by Sulari Gentill

A Mystery/Thriller, 2022 by Sourcebooks, 292 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

• I didn’t like Leo at all. In fact, the more I read the less I liked him. He’s overly nit picky about rough draft chapters, he thinks he got passed over by an agent because of DEI (eye roll), and he suggests rape is necessary in the fictional death of a female character. He’s just gross. I didn’t completely know how I was supposed to take his letters but I didn’t take them well.
• Marigold is stalking. Are we not calling out this bad behavior? Are we ignoring it? Encouraging it?
• I wanted more from the ending. There’s two storylines here that needed to be wrapped up. One is mostly wrapped (I can live with that) but the other needs more. No spoilers but it wraps quickly and feels too rushed.

What I Did Like:

• The story itself is intriguing early on. You’re pulled in by the small cast and the early mystery. What caused a woman to scream? What happened? Who did it? Very interesting!
• No spoilers but that FBI letterhead gave me new life. Something is REALLY grating on you by that point and the letterhead just lets you know you’re not a bad judge of character!
• Leo’s notes ticking up in intensity is wild. The progression from calm beta reader into something more primal happens gradually and it’s fascinating to read.

Who Should Read This One:

• Readers who love that book within a book trope, this does that in a unique way.
• Mystery fans who want something different.

My Rating: 3 Stars