Suspenseful Clues and Thrilling Reviews discussion

We'll be discussing Descent, our November club pick in this folder. Please don't read this thread until you've read the book as spoilers are free game!

I'm out on this one. I read to about 30% and the writing just wasn't for me. A tad literary. Too many characters. It felt disorganized and I struggled to the point that I quit. DNF is rare for me.

Belinda wrote: "I'm out on this one. I read to about 30% and the writing just wasn't for me. A tad literary. Too many characters. It felt disorganized and I struggled to the point that I quit. DNF is rare for me."

I completely understand Belinda! Not every book will be a good fit and I appreciate you giving it a go anyway’ ❤️❤️❤️

I read it awhile ago. I don’t remember specifics, just that it was okay. A bit disappointing.

Julie wrote: "I read it awhile ago. I don’t remember specifics, just that it was okay. A bit disappointing."

I was a bit surprised that the majority voted this one as our pick because the reviews were varied. Hopefully a few of the people who voted for it will enjoy it! 😂

I like to try things but am rarely a fan of literary. I love, love, love Night Film though, and tried reading the two (Night Film & Descent) at once (I always have a Kindle book going for bed and a hardcover for day reading). I'm heading to Mexico soon where I'll finish Night Film and probably Water Under the Bridge. I can catch up by the December pick ;-) I hope it's either One of Us is Lying or Midnight in the Bright Ideas Bookstore because I have both. If not, I have a reason to buy yet another book. I'm such an addict. My Christmas list so far is almost 100% paper.

Belinda wrote: "I like to try things but am rarely a fan of literary. I love, love, love Night Film though, and tried reading the two (Night Film & Descent) at once (I always have a Kindle book going for bed and a..."

I'm secretly hoping it's One Of Us Is Lying too, because I want to reread it! It was that good! ;)

That's saying something! I can't wait. Staying tuned...

I am trying to get hold of a copy now, but having trouble.

My county library doesn't seem to stock it, and I am not 100% convinced I want to purchase it for £10 (on Amazon) yet as I have heard such differing reviews!

Fingers crossed I get my hands on a copy soon!!

Ali wrote: "I am trying to get hold of a copy now, but having trouble.

My county library doesn't seem to stock it, and I am not 100% convinced I want to purchase it for £10 (on Amazon) yet as I have heard su..."

I totally understand Ali! If not, no worries. There is always next month!

Chelsea wrote: "Ali wrote: "I am trying to get hold of a copy now, but having trouble.

My county library doesn't seem to stock it, and I am not 100% convinced I want to purchase it for £10 (on Amazon) yet as I h..."

I am really looking forward to reading along with you all!!

One Of Us Is Lying is on my list too! But, I don’t have it, and I have to wade through what I have before buying anymore books for awhile!

I'm about 5% into this one. So far my initial impressions are the author has begun the story at a place where not much is happening. Despite the lack of a definite hook though, there is a general sense of foreboding I'm picking up on. It's like I'm anticipating disaster to strike.

Also have to note he uses a LOT of dialogues tags (2 on the 1 line at one point!) and features the word "was" a lot as well. This lends to a more passive voice read.

I just requested this book from my local library. I’m excited to be apart of this group and to actually discuss a book with others but I’m so nervous because I want to love and dive into every book I read. But I’m seeing mixed reviews either here on this bored (which are iffy) and the regular reviews on goodreads (which seem to be good). Wish me luck

Recently joined your group, excited to be here! Wanted to immediately jump into November's book, yet now after reading so many mixed reviews on here; and online about the book I am a bit hesitant. Do I want to purchase the book, do I not want to purchase the book??

Gladys wrote: "Recently joined your group, excited to be here! Wanted to immediately jump into November's book, yet now after reading so many mixed reviews on here; and online about the book I am a bit hesitant. ..."

Hi Gladys! Glad to hear you're excited about joining! Have you checked to see if your library has a copy?

No, I haven't. I do audio, have some issues comprehending while I read.

So 9% in now and getting confused. I thought Grant and Angela were the parents but now there's Grace? The sister's name was Faith so who's Grace??

Eldon, you hit the nail on the head. By 30% there were so many characters, I had no idea who was who. I still don't. LOL.

Reading these comments I’m having second thoughts about the book now 😬

Gladys wrote: "Recently joined your group, excited to be here! Wanted to immediately jump into November's book, yet now after reading so many mixed reviews on here; and online about the book I am a bit hesitant. ..."

I had the same thoughts Gladys! I decide to read the first part on amazon but im still not sure if I should buy it or not!

Ali wrote: "Gladys wrote: "Recently joined your group, excited to be here! Wanted to immediately jump into November's book, yet now after reading so many mixed reviews on here; and online about the book I am a..."

I kinda wish I hadn't bought it! But, maybe it will get better...🙄

Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????

New to the group, just joined yesterday. I'm really excited to read it because of the mixed reviews. It will probably be at my library today or tomorrow. The discussion should be exciting.

Candice wrote: "Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????"

So far just that confusing.

Eldon wrote: "So 9% in now and getting confused. I thought Grant and Angela were the parents but now there's Grace? The sister's name was Faith so who's Grace??"

I’m with you on that. I’m totally lost. I wrote notes on a sticky note to keep up with the characters but I don’t think that’s goinf to help me. It doesn’t explain who Grace is. Is Angela having an outer body experience? Did she divorce Grant? Is she seeing Grant with another woman in the past? What’s going on I’m so confused.

Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????"

So far just that confusing."

