Reviews

I had so much fun reading this. It was a really well plotted thriller and I definitely did not guess the twists and turns. Whilst some seemed to come out of left field they perfectly explained everything and tied it together, shocking the reader in the process.

The Sri Lankan setting was so unique for a thriller and definitely made it a lot more interesting. As did the complex relationship dynamics between all of the characters. I also enjoyed the wedding element which brought everyone together and meant there were a ton of possibilities and characters to suspect.

Unlike most thrillers it was quite light and funny. There were a lot of wink at the camera moments and I found the interactions between the younger generation and the elder ones really tongue in cheek. It felt really modern and fresh for the reader.

I definitely would love to pick up some more of this author's work.

vrop's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kasdaye's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jstilts's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is a bit of a trick, and it's - only just - won me over. The first 70% of the book follows one character trying to ruin the wedding of her ex-best friend to her ex-boyfriend. It's a fun fast-paced affair with a kooky character that drags you along deliciously because it's pretty clear she has serial-killer tendencies and this gloriously silly thriller is going to ramp up and up into some glorious crescendo of camp drama. The plot is interspersed with flash-forward interviews of the suspects of a slowly-revealed crime, which sounds cliche but is very neatly done.

Then in the last 30% the book changes gears and viewpoint, and becomes rather serious, revealing the main chunk of the book to have been - not exactly wr tten by an unreliable narrator so much as a cunning author determined to see an illusion through. At first this rather sucks all the fun out of the book. Then it becomes VERY serious indeed, and somehow I'm invested in this new style. It ends satisfyingly, and then in an epilogue of sorts there is a rather nice little extra twist, and I find myself living it again.

In the end I have to say well done to the author, but I still want to read that unwritten other version of the book where it goes to where it looks like it is going for the vast majority of the book!

Content Warnings

tennischick28's review against another edition

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5.0

Was so happy to stumble upon a great mystery book, and one that centered around South Asian females no less. Excellently written (and read on audiobook) and will keep you changing your mind about who the bad guy is.

fairlyoddhippie's review against another edition

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2.0

I was on the struggle bus to finish this book. It was almost a DNF for me. But I pushed through. For a thriller it was more of a who done it. The last 50 pages or so was the only worth while part of for me. While it wasn’t a thrilling ending, it was interesting. I’m glad I finished it even though I didn’t love it.

ashhone's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

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