What do you think?
Rate this book
Clemmie #2
The Wrong Good Deed
She thought she had left that life behind forever. She was wrong.
1964: Christaphine is twenty years old, newly married, and determined to make a home and a life for her and her husband, Tommy. But when Christaphine discovers Tommy and his friends on the verge of committing a horrible crime, she does what she has to do to stop them. Afterwards, she knows she can't ever go home again--so she disappears.
50 years later: When Clemmie's neighbor, Muffin, drags her from Sunday morning service at Trinity Hill Church, convinced that the man she's just spotted across the aisle is a dangerous figure from her past, at first Clemmie thinks she's being dramatic. But as Muffin reveals to Clemmie what happened in the middle of a field in South Carolina five decades ago, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping dark secrets--just as Clemmie herself has. And the secrets that belong to both women are not the kind that can be revealed without dire consequences...
1964: Christaphine is twenty years old, newly married, and determined to make a home and a life for her and her husband, Tommy. But when Christaphine discovers Tommy and his friends on the verge of committing a horrible crime, she does what she has to do to stop them. Afterwards, she knows she can't ever go home again--so she disappears.
50 years later: When Clemmie's neighbor, Muffin, drags her from Sunday morning service at Trinity Hill Church, convinced that the man she's just spotted across the aisle is a dangerous figure from her past, at first Clemmie thinks she's being dramatic. But as Muffin reveals to Clemmie what happened in the middle of a field in South Carolina five decades ago, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping dark secrets--just as Clemmie herself has. And the secrets that belong to both women are not the kind that can be revealed without dire consequences...
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2023
40 people are currently reading
4805 people want to read
About the author
Caroline B. Cooney
129 books1,766 followersCaroline Cooney knew in sixth grade that she wanted to be a writer when "the best teacher I ever had in my life" made writing her main focus. "He used to rip off covers from The New Yorker and pass them around and make us write a short story on whichever cover we got. I started writing then and never stopped!"
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
- Scholastic.com
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
- Scholastic.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 22, 2023
2.5⭐
During a Sunday service at Trinity Hill Church, Clemmie’s friend Muffin, also a resident of the senior living village in North Carolina where Clemmie lives, catches a glimpse of someone from her past – a past she left behind almost fifty years ago. Clemmie is bewildered by Muffin’s panicked reaction. Even after Muffin shares the traumatic events from her past and expresses her fears, Clemmie isn’t quite convinced that anybody would harm Muffin over events that occurred so long ago. But over the following week, Clemmie realizes she is wrong. But in trying to help her friend will she be able to protect her own secrets? Not only Clemmie and Muffin, but others in their community carry burdens from their pasts and would want to protect themselves their families and the lives they have made for themselves from falling apart if those secrets ever saw the light of day.
With its fast-paced narrative, sensitive themes and strong characterizations, The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney has a lot of promise but falls short in execution. The author blends both past and present timelines combining social issues and an element of suspense. The author gives is a brief but impactful look at the racism, white supremacy, desegregation and resistance to integration among certain factions during the 1960s. In the present-day narrative, we follow Clemmie and her friends, all seniors, and their lives in their residential community. The author touches upon themes of aging, isolation, and loneliness among seniors. I appreciate that the author attempts to address several sensitive topics but I wasn’t quite satisfied with how the story plays out. After a suspenseful build-up, the resolution of the mystery leaves a lot to be desired. The significance of past events is diminished largely by how the author chose to end this story. The friendships between the characters came across as forced and/or obligatory rather than fueled by genuine regard for one another or emotional attachment. I also failed to see the point in bringing up Clemmie’s past and her secrets in bits throughout the narrative given that ultimately Clemmie’s storyline is left for the most part, unexplored. While I didn't dislike this book in its totality, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.
Many thanks to author Caroline B. Cooney, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due to be released on May 02, 2023.
During a Sunday service at Trinity Hill Church, Clemmie’s friend Muffin, also a resident of the senior living village in North Carolina where Clemmie lives, catches a glimpse of someone from her past – a past she left behind almost fifty years ago. Clemmie is bewildered by Muffin’s panicked reaction. Even after Muffin shares the traumatic events from her past and expresses her fears, Clemmie isn’t quite convinced that anybody would harm Muffin over events that occurred so long ago. But over the following week, Clemmie realizes she is wrong. But in trying to help her friend will she be able to protect her own secrets? Not only Clemmie and Muffin, but others in their community carry burdens from their pasts and would want to protect themselves their families and the lives they have made for themselves from falling apart if those secrets ever saw the light of day.
With its fast-paced narrative, sensitive themes and strong characterizations, The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney has a lot of promise but falls short in execution. The author blends both past and present timelines combining social issues and an element of suspense. The author gives is a brief but impactful look at the racism, white supremacy, desegregation and resistance to integration among certain factions during the 1960s. In the present-day narrative, we follow Clemmie and her friends, all seniors, and their lives in their residential community. The author touches upon themes of aging, isolation, and loneliness among seniors. I appreciate that the author attempts to address several sensitive topics but I wasn’t quite satisfied with how the story plays out. After a suspenseful build-up, the resolution of the mystery leaves a lot to be desired. The significance of past events is diminished largely by how the author chose to end this story. The friendships between the characters came across as forced and/or obligatory rather than fueled by genuine regard for one another or emotional attachment. I also failed to see the point in bringing up Clemmie’s past and her secrets in bits throughout the narrative given that ultimately Clemmie’s storyline is left for the most part, unexplored. While I didn't dislike this book in its totality, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.
Many thanks to author Caroline B. Cooney, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due to be released on May 02, 2023.
