by Jason Rekulak

A Mystery/Thriller, 2022 by Flatiron Books, 372 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• The setup, while intriguing, isn’t overly original. You’ve definitely heard stories very similar to this one. It rings a little cliche. 
• The ending is a stretch and the pacing is off. It feels rushed, which contributes to the overall feeling that the ending is ridiculous. Basically, you feel cheated by being given an ending with plot holes.
• There’s an awkward conversation about a child that has pretty icky implications, especially when the word transgender is thrown around. They are addressed later but it’s worth noting. 

What I Did Like:

• Everything relating to the main character’s addiction reads very authentic. I appreciated how it was always forefront in her mind and how she had to work at it, even after the time has passed. 
• There is some mystery involved, which is always fun. You can try to piece the clues together and see if you pick up a solution before the main character. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Readers who like contemporary stories and want to try something scarier with paranormal leanings might like this one. 

My Rating: 2 Stars

• Honestly for me it was a bit too cliche, heavy-handed, and awkward. At best it’s forgettable. At worst, it’s problematic.