Or Else by Joe Hart -> Starting March 23rd, 2022

[Aly]

A secret love becomes a fatal affair in a twisting novel of suspense by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joe Hart.

When novelist Andy Drake returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father, a reconnection with his childhood friend Rachel escalates into a secret love affair. For Rachel, struggling to maintain the facade of a picture-perfect life, it’s an escape from an emotionally abusive marriage. Then Andy receives an anonymous note warning him to end the affair. Or else.

Whoever’s been watching is going to make Andy pay. Weeks later, Rachel’s husband, David, is shot to death. Rachel and her two young sons vanish without a trace. One misstep, one careless reveal, and Andy could look as guilty as sin. Clue by clue, as his investigation into the mystery unfolds, Andy discovers that he and Rachel weren’t the only ones keeping secrets.

Nothing in this quiet neighborhood is as it seems. No one peeking from behind the curtains of their homes can be trusted. And the worst is yet to come. Because David isn’t the only one who will die

[Alaina]

Will be a little late to this one. Might be Friday or the weekend!

[Aly]

Same

[Ellen-Arwen]

Okay, so I finished this one (finally! - on such a go slow with uni reading). I didn't make notes throughout, so I'll just do my general thoughts - sorry!

Chap 1- end (view spoiler)[

I found the beginning really awkward to read, like some of the sentences just seemed badly worded/edited, but it didn't bother me later in the book so either I got used to it, or the writing got better - not sure.

I kind of guessed the villain(s) but not all the tangential and complicated parts along the way which I reckon is a good place to be with this kind of book - you feel good. because you've accomplished something, but it wasn't TOO obvious.

That being said, the fact that it was about a thriller/crime writing getting involved in a burgeoning world of criminality was pretty cliched. Ah well.

I liked how there were other strands to the book, particularly the family relationship with the dad getting dementia, the two younger children getting on well, the obnoxious (ish) elder brother and the tragedy of Emma, their younger sister. That took me by surprise - I also found it far-fetched, but I guess there are sadly still people out there who believe that being gay is a crime against God. It was very stark in a modern read.

Some of the red herrings were just a little annoying - Mr Crane just happening to live in the area but having no connection despite having changed identities to protect him from previous crimes. It felt a little clumsy.

I found the difference between 'The Visitor' and 'The One who Chased me in the Night' (or something like that) sort of confusing, but my brain is on low functioning mode lol.

I guessed that Elliot was going to be involved in a really mistaken way and I also guessed that he was gonna die; I wish I wasn't right...

Rachel's character was really quite an enigma. The scene imagined at the end where she kills her own husband...? Didn't quite work for me. And she would know that disappearing for a good few days would put everyone into a panic, so I don't see why she would have gone through the hiding stage. I get that she needed space but she could have told someone to save the police a whole lot of trouble!

Overall, easy read, good fun, but nothing exceptional. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I haven't started, hopefully tomorrow!

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Aly]

I read a bit last night

Ch 1-8 (view spoiler)[ I'm not a fan of affairs, even though I understand that Rachel's husband is abusive and horrible.
I'm more excited to figure out what's going on with the murders. 3 people are dead, are Rachel and the kids kidnapped or hiding? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Hmm... I have lots of questions right now. Are they missing? Who's behind the deaths? Are they really random or something planned? Also, who is behind the notes? OH, and why did he go into that house and who is there as well? So many questions and not enough time. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "I read a bit last night

Ch 1-8 ..."

Yeah, I mean if she was divorced that would be different. Also, very intrigued by the murders.

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[It's interesting that he didn't count Cory as everyone he knew being there. It is after all their dad's birthday. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Ugh. I do not like the Father. Molesting Rachel's kid and lying through his teeth constantly. Why is he still alive? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[Well, shit. She did kill him. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[

Yeah, but it didn't feel too believable for me - did it work for you? I agree that I kinda took an instant dislike to the MC because he was having an affair with a married woman... Conflicting thoughts about this overall. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 9-16 (view spoiler)[ He's very lucky 'The Visitor' likes his books and decided not to just murder him. But who chased him in the woods and killed everyone if not HerringBone? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 1-10: [spoilers removed]"

Lots of questions!

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-20: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, he is their brother

[Aly]

Ch 17-24 (view spoiler)[ Cory is clearly a dick, but attacking him will just lead to more problems. Impulse control Andy.

What is Crane doing meeting shady people? I also think maybe David killed Mary for realizing he was stealing from the church and then a church person killed David and his partner (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 25-End (view spoiler)[ So it was David taking money from the church, but the molestation part I didn't expect. Kind of cliché and pretty sad for Joey.

I'm glad Rachel took out David. He was a terrible person. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 21-30: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, absolutely horrible

[Aly]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Okay, so I finished this one (finally! - on such a go slow with uni reading). I didn't make notes throughout, so I'll just do my general thoughts - sorry!

Chap 1- end

I found the beginning reall..."

Agreed. Quick story, okay, but not great

[Ellen-Arwen]

Aly wrote: "Ch 25-End So it was David taking money from the church, but the molestation part I didn't expect. Kind of cliché and pretty sad for Joey.

I'm glad Rachel took out David. He was a terrible person. "

(view spoiler)[ did you really feel like she was capable of it though? We barely had any character development so it could kinda have been anyone. She's a main character but without a character if you know what I mean... It takes a lot to kill someone!! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Aly wrote: "Ch 25-End So it was David taking money from the church, but the molestation part I didn't expect. Kind of cliché and pretty sad for Joey.

I'm glad Rachel took out David. He was a terr..."

(view spoiler)[ It's hard to say if she could do because like you said, we didn't know anything about her. It was an odd thing to put in I thought. And we never found out if it was the priest who actually turned on the gas in the house (hide spoiler)]