May 22, 2023
Actual Rating 2.5
While at church, Clemmie's friend and neighbor Muffin believes she sees a man from her past who likely wishes her harm. Panicking, she drags Clemmie away and begins to reveal bits and pieces about her past. In 1964, she was newly married to who she thought was the love of her life, until she witnesses him and his friends in the process of committing a horrible crime. She thought she saw one of them men involved at church and is afraid that she was recognized. Clemmie realizes that she's not the only one with dark secrets and that Muffin may just have to come face to face with hers.
I quite liked that the primary timeline had older protagonists. Clemmie's inner-dialogue was funny and relatable, and I enjoyed how interesting her character was. I also enjoyed how these two women had their own secrets and were so wrapped up in their own secrets that they didn’t notice the true distress of the other. I also enjoyed the exploration of growing older, of admitting to past crimes, and the commentary on the news (quite relatable!).
While I did like Clemmie's character, the relationships didn't come through well. They didn't feel realistic and there was no real emotion present. The writing also became quite repetitive. As the different characters remembered the day/event that the story focused around, the story was told and retold. But the different perspectives rarely provided new information, which became frustrating. Then in an almost opposite direction, Clemmie's past and secrets were referenced several times and kept mysterious, but we got no real exploration or explanation relating to this. I also didn't care for the ending - it didn't add much to the story and felt like it detracted from the impacts the historical plot could have had on the ending.
This was an easy light mystery that was overall fine but not necessarily as memorable or impactful as it could have been. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for allowing me to review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
While at church, Clemmie's friend and neighbor Muffin believes she sees a man from her past who likely wishes her harm. Panicking, she drags Clemmie away and begins to reveal bits and pieces about her past. In 1964, she was newly married to who she thought was the love of her life, until she witnesses him and his friends in the process of committing a horrible crime. She thought she saw one of them men involved at church and is afraid that she was recognized. Clemmie realizes that she's not the only one with dark secrets and that Muffin may just have to come face to face with hers.
I quite liked that the primary timeline had older protagonists. Clemmie's inner-dialogue was funny and relatable, and I enjoyed how interesting her character was. I also enjoyed how these two women had their own secrets and were so wrapped up in their own secrets that they didn’t notice the true distress of the other. I also enjoyed the exploration of growing older, of admitting to past crimes, and the commentary on the news (quite relatable!).
While I did like Clemmie's character, the relationships didn't come through well. They didn't feel realistic and there was no real emotion present. The writing also became quite repetitive. As the different characters remembered the day/event that the story focused around, the story was told and retold. But the different perspectives rarely provided new information, which became frustrating. Then in an almost opposite direction, Clemmie's past and secrets were referenced several times and kept mysterious, but we got no real exploration or explanation relating to this. I also didn't care for the ending - it didn't add much to the story and felt like it detracted from the impacts the historical plot could have had on the ending.
This was an easy light mystery that was overall fine but not necessarily as memorable or impactful as it could have been. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for allowing me to review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 6, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
Twitter - Amazon - Storygraph - The Book Review Crew
This was my first book by this author and I was left wanting, wanting to know more about Clemmie especially. The book felt like it was missing something, or I was. And then I realized this is part two of Before She Was Helen! I had no idea and had not read the first book.
The beginning of the book was suspenseful and I felt the tension while reading but the ending felt a little rushed and seemed unfinished, the book is very short page-wise. Cooney mixes past and present with sensitive issues like ageism and racism, especially those at the forefront of the 1960s. That is usually a very enjoyable topic for me, I love Southern fiction especially of the historical kind.
I enjoyed the senior angle as there aren't a lot of books that have older women of a certain age as the main characters but the whole Clemmie angle should have been left out as she already had her book...it added nothing and was dissatisfying. There was lots of internal dialogue and that's okay sometimes as you can get inside a character's head but there was lots of saying and not enough doing. I loved the premise but the book lacked in the execution.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
This was my first book by this author and I was left wanting, wanting to know more about Clemmie especially. The book felt like it was missing something, or I was. And then I realized this is part two of Before She Was Helen! I had no idea and had not read the first book.
The beginning of the book was suspenseful and I felt the tension while reading but the ending felt a little rushed and seemed unfinished, the book is very short page-wise. Cooney mixes past and present with sensitive issues like ageism and racism, especially those at the forefront of the 1960s. That is usually a very enjoyable topic for me, I love Southern fiction especially of the historical kind.
I enjoyed the senior angle as there aren't a lot of books that have older women of a certain age as the main characters but the whole Clemmie angle should have been left out as she already had her book...it added nothing and was dissatisfying. There was lots of internal dialogue and that's okay sometimes as you can get inside a character's head but there was lots of saying and not enough doing. I loved the premise but the book lacked in the execution.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
May 1, 2023
EXCERPT: Their libraries had been separate? Their book collections had been separate?
Clemmie had known about separate schools and segregated restaurants, but she had never pictured libraries refusing readers. She had even forgotten the noun colored because it's usage had been eclipsed over the years by African American and now Black. She thought of Gale. Given her age, she must have been insulted and hurt by people like Tommy's family. Clemmie didn't want to think about it. She preferred civilised thoughts about civilised people, and now Muffin was going to tell a story about savagery.
Whose? Her husband's? Her in-laws'?
Or Muffin's own?
ABOUT 'THE WRONG GOOD DEED': 1964: Christaphine is twenty years old, newly married, and determined to make a home and a life for her and her husband, Tommy. But when Christaphine discovers Tommy and his friends on the verge of committing a horrible crime, she does what she has to do to stop them. Afterwards, she knows she can't ever go home again--so she disappears.
50 years later: When Clemmie's neighbor, Muffin, drags her from Sunday morning service at Trinity Hill Church, convinced that the man she's just spotted across the aisle is a dangerous figure from her past, at first Clemmie thinks she's being dramatic. But as Muffin reveals to Clemmie what happened in the middle of a field in South Carolina five decades ago, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping dark secrets--just as Clemmie herself has. And the secrets that belong to both women are not the kind that can be revealed without dire consequences...
