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The Understudy
How far would you go to protect your daughter?
Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise, and Kendall are bound together by one thing—their four daughters are best friends at the highly competitive Orla Flynn Academy for the Performing Arts. Last year the foursome exploded because of brutal bullying between the girls, but they've since forgiven each other. The mothers, however, haven’t been able to move on. When new threats surface and "accidents" begin to happen—just as a mysterious new girl enters the scene—the mothers take matters into their own hands. But they will have to risk their own secrets being exposed if they stand a chance at uncovering the truth.
Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise, and Kendall are bound together by one thing—their four daughters are best friends at the highly competitive Orla Flynn Academy for the Performing Arts. Last year the foursome exploded because of brutal bullying between the girls, but they've since forgiven each other. The mothers, however, haven’t been able to move on. When new threats surface and "accidents" begin to happen—just as a mysterious new girl enters the scene—the mothers take matters into their own hands. But they will have to risk their own secrets being exposed if they stand a chance at uncovering the truth.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2019
208 people are currently reading
9180 people want to read
About the author
B.A. Paris
30 books23.4k followersB.A. Paris is the New York Times and Sunday Times Number 1 bestselling author of seven novels including the word-of-mouth hit, Behind Closed Doors.
Over 7 million editions of her work have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 41 languages. Her novels have been optioned for major screen adaptations with a film of The Breakdown, titled Blackwater Lane, in post production.
Before becoming an author, B.A. Paris worked as a bank trader and teacher in France. Today, she writes from her cottage in Hampshire, England, where she lives with her husband with visits from her five grown-up daughters. She has a newsletter baparis.com and is on social media @baparisauthor
Over 7 million editions of her work have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 41 languages. Her novels have been optioned for major screen adaptations with a film of The Breakdown, titled Blackwater Lane, in post production.
Before becoming an author, B.A. Paris worked as a bank trader and teacher in France. Today, she writes from her cottage in Hampshire, England, where she lives with her husband with visits from her five grown-up daughters. She has a newsletter baparis.com and is on social media @baparisauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
September 11, 2019
I really enjoy B.A. Paris and Clare Mackintosh books and had high hopes for this book.
The story is about a group of teenage girls who are at drama school and their mothers who will do anything for their daughters.
I just could not get into this story at all. I could not relate to the characters who were all very unpleasant and the bad language also put me off this story.
Thank you to NetGalley Hodder & Stoughton and for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about a group of teenage girls who are at drama school and their mothers who will do anything for their daughters.
I just could not get into this story at all. I could not relate to the characters who were all very unpleasant and the bad language also put me off this story.
Thank you to NetGalley Hodder & Stoughton and for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2022
This collaborative effort features four bestselling authors: B.A. Paris, Sophie Hannah, Clare Mackintosh, and Holly Brown. The plot centers around a British theater school and a serial bully. Ruby is from the US and her backstory is suspect. She was the culprit in the previous year causing tension in their friend group of four and between the moms as well. Now in Ruby's last year, there is a new student trying to join their little clique and she seems to be even more of a threat. Is Imogen who she claims to be? What secrets are the other girls and their moms hiding? As the four authors make their contributions to the narrative, the stakes rise. It's a bit like an improv game where a circle of participants keep adding to the same story. They tie up the loose ends in the last section. It kept me guessing and I thought it was a satisfying read. Two of the authors are ones I have not read and I will be adding to my TBR list.
September 16, 2019
So, The Understudy, a book with an amazing pedigree of 4 top of their game writers although I must confess to only reading Paris and Mackintosh previously, both of which I have read everything they have published and mainly enjoyed
The book is split into long chapters and ( I only realised at Chapter 4 😎 ) whichever author has written that chapter it is indicated at the start, they then all come together to write the end chapter/finale
Does this work? For me, yes, it did, I did notice difference in the writing styles and one authors chapters I felt were way ahead of the others but there was no hurtling difference in styles or format that caused a ‘continuation problem’ or made the book jerky or the flow stop, imo the 4 worked well in that way
The story, mmmmmmm, well the story is about 4 women and their 4 daughters all at a private arts college and revolves around a new pupil who is thrust into the group with alarming consequences, all 9 and inc the headmaster 10 are annoying in their own way however all 10 equally have fascinating character traits, not one of them would I like to meet! Together though they make an unrivalled team of privilege and other unashamed characteristics
The story is at times laboured and points and scenes repeated and it can be confusing with 10 main players to remember who is who and what has happened to each
However there is a leason to be learnt from the book, not saying what but lets just say revenge is a dish best served cold, well it is in this story, also there is a very serious theme to the book that becomes ever more clear as the story goes on
Not the greatest ending to a book I have to say and a bit lacklustre when you consider the talented authors having a hand in writing it
This book will have much interest re the 4 authors and the book is more than passable but not outstanding
6/10
3 Stars
September 26, 2019
This story centres around the mothers of four teenage girls who all attend a performing arts school. Jess, Ruby, Bel and Sadie attend the Orla Flynn Academy. They are studying musical theatre and form a close friendship group. The mothers, Carolyn, Kendall, Bronnie and Elsie are aslo friends until an incident where bullying occurred the previous year. The headmaster suggests that they I produce a new girl into the group. The girls make Imogen welcome but soon cracks appear.
The story is told from the four mothers point of view. There are four mums, five girls and a and a headmaster to try and remember. The headmaster was the easiest. At times, I couldn't remember which child belonged to which mother. There is weird things take place and at times they're a bit terrifying. The mothers while protecting their own daughter, start accusing the other girls and even the other mothers. There is plenty going on in this well written storyline. Each author has managed to do a good job writing their part and they all join up seamlessly. I did enjoy this book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the authors Sophie Hannah; Claire Mackintosh; B.A. Paris; Holly Brown for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from the four mothers point of view. There are four mums, five girls and a and a headmaster to try and remember. The headmaster was the easiest. At times, I couldn't remember which child belonged to which mother. There is weird things take place and at times they're a bit terrifying. The mothers while protecting their own daughter, start accusing the other girls and even the other mothers. There is plenty going on in this well written storyline. Each author has managed to do a good job writing their part and they all join up seamlessly. I did enjoy this book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the authors Sophie Hannah; Claire Mackintosh; B.A. Paris; Holly Brown for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2022
I was pretty excited to start this collaboration as have already enjoyed both Hannah and Mackintosh works, whilst getting to experience two other authors in Paris and Brown.
