by Ruth Ware

A Mystery/Thriller, 2025 by Gallery, 400 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• Content Warning: suicide
• If it’s been a long time since you read the original (which makes sense) enough information is provided to keep you updated. But this is a sequel and I wouldn’t recommend reading this one alone. Too many of the characters are only interesting if you read them in the first book, in this one they’ll be lacking depth and development.
• The audiobook narrators’ attempt at different voices is often annoying. This won’t affect my rating, as it only applies to the audiobook. But if you’re sensitive to fake toddler voices or fake “manly” voices, try an alternate format.
• This mystery has a ridiculous vibe and premise. The first one felt so possible, dangerous, and inescapable. This one has none of that. It’s entirely avoidable with better choices and feels almost comical. Plus, Lo is incredibly naive and misses a lot of important things. 

What I Did Like:

• Lightmann and his son definitely qualify as creepy. While I wasn’t sold on either of them being true villains they weren’t people I would want to trust and hang out with. So that set up sort of worked.
• Once the dead body turns up, this one picks up the pace. Where this series shines is when Blacklock is trying to solve the crimes. 
• A lot of the major players from the first book do make a comeback. If you are one of the fans who thought the first one needed a sequel, you’d be happy to see them all come back. 

Who Should Read This One:

• The fans of the first book who wanted a sequel, I would imagine. 

My Rating: 2 Stars

• Unfortunately, I was not someone who thought the first book needed a sequel. I was open to it if they were equal quality but this one lacked the finesse of the first book, the main character was ridiculously naive, and the plot lacked teeth.