MY THOUGHTS: I Loved The Wrong Good Deed, and read it in one sitting. It is peopled by wonderfully realistic characters, particularly Clemmie whom I took a real shine to, caught up in an intriguing storyline.
I didn't realise, when I picked this up, that it followed on from another of this author's books, Before She Was Helen, which I haven't yet read. Despite feeling that I was missing out on things I ought to have known about Clemmie's background, I still adored this read.
I like that the characters are older; that the author is honest about the family relationships of the elderly; that she deals honestly with the vagaries of aging (pun intended); and that friendships are based on different criteria to when we were younger.
Although Clemmie is the main character, this is Muffin's story. And what a story it is! I was glued to the page and would brook no interruption to my reading!
Caroline B Cooney has woven a realistic historical drama full of secrets into the current lives of members of a retirement community. I'm off now to read Before She Was Helen, and I hope to read more from Clemmie in the future. And I will be looking for more titles by this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.8 (0.2 of a star deducted because nowhere does it say that The Wrong Good Deed follows on from Before She Was Helen and, believe me, I looked!)
#TheWrongGoodDeed #NetGalley
I: #authorcarolinebcooney @poisonedpenpress
T: @caroline.b.cooney @PPPress
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #friendship #historicalfiction #murdermystery #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Caroline Cooney knew in sixth grade that she wanted to be a writer when "the best teacher I ever had in my life" made writing her main focus. "He used to rip off covers from The New Yorker and pass them around and make us write a short story on whichever cover we got. I started writing then and never stopped!"
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Clemmie had known about separate schools and segregated restaurants, but she had never pictured libraries refusing readers. She had even forgotten the noun colored because it's usage had been eclipsed over the years by African American and now Black. She thought of Gale. Given her age, she must have been insulted and hurt by people like Tommy's family. Clemmie didn't want to think about it. She preferred civilised thoughts about civilised people, and now Muffin was going to tell a story about savagery.
Whose? Her husband's? Her in-laws'?
Or Muffin's own?
ABOUT 'THE WRONG GOOD DEED': 1964: Christaphine is twenty years old, newly married, and determined to make a home and a life for her and her husband, Tommy. But when Christaphine discovers Tommy and his friends on the verge of committing a horrible crime, she does what she has to do to stop them. Afterwards, she knows she can't ever go home again--so she disappears.
50 years later: When Clemmie's neighbor, Muffin, drags her from Sunday morning service at Trinity Hill Church, convinced that the man she's just spotted across the aisle is a dangerous figure from her past, at first Clemmie thinks she's being dramatic. But as Muffin reveals to Clemmie what happened in the middle of a field in South Carolina five decades ago, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping dark secrets--just as Clemmie herself has. And the secrets that belong to both women are not the kind that can be revealed without dire consequences...
MY THOUGHTS: I Loved The Wrong Good Deed, and read it in one sitting. It is peopled by wonderfully realistic characters, particularly Clemmie whom I took a real shine to, caught up in an intriguing storyline.
I didn't realise, when I picked this up, that it followed on from another of this author's books, Before She Was Helen, which I haven't yet read. Despite feeling that I was missing out on things I ought to have known about Clemmie's background, I still adored this read.
I like that the characters are older; that the author is honest about the family relationships of the elderly; that she deals honestly with the vagaries of aging (pun intended); and that friendships are based on different criteria to when we were younger.
Although Clemmie is the main character, this is Muffin's story. And what a story it is! I was glued to the page and would brook no interruption to my reading!
Caroline B Cooney has woven a realistic historical drama full of secrets into the current lives of members of a retirement community. I'm off now to read Before She Was Helen, and I hope to read more from Clemmie in the future. And I will be looking for more titles by this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.8 (0.2 of a star deducted because nowhere does it say that The Wrong Good Deed follows on from Before She Was Helen and, believe me, I looked!)
#TheWrongGoodDeed #NetGalley
I: #authorcarolinebcooney @poisonedpenpress
T: @caroline.b.cooney @PPPress
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #friendship #historicalfiction #murdermystery #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Caroline Cooney knew in sixth grade that she wanted to be a writer when "the best teacher I ever had in my life" made writing her main focus. "He used to rip off covers from The New Yorker and pass them around and make us write a short story on whichever cover we got. I started writing then and never stopped!"
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
April 30, 2023
This was a very quick and enjoyable read. I thought the author did a great job with character development although I was a little disappointed about the lack of Clemmie’s back story until I realized this is book 2 and she already had her book. So I will have to go back to read that and satisfy my curiosity. I do wish there was a little more of a divide between past/present and different character voices because at times it was hard to follow. This book tackles some tough topics without pulling any punches. Included for trigger warning, racism, racial motivated violence/murder, ageism, dementia, murder. This book takes place in the 1960’s and present day and focusing around a woman named Muffin who realizes that no matter how hard you try you can’t truly leave your past behind your. I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for having a cast of older narrators as I don’t think I see as much of that as I should.
March 31, 2023
This book surprised me in a good way. It was a thought-provoking page turner that I read in 2 sittings. I liked the fact that we heard the story from the characters who were in their 70's living in a retirement home. Clemmie and Muffin were certainly full of surprises. Their pasts are coming back to haunt them, some 50 years later. It is a dark read that had some lighter moments with the elderly cast.
I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced reading copy. Published May 2nd
I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced reading copy. Published May 2nd
October 27, 2023
THE WRONG GOOD DEED
By Caroline B Cooney
I am loving these books now with the protagonists in their late years in life - In this novel, our main characters are in their 70's Muffin and Clemmie with a past that is now haunting them. In a dual time line story, we are slowly learning about what happened 50 years ago when a horrible crime was committed in South Carolina.
