Tasha > Recent Status Updates

Done. Although I guessed the killer very early on and predicted most of the story beats, I enjoyed the journey. And it wasn’t predictable in the same way that Girl on the Train was. I just read too many mysteries and it was similar to the first book too. I wish Thulin played more of a part in the big showdown and I HATE the idea of Marie doing any time for what she did. Come on now! Liked the last page. 3 stars.

The shoe hasn’t dropped yet but a climax is near and I’m definitely right about the killer, who managed to stay two steps ahead of the cops all this time. Oh man, and Marie gave that person a KEY TO HER HOUSE! She’s gonna be horrified when she realizes! I guess things are gonna come to a head when the DNA results come out and the cops are finally told what I’ve known for awhile now.

I just randomly remembered that Hess has heterochromia; it was mentioned quite a few times in the first book but not once here. Anyways, the red herrings are still going strong, but I’m pretty sure I know who the killer is. That damn red flag in the beginning. I’m trying not to let my knowledge of serial killers get in the way, but that knowledge is also the reason why I know. I’ll be surprised if I’m wrong!

Okay, what is this Philip up too? Methinks he’s in deep trouble but he may leave something behind. I think I know the connection and how the killer is picking his victims but I’m wary because it can also be a red herring similar to the one in the first book. I didn’t get to read much today so hopefully I can read enough for another update later tonight.

Dayum! I remember in Chestnut Man the killer made the police look incompetent and the same thing is done here. This is very similar in other ways too but that’s a good thing. I’m enjoying this and it’s moving quickly. The killer must’ve been shown already so I’m trying to sort out the red herrings from the real clues. Red flag was on a woman character but that doesn’t vibe. Accomplice maybe then?

I want to read another mystery thriller since I struggled a bit with James Patterson, who apparently also has a book called Hide and Seek. I really liked the Chestnut Man so I’m looking forward to this. So far Sveistrup uses the same formula he used in Chestnut Man: a gripping prologue in which a crime is committed and then the story flashes forward 30 years later. I hope the whodunnit part differs, though!

Done. FINALLY! This was good for the first 200 pages or so then took a weird turn that I couldn’t get into. I wasn’t buying what this book was trying to sell. Patterson does a good job writing a black man, especially considering there’s a comparison point in Devil in a Blue Dress which came out a few years before. He did his research! So 2.5 stars rounded up for that and the first half.

I KNEW it! Why did Patterson make that so obvious? The character was written so poorly that literally the only explanation was that they were no good! Let’s see how Cross reacts. Does he believe it? Will he keep his cool? He should’ve listened to his grandma. This book started off so well but then drifted off into no man’s land.

This book has lost me a bit, evidenced by me having read very little in days. I should have been done with this by now! It just took a weird turn and delved into things I can’t get invested in. And I have more than 100 pages left!

Okay, I’m suspicious of Jezzie now. Patterson is either miswriting her big time or she’s involved with the killings. She’s supposed to be this hot shot Secret Service agent but she’s doing NOTHING except flirt (badly) with Alex. She’s literally done nothing with the case!!! Why make her an agent if she’s JUST gonna be aclove interest? Her character only makes sense if she’s guilty and playing Alex.

Well never mind then about MOs. This sonovabitch is a Richard Ramirez level killer. I think Ramirez may have been an inspiration; Patterson drops his name and the name of a few other serial killers earlier. But the hunt has begun and I’m here for it. Catch this THING and give him a taste of what I call “thug justice.” I hate his guts!!

“Soneji” MUST DIE! Reading this is liking watching a true crime documentary and I love those. I like how Alex is creating a profile for this sonovabitch that makes so much sense even when he has little information. I also like how this isn’t a whodunnit mystery. The killer’s already known and the thrill comes from how he’ll get caught and his background. The killer’s POV chapters are great.

WHOA!

Cross’s POV is first person but there are other POVs that are third, which I like. So the prologue has to be important - cool that he uses a real life kidnapping to kick things off - so this slimeball is in his 70s then, right? Okay, I’m going with that. But I’m thinking the murders are unrelated, not the same dude. Different MO and all that. (Nope, never saw the movie so I don’t know for sure.)

Three chapters down. I love books with short chapters! Check THIS gem out: “His name was Butchie Dykes. He was a sensitive young cop I’d seen around the station.” Yeah he gonna be sensitive with a name like that! Good thing he’s not a woman, though!!! A few pages later, “Fast Car” is mentioned and that’s one of my favorite songs. I’m already having a good time.

Done. As disappointing as this, I think I’m going to round up instead of down. The last five pages sums the book up beautifully and that’s really what the series is about. Friendship. It’s just that all that Widow and Manfred Tarr stuff should’ve been left out. Or written better. Lee created a great world, though. So 3 stars it is! Plus giving this 2 stars will be like kicking a puppy or something.

Aw hell naw! Nope, he ain’t gonna stick the landing! I still have about 30 pages to go, but the damage has already been done methinks. This is the weakest book in the trilogy. It’s rushed AND slow. The writing’s very clunky and almost exclusively telling and no showing. This being a children’s book doesn’t excuse it. “Show, don’t tell” is a rule that always applies! Man, this is such a shame!!!