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Don't You Cry
In downtown Chicago, Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her roommate Quinn Collins to question how well she really knew her friend. Meanwhile, in a small town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger's spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us.
As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger's spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2016
About the author
Mary Kubica
24 books14.3k followersMary Kubica is a New York Times bestselling author of suspense thrillers including The Good Girl, The Other Mrs., and Local Woman Missing. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller” (Kirkus) and “a writer of vice-like control” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (L.A. Times). She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,780 reviews
January 18, 2016
Bad. Oh so very bad. Pages upon pages of prattling on about nothing. Literally nothing happens in this book until the final 30 pages and even that action is overwrought and implausible. Oddest vocabulary choices on top of a terribly written book. Ugh.
ARC from publisher.
ARC from publisher.
February 10, 2017
My experience thus far with Mary Kubica: I read The Good Girl and, while I enjoyed it and found it extremely well written for a debut novel, didn’t think it lived up to all the hype it received. I have yet to read Pretty Baby but will do so in the near future. But this one. Wow! I was completely blown away as I was expecting something of the same old thriller, but it was so much more.
The story is told in alternating points of view by Quinn (a girl who’s roommate Esther goes missing) and Alex (an 18 year old boy who we wonder at first “what the heck do you have to do with anything?”). There are so many twists and turns in this one; you can’t really tell who seems good but is really bad (or vice versa), who is crazy, or who is just plain causing trouble. The book is kicked off when Quinn discovers her roommate “Saint Esther” is missing and she finds a suspect note in her room, making her question just how well she knows her roommate after all.
“And that’s when it hit me: maybe Saint Esther isn’t such a saint, after all.”
Simultaneously, a mysterious woman shows up at the coffee shop that Alex works at; he’s clearly all teenage boy as he oogles her, finding out eventually that her name is Pearl. Her reasons for being in town are mysterious, and Alex doesn’t get a chance to investigate further due to, well, having to do his job. He also regularly goes grocery shopping for the local hermit, Ingrid, who suffered a debilitating public panic attack and hence forth left her house as little as possible.
In a side story, there is a local legend in Alex’s town about the house across the street from him. A little girl named Genevieve supposedly caused so much trouble that no one could deal with her. Her ghost is said to still haunt the house so no one has lived there since her parents moved out.
” I don’t buy any of it. I’m far too skeptical for that. Funny thing is, she didn’t
even die in that house. That’s where she lived, but that’s not where she died. So how
could her spirit be there? But maybe that’s just me being overly pragmatic.”
You’re asking, “So how could all of these storylines be related and where the heck is this going?” This is where you have to pick up the book, trust the author, and enjoy. I must say I did not see the ending coming and it was done in a very satisfying way. I think this novel shows the huge amount of growth Kubica has made as an author and why she continues to gather new readers with each book she writes. She has made a believer out of me and I am very keen on reading her next book!
Full disclosure: I received my copy via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This did not influence my opinions in any way.
The story is told in alternating points of view by Quinn (a girl who’s roommate Esther goes missing) and Alex (an 18 year old boy who we wonder at first “what the heck do you have to do with anything?”). There are so many twists and turns in this one; you can’t really tell who seems good but is really bad (or vice versa), who is crazy, or who is just plain causing trouble. The book is kicked off when Quinn discovers her roommate “Saint Esther” is missing and she finds a suspect note in her room, making her question just how well she knows her roommate after all.
“And that’s when it hit me: maybe Saint Esther isn’t such a saint, after all.”
Simultaneously, a mysterious woman shows up at the coffee shop that Alex works at; he’s clearly all teenage boy as he oogles her, finding out eventually that her name is Pearl. Her reasons for being in town are mysterious, and Alex doesn’t get a chance to investigate further due to, well, having to do his job. He also regularly goes grocery shopping for the local hermit, Ingrid, who suffered a debilitating public panic attack and hence forth left her house as little as possible.
In a side story, there is a local legend in Alex’s town about the house across the street from him. A little girl named Genevieve supposedly caused so much trouble that no one could deal with her. Her ghost is said to still haunt the house so no one has lived there since her parents moved out.
” I don’t buy any of it. I’m far too skeptical for that. Funny thing is, she didn’t
even die in that house. That’s where she lived, but that’s not where she died. So how
could her spirit be there? But maybe that’s just me being overly pragmatic.”
You’re asking, “So how could all of these storylines be related and where the heck is this going?” This is where you have to pick up the book, trust the author, and enjoy. I must say I did not see the ending coming and it was done in a very satisfying way. I think this novel shows the huge amount of growth Kubica has made as an author and why she continues to gather new readers with each book she writes. She has made a believer out of me and I am very keen on reading her next book!
Full disclosure: I received my copy via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This did not influence my opinions in any way.
September 29, 2019
3.5 Stars!!
A couple of years ago I read "The Good Girl" by Mary Kubica and really enjoyed it. I thought the book description for "Don't You Cry" sounded promising and I was looking forward to reading it.
When I first started the book I had a bit of a hard time getting into it. I kept getting confused. I think part of my confusion with the book was due to some formatting issues. A couple of chapters or sections looked like they were kind of smooshed together which made it hard to figure out whose point of view it was. Because this was an advanced readers copy I'm sure that would have been fixed on the final copy.
The book opens on a Sunday morning in Chicago and is told at first from Quinn Collins point of view. Waking with a bit of a hangover to the jarring noise of her roommates alarm clock. Irritated with the noise, Quinn gets out of bed to see why on earth Esther has not turned it off yet. However, when she gets to her roommates room, she sees that Esther is not there. She sees the fire escape window open, but no sign of Esther anywhere in the apartment.
Quinn isn't worried at first. She figures as it's Sunday that Esther has probably left for church and has just forgotten to turn off her alarm clock. After most of the day has gone by with no sign of Esther, Quinn decides to have a look around Esther's room to see if she can glean any information about where she could be.
When she finds a strange letter addressed to "My Dearest" she's not sure what to make of it. Quinn is usually the one who is known for not making the best decisions (for example the stranger in bed with her when she woke up that morning). But all of a sudden she's not so sure everything is okay with Saint Esther.
"I should have known right away that something wasn't right".
Quinn isn't sure what to do as she doesn't know Esther's parents or anyone else to call. Where is Esther? Is it possible Quinn doesn't know her roommate as well as she thinks she does?
Next, we meet Alex. At this point we're not sure who Alex is and what he has to do with the original plot. I was a bit confused but I decided to keep reading, and trust that everything would come together. Alex is an eighteen-year-old boy with an absent mother and an alcoholic father. He doesn't seem to have a lot of friends but is very friendly with a fifty-year-old agoraphobic woman named Ingrid. He often delivers her groceries and runs other errands for her. He's also recently become a bit obsessed with a woman who has recently started coming to the restaurant where he works as a dishwasher.
There was a whole lot going on in this novel. As the book alternates from Quinn's point of view to Alex's it almost felt like I was reading two different, but interesting stories. I was enjoying the read but I did find I had to pay very close attention to what was happening. Lots of twists and turns in this book.
I have to say I was very surprised by the ending. I think even if I had figured out what was happening I would still have enjoyed this book. But the fact that I wasn't even close with any of my guesses made it even better.