The plot itself was pretty simple and effective, told through four parents who's girls all attended Orla Flynn Academy.
As competition is rife and a history of bullying makes for a good setting, the broken music box left as a threat was pretty effective.
As you'd expect the writing was strong but the characters were practically unpleasant to like.
Some slight repatriation which I guess is only natural from a novel written in this style, one nice addition was known which author wrote what sections.
The plot itself was pretty simple and effective, told through four parents who's girls all attended Orla Flynn Academy.
As competition is rife and a history of bullying makes for a good setting, the broken music box left as a threat was pretty effective.
As you'd expect the writing was strong but the characters were practically unpleasant to like.
Some slight repatriation which I guess is only natural from a novel written in this style, one nice addition was known which author wrote what sections.
February 22, 2023
Na pewno nie jest to najlepsza książka B.A. Paris, ale muszę przyznać, że trzymała w napięciu od pierwszej strony.
November 26, 2021
Sincer mai mult suspans aici, ca practic nu se intampla mare lucru, in schimb frustrarile mamelor sunt biiiiiine conturate. Domnisoare cu bani, plictisite la maxim, intr-o scoala cu multe semne de intrebare la poarta. Secretele se tin lant iar finalul e cumva interesant. Ma duce cu gandul la o miniserie.
March 28, 2020
How does this happen! A group of four successful and popular authors collaborate only to produce a piece of utterly awful writing.
Four women. who on the surface are friends, each have a daughter at the well-respected and highly competitive
Orla Flynn Academy for the Performing Arts. All four girls are, on the surface, close friends. Unfortunately one of them - Ruby - was particularly horrible to Jess, and now, whenever anything nasty happens the finger of suspicion is pointed in her direction. Enter new girl Imogen Curwood. On the instructions of the headmaster our four musketeers are forced to welcome her into their pack. What could possibly go wrong.....
Talk about Pushy Mothers - this lot will do anything for their precious daughters, who on the whole, are better behaved than their mothers. Each and every one of the adults in this awful book are so horrible, it makes for really unpleasant reading. Are these girls really supposed to be 17-years old? Really? My 13 year old niece is more mature than this lot. One person behaving badly, okay, but all four? It's just all so silly, badly written, appalling characters and dreadful half-American dialogue...no, no. no.
What surprises me is that this thing has been published at all. And to think four of them had a hand in this! Amazing. I've got to the 32% mark and cannot continue.
My thanks to Netgalley for possibly the worst book I've tried to read this year
Four women. who on the surface are friends, each have a daughter at the well-respected and highly competitive
Orla Flynn Academy for the Performing Arts. All four girls are, on the surface, close friends. Unfortunately one of them - Ruby - was particularly horrible to Jess, and now, whenever anything nasty happens the finger of suspicion is pointed in her direction. Enter new girl Imogen Curwood. On the instructions of the headmaster our four musketeers are forced to welcome her into their pack. What could possibly go wrong.....
Talk about Pushy Mothers - this lot will do anything for their precious daughters, who on the whole, are better behaved than their mothers. Each and every one of the adults in this awful book are so horrible, it makes for really unpleasant reading. Are these girls really supposed to be 17-years old? Really? My 13 year old niece is more mature than this lot. One person behaving badly, okay, but all four? It's just all so silly, badly written, appalling characters and dreadful half-American dialogue...no, no. no.
What surprises me is that this thing has been published at all. And to think four of them had a hand in this! Amazing. I've got to the 32% mark and cannot continue.
My thanks to Netgalley for possibly the worst book I've tried to read this year
April 17, 2023
Naprawdę dobry thriller
August 10, 2020
Uprzejmie pytam, co to było i po co to było czterem uznanym autorkom thrillerów?
W tym roku tak się jeszcze podczas lektury nie wynudziłam, a nic tego nie zapowiadało, bo przecież fabuła wydaje się niezwykle interesująca: cztery przyjaciółki walczące "o życie" i ich matki, które zachowują się tak, jakby nie wiedziały co to godność i rozum człowieka, a do tego wszystkiego nowa dziewczyna, która jątrzy i spiskuje. To się nie może nie udać i zwiastuje świetną zabawę, prawda? Nie tym razem, niestety.
Ta historia strasznie się wlecze, przez kilka rozdziałów nie dzieje się kompletnie nic, co więcej - książka jest tak napisana, że ma się wrażenie, jakby w szkole artystycznej uczyło się tylko pięć dziewcząt, a ich mamusie zarządzały tym całym kramem. Gdzie pozostali uczniowie? Tego nie wie nikt.
Podczas lektury kilka razy zwróciłam uwagę na to, że pewna autorka w swoim rozdziale pisała jedno, tylko po to, by zostało to zanegowane w kolejnym fragmencie, który wyszedł spod pióra innej pisarki. Trochę takie pomieszanie z poplątaniem. Jest więc niefajnie, niespójnie i nieciekawie. Po prostu nie.
Na pewno warto się jednak tej powieści przyjrzeć. Przynajmniej po to, by móc sprawdzić, jak poradziły sobie autorki z wyzwaniem stworzenia wciągającego thrillera. Moim zdaniem kiepsko, ale dobrze wyrobić sobie własne ;)
W tym roku tak się jeszcze podczas lektury nie wynudziłam, a nic tego nie zapowiadało, bo przecież fabuła wydaje się niezwykle interesująca: cztery przyjaciółki walczące "o życie" i ich matki, które zachowują się tak, jakby nie wiedziały co to godność i rozum człowieka, a do tego wszystkiego nowa dziewczyna, która jątrzy i spiskuje. To się nie może nie udać i zwiastuje świetną zabawę, prawda? Nie tym razem, niestety.