I really felt all the emotions especially reading about the segregated south, the racism and the injustice. This was a quick read that I found reading and flipping those pages to discover the mystery.
By Caroline B Cooney
I am loving these books now with the protagonists in their late years in life - In this novel, our main characters are in their 70's Muffin and Clemmie with a past that is now haunting them. In a dual time line story, we are slowly learning about what happened 50 years ago when a horrible crime was committed in South Carolina.
I really felt all the emotions especially reading about the segregated south, the racism and the injustice. This was a quick read that I found reading and flipping those pages to discover the mystery.
April 21, 2023
In The Wrong Good Deed, Caroline Cooney’s main characters are two 70-year-old women living in Sun City Retirement Community. The author weaves in themes of aging, loneliness, depression, and isolation among this age group. Muffin and Clemmie are best friends and think they know everything about each other, but they both harbor secrets from the past. The excitement begins one Sunday at Church when Muffin spots a feared figure from long ago.
The story is written in two time periods, the present and the1960’s when Muffin was a happily married woman in her 20's. This book is a mystery but also an expose. The author delves into a clear and poignant look at the racism, white supremacy, and desegregation. The book is a quick read at 288 pages, but it provides entertainment and deep content for any reader.
The story is written in two time periods, the present and the1960’s when Muffin was a happily married woman in her 20's. This book is a mystery but also an expose. The author delves into a clear and poignant look at the racism, white supremacy, and desegregation. The book is a quick read at 288 pages, but it provides entertainment and deep content for any reader.
April 6, 2023
Such a fun read!! About two ladies who now live in a retirement community and the death of one of them, what lead to Muffins death? Was it something from her past? Which good deed lead to her murder will surprise you! I enjoyed this funny, heart warming and clean story!
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!!
March 15, 2023
'The Wrong Good Deed' was completely unexpected. The story starts off doddery like its two aged protagonists: Muffin and Clemmie. At church, one Sunday, Muffin is shocked and terrified to recognise a long-forgotten acquaintance. Clemmie thinks Muffin has, annoyingly, lost her marbles. They both make a hasty exit but it's too late; a Pandora's Box of memories has already been opened and can't be closed.
Ostensibly, 'The Wrong Good Deed' is about a haunted past catching up with Muffin. 50 years ago Muffin made a spontaneous decision to stop her husband and his friends from committing a repugnant crime. Her good deed saved a life but it put her in danger. As Muffin reveals her story, however, we learn about racism, anger, and de-segregation, and are left pondering, 'can you be a racist, or implicit in a crime, simply by omission?'. When another murder is committed, just who is the criminal?
'The Wrong Good Deed' is a short, pacey book of fewer than 300 pages, which transpires over a week. This makes it an easy read, and, on the surface of it, a simple who-done-it. However, the circumstances around the characters' past really add depth to the overall story. I enjoyed the read.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Ostensibly, 'The Wrong Good Deed' is about a haunted past catching up with Muffin. 50 years ago Muffin made a spontaneous decision to stop her husband and his friends from committing a repugnant crime. Her good deed saved a life but it put her in danger. As Muffin reveals her story, however, we learn about racism, anger, and de-segregation, and are left pondering, 'can you be a racist, or implicit in a crime, simply by omission?'. When another murder is committed, just who is the criminal?
'The Wrong Good Deed' is a short, pacey book of fewer than 300 pages, which transpires over a week. This makes it an easy read, and, on the surface of it, a simple who-done-it. However, the circumstances around the characters' past really add depth to the overall story. I enjoyed the read.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 10, 2023
The Wrong Good Deed
by Caroline B. Cooney
Pub Date 02 May 2023
Poisoned Pen Press
Women's Fiction
Clemmie and Muffin are friends living in a retirement home. As their dangerous past haunts them, the duo must confront dark secrets. Told from alternative POV's these feisty ladies prove that age is not an issue.
Despite the lighthearted moments, the author addresses serious issues of racial inequality during the Civil Rights era. Check the trigger warnings before proceeding. This material may not be suitable for all audiences.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this novel with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#TheWrongGoodDeed #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
by Caroline B. Cooney
Pub Date 02 May 2023
Poisoned Pen Press
Women's Fiction
Clemmie and Muffin are friends living in a retirement home. As their dangerous past haunts them, the duo must confront dark secrets. Told from alternative POV's these feisty ladies prove that age is not an issue.
Despite the lighthearted moments, the author addresses serious issues of racial inequality during the Civil Rights era. Check the trigger warnings before proceeding. This material may not be suitable for all audiences.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this novel with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#TheWrongGoodDeed #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
May 11, 2023
This one was short and sweet but definitely a little unexpected. It felt like a lot of lead up to a rather simple ending honestly. There were a lot of secrets that came out only for them to not be related whatsoever to the crime that actually happened.
🌀Synopsis
It’s just a regular Sunday in church until Clemmie’a friend Muffin drags her out of church. She’s convinced a man there is from her past and he’s out for revenge.
Clem mine doesn’t understand until Muffin tells her the story of who she used to be- Christaphine- until she ran away nearly 50 years ago. Secrets from the past emerge and suddenly they find our Muffin is killed by a hit and run.
Clemmie is assuming the very worst and thinks the past returned to take our Muffin. She tells the cops who she suspects but when they figure out who actually did it, the history has nothing to do with it. It turns out it’s just small down crime that caused someone to lash out and Muffin was an easy target.
🌀Synopsis
It’s just a regular Sunday in church until Clemmie’a friend Muffin drags her out of church. She’s convinced a man there is from her past and he’s out for revenge.