Mary Kubica knows how to write an engrossing and suspenseful novel that kept me in its grips right up until the dramatic conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Mary Kubica for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
A couple of years ago I read "The Good Girl" by Mary Kubica and really enjoyed it. I thought the book description for "Don't You Cry" sounded promising and I was looking forward to reading it.
When I first started the book I had a bit of a hard time getting into it. I kept getting confused. I think part of my confusion with the book was due to some formatting issues. A couple of chapters or sections looked like they were kind of smooshed together which made it hard to figure out whose point of view it was. Because this was an advanced readers copy I'm sure that would have been fixed on the final copy.
The book opens on a Sunday morning in Chicago and is told at first from Quinn Collins point of view. Waking with a bit of a hangover to the jarring noise of her roommates alarm clock. Irritated with the noise, Quinn gets out of bed to see why on earth Esther has not turned it off yet. However, when she gets to her roommates room, she sees that Esther is not there. She sees the fire escape window open, but no sign of Esther anywhere in the apartment.
Quinn isn't worried at first. She figures as it's Sunday that Esther has probably left for church and has just forgotten to turn off her alarm clock. After most of the day has gone by with no sign of Esther, Quinn decides to have a look around Esther's room to see if she can glean any information about where she could be.
When she finds a strange letter addressed to "My Dearest" she's not sure what to make of it. Quinn is usually the one who is known for not making the best decisions (for example the stranger in bed with her when she woke up that morning). But all of a sudden she's not so sure everything is okay with Saint Esther.
"I should have known right away that something wasn't right".
Quinn isn't sure what to do as she doesn't know Esther's parents or anyone else to call. Where is Esther? Is it possible Quinn doesn't know her roommate as well as she thinks she does?
Next, we meet Alex. At this point we're not sure who Alex is and what he has to do with the original plot. I was a bit confused but I decided to keep reading, and trust that everything would come together. Alex is an eighteen-year-old boy with an absent mother and an alcoholic father. He doesn't seem to have a lot of friends but is very friendly with a fifty-year-old agoraphobic woman named Ingrid. He often delivers her groceries and runs other errands for her. He's also recently become a bit obsessed with a woman who has recently started coming to the restaurant where he works as a dishwasher.
There was a whole lot going on in this novel. As the book alternates from Quinn's point of view to Alex's it almost felt like I was reading two different, but interesting stories. I was enjoying the read but I did find I had to pay very close attention to what was happening. Lots of twists and turns in this book.
I have to say I was very surprised by the ending. I think even if I had figured out what was happening I would still have enjoyed this book. But the fact that I wasn't even close with any of my guesses made it even better.
Mary Kubica knows how to write an engrossing and suspenseful novel that kept me in its grips right up until the dramatic conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Mary Kubica for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2016
This is aptly titled because I really wanted to cry reading this. Some of the most atrocious prose ever. Monotone. Boring. Clipped sentences. Trite language. Excruciating excessive minutiae of mundane things. (Big words like that not included though.) Like this: She took her hat off. She put it down. She took her scarf off. It was black. She looked out the window. Her eyes were brown. She drank coffee. and on and on and on... And the plot is nonexistent as far as what I read. I may be totally crazy but I see quite a few other reviewers felt like this. Next!
July 9, 2016
Bam! 4 Stars for "Don't You Cry"! The beginning was shaky but it all came together in the end! I listened to the audio version. It had pretty good narration. It was a little precarious in the beginning but the two narrators did a descent job in the end. This is worth reading or listening to JUST for the ending!!! I tried playing detective and I still didn't figure this one out! Woot!!! Love when that happens!
This novel is told from two different viewpoints. Each with it's own narrator.
I almost passed on this book. I didn't because of my GR friend, Melisa. I'm so glad I didn't! Check out her review right here...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kubica delivers! "The Good Girl" is my favorite novel of hers. This is now my second favorite. I was disappointed with "Pretty Baby".
That's all I'm going to say. This is another book in which it's BEST not to read many reviews for fear of spoilers.
Recommended for mystery and thriller lovers!!!
This novel is told from two different viewpoints. Each with it's own narrator.
I almost passed on this book. I didn't because of my GR friend, Melisa. I'm so glad I didn't! Check out her review right here...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kubica delivers! "The Good Girl" is my favorite novel of hers. This is now my second favorite. I was disappointed with "Pretty Baby".
That's all I'm going to say. This is another book in which it's BEST not to read many reviews for fear of spoilers.
Recommended for mystery and thriller lovers!!!
July 14, 2016
Cry Me A River.......
Or would that be more appropriately a lake? That being Lake Michigan and Chicago as our setting here. Frigid November and plunging temperatures. A girl could easily be swept away in the Windy City.
And that's exactly what happens to Esther Vaughan. Her roommate, Quinn Collins, hears the blaring alarm going off before 6 AM and the sight of Esther's bedroom window wide open. Quinn faces into the bone-chilling wind coming through that window and into the stark reality that Esther is missing.
A parallel story takes place along the shores of that frozen lake in a small Michigan harbor outside of Chicago. We meet Alex, an aimless young man, fresh out of high school with reddened hands not from the cold, but from his dishwashing job at a local diner. Alex takes on the duty of caregiver to his alcoholic father who spends the entire story in a booze coma. Alex spots a lonely girl with a tilted beret sipping coffee at the diner each day. She's like a slice of pie in a house of cakes. Alex follows her and the story takes a shaky, no-going-back direction.
Now, while I enjoyed Don't You Cry, I couldn't help but take a harder look at these characters. We never really get a feel for Esther before this adventure begins. We weren't invested in her and her welfare from the onset. Quinn and Alex are conduits for the flow of the story current. Without their presence, the storyline would never have gotten off the ground. But, even with their presence, they never seemed to carry enough "let's-get-to-the-bottom-of this" fortitude that pulls off a great thriller. Quinn seems to tread water much of the time and Alex watches from afar. More spark, less background noise.
Mary Kubica can write. No doubt about it. I enjoyed Pretty Baby. I ratcheted this one up to 4 stars for that very reason. Perhaps the next one will turn up the heat and tightened the tension like a rubberband. I know that we will all be waiting for the next Kubica offering.
Or would that be more appropriately a lake? That being Lake Michigan and Chicago as our setting here. Frigid November and plunging temperatures. A girl could easily be swept away in the Windy City.
And that's exactly what happens to Esther Vaughan. Her roommate, Quinn Collins, hears the blaring alarm going off before 6 AM and the sight of Esther's bedroom window wide open. Quinn faces into the bone-chilling wind coming through that window and into the stark reality that Esther is missing.
A parallel story takes place along the shores of that frozen lake in a small Michigan harbor outside of Chicago. We meet Alex, an aimless young man, fresh out of high school with reddened hands not from the cold, but from his dishwashing job at a local diner. Alex takes on the duty of caregiver to his alcoholic father who spends the entire story in a booze coma. Alex spots a lonely girl with a tilted beret sipping coffee at the diner each day. She's like a slice of pie in a house of cakes. Alex follows her and the story takes a shaky, no-going-back direction.
Now, while I enjoyed Don't You Cry, I couldn't help but take a harder look at these characters. We never really get a feel for Esther before this adventure begins. We weren't invested in her and her welfare from the onset. Quinn and Alex are conduits for the flow of the story current. Without their presence, the storyline would never have gotten off the ground. But, even with their presence, they never seemed to carry enough "let's-get-to-the-bottom-of this" fortitude that pulls off a great thriller. Quinn seems to tread water much of the time and Alex watches from afar. More spark, less background noise.
