The Plot was Too Predictable: 

I have read almost all of Ruth Ware’s books. With such an interesting premise, I was expecting a fast-paced novel that would keep me guessing until the very end like her other works. This is one of her earlier books and probably not one I would recommend to someone to get them interested in her writing. Her red herrings were tenuous. The plot was so predictable. I had it figured out pretty quickly and finishing the book was kind of a chore after that. Don’t get me wrong, I love Ruth Ware. This just isn’t one of my favorites from her. It is so inspirational to see someone making progress honing their craft with each subsequent book they put out. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. I couldn’t imagine the skill and dedication it takes to have such a short turnaround time between books. 

Isa Is Such an Unreliable Narrator and Not in a Good Way: 

Personally, I found Isa’s character one-dimensional and not all that likeable as a protagonist. Isa is a new mother, who has a dark past and lies habitually. That’s it. That’s the whole character. As expected of a true pathological liar, she is an unreliable narrator. She makes herself out to be a good person who did a bad thing (burying a dead body) but when they go to the Alumnae dinner, its clear Isa and her friend group tormented Salten House. 

She is flaky. I absolutely hated that she was going to cheat on her boyfriend with Luc if they hadn’t been interrupted. Throughout the book she is in love with him. He was her first crush. He saved Freya from burning to death. Yet she is aggressively unbothered by his death. 

The Hesitation: 

Outside Isa’s character and the too obvious foreshadowing, I absolutely hated that Ware glossed over some of the more sensitive topics. If you’re going to write about deep topics like pedophilia and drug addiction, it’s disingenuous to gloss over it. I don’t think she even used the word pedophile despite touching on the subject at multiple points. Like when Isa looks back on the “tension” between her and Ambrose. How the school mishandled the photos coming out. Luc’s molestation after he is sent back to her mother. It’s like I could feel her discomfort and hesitation writing about it. I just wish she had added a little more grit, which I know she is capable of from her other books.

1. Although I think Ware intended it to be one of the red herrings, there is a clear sexual tension between Ambrose and (at least) Isa when he is drawing her. Was it just me or was he giving Lolita vibes? 

2. Did you find the subplot of Isa and Owen’s relationship compelling? 

3. One of the reasons Isa gives for not telling Owen the truth is risking their jobs. Is this a cope? Could she have confided in Owen? 

4. Luc tells Isa: “I should have chosen you.” Later, it’s becomes clear he is still in love with Kate. Did he really mean he should have pursued a relationship with Isa all those years ago, or was he just trying to sleep with her? 

5. Was the plot a little too predictable? Did you have it figured out before the end?