It got better and better...and then, the First Glance ended.
To begin with, I didn't get on with the book(s). I felt it was a bit confusing, especially as both books shared the same title. I'd have named the book by Eve Black as a 'memoir'. I also thought some of the writing seemed to be more convoluted than required. They and one other thing (I'll mention later) are my only gripes.
The idea itself is brilliant. The story lines and the few characters we meet in the First Glance suggests a great start. The way we learn more information of that fateful day, when Eve's life tragically changed, really draws me in.
The author has put in place some strong themes and clever mechanisms, that make the story easy to get into. I especially liked how Jim begins swimming, not because of health reasons, but in a bid to change his appearance. And how, he 'scans' the bookshop - it's done so instinctively, that the author doesn't use that word. The way Jim also thoughtfully plans his route in and out, like an experienced person on either side of law & order would do. But how his plans are scuppered through others actions.
Earlier I mentioned one other gripe. That would be the big moments after Eve's family were murdered. Nannie's character seems realistic and important to how Eve grew up. I wonder if we will learn of other important lessons that she was taught by her Grandma? I'd have thought that she would have initially been cared for by a neighbour or a family member that lives closer. Maybe her best friend's parents? Just for the first couple of nights.
The key theme of Eve now deciding to publish her memoirs is interesting and almost goading her family's killer. It's interesting that he feels the need to 'deal' with her, when really isn't it best to continue his new life?
Earlier I mentioned some parts of the writing that I just didn't get on with. There are other parts that seem so apt and that eclipses the bits I didn't enjoy. For example "As the doors swung shut behind him, the buzz from outside died and he was cocooned in the hush of the bookshop". Anyone that's ever visited a bookshop is likely to have felt that but would we have been able to describe it so eloquently?
To begin with, I didn't get on with the book(s). I felt it was a bit confusing, especially as both books shared the same title. I'd have named the book by Eve Black as a 'memoir'. I also thought some of the writing seemed to be more convoluted than required. They and one other thing (I'll mention later) are my only gripes.
The idea itself is brilliant. The story lines and the few characters we meet in the First Glance suggests a great start. The way we learn more information of that fateful day, when Eve's life tragically changed, really draws me in.
The author has put in place some strong themes and clever mechanisms, that make the story easy to get into. I especially liked how Jim begins swimming, not because of health reasons, but in a bid to change his appearance. And how, he 'scans' the bookshop - it's done so instinctively, that the author doesn't use that word. The way Jim also thoughtfully plans his route in and out, like an experienced person on either side of law & order would do. But how his plans are scuppered through others actions.
Earlier I mentioned one other gripe. That would be the big moments after Eve's family were murdered. Nannie's character seems realistic and important to how Eve grew up. I wonder if we will learn of other important lessons that she was taught by her Grandma? I'd have thought that she would have initially been cared for by a neighbour or a family member that lives closer. Maybe her best friend's parents? Just for the first couple of nights.
The key theme of Eve now deciding to publish her memoirs is interesting and almost goading her family's killer. It's interesting that he feels the need to 'deal' with her, when really isn't it best to continue his new life?
Earlier I mentioned some parts of the writing that I just didn't get on with. There are other parts that seem so apt and that eclipses the bits I didn't enjoy. For example "As the doors swung shut behind him, the buzz from outside died and he was cocooned in the hush of the bookshop". Anyone that's ever visited a bookshop is likely to have felt that but would we have been able to describe it so eloquently?