Mary Kubica can write. No doubt about it. I enjoyed Pretty Baby. I ratcheted this one up to 4 stars for that very reason. Perhaps the next one will turn up the heat and tightened the tension like a rubberband. I know that we will all be waiting for the next Kubica offering.
June 27, 2016
Quinn wakes up one morning to her roommate Esther’s alarm, but no Esther. Where could she have gone? She wakes up every Sunday morning to sing in church choir. She is “Saint Esther” after all. Maybe she left early forgetting her alarm... But her window that goes out to the fire escape is wide open. Something isn’t right - a thought confirmed more and more the longer Esther is missing. Realizing the police might not care so much at this point, Quinn starts trying to figure out where Esther could have gone..
Without evidence of foul play, we can’t immediately think something criminal has happened. People are allowed to up and disappear if they want to.
There are mysterious letters and discoveries that make Quinn question whether she really knew Esther at all.
Alex, an eighteen year old dishwasher, is fascinated by a mysterious woman who shows up in the cafe where he works. She has an allure about her pulling him in. He names her Pearl and he just has to know more.
The two stories are seemingly disconnected, though you know somewhere down the line it will all come together. It’s hard not to appreciate how different the two storylines were and how much it all made sense by the last page. I can’t say anymore without risking spoilers. It did surprise me in the end. The suspense built up nicely. And both voices were distinct.
This is my second novel by Mary Kubica. I still haven’t read the highly acclaimed The Good Girl. I have found that there is something so enchanting about her writing. It pulls me in captivating until I get to the very last page. This is something that assures I will keep reading what she writes. Now the problem with this one for me is that at times the story was a bit on the slow side, which is understandable due to the slow-build (great tac-tic in a psychological thriller). It’d be okay with me, but the characters didn’t pull me in enough. After sitting on my thoughts for a weekend I realized how forgettable they were. They were hard to connect to making the mystery and Kubica’s strong writing what naturally kept me reading.
Without evidence of foul play, we can’t immediately think something criminal has happened. People are allowed to up and disappear if they want to.
There are mysterious letters and discoveries that make Quinn question whether she really knew Esther at all.
Alex, an eighteen year old dishwasher, is fascinated by a mysterious woman who shows up in the cafe where he works. She has an allure about her pulling him in. He names her Pearl and he just has to know more.
The two stories are seemingly disconnected, though you know somewhere down the line it will all come together. It’s hard not to appreciate how different the two storylines were and how much it all made sense by the last page. I can’t say anymore without risking spoilers. It did surprise me in the end. The suspense built up nicely. And both voices were distinct.
This is my second novel by Mary Kubica. I still haven’t read the highly acclaimed The Good Girl. I have found that there is something so enchanting about her writing. It pulls me in captivating until I get to the very last page. This is something that assures I will keep reading what she writes. Now the problem with this one for me is that at times the story was a bit on the slow side, which is understandable due to the slow-build (great tac-tic in a psychological thriller). It’d be okay with me, but the characters didn’t pull me in enough. After sitting on my thoughts for a weekend I realized how forgettable they were. They were hard to connect to making the mystery and Kubica’s strong writing what naturally kept me reading.
January 28, 2020
H O L Y M O L Y "Unbelievable"! Top 50 Books of 2016!
When you think Mary Kubica could not possibly top THE GOOD GIRL (2014) and PRETTY BABY (2015) .... landing on my Top 10 Book list for both years; out of nowhere, fizzing along like a slow-burning fuse:
Here comes DON'T YOU CRY (2016). Like no other you will ever read. Kubica, a creative "clever" genius; a "walking" Thesaurus. A writing machine! My Prediction: Best Book for Movie Adaptation and Top Thriller of 2016. Three in a row award.
My personal reading experience:
Kubica, being one of my favorite authors - DON'T YOU CRY was calling out to me. A very strong feeling, this one would be as good as the previous (if this is even possible). Fans, if you thought the last two were awesome- more of the same, plus steroids. Her best yet!
OK, in my weakness, to provide a little treat for myself New Year's Day (night) --after all, I worked straight through NYE and New Years’ Day to catch up on work, with no sleep. I decided OK, a few chapters, and hit the sack. Starting at midnight (not a great idea), immediately hooked by the first chapter. The next time I look up, it is 5:45 am.
I am at 60%, and it is spellbinding; the sun is coming up over Palm Beach. A beautiful sunrise across the Intracoastal Waterway. From my 15th floor window, Downtown is quiet; the boats are; still, the twinkling white lights in the palm trees are glowing, no joggers out yet. It is Saturday morning. As the sun glistens across the water and seeps into my window- decision time.
Close the book? Go to bed. Or Keep going? No way am I going to sleep now. At this critical point? Would you walk out of a movie in the middle of the best part?
Not on your life!
I quickly head to the kitchen to make a Caffè Americano and grab a banana. Espresso. No sleep. My Kindle is dead. Never fear, I have three different e-readers; 3 sizes. (always a backup). All the books are loaded, synced, and open the charged one. Wide awake.
I forge ahead, totally immersed in this story. It is unbelievably good.
I cannot get enough. I am desperate to find out about Esther, Quinn, My Dearest, and Alex. The suspense is killing me. By 75%, it is nail-biting mind-blowing. I am reading slower than usual, savoring every captivating word (and the author provides plenty of razzle-dazzle).
By 90%, I am breathless, and the caffeine is working, adrenaline-fueled; Heart-pounding carrying to me the explosive climax.
It was worth every minute!
Utterly speechless, in awe. Without a doubt, one of the best psycho-thriller I have ever read. I am hoping for a front-row seat at the movie premiere. Brilliantly, executed.
Mysterious. Hypnotic. Tantalizing. Enigmatic. Alluring. Flawed characters, you will fall in love. I wanted to adopt Alex. (Love Quinn's last name, Collins). I also come equipped with EpiPen and Benadryl at all times-can relate. Nice touch with Alex/Quinn's names.
The summary is right on: "an electrifying and addictive tale of deceit and obsession." A book you have to read. Buy Now!
Mary, Mary, Mary Line up your 3 Girls/Babies (3 Books) . . They deserve their own Chicago billboard, and so do YOU!
A special thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
When you think Mary Kubica could not possibly top THE GOOD GIRL (2014) and PRETTY BABY (2015) .... landing on my Top 10 Book list for both years; out of nowhere, fizzing along like a slow-burning fuse:
Here comes DON'T YOU CRY (2016). Like no other you will ever read. Kubica, a creative "clever" genius; a "walking" Thesaurus. A writing machine! My Prediction: Best Book for Movie Adaptation and Top Thriller of 2016. Three in a row award.
My personal reading experience:
Kubica, being one of my favorite authors - DON'T YOU CRY was calling out to me. A very strong feeling, this one would be as good as the previous (if this is even possible). Fans, if you thought the last two were awesome- more of the same, plus steroids. Her best yet!
OK, in my weakness, to provide a little treat for myself New Year's Day (night) --after all, I worked straight through NYE and New Years’ Day to catch up on work, with no sleep. I decided OK, a few chapters, and hit the sack. Starting at midnight (not a great idea), immediately hooked by the first chapter. The next time I look up, it is 5:45 am.