Ta historia strasznie się wlecze, przez kilka rozdziałów nie dzieje się kompletnie nic, co więcej - książka jest tak napisana, że ma się wrażenie, jakby w szkole artystycznej uczyło się tylko pięć dziewcząt, a ich mamusie zarządzały tym całym kramem. Gdzie pozostali uczniowie? Tego nie wie nikt.
Podczas lektury kilka razy zwróciłam uwagę na to, że pewna autorka w swoim rozdziale pisała jedno, tylko po to, by zostało to zanegowane w kolejnym fragmencie, który wyszedł spod pióra innej pisarki. Trochę takie pomieszanie z poplątaniem. Jest więc niefajnie, niespójnie i nieciekawie. Po prostu nie.
Na pewno warto się jednak tej powieści przyjrzeć. Przynajmniej po to, by móc sprawdzić, jak poradziły sobie autorki z wyzwaniem stworzenia wciągającego thrillera. Moim zdaniem kiepsko, ale dobrze wyrobić sobie własne ;)
November 7, 2019
I thought this book was brilliant. I liked that it was split up so we know Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise and Kendall’s side of the story. None of the women were likeable and they were all hiding secrets. I definitely think this book would be one you would absolutely love or absolutely loathe. I thought it was really good and so well written. All the authors worked extremely well together and came out with a very thrilling book. There was always lots of dramas and secrets which make you want to find out more. I don’t think this book sounds that realistic as I doubt mother’s would get involved in so much drama all the time. They were as bad as their kids and vice versa. I kind of figured out what was happening but I suspected a lot of others because coming to the conclusion. I really enjoyed this book and I hope the four authors can work together again for another book. I definitely recommend this.
September 22, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed The Understudy, it was wildly entertaining and twistier than a bag full of pretzels on a rollercoaster.
It is peppered with highly dislikeable yet extraordinarily engaging character's, set within a highly competitive environment, where each passing chapter sends another curveball your way.
I loved the sense of baton passing as each of these brilliant authors add their own peculiar talents to the mix and this was one of those books where I often spoke out loud to it as one or another of the actions and reactions of this mad group dynamic made me crazy.
A whole lot of fun with an edgy unpredictable vibe. Genuinely addictive.
Recommended.
It is peppered with highly dislikeable yet extraordinarily engaging character's, set within a highly competitive environment, where each passing chapter sends another curveball your way.
I loved the sense of baton passing as each of these brilliant authors add their own peculiar talents to the mix and this was one of those books where I often spoke out loud to it as one or another of the actions and reactions of this mad group dynamic made me crazy.
A whole lot of fun with an edgy unpredictable vibe. Genuinely addictive.
Recommended.
March 2, 2022
3 / 5 ⭐
Czy ja wiem... Z jednej strony byłam ciekawa, co dalej. Z drugiej nie związałam się emocjonalnie z tą książką. Na start wchodzi za dużo postaci, spamiętać od razu 9 charakterów oraz relacji między nimi jest ciężko. Mam też mieszane odczucia co do zakończenia... tym bardziej, że momentami cała sprawa była przewidywalna, a w jeszcze innych kwestiach nie było dla czytelnika żadnych wskazówek. Mocny średniak, do lekkiego przeczytania.
Czy ja wiem... Z jednej strony byłam ciekawa, co dalej. Z drugiej nie związałam się emocjonalnie z tą książką. Na start wchodzi za dużo postaci, spamiętać od razu 9 charakterów oraz relacji między nimi jest ciężko. Mam też mieszane odczucia co do zakończenia... tym bardziej, że momentami cała sprawa była przewidywalna, a w jeszcze innych kwestiach nie było dla czytelnika żadnych wskazówek. Mocny średniak, do lekkiego przeczytania.
July 14, 2022
Fascinating to see how close knit four thriller writers can be when collaborating on a book together. At no time did I ever notice that I wasn’t reading ‘one voice’ instead of four, if anything it felt much more fluid and smooth this way. I wish they would do this again!
June 9, 2020
this is EMBARRASSINGLY bad. truly one of the worst books i’ve ever read. shoddy, childish writing, terrible 1 dimensional characters and a plot that resembles an episode of a CBBC programme. i cannot believe these 4 writers came together to produce this utter garbage. do not waste your time reading this, it was a true struggle to finish.
also, 3 out of 4 of the authors are british, you’d think in a book centred around a performing arts school they’d have learned how to fucking spell THEATRE.
also, 3 out of 4 of the authors are british, you’d think in a book centred around a performing arts school they’d have learned how to fucking spell THEATRE.
July 27, 2022
#perskaičiau
S. Hannah,B.A.Paris,C. Mackintosh,H. Brown "Dublerė"
"Pasiryžusios apsaugoti dukras, keturios motinos griebiasi savų metodų. Tačiau kuo labiau artėja prie tiesos, tuo labiau tampa akivaizdu, kad kiekviena taip pat turi ką slėpti. Nuo ko iš Amerikos pabėgo Kendalė? Ką vakarais paslapčia rašo Karolina? Kodėl Bronė ir akademijos vadovas tokie artimi? Kokia neleistina veikla užsiima Eliza? Ką jos slepia nuo savo vyrų, dukrų ir – viena nuo kitos?
Bet juk meluoja visi, tiesa? Yra didelis, mažas, baltas melas...
Meluojame, kad apsaugotume save, vienas kitą, kad neįskaudintume. Meluojame nesusimąstydami ir meluojame dėl, regis, smulkių ir nereikšmingų priežasčių, sakome tai, kas beveik nebūtų svarbu, jei mus demaskuotų.
Tik kartais tai svarbu.
Kartais niekas negali sužinoti tiesos."
