April 2024 Group Read #1: Murder Road by Simone St. James

[Chandler]

Just finished it. While I think it's pretty good overall, it's my least favorite from St. James. I liked Eddie and went back and forth on April. If I had a background like hers, I'd probably have a similar approach and view to life, too. But I also think Eddie deserves the perfect woman, which isn't April.

I like the twists and turns the story took. I was genuinely surprised by (view spoiler)[ the Lost Girl taking hold of people and making them the killers. (view spoiler)[

I do think it could have been shorter. The sisters were funny but I'm not sure how necessary they were. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

Dawn wrote: "I didn’t care for the main characters either, especially our narrator, it felt like that friend who thinks everything that happens revolves around her or that she is the one that has experienced ev..."

Same here. When you have a first-person narrative, that person had better be interesting and engaging, and I did not find that to be the case here. Also, when she said, "Libraries are boring" when Eddie led them there to do research, I began secretly hoping for her demise.

[Lisa]

WendyB wrote: "Finished. Two very annoyed stars.
My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Wendy, totally agree with your review. I liked the potential for the 90s setting, but St. James did it on the cheap, just dropping names of TV shows, movie stars, songs, etc., to the point of saturation. All tell, no show. The dialogue - both external and April's internal monologue, did not feel realistic to me. The story did keep me guessing and reading, but the payoff/explanation ultimately felt slapdash. I did like The Broken Girls a lot, so had higher hopes.

[WendyB]

Lisa wrote: "Also, when she said, "Libraries are boring" when Eddie led them there to do research, I began secretly hoping for her demise..."

A horrible ending for her would have been an appropriate punishment. lol
Never ever ever denigrate libraries to people who are avid readers!

[Kimberly]

WendyB wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Also, when she said, "Libraries are boring" when Eddie led them there to do research, I began secretly hoping for her demise..."

A horrible ending for her would have been an appropria..."

I agree with this!