I am at 60%, and it is spellbinding; the sun is coming up over Palm Beach. A beautiful sunrise across the Intracoastal Waterway. From my 15th floor window, Downtown is quiet; the boats are; still, the twinkling white lights in the palm trees are glowing, no joggers out yet. It is Saturday morning. As the sun glistens across the water and seeps into my window- decision time.
Close the book? Go to bed. Or Keep going? No way am I going to sleep now. At this critical point? Would you walk out of a movie in the middle of the best part?
Not on your life!
I quickly head to the kitchen to make a Caffè Americano and grab a banana. Espresso. No sleep. My Kindle is dead. Never fear, I have three different e-readers; 3 sizes. (always a backup). All the books are loaded, synced, and open the charged one. Wide awake.
I forge ahead, totally immersed in this story. It is unbelievably good.
I cannot get enough. I am desperate to find out about Esther, Quinn, My Dearest, and Alex. The suspense is killing me. By 75%, it is nail-biting mind-blowing. I am reading slower than usual, savoring every captivating word (and the author provides plenty of razzle-dazzle).
By 90%, I am breathless, and the caffeine is working, adrenaline-fueled; Heart-pounding carrying to me the explosive climax.
It was worth every minute!
Utterly speechless, in awe. Without a doubt, one of the best psycho-thriller I have ever read. I am hoping for a front-row seat at the movie premiere. Brilliantly, executed.
Mysterious. Hypnotic. Tantalizing. Enigmatic. Alluring. Flawed characters, you will fall in love. I wanted to adopt Alex. (Love Quinn's last name, Collins). I also come equipped with EpiPen and Benadryl at all times-can relate. Nice touch with Alex/Quinn's names.
The summary is right on: "an electrifying and addictive tale of deceit and obsession." A book you have to read. Buy Now!
Mary, Mary, Mary Line up your 3 Girls/Babies (3 Books) . . They deserve their own Chicago billboard, and so do YOU!
A special thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
July 18, 2016
★★½
Don't You Cry is a standalone, mystery novel written by Mary Kubica. Although the majority of goodreads reviews are rated at 4 and 5 stars, I didn't quite have the same experience throughout. While I thought the big reveal at the end was certainly whiplash worthy (in a good way), the journey there was a very slow ride for me personally. Add to that my difficulty connecting with the characters in both parallel storylines and it ended up falling in the "just OK" category in my opinion. I kept wanting to skip to the end but I was certain I would miss something critical (but I didn't IMO). Just so you know, if you have a similar experience, the female lead sums up everything in a nice little narrative at the end. I wish I had known that.
My favorite quote:
"People always want to point fingers. They need someone to blame."
Don't You Cry is Mary Kubica's third published novel. Many readers are thoroughly enjoying her books so if you get a chance, check them out!
The Good Girl (2014)
Pretty Baby (2015)
Don't You Cry (2016)
Don't You Cry is a standalone, mystery novel written by Mary Kubica. Although the majority of goodreads reviews are rated at 4 and 5 stars, I didn't quite have the same experience throughout. While I thought the big reveal at the end was certainly whiplash worthy (in a good way), the journey there was a very slow ride for me personally. Add to that my difficulty connecting with the characters in both parallel storylines and it ended up falling in the "just OK" category in my opinion. I kept wanting to skip to the end but I was certain I would miss something critical (but I didn't IMO). Just so you know, if you have a similar experience, the female lead sums up everything in a nice little narrative at the end. I wish I had known that.
My favorite quote:
"People always want to point fingers. They need someone to blame."
Don't You Cry is Mary Kubica's third published novel. Many readers are thoroughly enjoying her books so if you get a chance, check them out!
The Good Girl (2014)
Pretty Baby (2015)
Don't You Cry (2016)
May 2, 2021
Quinn lives in Chicago. She’s unhappy at work – well, who’d get major job satisfaction from being a photocopy skivvy for a bunch of high earning lawyers – but was desperate to leave home and seek independence. Her flatmate, Esther, is her best friend. Well, she hopes she is. Quinn knows she’s not the best flatmate in the world and when she answered an add for a room she knew she’d be stretching herself financially. In truth, she doesn’t quite cover her half of the rent. She’s untidy too. She likes Ben, her co-worker, but he’s attached. Why can’t she find a man? Then one night Esther goes missing. Her window is open to the fire escape but there are no clues as to where she’s gone. The police aren’t really interested, taking the view she’s an adult and will most likely return within a few days.
Alex lives in a small town some way outside of Chicago, but on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Not much happens here out of season and it’s certainly out of season, in fact it’s cold and winter is fast approaching. He lives with his dad – his mum upped and left when he was still very young, she didn’t adapt well to motherhood and was stand-offish and remote in the short time she was around. His dad is a drunk who doesn’t work, so Alex is the bread winner. He’s worked at a small café in town since he was twelve, with the surly owner he detests. He cleans tables and runs errands. He’s smart but he’s turned down a full scholarship to a decent college – well, someone has to look after his dad! And then a girl walks into his café. She’s perhaps ten years older than him but Alex finds himself drawn to her. She pays him no attention, but still…
We know the two storylines are linked but it’ll take quite a why to unravel quite how they are. The whole thing plays out in short, alternate sections as we follow Alex and Quinn and become embroiled in their lives. I grew to like Alex, this withdrawn but troubled teenager who life had dealt a bad hand. I was less enamoured with the somewhat selfish and panicky Quinn, though I did find the mind-set of both to be believable and their actions understandable. Having read and enjoyed the author’s last book, Pretty Baby, I was used to her style of cranking up the tension through a drip-feed of information, and it did work well here too. I began to care as much for the fate of Quinn and Alex as I did for the missing Esther: I really wanted both to have better lives. Could this story somehow deliver a happy ending for all?
Well, in truth the ending was a little disappointing. Much like Pretty Baby, this was probably the least convincing element of what was otherwise a satisfying psychological thriller. The book does create a growing fear of what’s to come – in the same way The Girl on the Train did – and it nourishes and sustains that fear for probably ninety percent of the journey. Maybe others will be less concerned about the way the tale in concluded – it’s often the way – and it certainly won’t stop me coming back for more from Mary Kubica.
My thanks to Harlequin (UK) Limited and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alex lives in a small town some way outside of Chicago, but on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Not much happens here out of season and it’s certainly out of season, in fact it’s cold and winter is fast approaching. He lives with his dad – his mum upped and left when he was still very young, she didn’t adapt well to motherhood and was stand-offish and remote in the short time she was around. His dad is a drunk who doesn’t work, so Alex is the bread winner. He’s worked at a small café in town since he was twelve, with the surly owner he detests. He cleans tables and runs errands. He’s smart but he’s turned down a full scholarship to a decent college – well, someone has to look after his dad! And then a girl walks into his café. She’s perhaps ten years older than him but Alex finds himself drawn to her. She pays him no attention, but still…
We know the two storylines are linked but it’ll take quite a why to unravel quite how they are. The whole thing plays out in short, alternate sections as we follow Alex and Quinn and become embroiled in their lives. I grew to like Alex, this withdrawn but troubled teenager who life had dealt a bad hand. I was less enamoured with the somewhat selfish and panicky Quinn, though I did find the mind-set of both to be believable and their actions understandable. Having read and enjoyed the author’s last book, Pretty Baby, I was used to her style of cranking up the tension through a drip-feed of information, and it did work well here too. I began to care as much for the fate of Quinn and Alex as I did for the missing Esther: I really wanted both to have better lives. Could this story somehow deliver a happy ending for all?