Maybe Angela has a younger sister. A sister that came after her and her sister Faith. And does that mean that the lady who called a Grant on the phone earlier (but Angela picked up) was her younger sister and Grant could be having affair with his wife’s other sister???

I’m waiting for my copy to *eventually* come in from the library, but now I’m worried to attempt reading it. 🤣

Chelsea wrote: "I’m waiting for my copy to *eventually* come in from the library, but now I’m worried to attempt reading it. 🤣"

That’s how I felt but I’m going to try and push though and just keep a record of all the characters. 😬

Candice wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????"

So far just that confusing."

Maybe Angela has a younger sister. A sister that came after her and her sister Faith. An..."

I think you're right. I think Grace is her sister.

Just got my copy from the library today. Sounds like reading it is going to be a challenge.

Maybe since it’s still so early in the month we could consider having an alternate book for this month?? 🤔

Thanks to Chelsea’s invitation, I will plan to join you! Upon reviewing the reads thus far, I will definitely plan to FINALLY read my ARC of Night Film I received years ago as a Borders employee! However, I think I’ll pass on Descent. After easing the synopsis, I do not believe this is the type of book I will truly enjoy, and my reading time is so limited right now, I would rather concentrate on books In which I am super interested. I’ve had a copy of The Nightingale since it was released and have yet to read it! So I’ll plan to read both of the books I already own and am interested in and join in with the new book in December. Looking forward to it!

Hi! I joined to the group just yesterday and looking through the books of the month I've choose to read "Descent". I tried to skip the comments with spoilers, but I see that many have doubts about this one. I didn't know the title or the author, but the plot is intriguing enough ti give a try. I think I'll start next week, just in time to receive the book.

Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????"

So far just that confusing."

Maybe Angela has a younger sister. A sister that came after her and her ..."


Eldon, have you read anymore of the book? I just finished Chapter 4 and it confirmed what I was thinking. Now we just have to figure out why she was kissing Grant.

Soooooo in chapter 5 it seems that Sean may have seen the guy who was with them in the mountains before Caitlyn disappeared?

Candice wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????"

So far just that confusing."

Maybe Angela has a younger sister. A sister that came afte..."

I'm up to Chapter 8 now. Still confused. I will say there are glimmers of an excellent exploration of human emotion here. There are also a lot of characters and unanswered questions...

I'm on chapter 10 and utterly confused. Call me crazy but you shouldn't need a flow chart to follow along with a book.

Do you think if you keep a record of all the characters would it help? Man looking at the book itself it sure has a lot of rave reviews on the cover. I really want to like this book and get into it.

TR wrote: "I'm on chapter 10 and utterly confused. Call me crazy but you shouldn't need a flow chart to follow along with a book."

That is true, but maybe just in this case. I want to quit because I feel like I'm not going to be able to follow but I really want to push through and try you know. I have only quit on one book before and it was pretty awful but I don't want to have to quit on 2 books this year.

I just keep reading thinking "maybe it will get better. Maybe its just a slow starter"

TR wrote: "I just keep reading thinking "maybe it will get better. Maybe its just a slow starter""

Could be, I read some review on goodreads (not our discussion board) that part 2 of the story could have been omitted but other parts were great.

Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Candice wrote: "Is it that bad of a book or that confusing????"

Who is Emmett? (I'm in chapter 7) and When Grant was talking about his son Sean he mentioned that he up and left and took his car? Is that what he meant? OMG I feel like I'm either reading between the lines or reading too much into the lines. AHHHHH

The use of pronouns isn't helping with the confusion. "He" did this..."she" did that. Who?!

TR wrote: "The use of pronouns isn't helping with the confusion. "He" did this..."she" did that. Who?!"

Exactly or his heavy use of run on sentences. I need an oxygen tank with a mask to help me read some of the sentences. lol

TR wrote: "The use of pronouns isn't helping with the confusion. "He" did this..."she" did that. Who?!"

I think the use of pronouns is a literary fiction device.

I'm sticking it out. It was a NYT bestseller and I wanna know why.

Eldon wrote: "TR wrote: "The use of pronouns isn't helping with the confusion. "He" did this..."she" did that. Who?!"

I think the use of pronouns is a literary fiction device.

I'm sticking it out. It was a NYT..."

Yes I agree, reading these critics snippet of a review on the back cover of the book keeps pushing me to read more, because I want to read what they claim to have read which was soooo great

Is Angela having conversations with her dead sister Faith? And I don’t like how the author goes back in the past but to the present in the same line or paragraph. That is what is making this confusing.

Candice wrote: "Is Angela having conversations with her dead sister Faith? And I don’t like how the author goes back in the past but to the present in the same line or paragraph. That is what is making this confus..."

It's not helping that's for sure!

I really need answers if anyone can help me, if they know the answers to these questions?

Why did the Chinese Doctor tell Sean to not tell anyone what he saw that day he got hurt?

Is Emmet an old man that Grant is staying with because he is the one that agreed to stay back in the city that Caitlyn disappeared in?

Also didn’t Sean see the guy with the yellow glasses when him and his sister were out in the mountains that day? I could have sworn it said that he saw a man with yellow glasses.

Also I don’t know if it’s the authors usual word usage but Emmet uses the word “well” at be end of his sentences when he says things. So what if this man that supposedly took Caitlyn might be Emmet’s son Billy?

I’m thinking this person with the yellow glasses might be Billy and if not if it’s just some random guy I feel like he already saw Caitlyn and Sean in the mountains since Sean already saw him. Making me think that this guy hit him with his vehicle on purpose.

Anyone thinking this????