The Winter Girl; Matt Marinovich
Doubleday - 2016
I enjoy a creepy read from time to time so when I saw this book compared to Gone Girl, I was anxious to try it. The story hooked me early on but, was far from perfect.
Scott and Elise are a married couple and after just four years of marriage, theirs is in a rut. It's winter and the couple is staying at Elise's father's house in the Hamptons - Victor's a loathsome man, dying of cancer, but not fast enough for the couple. Elise, a speech therapist, is on LOA and Scott, isn't doing much of anything these days, except helping himself to some Victor's alcohol.
As weeks turn into months, Scott becomes overly curious about the house across the street whose lights go out at precisely 11:00pm each evening. One day when Elise is at the hospital visiting her father, he breaks in and before long he gets her to snoop along.
It's a delicious premise which quickly drew me in but, what happens with the rest of the story was just too far out there to be believable. None of the characters have any redeeming qualities and they make one bad decision after another. Things soon get violent, gruesome and sexually graphic. I felt that the writing seemed more designed to shock rather than surprise, and, the only similarity to Gone Girl, IMO, seemed to be that both couples were equally unlikable. Perhaps some psych thriller lovers will enjoy this more than me but, this one just wasn't my thing.
2/5 stars
(eGalley)
Thank-you for your honest review! I feel like too many books are getting compared to Gone Girl these days. It is a good hook and has gotten me to read other books, but when they don't compare, it feels like even more of a let down. I feel that is why I didn't like Girl on the Train as well as everyone else seems too.
ReplyDeleteI see why lots of readers do not read the blurbs before starting a new book. (No expectations)
DeleteGreat review! I like a suspenseful read and I don't mind loathsome characters IF the plot is strong but that doesn't sound like the case in this book. I think I'll pass. Thanks for saving me some time!
ReplyDeleteOh I don't mind unlikable characters either but, this plot was a bit much.
DeleteI'm sorry this one didn't work for you, Diane. The premise sounds great, but it sounds like the follow-through fell short.
ReplyDeleteI know Tara (Running & Reading liked this more than me.
DeleteThis is one I've been watching closely for a while and wondering if it would really meet expectations. I've had my reservations about it, even though I love the sound of it. I think I'll pass on this one based on your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to see what others thought Tara (Running & Reading liked this more than me.
DeleteThis sounds like a curl up by the fire book. Gone Girl was a page turner, but not one of my favorite books. I suppose because everyone was so evil. I always enjoy your reviews.
ReplyDeleteGone Girl was one where I liked the movie more than the book.
DeleteWell, you have made me curious about what's going on in that house. lol
ReplyDeleteBizarre story.
DeleteDarn, sorry to hear this one wasn't a good read for you. I have been hearing quite a bit about this book and am curious of course. I have it on my Kindle and may check it out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it and we can compare notes LOL
DeleteExcellent review, didn't sound like it met up to expectations so will give this one a pass. Thanks Diane! Have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise - you too.
DeleteMaybe I should just read Gone Girl instead. Think I'm the only one around who hasn't!
ReplyDeleteI liked Gone Girl Movie more than book.
DeleteYes, I've been reading a bit about this one lately too. Not every book is for every reader for sure. And I think that books like this one, especially with being compared to the increasingly tiresome 'girl' books (as in I'm tired of the comparisons), set the reader up to expect certain things. Ah well. I have this one and have actually read a few positive things about it. I'll likely try it at some point - probably in the summer - cold books in summer thing.
ReplyDeleteFunny - I read cold plots in winter and beach plots in summer LOL
DeleteOops, another thriller compared to Gone Girl. It's inevitable...
ReplyDeleteI've seen this one around and now I'm glad I read your review because while I love psychological thrillers, I am not into the overly graphic sex and violence rut that so many books fall into. Too bad, the basic premise sounds intriguing but probably not for me.
I felt like I needed to warn readers Rita. I'm not a prude but this was a bit much.
DeleteYeah, this sounds more weird and designed to shock than to tell a compelling story. I'm sorry this didn't work for you. I feel a little nervous nowadays with books like these because they all say that they are the next Gone Girl but somehow fail to satisfy.
ReplyDeleteI agree - it seems everyone is trying that angle.
DeleteGone Girl, Girl on the Train, The Winter Girl. Sounds like it's time for some originality! Pass.
ReplyDeleteLOL - true.
DeleteIt seems to have started out well though. Pity it could not be sustained.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I had high hopes.
DeleteIt really does draw you in and make you want to turn pages but, just gets crazy afterward.
ReplyDeleteOuch! Thanks for the warning!
ReplyDelete