Well, in truth the ending was a little disappointing. Much like Pretty Baby, this was probably the least convincing element of what was otherwise a satisfying psychological thriller. The book does create a growing fear of what’s to come – in the same way The Girl on the Train did – and it nourishes and sustains that fear for probably ninety percent of the journey. Maybe others will be less concerned about the way the tale in concluded – it’s often the way – and it certainly won’t stop me coming back for more from Mary Kubica.
My thanks to Harlequin (UK) Limited and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2016
Mary Kubica gives readers another page-turner with her latest book, "Don't You Cry." While not exactly edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, readers will want to puzzle out what exactly is going on and who, if anyone, might be at risk of danger. The writing is tight, the pace is fast, and readers who love a good thriller won't be disappointed. Readers will have to suspend disbelief for one element of the story, but Kubica is forgiven because the story is so entertaining.
I've kept this review purposefully vague because I dislike when too much is given away (even unintentionally) in suspense/thriller reviews. I like to go in knowing as little as possible. Suffice it to say if you enjoyed "The Good Girl" you'll like this one, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've kept this review purposefully vague because I dislike when too much is given away (even unintentionally) in suspense/thriller reviews. I like to go in knowing as little as possible. Suffice it to say if you enjoyed "The Good Girl" you'll like this one, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2016
I have previously read Mary Kubica's other novels and enjoyed them so it was an easy decision to read her latest offering 'Don't you cry'. The novel appears to be a very slow book and when I started to tell my wife about how much I was enjoying it I realised that although I was loving the read hardly anything of note had happened. I can see that this may not appeal to everyone but I enjoyed the slow build up to a climax you know is going to happen, but when.
The story is about a young woman named Esther Vaughan who disappears from her apartment without a trace. Her friend and room mate Quinn Collins wonders where Esther is and as she searches Esther's possessions wonders whether or not she's the person Quinn thought she knew.
Meanwhile, in a small Michigan harbour town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where 18 year old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her charm and beauty, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more dark and sinister.
The two stories continue throughout the book leaving the reader aware that surely these two stories will join up and everything will become clear.
This is an excellent psychological thriller that proves the novels don't have to be full of action to fully entertain the reader.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Harlequin UK for supplying me with a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
The story is about a young woman named Esther Vaughan who disappears from her apartment without a trace. Her friend and room mate Quinn Collins wonders where Esther is and as she searches Esther's possessions wonders whether or not she's the person Quinn thought she knew.
Meanwhile, in a small Michigan harbour town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where 18 year old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her charm and beauty, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more dark and sinister.
The two stories continue throughout the book leaving the reader aware that surely these two stories will join up and everything will become clear.
This is an excellent psychological thriller that proves the novels don't have to be full of action to fully entertain the reader.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Harlequin UK for supplying me with a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
June 12, 2016
This was just ok for me. I really liked The Good Girl and Pretty Baby by this author a lot more.
February 29, 2016
3.5 stars
My feelings for this one sort of fall somewhere in the middle. I wasn’t disappointed, but I wasn’t totally wowed either. The way the author chose to tell the story, with two very different storylines and two distinct voices, led the way to a pretty great ending. One that made me like the story a little bit more.
Quinn is a twenty-something living in Chicago that wakes up to find her roommate is gone. A window left open, a few mysterious letters and a discarded cellphone make it hard to determine if something sinister happened or if she simply chose to disappear.
Alex is an 18-year-old busboy living in a small town outside of Chicago. He’s sort of going through the motions, having given up any semblance of a life to take care of his alcoholic father. It’s a mysterious girl that catches his eye and changes everything.
Alex and Quinn’s stories merge together in the end for a shocking conclusion. I knew all along that the storylines had to be connected and trying to fit the pieces together throughout was part of the fun. I like how things unfolded, but I can’t say I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
That wasn’t what stopped me from rating this one higher though. What bothered me the most was my lack of connection with the author's writing. I didn't ever just lose myself in her words or the storyline. I found it to be overly detailed and her word usage made me feel like she had a thesaurus handy. It bogged down the story for me in a way. Some parts I found slow, but on the other hand there were some things I thought were kind of clever. Like I said, stuck in the middle.
Did I like this book - sure. Was this the best book I’ve ever read - definitely not. Will I continue to read her books - probably. I have to say, of the three, The Good Girl is still my favorite.
*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
My feelings for this one sort of fall somewhere in the middle. I wasn’t disappointed, but I wasn’t totally wowed either. The way the author chose to tell the story, with two very different storylines and two distinct voices, led the way to a pretty great ending. One that made me like the story a little bit more.
Quinn is a twenty-something living in Chicago that wakes up to find her roommate is gone. A window left open, a few mysterious letters and a discarded cellphone make it hard to determine if something sinister happened or if she simply chose to disappear.
Alex is an 18-year-old busboy living in a small town outside of Chicago. He’s sort of going through the motions, having given up any semblance of a life to take care of his alcoholic father. It’s a mysterious girl that catches his eye and changes everything.
Alex and Quinn’s stories merge together in the end for a shocking conclusion. I knew all along that the storylines had to be connected and trying to fit the pieces together throughout was part of the fun. I like how things unfolded, but I can’t say I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
That wasn’t what stopped me from rating this one higher though. What bothered me the most was my lack of connection with the author's writing. I didn't ever just lose myself in her words or the storyline. I found it to be overly detailed and her word usage made me feel like she had a thesaurus handy. It bogged down the story for me in a way. Some parts I found slow, but on the other hand there were some things I thought were kind of clever. Like I said, stuck in the middle.
Did I like this book - sure. Was this the best book I’ve ever read - definitely not. Will I continue to read her books - probably. I have to say, of the three, The Good Girl is still my favorite.
*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
May 9, 2016
One of the worst books I've read in a long while. What makes it stand out, in a bad way, is all the hype this received. Following Kubica's first two novels, each of which were decent thrillers, she follows up with this snoozer of a novel. Not sure what she was going for. There is little to no suspense or likeable characters. The prose is stilted and distracting and the 'twist' , which comes far too late to save this drippy novel, is ho-hum at best A must to avoid if you are looking for a solid psychological thriller.
March 29, 2016
This is a dark and sinister psychological thriller. It is told from the POV of Quinn, whose flatmate goes missing in Chicago and Alex, a lonely cafe worker who becomes aware of a newcomer in a small harbour town on Lake Michigan. He refers to the stranger as Pearl, because of her bracelet as she refuses to give her name throughout. From her description, however, it is Esther. Quinn slowly becomes aware that Esther is missing and this begins to throw her into a blind panic.
Quinn reports Esther as missing and begins to rely on the help of Ben, who she has a crush on, to help her find out what has happened. Quinn begins to discover things about Esther that unsettle her. What happened to Kelsey, the previous flatmate of Esther? Her death cast suspicion on Esther and Quinn begins to fear for her own life. An air of menace is beginning to develop.
In the meantime, Alex is drawn into the life of the disturbing Pearl. Strange behaviour from her merely increases his curiosity. You can understand his obsession because he has no friends and looks after his alcoholic father. His mother abandoned them when he was five. He has needs and develops fantasies about Pearl. Pearl is caught up in her own world in which Alex barely figures.