Vos pamačiusi autorių sąraše B. A. Paris žinojau, kad knygą skaitysiu, tai viena mylimiausių mano autorių 😍
Trilerio anotacija žadėjo labai daug įtampos ir intrigų, tačiau deja teko šiek tiek nusivilti,o kodėl? Todėl, kad istorijos idėja išties puiki, veiksmo joje netrūko, buvo tikrai daug įvykių,o motinų personažai labai puikiai sukurti ir man labai patiko, kiekvienos charakteris ypatingas ir tikrai skaitydama pastebėjau, kad apstu pasaulyje tokių mamų, tačiau man pritrūko pabaigos, pritrūko įtikinamesnės kulminacijos, pasirodė tikrai neišbaigta arba paskubėta užbaigti, kas deja ir privertė šiek tiek nusivilti. Bet nepaisant to man knyga vis tiek patiko, labai lengvai skaitėsi ir mane tikrai įtraukė 🙂
O kaip jums ši knyga?
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
S. Hannah,B.A.Paris,C. Mackintosh,H. Brown "Dublerė"
"Pasiryžusios apsaugoti dukras, keturios motinos griebiasi savų metodų. Tačiau kuo labiau artėja prie tiesos, tuo labiau tampa akivaizdu, kad kiekviena taip pat turi ką slėpti. Nuo ko iš Amerikos pabėgo Kendalė? Ką vakarais paslapčia rašo Karolina? Kodėl Bronė ir akademijos vadovas tokie artimi? Kokia neleistina veikla užsiima Eliza? Ką jos slepia nuo savo vyrų, dukrų ir – viena nuo kitos?
Bet juk meluoja visi, tiesa? Yra didelis, mažas, baltas melas...
Meluojame, kad apsaugotume save, vienas kitą, kad neįskaudintume. Meluojame nesusimąstydami ir meluojame dėl, regis, smulkių ir nereikšmingų priežasčių, sakome tai, kas beveik nebūtų svarbu, jei mus demaskuotų.
Tik kartais tai svarbu.
Kartais niekas negali sužinoti tiesos."
Vos pamačiusi autorių sąraše B. A. Paris žinojau, kad knygą skaitysiu, tai viena mylimiausių mano autorių 😍
Trilerio anotacija žadėjo labai daug įtampos ir intrigų, tačiau deja teko šiek tiek nusivilti,o kodėl? Todėl, kad istorijos idėja išties puiki, veiksmo joje netrūko, buvo tikrai daug įvykių,o motinų personažai labai puikiai sukurti ir man labai patiko, kiekvienos charakteris ypatingas ir tikrai skaitydama pastebėjau, kad apstu pasaulyje tokių mamų, tačiau man pritrūko pabaigos, pritrūko įtikinamesnės kulminacijos, pasirodė tikrai neišbaigta arba paskubėta užbaigti, kas deja ir privertė šiek tiek nusivilti. Bet nepaisant to man knyga vis tiek patiko, labai lengvai skaitėsi ir mane tikrai įtraukė 🙂
O kaip jums ši knyga?
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
June 5, 2023
Romano centre – keturios moterys, tiek pat jų dukrų ir naujokė, kuri ir į taip jau gana chaotišką mokyklos gyvenimą įneša daug nežinomybės, įtarimų ir triukšmo. Su naujoke Imodžena į mokyklą grįžta siaubas ir įtarinėjimai, kaltinimai, patyčios ir nesibaigiantis dvejojimas vienas kito veiksmais ir žodžiais. Sakyčiau, naujokė užkuria dramą, kurioje mamos dalyvauja su dideliu pasimėgavimu, noru, kad jų dukros liktų teisios, nekaltos ir pačios geriausios. Konkurencija kunkuliuoja ne tik tarp talentingų paauglių, bet ir tarp jų motinų.
Dar vienas romanas – trileris apie patyčias kovą su jomis. Patyčiomis. Net sunku vertinti, kai jau knygą perskaičiau – juk viskas čia atrodo neteisinga, amoralu ir žiauru. Suprantu, ką autorė norėjo pasakyti, suvokiu, kokia galinga yra tėvų meilė ir kaip kartais norisi išgelbėti savo vaiką nuo viso pasaulio blogio. Neleidžiu sau teisinti nei vieno šiame romane veikusio veikėjo. O jų čia daug, sakyčiau, gal net per daug būta. O kur dar faktas, kad kartais yra per vėlu kažką keisti, o tu nusprendi ne susitaikyti su gyvenimo neteisybėmis, nueiti pas psichologą, gyti ir gedėti savaip ir vietoje to – imiesi dar šlykštesnių veiksmų, dėl kurių absoliučiai niekam nebus gerai. Ir jokių problemų tavo motyvacija neišspręs, o prikurs dar daugiau.
Kalbant apie trilerį ir užmerkiant akis prieš visą amoralumą, man patiko tai, kaip viskas buvo sukta ir suvyniota – įtarinėjau visas, o autorės mėtė užuominas ir kabliukus nuo pat pirmųjų skyrių. Jaučiuosi apgauta ne kartą. Ir tai nėra blogai. Tačiau vis tik mano moralės kompasas skaitant šią knygą tiesiog paklaiko – rodyklė nereagavo į jokius polius ir vis siautėjo ratu be jokio aiškios krypties rodymo. Norėjosi purtyti kiekvieną iš veikėjų ir visas jas išskirti – vienas siųsti į psichoterapeuto kabinetą, kitas galbūt į kitą mokyklą, o trečią… nežinau, tiesiog pamokyti taip, kad maža nepasirodytų. Man asmeniškai čia peržengtos visos įmanomos ribos. O tai romaną padaro nenuspėjamu ir įsimintinu. Bet širdyje jaučiuosi kitaip – laimės knyga nesuteikė, tik daug pasiklydusių minčių ir emocijų, kurias nežinojau, kad galiu jausti.
