OMG…..
Like really?!?!?
That ending…..
Am I mad? Not in the least. In a day when thrillers are the game, I loved her twist with the ending. I guess it isn’t a twist in the traditional sense but, when you sit through the entire book wondering how this is all going to end, Kubica’s ending is a diversion from the traditional thriller storyline. I want to start a long discussion, see how the rest of the world feels. I can tell you that my book club wasn’t down for it. They thought it was stupid and a letdown, all feelings that are opposite from mine. I found it refreshing. But I must stop here. If I say more than I will give it all away. Darn my policy on no spoilers.
My warning with this story is if you have a significant other, do not read this book when there is bad weather. The timing for me was horrible. We had a stretch of snowy, icy conditions here in Seattle, something very rare, and my husband must leave every morning at 4:45 am to catch the bus. And every morning I worried, waiting in anticipation for his text saying that he arrived safely at the bus stop. I figured the bus driver would get him safely through the rest of the commute. Now the sun is shining more and the weather has warmed to its typical 40s and 50s.
If you’ve read my other review for Mary Kubica, you will know that I am not a fan of her work. Good Girl was poorly executed in my opinion with Kubica’s choice of point of view to be its only saving grace. So in picking this one up, it was the February pick for my book club, I was anticipating a long drawn out struggle. Boy was I wrong.
I’m not saying this is some Hemingway of thrillers. There are countless problems throughout, moments when you take a sideways glance at Kubica and ask “why”. One being the twist at the end with the caretaker. The other being *cough* I can’t say more. But Clare was compelling to me. Someone that I could relate to - I mean, if I too lost my husband. Here she was left with a newborn, a small child, and a long list of questions. What would we all do in her place? Kubica provided a believable storyline in that regard, though maybe not with the other characters. Sometimes her husband did seem far-fetched. Oh well.
And as true to form, I was the complete opposite in regards to the feelings in my book club. I was the only one to like it. Maybe the shock got to me - I expected the worse so I overrated it. But then again, shouldn’t our ratings be partly based on our enjoyment? If that is the case, then my enjoyment was very high and I gladly give this book 4 stars. I’m curious what you think. Let me know in the comments below. Maybe I finally fell off my rocker and my gauge is all screwed up now.
Love Kait