In a tale full of twists and turns, Mary Kubica has penned an atmospheric and beautifully written story. She expertly builds up the suspense gradually and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Many thanks to Harlequin for an ARC via netgalley.
Quinn reports Esther as missing and begins to rely on the help of Ben, who she has a crush on, to help her find out what has happened. Quinn begins to discover things about Esther that unsettle her. What happened to Kelsey, the previous flatmate of Esther? Her death cast suspicion on Esther and Quinn begins to fear for her own life. An air of menace is beginning to develop.
In the meantime, Alex is drawn into the life of the disturbing Pearl. Strange behaviour from her merely increases his curiosity. You can understand his obsession because he has no friends and looks after his alcoholic father. His mother abandoned them when he was five. He has needs and develops fantasies about Pearl. Pearl is caught up in her own world in which Alex barely figures.
In a tale full of twists and turns, Mary Kubica has penned an atmospheric and beautifully written story. She expertly builds up the suspense gradually and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Many thanks to Harlequin for an ARC via netgalley.
January 17, 2017
This author is quickly becoming one of my top 10 favorite go-to's when it comes to mystery and suspense.
This story is told through 2 voices during the same present time period. Quinn, a young single girl trying to make her way in life in the heart of Chicago, and Alex, who lives in a small Michigan town. Alex is a young man who's path in life was dictated by the actions of his parents. Turning down a full scholarship, he is now a busboy at the local coffee shop, struggling to pay the bills as his father drinks his life away.
Story one: Quinn wakes up after a long night of partying to find that her roommate Esther is nowhere to be found. As days go by and with no help from the police, Quinn starts to do some digging in Esther's room and finds some clues that tell her she didn't know her roommate as well as she thought.
Story 2: Alex knows everyone that comes into the small local diner. Until that morning, when a pretty brunette slips in, grabs a booth and stares out the window for hours on end. He soon becomes infatuated with the mysterious stranger who he follows and obsesses about daily. A friendship is formed, but Alex quickly realizes that all is not right with the object of his affection.
It becomes apparent about mid way through that these 2 seemingly opposite story lines have a common thread, and as they continue to become more and more entwined, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Then BAM! Kubica delivers a solid ending with an unexpected twist that I didn't think would happen.
This one really held my interest and being from Chicago I loved the intimate feel I shared by knowing where this was taking place. I also love how descriptive Kubica's writing style is. She really knows how to put her readers right there in the scenes as they take place.
So far so good...I have loved everything this author has put out, and hope it continues this way!
This story is told through 2 voices during the same present time period. Quinn, a young single girl trying to make her way in life in the heart of Chicago, and Alex, who lives in a small Michigan town. Alex is a young man who's path in life was dictated by the actions of his parents. Turning down a full scholarship, he is now a busboy at the local coffee shop, struggling to pay the bills as his father drinks his life away.
Story one: Quinn wakes up after a long night of partying to find that her roommate Esther is nowhere to be found. As days go by and with no help from the police, Quinn starts to do some digging in Esther's room and finds some clues that tell her she didn't know her roommate as well as she thought.
Story 2: Alex knows everyone that comes into the small local diner. Until that morning, when a pretty brunette slips in, grabs a booth and stares out the window for hours on end. He soon becomes infatuated with the mysterious stranger who he follows and obsesses about daily. A friendship is formed, but Alex quickly realizes that all is not right with the object of his affection.
It becomes apparent about mid way through that these 2 seemingly opposite story lines have a common thread, and as they continue to become more and more entwined, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Then BAM! Kubica delivers a solid ending with an unexpected twist that I didn't think would happen.
This one really held my interest and being from Chicago I loved the intimate feel I shared by knowing where this was taking place. I also love how descriptive Kubica's writing style is. She really knows how to put her readers right there in the scenes as they take place.
So far so good...I have loved everything this author has put out, and hope it continues this way!
October 18, 2021
Quinn Collins and Esther Vaughan are friends and roommates that share a Chicago walk-up apartment. After Quinn returns home from a drunken Saturday night out she finds Esther gone. Quinn is troubled but reluctant to call the police. Instead she waits for day after day, hoping Esther returns. She also ransacks the apartment for clues to Esther's whereabouts and calls a mutual friend, Ben, for help.
During her exploration of Esther's things Quinn discovers that her roomate did some odd things before she vanished. Esther legally changed her name; took a lot of cash out of her bank account; got a passport; advertised for a new roommate; arranged a mysterious meeting; obtained the card of a psychologist; wrote some strange letters; etc.
Try as she might Quinn can't quite make sense of all this. However, she does admit (to herself) that her inability to pay her half of the bills and sloppy habits might make her a bad roommate - and Esther may have wanted to ditch her.
Meanwhile, sixty miles away in a Chicago suburb, 19-year-old Alex Gallo works as a busboy/dishwasher in a diner. One morning Alex's attention is arrested by a new customer - a pretty, petite, exotic-looking young woman he calls 'Pearl' because of a bracelet she wears. The reader soon learns that Pearl matches Esther's description.
The story is narrated by Quinn and Alex in alternating chapters. In Quinn's sections she talks about fun times with Esther; how considerate Esther is; Esther's studies; Esther's reluctance to talk about her family; and more. Quinn also details her increasing worries about Esther and reveals her secret crush on Ben, who has a girlfriend.
In Alex's sections he talks about taking care of his alcoholic father; his grief over the desertion of his mom; his exacting boss and crappy job; the agoraphobic woman living near the diner; and his obsession with Pearl, whom he secretly watches and follows.
Additonally, Alex talks a lot about the 'haunted house' across the street from his residence, said to harbor the ghost of a deceased five-year-old girl.
Though I was curious about the unfolding events in the story this wasn't a riveting book to me. I became impatient with the snail's pace of the narration and didn't empathize much with the characters, though I did feel a little sorry for Alex - a bright boy who declined a college scholarship to stay home and support his drunken father. I also thought the book's ending was somewhat predictable and not very interesting....but by the time I got there I didn't care much.
For me this is just a so-so book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
July 10, 2016
Don’t you Cry by Mary Kubica is a 2016 MIRA publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Mary Kubica has a very unique style of writing that pulls me in, little by little, tossing small crumbs of information at me, leaving me ravenous for more details, but always keeping me at arm’s length, oblivious to my hunger pangs.
This spellbinding tale begins with Quinn Collins’ discovery that her roommate, Esther, has disappeared into thin air. Initially she is slightly puzzled, vaguely worried, but rationalizes her fears away until she has to admit something is very wrong.
Meanwhile, in a small town, just outside Chicago, a young man, Alex, becomes obsessed with a girl who stopped by the coffee shop where is works. He is so smitten by her, and her air of mystery, he follows her, and tries to befriend her, discovering they share a few similar emotional scars. But, Pearl occasionally sends out an underlying vibe that makes him uneasy at times, fueling his desire to unlock the mysteries of his Pearl, a task he may come to regret.
The novel employs a duel first person perspective, alternating between Quinn and Alex. While I loathe this format in romance novels, I find it works effectively in certain thrillers, this being one of them.