Clem mine doesn’t understand until Muffin tells her the story of who she used to be- Christaphine- until she ran away nearly 50 years ago. Secrets from the past emerge and suddenly they find our Muffin is killed by a hit and run.
Clemmie is assuming the very worst and thinks the past returned to take our Muffin. She tells the cops who she suspects but when they figure out who actually did it, the history has nothing to do with it. It turns out it’s just small down crime that caused someone to lash out and Muffin was an easy target.
April 27, 2023
When clemy and muffin make a med dash out of church it is because muffin has seen a face from her past past she has been running from since 1964 and although she has been pretty successful at evading any danger from back then the pressure to find her will ramp up in the form of their cook RoseSephanie. Many years before she went by a different name and was married to a man named Tommy from a well-known family and they were well known for more than just their financial stability but also the way of making people disappear and it seems like the role cook is blaming the family for her nephew Mika going missing she also believes Christonia knows where her nephews Barbie is buried the only problem is no one knows where Christiania and that she is now going by muffin. When muffin wind‘s up dead her friend Clemmy who knows the whole story tells the police about a local man who muffin new in her prior life but did he do it or someone else? This was such a great book and one I found so interesting I love when I get a good book that I know is a five-star read and that is definitely The Wrong Good Deed this book says a lot about how what we don’t know it’s scarier than the things we do I loved it and highly recommend that I am definitely going to look for more books by this author this was such a great idea for a book and so greatly executed I love love love this book! I received it from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
April 2, 2023
A big thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney. I was thrilled to learn that my request to read this book was approved in exchange for my honest review. Caroline B. Cooney was an author whose books I enjoyed immensely as a tween and teen, and I was delighted to learn she wrote adult novels as well.
It seems as though The Wrong Good Deed is a sequel to another novel by Caroline B. Cooney called Before She Was Helen. I haven't read that book yet, but it is on my list of books to read because it would explain the background of the main character of The Wrong Good Deed. Where as this book can be read as a stand alone book, it would have been that much better had I read the other book first!
I enjoyed the flashbacks to the 1960's and was shocked at the small Southern town's reaction to desegregation. Even though this is a work of fiction it gave me insight to how people reacted back then and how some of them had regrets about their actions or lack thereof. Not being alive during this time period, I can't fathom what it was like to live then except for reading about it. It made my heart break. I don't have any complaints about this story.
Well-written, engrossing, and heartbreaking, The Wrong Good Deed gives the reader a glimpse into history that has one on the edge of their seat. Five out of five stars.
It seems as though The Wrong Good Deed is a sequel to another novel by Caroline B. Cooney called Before She Was Helen. I haven't read that book yet, but it is on my list of books to read because it would explain the background of the main character of The Wrong Good Deed. Where as this book can be read as a stand alone book, it would have been that much better had I read the other book first!
I enjoyed the flashbacks to the 1960's and was shocked at the small Southern town's reaction to desegregation. Even though this is a work of fiction it gave me insight to how people reacted back then and how some of them had regrets about their actions or lack thereof. Not being alive during this time period, I can't fathom what it was like to live then except for reading about it. It made my heart break. I don't have any complaints about this story.
Well-written, engrossing, and heartbreaking, The Wrong Good Deed gives the reader a glimpse into history that has one on the edge of their seat. Five out of five stars.
October 25, 2022
I received a free copy of, The Wrong Good Deed, by Caroline B. Cooney, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. You never really know someone, Clemmie and Muffin both have secrets in this thriller, of a book, another suspenseful book, by Caroline B. Clooney, I have read her books for years.
April 3, 2023
Set in South Carolina in both the 1960s and fifty years later, The Wrong Good Deed surprised me. Through the eyes of two women, author Caroline B. Cooney writes racism, segregation (signing out library books was an ordeal) and intense hate during the civil rights era into this arresting story.
Christaphine's husband Tommy was part of a group about to lynch a young man. Christaphine was in the right place at the right time for him but put herself into grave danger. Her life changed forever.
Fifty years later in their 70s, friends Muffin and Clemmie were living in a retirement home, hiding dangerous secrets from each other and everyone else. Their loneliness also contributed to the haunting atmosphere.
My favourite aspect of the novel is that the main characters are aging rather than thirty somethings. They deal with a kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences. The ending is not what I expected.
My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this unique and compelling novel.
Christaphine's husband Tommy was part of a group about to lynch a young man. Christaphine was in the right place at the right time for him but put herself into grave danger. Her life changed forever.
Fifty years later in their 70s, friends Muffin and Clemmie were living in a retirement home, hiding dangerous secrets from each other and everyone else. Their loneliness also contributed to the haunting atmosphere.
My favourite aspect of the novel is that the main characters are aging rather than thirty somethings. They deal with a kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences. The ending is not what I expected.
My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this unique and compelling novel.
August 12, 2023
The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline Cooney is the second in a series -- and unfortunately I didn't know that going in. I always prefer reading series in order.
In this one, the protagonist, Clemmie (a senior citizen living in a senior village in North Carolina) and her friend Muffin are attending a Sunday church service when Muffin spots someone she knew long ago -- a man from the past she ran from years before. The story that follows takes us back and forth through time, telling the story of why she ran, and what is happening today.
I very much enjoyed the characterization of Clemmie and her friends. I found them likable and relatable. I enjoyed seeing all of the flaws, mistakes and miscommunications. These character flaws made them feel more realistic. However, I wanted more with respect to the social issues examined. I wanted to know what the impact was on some of the characters. And, unfortunately, I felt like the resolution was unfinished and I wanted more emotion.
The publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, sent me a finished copy of this one. Thank you. The review is my honest opinion.
