Brace yourself for something rare. I finished a book I confess I should have abandoned. That doesn't happen often!
Bring Me Back is the story of Finn, a man whose girlfriend disappeared at a rest stop in France 12 years before the book begins. Layla was in the car when he left; when he returned she was gone and so were two of the other vehicles that were parked when they arrived at the rest stop. Was she kidnapped or did she run away? No sign of her has been found.
Now engaged to her sister, Ellen, Finn is disturbed when a former police officer who became his friend phones to say that the elderly man who lives next door to the old cottage Finn and Layla shared, which has been locked up since a short time after her disappearance, has spotted Layla. Then, small Matryoshka dolls start showing up in places that Finn and Ellen will easily find them. Finn and Ellen both know the meaning of the dolls. Finally, Finn begins to receive emails asking about his cottage in Devon and then clues about Layla after Finn realizes the emails are too much of a coincidence and questions the sender. What's going on? Is Layla alive? If so, why doesn't she just show up instead of dropping hints? Is it her kidnapper toying with Finn? Or, could the emails be the job of an ex-girlfriend of Finn's, now that he's engaged to Ellen?
Not recommended - I gave this book 3 stars and I'm rethinking that rating. Midway through the book, I considered abandoning it. It had become repetitive -- another doll found, another email, the sender is off his or her rocker. Finn theorizes, Finn walks back his theories after eliminating people from the suspect list, another doll is found, and another and another and another. I found it less compelling than exhausting. And, the ending was simply impossible to buy.
Would I read this author again? Oddly, yes, but only if the book comes highly recommended. I was quickly immersed in the story, even if I later decided it wasn't going anywhere and the ending was implausible. I've heard B. A. Paris's first book was excellent. If I do ever read it, I'll check it out from the library. I would definitely give her a second chance. But, I just don't feel like Bring Me Back was worth the time I spent on it.
©2018 Nancy Horner. All rights reserved. If you are reading this post at a site other than Bookfoolery or its RSS feed, you are reading a stolen feed. Email bookfoolery@gmail.com for written permission to reproduce text or photos.
I'm afraid that after her first book all the others will pale in comparison. I loved the first one. Really felt the second one was a big waste. I have a review copy of this one but I've seen the reviews all over and no one has anything good to say about it.
ReplyDeleteIt was just not believable, in my humble opinion, Ti. Maybe give it 50 pages and see what you think. Yeah, I was a little worried going in because of the bad reviews, but I don't always agree with the majority and it did grab me, up front. So, I decided to go ahead and read it. Oh, well. Onward.
DeleteI'm in complete agreement with Ti. The first was great, but the second one was terrible. I have no plans to try this one! Sorry you wasted your time. :(
DeleteI'm going to have to go back and read that first one, when my library opens, again. I've heard exactly the same about the first two from *everyone* -- the first one was great, the second one awful.
DeleteI’m so sad you didn’t like it. I haven’t read it yet but I love her other books so it makes me wonder if you just don’t like her style or if it’s a dud. I’ll have to get my hands on it to find out. I have it on hold but it’s taking forever!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of her other books but the reviews are, in general, pretty negative from those who've read her others. I actually did like the writing. At first, I was really enjoying it and the pages flew, so that's why I say I'd read her work, again (if highly recommended). But, then it became repetitive and Finn started to become really annoying. And, that ending . . . ugh, no. I just don't buy it.
DeleteI read one book by this author and was not impressed. I think it’s the one everybody likes too. Haha
ReplyDeleteBehind Closed Doors, right? I wouldn't be running to my library to grab a copy, anyway (if my library didn't happen to be closed indefinitely, ugh). Good to hear. I have too many other books calling my name.
DeleteHa, Ha! I did the same thing! Not a book I'm proud of finishing. I didn't even review it on my blog. Felt generous giving it 2 stars on Goodreads. I did enjoy The Breakdown by Paris, but I would not have believed the two books were by the same author.
ReplyDeleteI probably should reduce my rating to 2 stars but it did start well, at least. I felt like the author had potential, in spite of the fact that this was a terrible book. I'm glad you enjoyed one of her other books. I've heard so many people say the same thing -- one of her other books was so much better. Pretty wild, the difference. Oh, well. I do that, now and then -- finish a book I shouldn't. It's always a good reminder to go back to abandoning more quickly if a book just isn't working.
Delete