Daug dramos, nemažai problemų, kurias suaugę žmonės turėtų spręsti adekvačiau. Bet yra kaip yra, ir gyvenime juk šitaip būna, kai susirenka kelios gyvatės į vieną urvelį, visos susipainioja ir ima šnypšti, nors galėtų tiesiog atsipainioti ir pasirinkti susirasti ramesnį, tylesnį ir dar neužimtą urvą. Be konkurencijos ir be dirbtinai sukurtų dramų. Nustebino romanas, labai nustebino. Ir minčių nepalieka, nors atrodytų, kad čia tik mokyklos drama. Vis tik man pasirodė sudėtingiau ir painiau.
Leidyklos dovana.
Dar vienas romanas – trileris apie patyčias kovą su jomis. Patyčiomis. Net sunku vertinti, kai jau knygą perskaičiau – juk viskas čia atrodo neteisinga, amoralu ir žiauru. Suprantu, ką autorė norėjo pasakyti, suvokiu, kokia galinga yra tėvų meilė ir kaip kartais norisi išgelbėti savo vaiką nuo viso pasaulio blogio. Neleidžiu sau teisinti nei vieno šiame romane veikusio veikėjo. O jų čia daug, sakyčiau, gal net per daug būta. O kur dar faktas, kad kartais yra per vėlu kažką keisti, o tu nusprendi ne susitaikyti su gyvenimo neteisybėmis, nueiti pas psichologą, gyti ir gedėti savaip ir vietoje to – imiesi dar šlykštesnių veiksmų, dėl kurių absoliučiai niekam nebus gerai. Ir jokių problemų tavo motyvacija neišspręs, o prikurs dar daugiau.
Kalbant apie trilerį ir užmerkiant akis prieš visą amoralumą, man patiko tai, kaip viskas buvo sukta ir suvyniota – įtarinėjau visas, o autorės mėtė užuominas ir kabliukus nuo pat pirmųjų skyrių. Jaučiuosi apgauta ne kartą. Ir tai nėra blogai. Tačiau vis tik mano moralės kompasas skaitant šią knygą tiesiog paklaiko – rodyklė nereagavo į jokius polius ir vis siautėjo ratu be jokio aiškios krypties rodymo. Norėjosi purtyti kiekvieną iš veikėjų ir visas jas išskirti – vienas siųsti į psichoterapeuto kabinetą, kitas galbūt į kitą mokyklą, o trečią… nežinau, tiesiog pamokyti taip, kad maža nepasirodytų. Man asmeniškai čia peržengtos visos įmanomos ribos. O tai romaną padaro nenuspėjamu ir įsimintinu. Bet širdyje jaučiuosi kitaip – laimės knyga nesuteikė, tik daug pasiklydusių minčių ir emocijų, kurias nežinojau, kad galiu jausti.
Daug dramos, nemažai problemų, kurias suaugę žmonės turėtų spręsti adekvačiau. Bet yra kaip yra, ir gyvenime juk šitaip būna, kai susirenka kelios gyvatės į vieną urvelį, visos susipainioja ir ima šnypšti, nors galėtų tiesiog atsipainioti ir pasirinkti susirasti ramesnį, tylesnį ir dar neužimtą urvą. Be konkurencijos ir be dirbtinai sukurtų dramų. Nustebino romanas, labai nustebino. Ir minčių nepalieka, nors atrodytų, kad čia tik mokyklos drama. Vis tik man pasirodė sudėtingiau ir painiau.
Leidyklos dovana.
March 30, 2025
The Understudy has been written by four authors with them coming together for the final chapter.
Featuring the Orla Flynn Academy of Performing Arts, the book deals with four mothers & four daughters who are 'friends' of a sort! In the past Ruby had been guilty of bullying Jess. Although it caused a lot of trouble at the time it seems to have settled when a new girl arrives & it looks like it has started again, although this time it looks like Ruby might be getting a taste of her own medicine.
Featuring the Orla Flynn Academy of Performing Arts, the book deals with four mothers & four daughters who are 'friends' of a sort! In the past Ruby had been guilty of bullying Jess. Although it caused a lot of trouble at the time it seems to have settled when a new girl arrives & it looks like it has started again, although this time it looks like Ruby might be getting a taste of her own medicine.
September 26, 2019
With thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Staughton for this ARC in exchange for and honest review.
The Understudy is about a four friends and wannabe actresses Jess, Ruby, Annabelle and Sadie. The girls attend the Orla Flynn Academy for Performing Arts.
Ruby had moved to the UK from America the year before and quickly made friends with the three girls. Her mother Kendall was lonely and became friends with the mums, Carolyn, Elise and Bronnie.
Ruby became jealous of Jess because she was more talented, and started to bully her for months.. Ruby was disciplined and she learnt the error of her ways. Jess, Annabelle and Sadie forgave her and they remained friends.
The following September started with a bang when Jess found a musical jewellery box in her locker. Inside the ballerina was covered in blood. When questioned by the school Ruby denied leaving the box in Jess`s locker. On the same day the headmaster Adam Ricki decided the four girls should befriend new student Imogen.
However the the mums are do not trust Imogen. During a sleep over at Sadie,`s Elise found a prescription for anti psychotic medication in her bag. Isobel caught her and said you should be careful. During the sleepover Isobel fell down stairs but was unharmed. Isobel claimed it was an accident but later told Bronnie that Ruby pushed her. Ruby denied the claim but her friends distanced themselves from her and no longer included her. Kendall was also upset when the mums also started to ignore her. When somebody left a death threat for Ruby in the school grounds, Kendall starts to investigate.
I have been excited to read The Understudy since I discovered my two favourite authors, Sophie Hannah and Claire Mackintosh were collaborating on a book. I enjoyed it so much I started this book yesterday morning and finished today. The writing was seamless and I didn't notice when another author took over the plot. I have a book from Holly Brown in my TBR collection which I am now looking forward to reading.