The question that irritated me and kept me frustrated, was how the two narratives could possibly be related to each other. Quinn was forthright, actually doing some detective work with the help of a colleague, a guy she also has a little crush on. Quinn is worried sick about Esther, but also suspects her of something quite sinister. She flips and flops between the two emotions, while searching for clues to Esther’s disappearance, uncovering information that paints Ester in a whole new light, exposing a dark side of her that is nothing at all like the 'Saint Ester' Quinn thought she knew, which shocks Quinn and keeps her in a chronic state of panic, wondering if something horrible has happened to her roommate, or if Quinn is a possible target.
By contrast, Alex is a little disquieting, as he describes watching ‘Pearl’, trying to decide what her story is, employing a lush prose, which cast a hypnotic quality to the events as Alex sees them, lulling me into a dreamlike like state, as Alex unwittingly succumbs to the spell Pearl cast on him. His voyeurism leads him to do a little digging of his own, about a local haunting, which became legendary. But, how is this connected to Ester and her disappearance?
I don’t know how to explain the atmosphere of this book exactly, but I hope you get the gist of it. Reading this book was like watching the characters from afar, unable to get a close-up shot of them. It was as though the characters were sealed inside an invisible barrier, impenetrable to the reader.
So, don’t expect a deep character study, or any real emotional connections to the players, especially since we are left in the dark for so long, and of course, we don’t know who we can trust. However, this setup works to create a taut, suspenseful atmosphere that kept me turning pages, unable to tear myself away from it until I had all the questions answered.
The beginning of the book had me so bewildered, I admit it took me a little time to get into a groove, and fair warning, the buildup is slow and tantalizing, as opposed to fast paced, with heart stopping plot twists. This style of suspense is not everyone’s cup of tea, and the effect can often fall flat, but when it works, it’s great, it will just require patience on the part of the reader. The story is unstable, at times, and nearly spiraled out of control in the last several chapters, which necessitated my need to re-read some passages to make sure I understood it correctly.
The conclusion, is unique with the two story lines coming together in unison, but left me with a mix of emotions ranging from uneasiness, sadness, anger, but also vastly relieved.
Overall, this is a nice little thriller, moody, and tense, and will definitely keep you guessing.
4 stars
Mary Kubica has a very unique style of writing that pulls me in, little by little, tossing small crumbs of information at me, leaving me ravenous for more details, but always keeping me at arm’s length, oblivious to my hunger pangs.
This spellbinding tale begins with Quinn Collins’ discovery that her roommate, Esther, has disappeared into thin air. Initially she is slightly puzzled, vaguely worried, but rationalizes her fears away until she has to admit something is very wrong.
Meanwhile, in a small town, just outside Chicago, a young man, Alex, becomes obsessed with a girl who stopped by the coffee shop where is works. He is so smitten by her, and her air of mystery, he follows her, and tries to befriend her, discovering they share a few similar emotional scars. But, Pearl occasionally sends out an underlying vibe that makes him uneasy at times, fueling his desire to unlock the mysteries of his Pearl, a task he may come to regret.
The novel employs a duel first person perspective, alternating between Quinn and Alex. While I loathe this format in romance novels, I find it works effectively in certain thrillers, this being one of them.
The question that irritated me and kept me frustrated, was how the two narratives could possibly be related to each other. Quinn was forthright, actually doing some detective work with the help of a colleague, a guy she also has a little crush on. Quinn is worried sick about Esther, but also suspects her of something quite sinister. She flips and flops between the two emotions, while searching for clues to Esther’s disappearance, uncovering information that paints Ester in a whole new light, exposing a dark side of her that is nothing at all like the 'Saint Ester' Quinn thought she knew, which shocks Quinn and keeps her in a chronic state of panic, wondering if something horrible has happened to her roommate, or if Quinn is a possible target.
By contrast, Alex is a little disquieting, as he describes watching ‘Pearl’, trying to decide what her story is, employing a lush prose, which cast a hypnotic quality to the events as Alex sees them, lulling me into a dreamlike like state, as Alex unwittingly succumbs to the spell Pearl cast on him. His voyeurism leads him to do a little digging of his own, about a local haunting, which became legendary. But, how is this connected to Ester and her disappearance?
I don’t know how to explain the atmosphere of this book exactly, but I hope you get the gist of it. Reading this book was like watching the characters from afar, unable to get a close-up shot of them. It was as though the characters were sealed inside an invisible barrier, impenetrable to the reader.
So, don’t expect a deep character study, or any real emotional connections to the players, especially since we are left in the dark for so long, and of course, we don’t know who we can trust. However, this setup works to create a taut, suspenseful atmosphere that kept me turning pages, unable to tear myself away from it until I had all the questions answered.
The beginning of the book had me so bewildered, I admit it took me a little time to get into a groove, and fair warning, the buildup is slow and tantalizing, as opposed to fast paced, with heart stopping plot twists. This style of suspense is not everyone’s cup of tea, and the effect can often fall flat, but when it works, it’s great, it will just require patience on the part of the reader. The story is unstable, at times, and nearly spiraled out of control in the last several chapters, which necessitated my need to re-read some passages to make sure I understood it correctly.
The conclusion, is unique with the two story lines coming together in unison, but left me with a mix of emotions ranging from uneasiness, sadness, anger, but also vastly relieved.
Overall, this is a nice little thriller, moody, and tense, and will definitely keep you guessing.
4 stars
October 29, 2016
For a long while I did not know where Mary Kubica's Don't You Cry was going. I had my suspicions, which vacillated wildly at times, but I was completely wrong! Not that I minded, for getting to the conclusion was an interesting ride.
Quinn Collins discovers her flatmate, Esther, is missing from their Chicago residence after hearing strange noises coming from her room. Searching through Esther's possessions for some clue as to where she may have gone, Quinn discovers that Esther may not have been the person she believed her to be.
Just out of Chicago eighteen year old Alex Gallo becomes entranced by a mysterious woman who appears in the coffee shop where he works. He calls her Pearl, as she wears an old pearl bracelet.
This is a haunting story that began with an innocuous lie many years earlier, a lie told to protect a child, a lie that will come back to endanger the lives of all those involved.
Don't You Cry is told from Alex's and Quinn's points of view. The characters are realistic...I enjoyed Quinn's snooping amongst Esther's things. She was both uncomfortable with what she was doing, and perversely enjoying it. Alex's fascination with 'Pearl', a woman older than he is, and one whom he both covets and longs to protect.
I think the best way to describe Don't You Cry is a 'slow burning fuse'. I look forward to reading more of Mary Kubica.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin (US & Canada) MIRA for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Quinn Collins discovers her flatmate, Esther, is missing from their Chicago residence after hearing strange noises coming from her room. Searching through Esther's possessions for some clue as to where she may have gone, Quinn discovers that Esther may not have been the person she believed her to be.
Just out of Chicago eighteen year old Alex Gallo becomes entranced by a mysterious woman who appears in the coffee shop where he works. He calls her Pearl, as she wears an old pearl bracelet.
This is a haunting story that began with an innocuous lie many years earlier, a lie told to protect a child, a lie that will come back to endanger the lives of all those involved.
Don't You Cry is told from Alex's and Quinn's points of view. The characters are realistic...I enjoyed Quinn's snooping amongst Esther's things. She was both uncomfortable with what she was doing, and perversely enjoying it. Alex's fascination with 'Pearl', a woman older than he is, and one whom he both covets and longs to protect.
