Helpful Score: 3
If you read Gone Girl, this is a far inferior book. If you haven't read Gone Girl, look for that one first. To me this is a blatant knock-off not worthy of publishing. It has somewhat of its own plot, it goes back and for between time and characters and overall a good premise, but since a book so similar is out there and in my opinion written so much better, this is just a knock-off.
Helpful Score: 1
A very decent debut. The relationship between the main two characters is disturbing is it a classic case of Stockholm syndrome or no? Although I do consider this a page-turner, it loses a couple of stars because of the mother and father's relationship towards one another it was quite tedious having to read through those parts.
THE GOOD GIRL was the June 2016 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove. The story is told from three first-person POVs: Eve, a mother whose adult daughter goes missing; Gabe, the detective working the case; and Colin, the kidnapper.
So obviously the author didn't write this book with the GONE GIRL blurb on the front cover, which means you're not supposed to know "whodunnit" until the epilogue. Unfortunately, Lisa Gardner's GG endorsement makes this book extremely predictable if you've read GG or seen the movie. (If you haven't, then never mind! lol)
I went into THE GOOD GIRL knowing exactly who to suspect and, guess what? I wasn't wrong. The one thing that held my interest despite was the narrative's style of alternating chapters 'before' and 'after' Mia's kidnapping. I was curious to see how things would play out and what the endgame would be for the person behind it.
In the end, the relationship between Mia and Colin (her kidnapper) was a bit ridiculous under these particular circumstances. Consequently, their scenes together became pretty silly, and Mia rather unsympathetic, which isn't good since the whole plot is centered around her.
And I also just don't get these silly stories of mother's swooning and falling in love while there's a manhunt search on for their missing child...?
So overall, I think it was a well written, engaging and above average debut that I would recommend mainly to people unfamiliar with GONE GIRL. Otherwise, this may feel a bit redundant. You can spend your time reading something else. C+
So obviously the author didn't write this book with the GONE GIRL blurb on the front cover, which means you're not supposed to know "whodunnit" until the epilogue. Unfortunately, Lisa Gardner's GG endorsement makes this book extremely predictable if you've read GG or seen the movie. (If you haven't, then never mind! lol)
I went into THE GOOD GIRL knowing exactly who to suspect and, guess what? I wasn't wrong. The one thing that held my interest despite was the narrative's style of alternating chapters 'before' and 'after' Mia's kidnapping. I was curious to see how things would play out and what the endgame would be for the person behind it.
In the end, the relationship between Mia and Colin (her kidnapper) was a bit ridiculous under these particular circumstances. Consequently, their scenes together became pretty silly, and Mia rather unsympathetic, which isn't good since the whole plot is centered around her.
And I also just don't get these silly stories of mother's swooning and falling in love while there's a manhunt search on for their missing child...?
So overall, I think it was a well written, engaging and above average debut that I would recommend mainly to people unfamiliar with GONE GIRL. Otherwise, this may feel a bit redundant. You can spend your time reading something else. C+
So Bad!
Let me start by saying, this book is awful, and that's really all you need to know. Poorly written, predictable plot, characters that are more like caricatures. I kept reading, thinking that closer to the end there'd be some twist I didn't see coming, but nope. This book was a complete waste of time! If you're expecting anything close to Gone Girl, you will be severely disappointed.
The story is about the abduction of Mia Dennett, told through the point of view of her abductor, Colin; her mother, Eve; and the detective investigating Mia's case, Gabe. Through these characters, the reader is trying to figure out what happened, since Mia, once she is rescued, has amnesia. (Insert eye roll here)
The poor writing, stereotyping of characters, and poorly developed relationships between the characters made this book almost unreadable, not to mention the bizarre and distracting sexual tension between Mia's mother and the detective. I kept asking, "Why do these two characters need to be attracted to each other?" It did nothing to progress the story line, and wasn't even developed enough to be a subplot, so I just didn't understand why it was part of the story.
Both Colin's and Mia's fathers are laughable caricatures. Colin's father is the violent drunk that abandons his family and Mia's is the rich judge we are supposed to hate because he is aloof and detached and loves money more than his own family. The emotions I was supposed to feel just never surfaced because I was too distracted by my giggles as I read the cliched and predictable descriptions and plot points.
The icing on the cake was the supposed plot twist at the end, where the reader finally learns what was really going on. The last 10 or 12 pages is told from Mia's point of view, but if you are hoping for some sick and twisted but ultimately genius plot twist (ala Gone Girl) please skip this one, or like me your eyes might roll so far back in your head as you are reading that you will fear they may get stuck like that.