The story was about the mothers rather than the girls. The woman were frenemies and were teaching hiding their own secrets. My favourite was Annabelle`s mum Bronnie. She was the nicest of the woman, I thought it was lovely she saved a chip fork from a trip to the seaside. The worst was Sadie`s mum Elise. She was thoroughly uncaring and just wanted to protect her own interests.
The showdown at the end as gripping and told a serious message. I highly recommend this book and hope these ladies collaborate on another story together.
The Understudy is about a four friends and wannabe actresses Jess, Ruby, Annabelle and Sadie. The girls attend the Orla Flynn Academy for Performing Arts.
Ruby had moved to the UK from America the year before and quickly made friends with the three girls. Her mother Kendall was lonely and became friends with the mums, Carolyn, Elise and Bronnie.
Ruby became jealous of Jess because she was more talented, and started to bully her for months.. Ruby was disciplined and she learnt the error of her ways. Jess, Annabelle and Sadie forgave her and they remained friends.
The following September started with a bang when Jess found a musical jewellery box in her locker. Inside the ballerina was covered in blood. When questioned by the school Ruby denied leaving the box in Jess`s locker. On the same day the headmaster Adam Ricki decided the four girls should befriend new student Imogen.
However the the mums are do not trust Imogen. During a sleep over at Sadie,`s Elise found a prescription for anti psychotic medication in her bag. Isobel caught her and said you should be careful. During the sleepover Isobel fell down stairs but was unharmed. Isobel claimed it was an accident but later told Bronnie that Ruby pushed her. Ruby denied the claim but her friends distanced themselves from her and no longer included her. Kendall was also upset when the mums also started to ignore her. When somebody left a death threat for Ruby in the school grounds, Kendall starts to investigate.
I have been excited to read The Understudy since I discovered my two favourite authors, Sophie Hannah and Claire Mackintosh were collaborating on a book. I enjoyed it so much I started this book yesterday morning and finished today. The writing was seamless and I didn't notice when another author took over the plot. I have a book from Holly Brown in my TBR collection which I am now looking forward to reading.
The story was about the mothers rather than the girls. The woman were frenemies and were teaching hiding their own secrets. My favourite was Annabelle`s mum Bronnie. She was the nicest of the woman, I thought it was lovely she saved a chip fork from a trip to the seaside. The worst was Sadie`s mum Elise. She was thoroughly uncaring and just wanted to protect her own interests.
The showdown at the end as gripping and told a serious message. I highly recommend this book and hope these ladies collaborate on another story together.
September 26, 2024
Kaip užkietėjus detektyvų skaitytoja gali nesusidomėt knyga, kurią parašė keturios kietos trilerių autiorės? Niekaip. Turėjau perskaityt ir sužinot ką jos čia sukūrė. Perskaičiau greitai - knyga labai lengvai skaitosi. Tačiau ar patiko? Ar pasijautė tas keturių rašytojų svarumas? Nepasakyčiau.
Čia labiau paaugliškas reikalas, nei malonumas susuktų, nenuspėjamų ir žiaurių detektyvų fanams. Privati gimnazija sauganti savo reputaciją, talentingos paauglės, kurių galvose knibžda intrigos, paslaptys ir milžiniška konkurencija. Naujokė, įnešusi nemažai sumaišties ir akivaizdžiai kažką slepianti. Visus merginų reikalus ir ateitį čia bando spręsti ir jų mamos: draugės, kurias supriešina mokykloje vykstantys dalykai.
Toks serialiukas čia. Lengva įsivaizduot prabangią mokyklą, gražuoles paaugles ir visą tą įtampą, kurią jaučia jų motinos, pačios turėdamos didelių paslapčių. Skaitosi tikrai greitai, bet tiiiikrai čia labiau YA žanras. Pabaigą nuspėt nebuvo sunku, labai didelių plot twistų irgi neatsirado. Nelabai suprantu kam čia reikėjų tų keturių autorių, nebent joms pačioms kartu dirbt buvo smagu :D
Čia labiau paaugliškas reikalas, nei malonumas susuktų, nenuspėjamų ir žiaurių detektyvų fanams. Privati gimnazija sauganti savo reputaciją, talentingos paauglės, kurių galvose knibžda intrigos, paslaptys ir milžiniška konkurencija. Naujokė, įnešusi nemažai sumaišties ir akivaizdžiai kažką slepianti. Visus merginų reikalus ir ateitį čia bando spręsti ir jų mamos: draugės, kurias supriešina mokykloje vykstantys dalykai.
Toks serialiukas čia. Lengva įsivaizduot prabangią mokyklą, gražuoles paaugles ir visą tą įtampą, kurią jaučia jų motinos, pačios turėdamos didelių paslapčių. Skaitosi tikrai greitai, bet tiiiikrai čia labiau YA žanras. Pabaigą nuspėt nebuvo sunku, labai didelių plot twistų irgi neatsirado. Nelabai suprantu kam čia reikėjų tų keturių autorių, nebent joms pačioms kartu dirbt buvo smagu :D
January 18, 2020
I wondered how a collaborative effort between four successful writers could work. Would there be distinct edges, jerkiness, or gaps in the story?
I soon forgot I had these questions after beginning the book. Unless the chapters were marked with an author’s name, I couldn’t tell the difference. It seemed as if one person had penned the entirety.
This was a fun read. Four mothers; each with their unique parenting style, jockey for position regarding their daughter’s success in a performing arts school.
Even though they’ve been friends for years, all bets are off when it comes to top billing for their girls.
One has an affair with the school director, one visits another’s husband unannounced, and others campaign for expelling their friends’ daughter from the academy. The women aren’t the most likable characters, but they’re motivated.
When a mysterious new student joins the group, the simmering pot is stirred and then boils over. Several twists later, everything wraps up and most questions are answered.
This book has received mixed reviews, but I really liked it!
I soon forgot I had these questions after beginning the book. Unless the chapters were marked with an author’s name, I couldn’t tell the difference. It seemed as if one person had penned the entirety.