In this one, the protagonist, Clemmie (a senior citizen living in a senior village in North Carolina) and her friend Muffin are attending a Sunday church service when Muffin spots someone she knew long ago -- a man from the past she ran from years before. The story that follows takes us back and forth through time, telling the story of why she ran, and what is happening today.
I very much enjoyed the characterization of Clemmie and her friends. I found them likable and relatable. I enjoyed seeing all of the flaws, mistakes and miscommunications. These character flaws made them feel more realistic. However, I wanted more with respect to the social issues examined. I wanted to know what the impact was on some of the characters. And, unfortunately, I felt like the resolution was unfinished and I wanted more emotion.
The publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, sent me a finished copy of this one. Thank you. The review is my honest opinion.
November 9, 2023
I was looking forward to reading this mystery with octogenarian main characters. I enjoyed their banter and learning about some of the issues unique to this age group.
I was also taken with Muffin's storyline, particularly her past and why she had been keeping a low profile. Her character drew me in. Unfortunately the other MC wasn't as interesting or straightforward. I found it difficult to stay interested in Clemmie's story, which seemed disjointed.
As a whole, this audiobook just didn't work for me. It lacked emotional depth and character cohesiveness. I would suggest checking out other reviews as there are readers who enjoyed this story more than I.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC on exchange for an honest review.
I was also taken with Muffin's storyline, particularly her past and why she had been keeping a low profile. Her character drew me in. Unfortunately the other MC wasn't as interesting or straightforward. I found it difficult to stay interested in Clemmie's story, which seemed disjointed.
As a whole, this audiobook just didn't work for me. It lacked emotional depth and character cohesiveness. I would suggest checking out other reviews as there are readers who enjoyed this story more than I.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC on exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2023
Clemmie and Muffin are friends but that doesn't mean they know everything about each other. They both have secrets and they begin to come to light one morning at church when Muffin abruptly drags Clemmie away after spotting a man she thinks she knows. But before there is time to figure out what is going on a good deed will be committed.
The story alternates with chapters from the past where we learn more about a young woman named Christaphine. The story covers topics of ageism and racism. There is a connection with the author's previous book and it may be helpful to read that one first.
This isn't a typical thriller. You might like this If you like stories with a message and character driven stories. I expected something a little different. Also the ending didn't work for me. Don't forget about the title of the book. It's important.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read.
The story alternates with chapters from the past where we learn more about a young woman named Christaphine. The story covers topics of ageism and racism. There is a connection with the author's previous book and it may be helpful to read that one first.
This isn't a typical thriller. You might like this If you like stories with a message and character driven stories. I expected something a little different. Also the ending didn't work for me. Don't forget about the title of the book. It's important.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read.
March 6, 2023
The Wrong Good Deed is a standalone mystery drama by author, Caroline B Cooney. When I was a teenager, Caroline B Cooney was one of my absolute favorite authors, and years later I didn’t realise that she had written other adult books. When I saw this one coming up, I didn’t hesitate to grab a copy and I’ll definitely be going back to check out what else she has written since I was a teenager. The story of this one follows two friends in their 70s living in a retirement village. We learn about Christaphine’s past in which she did a ‘good deed’ for someone which ended up costing her everything. As someone who lives and grew up in a very different part of the world, I found the South Carolina setting in the 60s very eye opening and interesting to read about. I thought having the older characters was a nice change of pace as most thrillers I read are typically people in their 20s-30s. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an arc.
May 30, 2023
Thank you to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.
One Sunday morning, 70-something Muffin Morgan flees church, claiming she sees a dangerous man from her past. Clemmie, her friend and neighbor, thinks Muffin is overreacting. But when Muffin tells Clemmie a horrible story from her life in the pre-civil rights South, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping a terrible secret. The events that unfold bring the pasts of both women to the forefront of their small retirement community, revealing secrets that come with life-threatening consequences. Unfortunately, Cooney’s sequel to Before She Was Helen falls short of the author’s well-known positive reputation. The premise is intriguing, beguiling readers into thinking they’ve picked up a thriller. Even so, the narrative moves confusingly from one character to another, the pace is stagnant, and the climax is sudden and unrelated to the plot. Most disappointing is the tone-deafness of the dialogue and the ignorance toward the continued racism in the characters’ actions—or lack of action. VERDICT A huge swing and a miss. Libraries and readers should skip this one.
One Sunday morning, 70-something Muffin Morgan flees church, claiming she sees a dangerous man from her past. Clemmie, her friend and neighbor, thinks Muffin is overreacting. But when Muffin tells Clemmie a horrible story from her life in the pre-civil rights South, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping a terrible secret. The events that unfold bring the pasts of both women to the forefront of their small retirement community, revealing secrets that come with life-threatening consequences. Unfortunately, Cooney’s sequel to Before She Was Helen falls short of the author’s well-known positive reputation. The premise is intriguing, beguiling readers into thinking they’ve picked up a thriller. Even so, the narrative moves confusingly from one character to another, the pace is stagnant, and the climax is sudden and unrelated to the plot. Most disappointing is the tone-deafness of the dialogue and the ignorance toward the continued racism in the characters’ actions—or lack of action. VERDICT A huge swing and a miss. Libraries and readers should skip this one.
July 12, 2023
Caroline B. Cooney, is a total rockstar! As soon as I see her name attached to a book, I get full body tingles and I just HAVE to have it! I crossed my fingers and prayed to the book fairies in hopes to be chosen to read The Wrong Good Deed, early.
Well, the fairies must have been working overtime.. I got my book!!!
Weeheeeeeee!!! Did you hear me scream? I was so dang excited! The only thing to do, was to drop everything and get started.
I was completely consumed from the first page. There is just something about Cooney that sucks you right in. Her books are almost like noise canceling sound. While Im reading, I don't see or hear anything going on around me as I have submerged myself deep within the plot.
