THE BASICS
- Title: Emma in the Night
- Author: Wendy Walker
- Genre: Mystery Thriller
- Structure: Linear first-person alternating narratives
- First Line: “We believe what we want to believe.”
Synopsis: From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a thriller about two missing sisters, a twisted family, and what happens when one girl comes back… One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister’s return might just be the beginning of the crime.
THE GOOD
This is one 0f those books that was hyped up before the release and after the release. Sometimes, I feel like I should stop paying attention to press because I do think that it has an effect on my overall expectations. However, that would be hard to do considering that I’m considered part of the press… Anyway, my take away on this is lukewarm. It’s not bad, but it’s not the best ever. I think for people who are looking to sit down with a good read, this would be a fine choice. However, for more avid readers, particularly of this genre, it would be boring.
- I love alternating points-of-view. It keeps things fresh and interesting. I think the switch was done well and kept the story moving at a good pace. I also liked the viewpoints we got of the characters and the juxtaposition of them. They had many similarities that made the story more enticing. Plus, they are easily the two most interesting characters in the book.
- The characters have depth. I appreciate the outlook they brought and the attention to Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Personality disorders are fascinating and it can be hard to get them right. There was a focus in this book on “mommy” issues, particularly surrounding this disorder. I think the topic of women being able to do horrible things, too – and that not every mother is maternal – is topic that just doesn’t get discussed that often. Unfortunately, I do have some experience with NPD and the way it can be toxic to everything in your life. So, I can say Walker was spot on with most of the NPD stuff.
- I think it was a compelling story. It kept a great pace, especially with the alternating viewpoints. The plot twists, secrets, and revelations kept the story moving to a point where this could easily be read in one sitting. The suspense is real and keeps you on your toes.
THE UNFAVORABLE BITS
My biggest gripe is, surprisingly, the characters. The characters, as intricate as they are, are not characters that I liked. I love complicated characters. I love that Walker didn’t water them down, but even most villains have some relatable quality about them. These characters always felt at arms length. In addition, the exploration of these characters sometimes took away from the story at-hand.
The writing was eh. For a sophomore novel, I expected more action and movement. Less telling, more showing. This is a skill that is developed over time for those it doesn’t come naturally to. However, sometimes it’s easy to get so caught up in the story and characters that the writing gets left behind.
As always, I give you a heads up about strong language or graphics in case you’re sensitive, or if the person you’re recommending the book to is sensitive. This book does not have much strong language or graphics.
CONCLUSION
I rate this book 3/5 stars. The characters are intricate and complex. They move this story forward. However, they can sometimes overshadow the story in ways that make it hard to read. In addition, if you’re a mystery novel enthusiast, this may not be the most interesting read, but definitely on more of a level of decent. Overall, I think this book is great for someone who is not an avid reader and is looking for a thrilling, riveting read.
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