Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker
Mystery, Thriller
Publication Date | August 8th, 2017
ARC from Netgalley
Book Blurb:
One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister’s return might just be the beginning of the crime.
| Book Review |
This book has helped me to realize that psychological thrillers are something I like in theory, but rarely do they play out well on the page. The story inevitably reaches a point where I feel things are too incredible to be real, and it falls short. I think that this may be the one area where Hollywood trumps Bookville for me. These types of stories lend themselves better to screen than they do to page. Or maybe I’m just reading the wrong ones.
Emma in the Night was an interesting read, and I think it does better than most in maintaining the integrity of the story until the end. But there were parts of it that were predictable, and I found the doctor from the FBI who was working the case to be more interesting than anyone in the Tanner/Martin clan who were supposed to be the center of the plot. Parts of Emma in the Night read more like a case study than an actual story, and while those were the highlights of the book for me, it was a bit jarring when we returned to ‘story,’ and I just didn’t enjoy those parts as much, making the tempo of the story off. There was a definite Mommy Dearest feel here. It was disturbing and felt like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. I felt for the children in this story, and I was frustrated that the adults who could have stepped up for them never did. I’m not going to say anything more for fear of spoiling it for other readers, but I’ll just say while Emma in the Night was entertaining enough, it just didn’t blow me away.
| Rating |
I do wonder what happened…
LikeLike
Let me know if you want me to spoil you.
LikeLike
I might have to give this one a try. This is the kind of book that I usually like but I will keep your comments in mind.
LikeLike
Yes, based on your previous book reviews, I think this one would be right up your alley!
LikeLike
I actually agree with you. I don’t really enjoy thrillers in print as much as I do on the screen. I find that I read very little thriller or mystery.
LikeLike
Yeah, that’s my plan going forward. I’ll stick to Criminal Minds. Well, the older episodes anyway. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think thrillers are something I love but finding good ones are really hard. They usually leave me feeling disappointed. Sorry this one wasn’t better!
LikeLike
Thanks, Grace. At least I know the genre probably isn’t for me.
LikeLike
I liked this one a tad bit more but I agree with you, there were a few issues. I also liked the FBI agent the most, easily. She was by far the most interesting character. And it just got a little too unrealistic maybe. Man talk about a dysfunctional family!
https://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/
LikeLike
Oh my word. They bring new meaning to dysfunction! It was a very sad situation.
LikeLike