The Wrong Good Deed, will take you on a trip through time. There is so much raw emotion in this book, you won't help but feel everything you were meant to feel.
I am going to let you in on a little secret. If you want to hear the back story and get to the depth of these characters, I highly recommend you reading Before She Was Helen, prior to reading The Wrong Good Deed. Don't get me wrong, you can definitely read this one as a standalone but if you read Before She Was Helen, first, you will have a deeper appreciation for all that this story is.
As you can see, I am a huge Caroline B. Cooney, fan, and I believe you will be too!
Don't believe me? Check out this teaser :
She thought she had left that life behind forever. She was wrong.
1964: Christaphine is twenty years old, newly married, and determined to make a home and a life for her and her husband, Tommy. But when Christaphine discovers Tommy and his friends on the verge of committing a horrible crime, she does what she has to do to stop them. Afterwards, she knows she can't ever go home again--so she disappears.
50 years later: When Clemmie's neighbor, Muffin, drags her from Sunday morning service at Trinity Hill Church, convinced that the man she's just spotted across the aisle is a dangerous figure from her past, at first Clemmie thinks she's being dramatic. But as Muffin reveals to Clemmie what happened in the middle of a field in South Carolina five decades ago, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping dark secrets--just as Clemmie herself has. And the secrets that belong to both women are not the kind that can be revealed without dire consequences...
Well, the fairies must have been working overtime.. I got my book!!!
Weeheeeeeee!!! Did you hear me scream? I was so dang excited! The only thing to do, was to drop everything and get started.
I was completely consumed from the first page. There is just something about Cooney that sucks you right in. Her books are almost like noise canceling sound. While Im reading, I don't see or hear anything going on around me as I have submerged myself deep within the plot.
The Wrong Good Deed, will take you on a trip through time. There is so much raw emotion in this book, you won't help but feel everything you were meant to feel.
I am going to let you in on a little secret. If you want to hear the back story and get to the depth of these characters, I highly recommend you reading Before She Was Helen, prior to reading The Wrong Good Deed. Don't get me wrong, you can definitely read this one as a standalone but if you read Before She Was Helen, first, you will have a deeper appreciation for all that this story is.
As you can see, I am a huge Caroline B. Cooney, fan, and I believe you will be too!
Don't believe me? Check out this teaser :
She thought she had left that life behind forever. She was wrong.
1964: Christaphine is twenty years old, newly married, and determined to make a home and a life for her and her husband, Tommy. But when Christaphine discovers Tommy and his friends on the verge of committing a horrible crime, she does what she has to do to stop them. Afterwards, she knows she can't ever go home again--so she disappears.
50 years later: When Clemmie's neighbor, Muffin, drags her from Sunday morning service at Trinity Hill Church, convinced that the man she's just spotted across the aisle is a dangerous figure from her past, at first Clemmie thinks she's being dramatic. But as Muffin reveals to Clemmie what happened in the middle of a field in South Carolina five decades ago, Clemmie realizes her friend has been keeping dark secrets--just as Clemmie herself has. And the secrets that belong to both women are not the kind that can be revealed without dire consequences...
June 1, 2023
An aging reporter recounting his frightening experience of almost being lynched in a small South Carolina town in 1964 precipitates frightened conversations and remembrances of the racism of the South during the period, as well as a murder.
In 2014, Clemmie and Muffin are two elderly friends. During a Sunday church service, Muffin drags Clemmie out to confess that she just saw a man she knew in her twenties, and who was one of the men who threatened the reporter all those years ago. Clemmie thinks Muffin is being overly dramatic, and dismisses Muffin's concerns. Clemmie has her reasons for not wanting to delve deeper into the past, as she has her own secrets, and consequently tends to keep herself at a little remove from even her friends in the community.
Author Caroline B. Cooney relates a number of realistic conversations amongst the elderly in the community, and we find out that not just one, but two men from the incident in 1964 live near Muffin (this did not feel super plausible). Neither man has any desire to open up about their time almost murdering a man.
Cooney's characters and their friendships felt real, as well as how the characters looked back on their actions, or inactions, when faced with injustice, and how their own unconscious white supremacist views played into them.
I was a little surprised at how the reasons behind the 2014 murder was banal, ordinary, and petty, making it actually in some ways much more realistic than if there had been nefarious ties back to the 1964 plot. I, however, did not feel satisfied with where Clemmie's storyline ended up, as it felt unresolved. Though I liked parts of the story, I was a little underwhelmed overall by this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
In 2014, Clemmie and Muffin are two elderly friends. During a Sunday church service, Muffin drags Clemmie out to confess that she just saw a man she knew in her twenties, and who was one of the men who threatened the reporter all those years ago. Clemmie thinks Muffin is being overly dramatic, and dismisses Muffin's concerns. Clemmie has her reasons for not wanting to delve deeper into the past, as she has her own secrets, and consequently tends to keep herself at a little remove from even her friends in the community.
Author Caroline B. Cooney relates a number of realistic conversations amongst the elderly in the community, and we find out that not just one, but two men from the incident in 1964 live near Muffin (this did not feel super plausible). Neither man has any desire to open up about their time almost murdering a man.
Cooney's characters and their friendships felt real, as well as how the characters looked back on their actions, or inactions, when faced with injustice, and how their own unconscious white supremacist views played into them.
I was a little surprised at how the reasons behind the 2014 murder was banal, ordinary, and petty, making it actually in some ways much more realistic than if there had been nefarious ties back to the 1964 plot. I, however, did not feel satisfied with where Clemmie's storyline ended up, as it felt unresolved. Though I liked parts of the story, I was a little underwhelmed overall by this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
April 16, 2023
This is my first book by this author and I really wanted to love it. Bouncing between timelines, The Wrong Good Deed covers difficult topics, including racism in the 60s and ageism. I didn’t feel like I could really connect to any character, which is important to me, but aside from that, there were a few storylines that we get a bit of insight on, but not enough for me so it felt very jumbled. The book is on the shorter side and reads quickly, but all the build up led to a really rushed and dissatisfying ending. Thank you to the author and Poisoned Pen Press for my review copy. The Wrong Good Deed will be published next month.
