Disjointed

I was lured by talk of a modern gothic novel, but did not find it here. This story is completely disjointed. There is a lot going on but very few of the tragedies culminate. Beth's friends abandon her, she takes a random guy home who ends up as her abusive boyfriend. She isolates herself in a creepy neighborhood of her own accord and makes friends with all the broken neighbors, not the least of whom kid naps a former charge and kills Beth's dog. Not to mention that, for some reason, her sister is actually her mom and her mom is her grandma. AND she purposely puts herself in the path of a venomous snake and almost dies. It should be retitled "Beth's Sad Life." I am mentioning all the bullet points of the plot to demonstrate that none of them are really connected except that they are being experienced by our unlucky narrator who does not inspire a lot of sympathy and seems to get herself into a lot of trouble as we, as the readers, sit cringing on our sofa's willing her not to be so stupid. The other characters are equally flat. I think Denis Gough did a great job though and have to say that her performance was the only part of the story that I enjoyed. The only theme I can find is that bad things happen when we day drink and don't follow our instincts. And when we take random guys home.

5 people found this helpful

Well that was a trip

Absolutely worth the read if you’re looking for something exciting. Lots of twists and turns. Very odd all around but I enjoyed it. I’m sure you will too!

5 people found this helpful

Beth isn’t an unreliable narrator she’s unbelievable character!

The book started out ok but went downhill fast and I mean fasssst! The last bit of the book is just a bunch of weird revelations that made me feel like the author just wanted to tie everything up with a neat bow but it absolutely doesn’t work. I keep getting these books in which the main female, and they are always female characters, are complete idiots and walk overs. First off I would have cancelled any friendship with someone like her too, and the book begins with all her friends are like ‘Beth sucks’ and go to live together in Australia without her. Granted she is annoying and stupid, so you find that out quickly, but why she deserved the nastiness isn’t really explained. So she meets this jerk and they hatch a plan to move in to a house together and she will stay in the house as required until he finishes his job he’s supposed to come on weekends which he rarely does because who wants to be in Beths weird presence lol, she gives up all her finances to him and just lets him abuse her mentally and eventually physically. It’s just an absurd story that anyone would do anything Beth does unless they only have one brain cell. In this time of ‘wokeness’ and what not, how is this even possible to have such a limp rag as a main character! You don’t even feel sorry for her, you are like well she is the biggest dummy ever! Which brings me to all the characters! None are someone you would want in your presence. When you read or listen to these domestic thrillers you expect some fail steps, but not just one after another after another. I almost gave up when (and don’t read this next line if you are trying to decide whether or not to buy this one in short SPOILER!) as Beth is being terrorized by a ghost or madman she gets knocked over the head and also her dog is attacked and not only does she just stay and lay there, once she gets up she doesn’t call the authorities! She runs to a neighbor who clearly doesn’t really like her and you know something is up with her. It’s just plain awful because you are like oh hell no this is just so ridiculous. I wish I wouldn’t have wasted my time on this one! If you want to be frustrated and irritated this book is for you!

2 people found this helpful

Meh.

The narrator did a good job - great voice, very listenable. The story? Meh. Too convoluted, too “philosophical”, too... I don’t know. I tried really hard to like it, hoping for something more, but it never came. So many things unresolved for me. Sorry.

1 person found this helpful

What did I just listen to?

This story was all over the place without making any real sense at all. The plot was thin. In fact there were so many disconnected things going on here, I’m not sure what the real plot was. The narrator was good, but that’s where it ended for me. The protagonist was never developed, had absolutely no depth and was completely unlike able. Not one character was written with any believability. Wow... what a mess.

1 person found this helpful

Couldn't finish

This book started fine but I got about halfway through and decided I'd had enough and will move on to something else. What an idiot of a main character. Never got invested enough to care what happens. And maybe it's a regional thing, but I had a really difficult time picturing this "estate," which didn't help.

Meh. Couldn’t get into it

Listening to this us like listening a banal conversation at another table in a restaurant but being forced to stay at your meal too long. Just not interesting.

Excellent listen!

Denise Gough’s voice is so compelling! I couldn’t stop listening. She drove the whole narrative along. Love it!

Wow!

I took a chance on this Audible original and wow, it was so good! Great from start to finish. And the ending... I’ve enjoyed all the Audible originals I have chosen so far and this surely did not disappoint. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a good thriller.

Excellent Debut

Beth is obviously an alcoholic, and her college friends are growing up while she's stuck in the swing of the party scene. One evening when she was extra drunk, she meets a boy and decides to go home with him. They become inseparable until Beth has to go stay in an empty house that he wants to move to in a few months because it's free rent, and he has to work in another city for awhile. On her on, Beth is not doing so well. Weird noises, banging sounds, and a realization that her boyfriend might not have her best interests at heart start to stress her out. And, when she's stressed, she drinks more. The narrative voice is sort of weird at first. I couldn't figure out if it 'fit' the story, because it was so 'matter of fact.' However, I ate this book up like a plate of hot spaghetti and really enjoyed it. I think the narrative was perfect. This novel is an excellent first novel from Liza Costello and I will keep my eye out for more from her. -Wendi