The island of Parris - a paradise where well-to-do families live in their beach front residences. Oh, and bad things happen here - a hand full of deaths have occurred over a period of more than 50 years.
The novel is full of all the run-of-the-mill characterisations of your typical American family. The parents go to formal charity dinners to support good causes and the father has his business lunches and poker. The children are generic American high school teenagers - their cars and credit cards are paid for by their parents. Party attendance is normal, almost compulsory, along with drinking, smoking and optional drugs.
I have read numerous YA books previously, but with this one I have found it to be very slow and plodding. I was unable to engage with the characters as they are too formulaic.
Even though I do normally enjoy murder/mysteries, unfortunately I would not willingly choose to read this book. It was just not inspiring or compelling me to read on and discover why bad things were happening here.
I do not find the appearance of the book enticing to me. However, as a YA book, the bright and colourful cover is appropriate to the story within and would appeal to the teenagers who are.the target readership.
The novel is full of all the run-of-the-mill characterisations of your typical American family. The parents go to formal charity dinners to support good causes and the father has his business lunches and poker. The children are generic American high school teenagers - their cars and credit cards are paid for by their parents. Party attendance is normal, almost compulsory, along with drinking, smoking and optional drugs.
I have read numerous YA books previously, but with this one I have found it to be very slow and plodding. I was unable to engage with the characters as they are too formulaic.
Even though I do normally enjoy murder/mysteries, unfortunately I would not willingly choose to read this book. It was just not inspiring or compelling me to read on and discover why bad things were happening here.
I do not find the appearance of the book enticing to me. However, as a YA book, the bright and colourful cover is appropriate to the story within and would appeal to the teenagers who are.the target readership.