This was a fun read. Four mothers; each with their unique parenting style, jockey for position regarding their daughter’s success in a performing arts school.
Even though they’ve been friends for years, all bets are off when it comes to top billing for their girls.
One has an affair with the school director, one visits another’s husband unannounced, and others campaign for expelling their friends’ daughter from the academy. The women aren’t the most likable characters, but they’re motivated.
When a mysterious new student joins the group, the simmering pot is stirred and then boils over. Several twists later, everything wraps up and most questions are answered.
This book has received mixed reviews, but I really liked it!
June 13, 2021
Cartea asta seamănă ca stil cu Marile minciuni nevinovate. Are la baza același gen de subiect : parinti-copii-scoala, și se învârte în aceleași bârfe, etichete, minciuni, doar ca la un alt nivel. Dacă la Marile minciuni nevinovate am ras pe ici pe colo, aici n-am zambit deloc. Cruzimea fetelor si frustrările părinților nu m-au distrat.
Interesant modul de narare. Fiecare autoare are câte un personaj pe care îl dezvolta și rand pe rand, toate se împletesc destul de armonios. Se simte stilul diferit de scriere, dar cartea este un tot, nu e nimic deranjant sau nelalocul lui.
Povestea, nu știu sa spun dacă e cine știe ce. Am bănuit de la început cine e în spatele tuturor acelor gesturi, însă nu am avut habar de motivația pe care a avut-o. Am crezut ca e cu totul altceva.
Nu mi-a plăcut finalul... mi s-a părut ca lucrurile nu trebuiau sa rămână asa, dar na... ficțiune.
Ii dau 3 stele.
Interesant modul de narare. Fiecare autoare are câte un personaj pe care îl dezvolta și rand pe rand, toate se împletesc destul de armonios. Se simte stilul diferit de scriere, dar cartea este un tot, nu e nimic deranjant sau nelalocul lui.
Povestea, nu știu sa spun dacă e cine știe ce. Am bănuit de la început cine e în spatele tuturor acelor gesturi, însă nu am avut habar de motivația pe care a avut-o. Am crezut ca e cu totul altceva.
Nu mi-a plăcut finalul... mi s-a părut ca lucrurile nu trebuiau sa rămână asa, dar na... ficțiune.
Ii dau 3 stele.
May 1, 2019
The mothers are forced to come together when their daughters are being targeted but they have to find out if the newest member to their drama school is the killer, possessed perhaps or just a wicked little girl that wants to be a star.
I thought that considering it was written by multiple author (B. A. Paris being my favorite and the reason I wanted to read it) they flowed rather easily. If i didnt know that it was multiple authors I would not have known they just blended the story together so nicely.
I thought that considering it was written by multiple author (B. A. Paris being my favorite and the reason I wanted to read it) they flowed rather easily. If i didnt know that it was multiple authors I would not have known they just blended the story together so nicely.
February 8, 2023
B.A Paris (z pomocą innych autorek) ZNOWU! sprawiła że czytając tą książkę byłam w ciągłym szoku tego co się w niej dzieje. Dla mnie jest niezastąpiona i jestem pewna że każdą jej książkę ocenie na 5*
April 1, 2022
Goede psychologische thriller! Elk perspectief is geschreven door andere auteur, zit goed in elkaar. Veel personages dus wel koppie er bij houden
December 1, 2019
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
The Understudy is an entertaining, twisty story set in the world of teenage drama school students and their pushy parents. There’s plenty of cattiness within its pages, as we see things through the eyes of four different but often just as unlikable parents. You love to hate them, and their bratty children, as the novel continues, and more secrets come to the surface.
The book is quite unique in that it’s split into sections, which each author writes, and I loved this sense of each author taking their turn – if these sections weren’t marked you wouldn’t know they were written by different people, as they’re all very in sync with their writing, but it’s interesting to know that each auhor had their own chance to put their stamp on the story. When I have read books with multiple authors, it’s usually a collection of short stories, not when the authors all collaborate on the same story (and certainly not when it’s not two or three authors but four!), so it was a different experience for me – but as I mentioned, it all flowed together so well that you wouldn’t know you were reading the work of more than one author.
The story perfectly captures the bitchiness of teenage life as well as the way this bleeds into their mothers’ lives – some more than others. I can imagine their need to protect their daughters, but the way some of them behave is beyond what most would consider normal. Although there’s a lot of high school angst and melodrama, the story stops short of being too much by having a constant, unnerving undercurrent of people not being who they say they are. I definitely rolled my eyes at the characters on multiple occasions, but that feels intentional – as the reader, we’re not supposed to like them, just be intrigued as to what is really going on! There were also some parts which I feel you would have to suspend your disbelief for
I enjoyed this novel – it’s an easy, fun and entertaining read.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for providing a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
The Understudy is an entertaining, twisty story set in the world of teenage drama school students and their pushy parents. There’s plenty of cattiness within its pages, as we see things through the eyes of four different but often just as unlikable parents. You love to hate them, and their bratty children, as the novel continues, and more secrets come to the surface.
The book is quite unique in that it’s split into sections, which each author writes, and I loved this sense of each author taking their turn – if these sections weren’t marked you wouldn’t know they were written by different people, as they’re all very in sync with their writing, but it’s interesting to know that each auhor had their own chance to put their stamp on the story. When I have read books with multiple authors, it’s usually a collection of short stories, not when the authors all collaborate on the same story (and certainly not when it’s not two or three authors but four!), so it was a different experience for me – but as I mentioned, it all flowed together so well that you wouldn’t know you were reading the work of more than one author.