February 28, 2023
A lackluster performance from Carolyn Cooney from whom I would expect more and better. The two elderly ladies Muffie and "Helen" were cute and set in their ways. The backstory about the KKK and lynching a young African American male rang true for the times in the South. Helens story was a lot more contrived and I didn't like that. Muffie gets murdered in case of mistaken identity. Helen was supposed to be one getting murdered. Three stars from me.
May 22, 2023
I was not feeling this audiobook at all. There are two different timelines and I had a hard time recognizing the jump between the two. The narrator did a good job with voices but it was hard to tell when we had switched. I also felt like the additional POV didn't really add much to the story and so I was bored. It also seemed as though there was information missing. Either the story didn't go deep enough or I just wasn't listening closely enough. Either way this book was not a good fit for me.
May 16, 2023
I had no idea Caroline B Cooney was still writing. Back in my teens I loved Face on the Milk Carton and a few other titles by Cooney that I cannot recall, so when this showed up on Net Galley I was really excited to read the author I fell in love with 20 years ago (gasp, Im old) Unfortunately this book read more like a YA and fell really flat.
Maybe it would have helped if I knew there was a book prior to this one, which may have made trying to keep up with all the characters/names easier. However the characters were very similar and I found myself constantly having to remind my self, okay Clemmie is this one and Muffin is that one....plus they had multiple names/personas.
The book started off with a great mystery and I was anxious to find out what was behind two old women fleeing from a church service. However from there the book bounced back and forth with times lines and the two main characters Muffin and Clemmie. The Past focused on the heavy topic of segregation, almost to the point of taking away from the story. It was like Cooney was trying to distract the reader from the present time line.
By the time the ending rolled around it was very rushed. Like you are taking SAT and have 4 minutes left to answer 14 questions and you just start filling in circles in hopes you picked correctly....well dear reader to carry the analogy you would be on your way to UNC Chapel Hill (I say that meaning you got a low SAT score because we all know NC State is the better school) It just felt rushed! When I finished the book I felt like it was Cooney reminding us of the tragedy of segregation and the white supremacy that took place in the Carolinas.
Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I had the background of book #1, but that aside I still will keep my rating a 2 star. A plus it was a short read and fun to resist an author I loved as a teen. I am not as eager to pick up more of her adult books, but not closed to the idea!
Thank you Netgalley and Caroline B Cooney for the opportunity to review this advanced copy. I was not influenced for this honest review.
Maybe it would have helped if I knew there was a book prior to this one, which may have made trying to keep up with all the characters/names easier. However the characters were very similar and I found myself constantly having to remind my self, okay Clemmie is this one and Muffin is that one....plus they had multiple names/personas.
The book started off with a great mystery and I was anxious to find out what was behind two old women fleeing from a church service. However from there the book bounced back and forth with times lines and the two main characters Muffin and Clemmie. The Past focused on the heavy topic of segregation, almost to the point of taking away from the story. It was like Cooney was trying to distract the reader from the present time line.
By the time the ending rolled around it was very rushed. Like you are taking SAT and have 4 minutes left to answer 14 questions and you just start filling in circles in hopes you picked correctly....well dear reader to carry the analogy you would be on your way to UNC Chapel Hill (I say that meaning you got a low SAT score because we all know NC State is the better school) It just felt rushed! When I finished the book I felt like it was Cooney reminding us of the tragedy of segregation and the white supremacy that took place in the Carolinas.
Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I had the background of book #1, but that aside I still will keep my rating a 2 star. A plus it was a short read and fun to resist an author I loved as a teen. I am not as eager to pick up more of her adult books, but not closed to the idea!
Thank you Netgalley and Caroline B Cooney for the opportunity to review this advanced copy. I was not influenced for this honest review.
September 30, 2023
This book follows Clemmie and Muffin both running from the their past and trying to live out their years in a sunny retirement village. It had some twists that I definitely didn’t see coming but I still felt like some things weren’t cleared up for me. It is part of a series and I have not read the first book so maybe some of it was that for me. I still over all enjoyed the book even if some of it ended up falling flat for me.
January 2, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This book was honestly a little hard to read. It took me until the last 40 pages to become invested in the plot. I did not understand why so much time was spent on Muffin’s previous life when it was actually not too relevant to the plot? It was just a big confusing to read and felt like everything was happening too fast at the end. There were a lot of details, but a lot of holes. I was not expecting the ending though, and thought that it was interesting.
I did enjoy the race discussion, and the narration of life as a senior citizen. However, the fact that the white characters were fine living in ignorance (example: Muffin intentionally using the wrong name for Rose Seffanie) was very off-putting. I think that this book would be more enjoyable with more details included to mend the abrupt gaps.
This book was honestly a little hard to read. It took me until the last 40 pages to become invested in the plot. I did not understand why so much time was spent on Muffin’s previous life when it was actually not too relevant to the plot? It was just a big confusing to read and felt like everything was happening too fast at the end. There were a lot of details, but a lot of holes. I was not expecting the ending though, and thought that it was interesting.
I did enjoy the race discussion, and the narration of life as a senior citizen. However, the fact that the white characters were fine living in ignorance (example: Muffin intentionally using the wrong name for Rose Seffanie) was very off-putting. I think that this book would be more enjoyable with more details included to mend the abrupt gaps.
October 21, 2023
Thought provoking themes. Gives a keyhole view into segregation realities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews