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Book Recommendations
Recommended books can be ordered on Bookshop.
You Killed Me First by John Marrs
The first time I picked up this book it didn’t connect. However, I decided to try the audio version. As an author, I utilize third person limited point of view. But it has disadvantages, especially when told from the perspective of multiple characters. In the prologue, a woman awakens to find herself bound inside a bonfire. Immediate action and suspense. Each chapter counts down to that moment. Readers are introduced to three characters. Former pop star, Margot, treats everyone with cynicism and disdain. Mousy Anna reveres Margot and craves acceptance. As the newcomer, entrepreneurial Liv appears open and welcoming. I never understood why these women were friends. They sniped at each other like characters on The Housewives franchise. Each woman provides their unique perspective, but there’s a twist. In addition to the unknown woman in the bonfire, readers learn about a fragile creature seeking therapy. Now, there are two unknown people and three separate perspectives. The person seeking therapy might also be the one in the bonfire. This convoluted plot becomes confusing and muddled. Marrs tries to accomplish too much. An earlier conclusion would have been satisfying. By prolonging the narrative, the plot exceeds reality. I loath stories with chapters of exposition explaining what occurred and why. Where are the police in this story? Plausibility stretched the limits of fiction. The author over exploits the unreliable narrator ploy. Still, I appreciated the first act of the plot. Kudos to the narrator, who did an excellent job. I rated it a three.
The first time I picked up this book it didn’t connect. However, I decided to try the audio version. As an author, I utilize third person limited point of view. But it has disadvantages, especially when told from the perspective of multiple characters. In the prologue, a woman awakens to find herself bound inside a bonfire. Immediate action and suspense. Each chapter counts down to that moment. Readers are introduced to three characters. Former pop star, Margot, treats everyone with cynicism and disdain. Mousy Anna reveres Margot and craves acceptance. As the newcomer, entrepreneurial Liv appears open and welcoming. I never understood why these women were friends. They sniped at each other like characters on The Housewives franchise. Each woman provides their unique perspective, but there’s a twist. In addition to the unknown woman in the bonfire, readers learn about a fragile creature seeking therapy. Now, there are two unknown people and three separate perspectives. The person seeking therapy might also be the one in the bonfire. This convoluted plot becomes confusing and muddled. Marrs tries to accomplish too much. An earlier conclusion would have been satisfying. By prolonging the narrative, the plot exceeds reality. I loath stories with chapters of exposition explaining what occurred and why. Where are the police in this story? Plausibility stretched the limits of fiction. The author over exploits the unreliable narrator ploy. Still, I appreciated the first act of the plot. Kudos to the narrator, who did an excellent job. I rated it a three.
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