I think the best way to describe Don't You Cry is a 'slow burning fuse'. I look forward to reading more of Mary Kubica.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin (US & Canada) MIRA for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
February 13, 2016
Mary Kubica is an author I accidentally came across. First time was on Net Galley.
Her secound book was sent to me via her Publicist.
Both books I thoroughly enjoyed so when I was sent an invitational widget to download this book, did I wait? Did I heck.
I had to download this and as I was reading this I thought this was a slow burner, what's happening.
As I read though, it was like someone had light a bomb on a huge line......it was sizzling undercurrent and slowly moving along. Then.....
BANG
I am not going to tell you much about the storyline because some is in the blurb and some in reviews, so to say more will only make for spoilers.
How did this make me feel?
Well at first......I wondered where this was leading as it seemed a little slow.
Then the story began to rise, like yeast in bread. Leave it long enough and it will overspill. This was just like it, the excitement building up in me with eagerness of wanted to shout "C'mon I need to know".
I loved all of her books, this one just has the edge.
*My thanks to Harlequin (US & Canada) via Net Galley for my copy to read and review*
July 23, 2016
I'm pretty sure I've never, ever read a book quite like this.
Such a slow, slow burn. Although the plot is slow to thicken, there is a constant sense of foreboding, an ominous black cloud lingering.
Mary Kubica is an extremely talented writer, she can depict overwhelming yet understated doom and gloom like no one. I also had no idea what was going on, how the pieces were going to come together - gotta love when an author can take you on a ride like that. This is my favorite of her three books.
I don't want to say much more, don't want to give anything away.
4.5 stars
Such a slow, slow burn. Although the plot is slow to thicken, there is a constant sense of foreboding, an ominous black cloud lingering.
Mary Kubica is an extremely talented writer, she can depict overwhelming yet understated doom and gloom like no one. I also had no idea what was going on, how the pieces were going to come together - gotta love when an author can take you on a ride like that. This is my favorite of her three books.
I don't want to say much more, don't want to give anything away.
4.5 stars
January 6, 2016
I was lucky enough to get an early peak at Mary Kubica's sure to be blockbuster third novel. Kubica is a master of surprising twists and this book is no exception. Every time I thought I had it figured out, she went in another direction. Great characters, atmosphere and suspense blend perfectly in this impossible to put down thriller.
July 17, 2017
Def. the best Mary Kubica book I've read yet! So many plot twists!
July 2, 2022
This is a mystery/thriller. I have read mixed reviews for this book, so I was a little scared when I picked up this book. I am happy to say I loved this book. The only thing is a feel there was a little to many second characters. I guess a some of the twisted, but I still really enjoy all the twists and turns that this book took me on. This book had me pulled in from the beginning.
March 24, 2016
Mary Kubica does it again! Don't You Cry, an artfully crafted, wickedly smart page-turner about the razor thin line between suspicion and obsession, will keep you glued to its pages--and guessing wrong about who to trust--until its breathless ending.
November 15, 2019
Translation widget on the blog!!!
O poveste interesantă, pe două fire ce merg paralel, câte te conduc spre multe supoziții ce se vor dovedi deșarte într-un final.
Deși pe tot parcursul cărții doar unul dintre fire mi-a stârnit interesul, concluzia spre care mă îndreptam s-a dovedit a fi incorectă. De fapt, cum nu se poate mai departe de rezolvarea finală a enigmei.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/sa-...
O poveste interesantă, pe două fire ce merg paralel, câte te conduc spre multe supoziții ce se vor dovedi deșarte într-un final.
Deși pe tot parcursul cărții doar unul dintre fire mi-a stârnit interesul, concluzia spre care mă îndreptam s-a dovedit a fi incorectă. De fapt, cum nu se poate mai departe de rezolvarea finală a enigmei.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/sa-...
June 24, 2016
Mary Kubica gives us another psychological thriller that doesn't disappoint. Don't You Cry has a slow start which leads to quite a build up of page turning suspense and a startling conclusion.
The story is told by Quinn and it begins when she discovers her roommate Esther is missing. Uncertain as to what to do Quinn finds signs that Esther might be in danger.
Alex, also a narrator, is a struggling young man who, instead of going to college with his friends, remains at home with his pitiful alcoholic father. A strange girl appears at the cafe where Alex works and he becomes fascinated with her. Very secretive and a tad peculiar Alex wonders why she is in town and what is she hiding.
Both tales are inevitably linked. However, as soon as you think you have it all figured out you begin to question yourself and become compelled to reach the end.
A creepy, intriguing mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story is told by Quinn and it begins when she discovers her roommate Esther is missing. Uncertain as to what to do Quinn finds signs that Esther might be in danger.
Alex, also a narrator, is a struggling young man who, instead of going to college with his friends, remains at home with his pitiful alcoholic father. A strange girl appears at the cafe where Alex works and he becomes fascinated with her. Very secretive and a tad peculiar Alex wonders why she is in town and what is she hiding.
Both tales are inevitably linked. However, as soon as you think you have it all figured out you begin to question yourself and become compelled to reach the end.
A creepy, intriguing mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 11, 2016
Don't You Cry was such a fantastically written novel. It tells two stories, happening during the same timeline, but from two characters who've never met. We have Quinn, searching for her missing roommate Esther, and Alex, who in a different city has met a mysteriously woman named Pearl. Of course these stories eventually collide, but in ways you never expect.
I gave this book a 4/5, it is Mary Kubica's best and I cannot wait to read even more from her in the future. Each time I read a story by her, I can see her growth as an author and get completely captivated by the mystery. This time was no different; the pacing in which this story was told was flawless, switching perspectives at just the right moment to give you that edge-of-your-seat feeling throughout. This was one of those books that I took pause to try and weave the storylines together in my head, try to figure out what's coming, try to see if I could predict what the author was leading up to - and while some of my theories were spot on, most were dead wrong.
I am just so impressed with the author's story telling ability, I want to rave about her all day - but I'm keeping this review pretty vague in hopes that you'll go into it blind, which is the best way to read this. Any plot points, storylines or characters will surely give something away, so I'll keep it to this - read this book. Full stop. Just read it as soon as it comes out in May. Especially if you enjoyed The Good Girl, I don't doubt you'll very much appreciate the sinister, captivating quality of this her newest work.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I gave this book a 4/5, it is Mary Kubica's best and I cannot wait to read even more from her in the future. Each time I read a story by her, I can see her growth as an author and get completely captivated by the mystery. This time was no different; the pacing in which this story was told was flawless, switching perspectives at just the right moment to give you that edge-of-your-seat feeling throughout. This was one of those books that I took pause to try and weave the storylines together in my head, try to figure out what's coming, try to see if I could predict what the author was leading up to - and while some of my theories were spot on, most were dead wrong.
I am just so impressed with the author's story telling ability, I want to rave about her all day - but I'm keeping this review pretty vague in hopes that you'll go into it blind, which is the best way to read this. Any plot points, storylines or characters will surely give something away, so I'll keep it to this - read this book. Full stop. Just read it as soon as it comes out in May. Especially if you enjoyed The Good Girl, I don't doubt you'll very much appreciate the sinister, captivating quality of this her newest work.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2016
Remember back in school when you'd fill your book report with excessive adjectives, long wordy sentences and irrelevant details just to meet the word count? Well that's this book in a nutshell. And it's dreadful.
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