Group Read - The Hiding Place Final comments Spoilers Welcome

[Ann]

Oops I forgot to add a Final Comments topic after promising to include those for the 2019 Group Reads.
Spoilers Welcome on this topic. What did you think about t he book?

[Geri]

I did enjoy this book. It was dark and creepy and suspenseful. I rated this 4 stars instead of 5 because I wanted more answers at the end. But overall, I did like this thriller!

[Ann]

Geri I gave it four stars as well. It was riveting and creepy and brought back lots of recollections of other books that explore this type of ancient evil.
There are many unanswered questions, perhaps necessary in the case of the evil and justified in that the characters themselves may not be able to make sense of the events due to the nature of what happened and their age at the time.
Perhaps this was a glimpse of what trying to live after tragic events and cope with guilt looks like.
And why you should leave town for good if you live near an ancient evil that apparently is tied to a pit that draws in the curious or .misfits

[Meredith]

Kinda felt like this one was a letdown, boys and girls. I did really like it, I'm just left feeling a little ... unsatisfied. Anyone else?

[Ann]

Meredith: I understand that sentiment. It won't make a top list for me. Partly that is because I generally avoid horror books. I've read several really good ones, I like several horror novelists. I just prefer less ancient evil in my mysteries.
Meredith wrote: "Kinda felt like this one was a letdown, boys and girls. I did really like it, I'm just left feeling a little ... unsatisfied. Anyone else?"

[Geri]

Ann wrote: "And why you should leave town for good if you live near an ancient evil that apparently is tied to a pit that draws in the curious or .misfits
"

LOL Too true!

[Geri]

Meredith wrote: "Kinda felt like this one was a letdown, boys and girls. I did really like it, I'm just left feeling a little ... unsatisfied. Anyone else?"

Yes. I wanted more answers and clarity in the end. But like Ann said, maybe that was too much to ask for in a book like this.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Meredith wrote: "Kinda felt like this one was a letdown, boys and girls. I did really like it, I'm just left feeling a little ... unsatisfied. Anyone else?"

Yeah. That, plus the fact that it felt like recycled Stephen King and John Saul, has me give it a 3.5, even though it did grab me. Maybe a 4, but I give 4's to books I don't have as many complaints about. Still struggling as you can tell.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Ann wrote: "Partly that is because I generally avoid horror books. I've read several really good ones, I like several horror novelists. I just prefer less ancient evil in my mysteries...."

So well said. I couldn't agree more. I went through my horror phase and except for Stephen King -- who is more on the fringe between horror and suspense, at least recently -- I don't gravitate toward that genre any more.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Geri wrote: "Yes. I wanted more answers and clarity in the end. But like Ann said, maybe that was too much to ask for in a book like this. ..."

What I'm trying to decide is whether the questions left were deliberate or a function of inexperienced writing. Guess I'll have to read The Chalk Man to find out. Does that also have a horror element?

[OMalleycat]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: ".What I'm trying to decide is whether the questions left were deliberate or a function of inexperienced writing."

I’m coming down on the side of inexperienced, or just plain poor, writing. Tudor started with good ideas and an interesting setting, but bogged down with too much pointless embroidery on her original solid plot.

I’m not sure how I felt about all the obvious cribbing from other authors, largely because I haven’t read many of the cribbees. It was a bit too much/too close for homage, but too heavy handed to qualify as “inspired by.”

I didn’t love the book, but I didn’t hate it. And, as always, the discussion here added to my enjoyment. It’s three stars from me.

[Ann]

Carol: My five star review described The Chalk Man as twisty and haunting. I recall little else now but really liked it.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "What I'm trying to decide is whether the questions left were deliberate or a function of inexperienced writing. Guess I'll have to read The Chalk Man to find out. Does that also have a horror element?
."