Review: When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
When the Stars Go Dark
by Paula McLain
Narrated by Marin Ireland
Publisher: Random House Audio
Publish Date: April 13, 2021
Audiobook
11 hrs 29 min
Standalone
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife comes an atmospheric novel of intertwined fate and heart-wrenching suspense: A detective hiding away from the world. A series of disappearances that reach into her past. Can solving them help her heal?
Weaving together true crime, trauma theory, and a hint of the metaphysical, this tense, affecting story is about fate, unlikely redemption, and what it takes, when the worst happens, to reclaim our lives--and our faith in one another.
My Review:
I had absolutely NO idea what I was walking into with this read. I typically don't re-read synopses when I pick up a book because I figure if I have it, I probably wanted it and therefore, just read it! I kind of wish I had reread this one though. I love that it's short, concise without giving a single thing away. However, since I didn't, I felt a bit lost during the first 10% or so. However, I quickly caught on and the rest is... well, history. 😉
Anna is an amazing character and I was very much drawn to her. And oh my heart, Cricket! McLain has a way of getting you to really feel for all the characters, primary, seconday and tertiary. But dangit, give me a pet that makes an impact and my heart soars.
This definitely feels like literary crime fiction and is extremely well written. I didn't quite love it as much as I thought that I would but I really appreciate what this book was doing. It may just be my mind set at the moment, or it could be that I would've had a different experience had I not listened to it. It's really hard to say. What I loved the most is the atmosphere that it created. It kind of gives me The Sinner feels, if you know what I mean. No levity. Just straight, foggy mystery wrapped in a detective facing her own demons along the way.
Y'all, if you're looking for sunshines and rainbows you're not going to find it here. HOWEVER, if you love a slow burn, atmospheric literary procedural that really tugs at your heart... welcome home.
★★★
No comments
Leave a Comment