Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense discussion
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I Let You Go
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March 2017 - Final Thoughts - **Spoilers Allowed** - I Let You Go
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Brenda, Suspense lover!
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 01, 2017 01:19AM
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I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
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I thought this was an absolute stunner of a crime novel. So many unexpected twists and turns. Nothing was as it seemed. I found it both engrossing and entertaining (although some of the subject matter was decidedly grim). A 5★ rating from me.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Early on I found this very hard going, not because the writing was poor (far from it), but I was finding it emotionally difficult to read, given the subject matter. I kept coming back to it, realising that it was the author's skill in making me empathise with her characters and wanting to unravel the story. A very impressive debut, and I look forward to, yet sort of dread, the next book. A great choice for the monthly read.
I too found the start a little hard to deal with due to the subject. But once I got to the turning point in he book, I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read the next one.
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I was a bit disturbed by the ending. He has to be dead doesn't he? What was the author trying to imply in the last few paragraphs. That Jenna still has something to fear? Or that after all she has been through fear will stay with her for a long time?
Finished this one ★★★☆ I enjoyed the first half of the book most, the second half was fairly predictable, with only the identity of the boys father the only real surprise.
Nice easy read for a weekend.
I didn't pick the identity of the driver at all, and found myself flicking back to the beginning as soon as it was revealed. I thought this aspect was very well done. I didn't really warm to the male detective, and I thought the writing of his parts was nowhere near as strong as the other POV. I agree that the second half of the book was fairly predictable, and I thought the identity of the child's father was a step too far in terms of believability, but overall I really enjoyed the story.
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Phrynne wrote: "I guessed the identity of the driver far too soon which spoiled some of the tension for me. I was a bit disturbed by the ending. He has to be dead doesn't he? What was the author trying to imply i..."
I formed the impression that he had survived somehow (1) no body recovered and (2) someone wrote that message in the sand...Makes me wonder if the author plans a second instalment where he comes back to persecute Jenna again...? Or do I have an overactive imagination, LOL!
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I thought that the writers intention was just to leave that hint of doubt, as a last bit of suspense. But now you have mentioned a book 2.... you could be right, but I don't think I will be signing up for a series. There is only so much domestic violence I can take, and it did get a bit too descriptive of that in places.
Kerri wrote: "I thought that the writers intention was just to leave that hint of doubt, as a last bit of suspense. But now you have mentioned a book 2.... you could be right, but I don't think I will be signing..."Actually Kerri I'd like to think your idea, of one last bit of suspense, was the right ending. It was really unpleasant reading, that horrible husband Ian being so mercilessly cruel to Jenna, over and over...like you, I'm not sure I'd wish to read more of that.
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My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I mostly enjoyed this book. I do have some comments/questions:- The voice of Anya's narration is the same as that of Jenna's, thus the reader is intentionally misled into thinking Jenna is Jordan's mom.
- Were we ever told of Anya's full name? I am wondering why Jacob's last name is Jordan.
- It didn't make sense to me that Jenna did not open up to the police sooner regarding Ian's involvement in the accident.
- It didn't make sense that Ian took the time to write in the sand, twice, when the writing could have easily been washed away before anyone noticed it. (BTW, Bethan saw "betrayed" written but didn't think to go check on Jenna?)
- The connection of Ian as Jacob's father seems far-fetched, I didn't care for this bit.
- Why didn't Jenna run farther than just a couple of hours away from Bristol? She had her passport, surely she could have covered more distance.
- How did Jenna save up any money when Ian controlled everything?
- Why wouldn't the fact that Jenna's father was abusive have come up in discussion over the years? It seems inconceivable that neither her mom nor her sister ever brought this up, especially when Jenna had always blamed her mom.
- What evidence is there that Ian was the one driving the car? Other than Jenna's word, how can the police be certain that she finally told the truth?
- Do we know what happened to Marie?
- I didn't care for the ending. I think it could have been a bit more satisfying.
