read and that was a pretty big thing: the characters. Somehow I just couldn’t connect with the main character Robin, and the other characters all just seemed off to me too. And don’t even start with the relationships between those characters, they were just very complicated.
But the fact that the author was able to make me want to keep on reading, and the fact I didn’t really figure out who was the one who shot Robin’s father till the very end made this a very thrilling and interesting read. Definitely another good read by Joy Fielding.
February 20, 2018
The Bad Daughter is my first book by Joy Fielding. It was a simple read and I enjoyed it.
A hostile relationship with her sister, Melanie and a complicated past with her father and his second wife, has kept Robin estranged from her family for many years. But when her father's family is attacked in their house, with her father, his wife, and young daughter in critical condition in the hospital, she returns home to await their fate and hopefully mend fences. But what was first considered a home invasion but now the police thinks the attack was personal. Could it be the mean sister who hates her father and his new family? Could it be the brother who was once engaged to his father's new wife? Could it be the autistic nephew who seems to have a fascination for the young daughter?
The story held my interest throughout and it kept me guessing. The story was well written with developed characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for supplying me a copy of Joy Fielding's "The Bad Daughter" in exchange for an honest review.
A hostile relationship with her sister, Melanie and a complicated past with her father and his second wife, has kept Robin estranged from her family for many years. But when her father's family is attacked in their house, with her father, his wife, and young daughter in critical condition in the hospital, she returns home to await their fate and hopefully mend fences. But what was first considered a home invasion but now the police thinks the attack was personal. Could it be the mean sister who hates her father and his new family? Could it be the brother who was once engaged to his father's new wife? Could it be the autistic nephew who seems to have a fascination for the young daughter?
The story held my interest throughout and it kept me guessing. The story was well written with developed characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for supplying me a copy of Joy Fielding's "The Bad Daughter" in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2018
I have been reading Joy Fielding's books for many, many years and have all of her older books on my book shelf. I really enjoyed her earlier books more than the later ones. THE BAD DAUGHTER had some suspenseful moments, the plot was somewhat interesting and there were surprises, however, there was a lot of rehashing which led to my kind of plodding along, waiting for something else to happen. I recommend her earlier novels.
September 14, 2022
This book kept me on my toes the whole time! I would definitely recommend and would look for more books by this author
January 24, 2020
Öncelikle kitabın türünü anlayamadığımı söylemekle başlamak istiyorum. Sanırım psikolojik gerilim ve polisiye arası bir kitap. Yazar sonunda ters köşe yapmak istemiş ama bende istediği etkiyi oluşturamadı. Kitabın sonu tahmin edilebilirdi ve ben de ettim.
Robin Davis ailesinden kaçıp saklanmış bir psikolog. Ara ara panik atak nöbetleri geçiriyor ve nişanlısının kendisini aldattığını düşünüyor. Bir gece bir haber alıyor ve babasının anneleri öldükten sonra evlendiği ve artık görüşmediği en yakın arkadaşı Tara ve onun kızıyla birlikte vurulduğunu öğreniyor. Geri dönmek zorunda kalıyor. Ablası ve otistik yeğeni Landon ile geçmişi yad ediyor. Olayı kimin yaptığını bulmaya çalışıyor.
Konusu çok ilginç olmamakla birlikte ortalama bir seviyeyi geçmiyor. Tam bir entrika kitabı. Polisiye bir his vermiyor. Kitabın gidişatı karşılıklı kısa konuşma cümleleri şeklinde olduğu için okuması kolay. Ama ben şahsen bu tarz kitapları çok sığ buluyorum. Betimleme çok eksikti. En fazla ortalama diyebilirim bu kitaba. O yüzden Goodreads’te 3 puan vereceğim.
Robin Davis ailesinden kaçıp saklanmış bir psikolog. Ara ara panik atak nöbetleri geçiriyor ve nişanlısının kendisini aldattığını düşünüyor. Bir gece bir haber alıyor ve babasının anneleri öldükten sonra evlendiği ve artık görüşmediği en yakın arkadaşı Tara ve onun kızıyla birlikte vurulduğunu öğreniyor. Geri dönmek zorunda kalıyor. Ablası ve otistik yeğeni Landon ile geçmişi yad ediyor. Olayı kimin yaptığını bulmaya çalışıyor.
Konusu çok ilginç olmamakla birlikte ortalama bir seviyeyi geçmiyor. Tam bir entrika kitabı. Polisiye bir his vermiyor. Kitabın gidişatı karşılıklı kısa konuşma cümleleri şeklinde olduğu için okuması kolay. Ama ben şahsen bu tarz kitapları çok sığ buluyorum. Betimleme çok eksikti. En fazla ortalama diyebilirim bu kitaba. O yüzden Goodreads’te 3 puan vereceğim.
September 26, 2021
Swimming against the current. I cannot remember when I have been reading a book and thought that I hated all of the characters. I can hear the funeral dirge for the relationships between Ms. Fielding and me. I noticed this in the last book I read CUL- DE- SAC by Ms. Fielding, but this one sealed the deal for me. I was EXHAUSTED with the heavy, heavy sarcasm from Melanie to everyone. I just do not think that a person can carry on at that pace under the circumstances presented in this book. At least Ms. Fielding kept the pace constant as the level was with EVERYONE including the dying father, nurses, and police, who by the way were investigating her and her child as suspects. I just don't buy it and after a while, it was difficult to read and I was not entertained by it. I work hard to remove caustic persons from my life and don't wish to invite them into my main form of entertainment.
So, moving on to the story. There are two daughters and a son of an abusive asshole father who cheats on their mother, who never seemed to do anything to protect her children from the caustic remarks. This dysfunctional couple remains married until the mother's death, which happens because of cancer. Then Daddy gets married to Robin's best friend who is also engaged to Robin's brother. Now, Daddy, Robin's ex-best friend, and the 12-year-old stepdaughter are in the hospital victims of gunshots. I usually suspend a great deal of my belief of the legal procedure in books because court rules and state laws are different state to state.. but forensic protocols are the same everywhere. But much of this story was a huge, oh HELL NO... unethical and conflict of interest... made me wonder if there was NO fact-checker on this book. If this had been a debut book for a young author, I would have gone ok, but Fielding is a seasoned author. One does not investigate a case where you have laid in the BED... HELL NO. That would certainly be the end of the SHERRIF's career and of the case. I won't go on to the total predictability of the story.
So Ms. Fielding... our time has come to an end. I wish you the best
1.4 stars
Happy Reading!
So, moving on to the story. There are two daughters and a son of an abusive asshole father who cheats on their mother, who never seemed to do anything to protect her children from the caustic remarks. This dysfunctional couple remains married until the mother's death, which happens because of cancer. Then Daddy gets married to Robin's best friend who is also engaged to Robin's brother. Now, Daddy, Robin's ex-best friend, and the 12-year-old stepdaughter are in the hospital victims of gunshots. I usually suspend a great deal of my belief of the legal procedure in books because court rules and state laws are different state to state.. but forensic protocols are the same everywhere. But much of this story was a huge, oh HELL NO... unethical and conflict of interest... made me wonder if there was NO fact-checker on this book. If this had been a debut book for a young author, I would have gone ok, but Fielding is a seasoned author. One does not investigate a case where you have laid in the BED... HELL NO. That would certainly be the end of the SHERRIF's career and of the case. I won't go on to the total predictability of the story.
So Ms. Fielding... our time has come to an end. I wish you the best
1.4 stars
Happy Reading!
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