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laurahastoomanywips's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A great read.
I thought the multiple viewpoints & flashbacks were a great way of telling the story. Having so many unlikeable characters in one book made it a challenge to read to begin with. The mystery over what happened that night causing there to be a 27 minute delay in calling emergency services made it gripping to read, the slow drip of information from each character. As I read it on the Pigeonhole via daily serialisation it did effect the flow of the story and made it feel more protracted and drawn out than if I'd had a complete copy to devour over 2 days or so. It's hard to review further without spoiling but it is a very good ending to the mystery.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.
I thought the multiple viewpoints & flashbacks were a great way of telling the story. Having so many unlikeable characters in one book made it a challenge to read to begin with. The mystery over what happened that night causing there to be a 27 minute delay in calling emergency services made it gripping to read, the slow drip of information from each character. As I read it on the Pigeonhole via daily serialisation it did effect the flow of the story and made it feel more protracted and drawn out than if I'd had a complete copy to devour over 2 days or so. It's hard to review further without spoiling but it is a very good ending to the mystery.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.
silver_lining125's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
melbressner's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very interesting take on a thriller and I mean that in a good way. I liked how it read more upmarket in that it deals with very heavy themes of family and abandonment and self-respect while also keeping the tense atmosphere of a mystery. I enjoyed the unlikeability of all the major protagonists just because I thought it was a very honest look at the negative side of rural life and the effects it can have on emotional development. A really unique read!
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for letting me read and review. Opinions are my own.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for letting me read and review. Opinions are my own.
caseys_bookcase's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blabsaboutbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
thecontinuitybibliophile's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Told from four different POV's this pulse pounding thriller will have you reading like a fiend to discover the truth about the car accident that killed Phoebe and why it took twenty-seven minutes for help to be called. With a toxic small town setting fueled by gossip and misdeeds, with many characters who only care about their own self interest this book is like a seeing a car accident on the side of the road you can't help but look. This book was a solid five stars for me right until the final two chapters. The ambiguous nature of the ending and one of the characters really just ruined it for me.
books_by_blue's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
alyssayoung's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars! Twenty Seven Minutes is a small-town thriller told from multiple perspectives, and explores themes of trauma, grief, revenge, and more.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. The prologue set the story off with a bang, and got me immediately hooked. It then transitioned into a slower-burn, which I don’t mind. However, the revealing of the plot moved a little too slow for me.
At times, I found it difficult to follow the intertwined relationships because it felt like there were so many. Many of the characters were unlikeable (hated Grant!), but I think that is sometimes necessary. Having characters that are so completely rotten to their core makes the good ones more enjoyable. For a debut novel, I think this was pretty successful!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for access to an advanced reading copy.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. The prologue set the story off with a bang, and got me immediately hooked. It then transitioned into a slower-burn, which I don’t mind. However, the revealing of the plot moved a little too slow for me.
At times, I found it difficult to follow the intertwined relationships because it felt like there were so many. Many of the characters were unlikeable (hated Grant!), but I think that is sometimes necessary. Having characters that are so completely rotten to their core makes the good ones more enjoyable. For a debut novel, I think this was pretty successful!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for access to an advanced reading copy.
yvettelovestoread's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Twenty Seven Minutes by Ashely Tate is a small town, mystery, psychology thriller. The story is told from 4 different POV’s, that goes between the past and the future.
Ten years ago there was an accident where Phoebe lost her life, Becca was severely hurt and lost her memory of what happened, and Grant who was driving the car took 27 minutes to call the cops. The story picks up 10 years later and in 3 days they are having a memorial for Phoebe. Wyatt was the town bad boy, with a bad reputation and went missing. June is Wyatt’s sister who is dealing with her mom’s death and trying to figure out what happened to her brother when he shows up 3 days before the memorial. Becca was really affected by the wreck and her parents are worried that she isn’t mentally stable. Grant has become an alcoholic since losing his sister Phoebe.
So much went on in the book and at one point I believe I pointed the finger at everyone including Grants mom. The ending got me and was so sad. This book deals with the aftermath of loss and tragedy. I enjoyed this mystery thriller and what an amazing debut for Ashley Tate.
Ten years ago there was an accident where Phoebe lost her life, Becca was severely hurt and lost her memory of what happened, and Grant who was driving the car took 27 minutes to call the cops. The story picks up 10 years later and in 3 days they are having a memorial for Phoebe. Wyatt was the town bad boy, with a bad reputation and went missing. June is Wyatt’s sister who is dealing with her mom’s death and trying to figure out what happened to her brother when he shows up 3 days before the memorial. Becca was really affected by the wreck and her parents are worried that she isn’t mentally stable. Grant has become an alcoholic since losing his sister Phoebe.
So much went on in the book and at one point I believe I pointed the finger at everyone including Grants mom. The ending got me and was so sad. This book deals with the aftermath of loss and tragedy. I enjoyed this mystery thriller and what an amazing debut for Ashley Tate.