Let me start by saying, this book is awful, and that's really all you need to know. Poorly written, predictable plot, characters that are more like caricatures. I kept reading, thinking that closer to the end there'd be some twist I didn't see coming, but nope. This book was a complete waste of time! If you're expecting anything close to Gone Girl, you will be severely disappointed.
The story is about the abduction of Mia Dennett, told through the point of view of her abductor, Colin; her mother, Eve; and the detective investigating Mia's case, Gabe. Through these characters, the reader is trying to figure out what happened, since Mia, once she is rescued, has amnesia. (Insert eye roll here)
The poor writing, stereotyping of characters, and poorly developed relationships between the characters made this book almost unreadable, not to mention the bizarre and distracting sexual tension between Mia's mother and the detective. I kept asking, "Why do these two characters need to be attracted to each other?" It did nothing to progress the story line, and wasn't even developed enough to be a subplot, so I just didn't understand why it was part of the story.
Both Colin's and Mia's fathers are laughable caricatures. Colin's father is the violent drunk that abandons his family and Mia's is the rich judge we are supposed to hate because he is aloof and detached and loves money more than his own family. The emotions I was supposed to feel just never surfaced because I was too distracted by my giggles as I read the cliched and predictable descriptions and plot points.
The icing on the cake was the supposed plot twist at the end, where the reader finally learns what was really going on. The last 10 or 12 pages is told from Mia's point of view, but if you are hoping for some sick and twisted but ultimately genius plot twist (ala Gone Girl) please skip this one, or like me your eyes might roll so far back in your head as you are reading that you will fear they may get stuck like that.
Overall I'd only give this book 2* but the ending was an OMG reveal
I didn't care much for any of the characters and the book is written in 'parts' for each one and it goes into the background history of each one and that's why I'd only give it 2*, my pet peeve in books is too much description and this one is full of that and just wasn't necessary in my view, I skimmed most of the pages only to find the parts that moved the story forward instead of back
I considered quitting at times but the ending was a shocker
I didn't care much for any of the characters and the book is written in 'parts' for each one and it goes into the background history of each one and that's why I'd only give it 2*, my pet peeve in books is too much description and this one is full of that and just wasn't necessary in my view, I skimmed most of the pages only to find the parts that moved the story forward instead of back
I considered quitting at times but the ending was a shocker
The Good Girl is told in alternating viewpoints, by Colin (the kidnapper), Gabe (lead detective), and Eve (the mom) throughout the story. I have to admit, I was pretty bored for most of the first half of the book, with only the Colin sections interesting me. But then something happened during the Eve sections that made me sit up and take notice, and this sort of drew in the Gabe parts, and made everything interesting. The second half of the book kept me guessing as to how everything was going to finally come together. I am a sucker for a good Stockholm story, and this certainly was. And that ending! Had it not been for a twist that I didn't see coming, I probably would have only given this book 3 stars. Great job on my first of your books, Ms. Kubica!
Mary Kubica is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is the 2nd book of hers that I have read. It is a twisty roller coaster that hooks you from the beginning and does not let go. The ending was a total surprise that smacks you in the face unexpectedly. I will be reading Pretty Baby next as I feel a Kubica binge coming on that will put a hold on my TBR. Sidetracked seems to be my middle name!
I liked that the story was told in several different character's voices, both 'Before' and 'After'. The ending was somewhat unexpected.
The basic premise of the book is a surprise. The novel did not prepare this reader for the surprise. The writing style -- chapters of the novel told from various character's points of view either before or after the main event -- takes some getting used to. At the end of the book the writer comments that she sent it off to a publisher without submitting to an editor -- would that she had. It is a minor point, but there is a difference between ground and floor. Overall, we are going looking for another novel by Mary Kubica.
This debut novel was fast paced and engaged me immediately. The main character Mia is abducted and the story is told in three different voices. Her mom, the detective looking for her and the abductor. I found myself enjoying the chapters told by the kidnapper the best. I enjoyed it very much and the ending is not what I expected.
This was an excellent psychological thriller, and a thriller it was! I was glued to this book from page one. It is told in different points of view and you get to know each character well. The mother was weak and annoying; didn't care for her at all. However, the others were captivating especially the kidnapper as his true persona was shown.
The ending blew me away!! It was an "OMG" moment!! Read it and see for yourself.
The ending blew me away!! It was an "OMG" moment!! Read it and see for yourself.
I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller. Yes, it is similar to Gone Girl and Still Missing but I found it to be equally good. The twist at the end blew me away. Some of the happenings in the book seemed a little far fetched but I overlooked them since I was very much into the story and the characters.