The story perfectly captures the bitchiness of teenage life as well as the way this bleeds into their mothers’ lives – some more than others. I can imagine their need to protect their daughters, but the way some of them behave is beyond what most would consider normal. Although there’s a lot of high school angst and melodrama, the story stops short of being too much by having a constant, unnerving undercurrent of people not being who they say they are. I definitely rolled my eyes at the characters on multiple occasions, but that feels intentional – as the reader, we’re not supposed to like them, just be intrigued as to what is really going on! There were also some parts which I feel you would have to suspend your disbelief for
I enjoyed this novel – it’s an easy, fun and entertaining read.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for providing a copy of this novel, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
August 15, 2020
Cztery bestsellerowe pisarki, mistrzynie dreszczowców napisały jedną powieść – „Dublerka” pióra B.A. Paris, Sophie Hannah, Holly Brown i Clare Mackintosh. Co z tego wynikło?
Do takich wspólnych literackich projektów autorów o największych nazwiskach podchodzę z dużą dozą ostrożności. A jednak – „Dublerka” ma w sobie wszystko to, co sprawia, że nie sposób oderwać się od lektury! Przed czytelnikiem thriller psychologiczny, który trzyma w napięciu od początku do końca i nie wypuszcza ze swoich szponów. Warto jednak zauważyć, że ze względu na poruszaną tematykę „Dublerka” wydaje się być lekturą skierowaną raczej do czytelniczek. Odnajdziemy tu zagrywki i tematy, które kobieca strona czytelników z pewnością rozpozna, a może nawet w pewien sposób odnajdzie się w poruszanej problematyce. Mamy tu bowiem opowieść o znęcaniu się psychicznym, o nękaniu, ale również opowieść o matczynym poświęceniu, o tym, do czego zdolna jest matka, której dziecko jest w jakiś sposób zagrożone.
Największa obawa względem „Dublerki” dotyczyła jednak spójności, bo niełatwo jest połączyć cztery różne pisarskie głosy i cztery odmienne style. W tym przypadku jednak się udało – wszystkie cztery pisarki odnalazły jeden, spójny, wspólny głos, chociaż poszczególne rozdziały są podzielone i należą do poszczególnych autorek. Każda nadała swój osobisty ton jednej z bohaterek, ale jednocześnie żadna z nich nie odstaje, wręcz przeciwnie, doskonale się uzupełniają.
Jak to bywa z bestsellerami i bestsellerowymi pisarzami – warto na własnej skórze sprawdzić, co też w trawie piszczy, bo te najgłośniejsze tytuły często dzielą czytelników. Sama przy „Dublerce” bawiłam znakomicie, od początku do końca, i chociaż niektóre rozterki bohaterek były mocno przerysowane, to wszystkie cztery pisarki wybrnęły z nonsensu w finale w bardzo intrygujący sposób.
Do takich wspólnych literackich projektów autorów o największych nazwiskach podchodzę z dużą dozą ostrożności. A jednak – „Dublerka” ma w sobie wszystko to, co sprawia, że nie sposób oderwać się od lektury! Przed czytelnikiem thriller psychologiczny, który trzyma w napięciu od początku do końca i nie wypuszcza ze swoich szponów. Warto jednak zauważyć, że ze względu na poruszaną tematykę „Dublerka” wydaje się być lekturą skierowaną raczej do czytelniczek. Odnajdziemy tu zagrywki i tematy, które kobieca strona czytelników z pewnością rozpozna, a może nawet w pewien sposób odnajdzie się w poruszanej problematyce. Mamy tu bowiem opowieść o znęcaniu się psychicznym, o nękaniu, ale również opowieść o matczynym poświęceniu, o tym, do czego zdolna jest matka, której dziecko jest w jakiś sposób zagrożone.
Największa obawa względem „Dublerki” dotyczyła jednak spójności, bo niełatwo jest połączyć cztery różne pisarskie głosy i cztery odmienne style. W tym przypadku jednak się udało – wszystkie cztery pisarki odnalazły jeden, spójny, wspólny głos, chociaż poszczególne rozdziały są podzielone i należą do poszczególnych autorek. Każda nadała swój osobisty ton jednej z bohaterek, ale jednocześnie żadna z nich nie odstaje, wręcz przeciwnie, doskonale się uzupełniają.
Jak to bywa z bestsellerami i bestsellerowymi pisarzami – warto na własnej skórze sprawdzić, co też w trawie piszczy, bo te najgłośniejsze tytuły często dzielą czytelników. Sama przy „Dublerce” bawiłam znakomicie, od początku do końca, i chociaż niektóre rozterki bohaterek były mocno przerysowane, to wszystkie cztery pisarki wybrnęły z nonsensu w finale w bardzo intrygujący sposób.
January 5, 2020
How can a book written by some of the best thriller authors out there be so... meh? So forgettable? So predictable? So uninteresting? Too many cooks, I guess...
Ok I’m being harsh. This book wasn’t uninteresting. But it was a struggle to get through. I almost put it down with the intention of never picking it back up again multiple times. But I’m obsessed with school type thrillers, I love Ballet and the whole idea of children and adults being as awful as each other is clever and relevant. But I had such high expectations! Sophie Hannah is amazing, I’ve read all of her books apart from her Agatha Christie’s and I love her... BA Paris was an author I first picked up almost 2 years ago and found her stuff amazing. I like the other two authors as well and they all have some amazing books. But somehow this just didn’t work at all.
Ok I’m being harsh. This book wasn’t uninteresting. But it was a struggle to get through. I almost put it down with the intention of never picking it back up again multiple times. But I’m obsessed with school type thrillers, I love Ballet and the whole idea of children and adults being as awful as each other is clever and relevant. But I had such high expectations! Sophie Hannah is amazing, I’ve read all of her books apart from her Agatha Christie’s and I love her... BA Paris was an author I first picked up almost 2 years ago and found her stuff amazing. I like the other two authors as well and they all have some amazing books. But somehow this just didn’t work at all.
February 9, 2024
Nie wciągnęłam się nawet na ostatnich stronach. Czytałam z myślą że może końcówka będzie mocna, ale mimo że się nie spodziewałam to słabe zakończenie bardzo. Nudna, zawiodłam się.
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