Charlotte Johnson
asked:
I'm only about 50 pages in and so far it's not really doing a whole lot for me but I see such incredible reviews. Does the book get better as it goes or am I just missing the point if it doesn't grip me straight from the get-go?
To answer questions about
Miracle Creek,
please sign up.
Angie Kim
Not sure how fair it is for me to answer because I'm the author, so of course I'm going to say "keep on reading!" (haha). But I've been trying to read all the reviews, good or bad, and some of the readers have said that it took them a while to get into it, especially because there are so many characters to get to know, but that the second half and the ending are what made them love it. I hope this is helpful, and I hope that readers will chime in!
Paolo Latini
Yes, it gets better. There's a lot of interesting characters involved , and I found very interesting the way the author deals with immigration issues, where "immigrants become child versions of themselves, stripped of their verbal fluency and, with it, a layer of their competence and maturity." (And I've loved attorney Shannon Haug, who sometimes reminded me of a character in The Good Wife/The Good Fight tv series)
Erin
I am not sure if this helps, but I was hooked from the beginning, and got really wrapped up in each of the character's stories and the overlapping plot lines, as well as the central mystery. Lots of details unfold as the book progresses, right up until nearly the very end. I absolutely loved it!
Emily
I absolutely loved it--as it unfolds, each chapter takes a subtle, psychologically real turn and exposes so much raw humanness that I found it difficult not to talk to the characters. Once the pieces fell into place, I wanted to stop reading just to save the characters' lives. Right up there with A Little Life for me.
Jen Melham
I'm about halfway through and have to STOP myself from continuing to read because I have other things that "need" to get done. That said, I was hooked from the beginning, because I'm a big fan of mysteries and courtroom scenes (Law & Order fan here!)
I did have trouble figuring out who was who at first, but I figured it out after a few chapters.
I did have trouble figuring out who was who at first, but I figured it out after a few chapters.
Kellie
I would say keep going. I think unfortunately, this book was mis-marketed. It is being promoted in a manner that likens it to the Gone Girl/thriller genre, playing up Young being asked to keep a secret by her husband, and I think it is a disservice to the novel. Once I let that expectation go, I found it better to read.
Kathy
I think the courtroom part, which you have yet to get to, was tedious as there was just TOO much of it. Too much detail that was then later repeated by characters either coming to grips with what was said or reliving their part of the testimony we all just heard. Never gripped me at all.
Shelley
I loved it, but if it is not gripping at this point, perhaps it is just not a book for you.
Christine
I'm stuck in the beginning and find myself wishing I gave it up earlier.
Pat
I hope you continue reading Miracle Creek. It does get much better, and you will become invested in the characters. The writing is consistently good throughout this book.
Heather
I liked it pretty much from the beginning but I was listening on audible. I have the printed text as well. Keep going because your mind is not sure what to believe as the trial gets going. (currently on page 100).
Mallee Stanley
Keep reading — it's good and catch my review on my readandwritedotblog
Melissa
Keep reading!! I had a hard time at first but it is really good. Hang in there, you will not regret it!
Roberta
Every book doesn't grip every reader but the book just won the 2020 Edgar Award for Best First Novel so it did something for some people. Give it another 25 pages and, if it still doesn't grab you, maybe it just isn't the book for you.
Marty Fried
It's a bit slow in the beginning like many good books. There's a lot of character development, and it's a bit layered, so as the layers are peeled back, it becomes more interesting. I'm at 25%, and it's getting very interesting to me. But my wife is from China, and our son came here when he was 12, so I can relate to the problems due to language and customs. If you want to understand better, I think this will be very informative.
Sarah Toppins
I had a hard time getting started because of the horribleness of the accident/crime and how many characters were introduced. As I learn more about each character, their backstories, and the possibility that they might have been involved in the accident, I got hooked and had a hard time putting it down. Keep going.
Liisa
I had the same experience you did with the beginning. I felt that my initial interest was around 3.5 stars, but the ending was closer to 5--not due to the story, but due to the author's structure behind the story, if that makes any sense. The author definitely has a point and the wrap-up made finishing it worth it to me.
Ed Bernard
I would say that the plot develops, but the writing style is consistent throughout -- my reading pace picked up a little as it went on, but that always happens with thrillers.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more