For the most part, I enjoyed this book. The dual timeline plot worked well, in my opinion. The chapters are split between present day, where the time is leading up to the day of the killing, and years ago when Maddie was living + working in war-torn Eastern Europe where she would spend time with her best friend (Jo), in another war-torn country, and where she fell in love with her future husband (Ian).
I thought that the plot was generally interesting, and moved along at an appropriate pace. There were enough twists and surprises (though not all were actually a surprise) to keep me interested. There were definitely some, "What just happened?!" moments, but there were also some, "What does that have to do with ANYthing?" or, "How is THAT going to be explained?" moments which outweighed the good, "What just happened?!" moments for me, unfortunately.
However, it has to be said that neither Maddie's and Jo's nor Maddie's and Ian's relationships were totally believable. They seemed very superficial all around. But that may also have been the point; the author may have been showing us that these three seriously damaged individuals clung to each other out of necessity, desperation, or maybe something darker - not out of genuine connection or affection. I didn't understand at all why Maddie pined away for Ian for years and years without any contact, given the superficial nature of their relationship. But, again, that could have been purposeful - another way to highlight the damaged nature of her personality...and his.
I was left with some unanswered questions, but overall I did walk away feeling that I had finished a good, but not great, story.
I thought that the plot was generally interesting, and moved along at an appropriate pace. There were enough twists and surprises (though not all were actually a surprise) to keep me interested. There were definitely some, "What just happened?!" moments, but there were also some, "What does that have to do with ANYthing?" or, "How is THAT going to be explained?" moments which outweighed the good, "What just happened?!" moments for me, unfortunately.
However, it has to be said that neither Maddie's and Jo's nor Maddie's and Ian's relationships were totally believable. They seemed very superficial all around. But that may also have been the point; the author may have been showing us that these three seriously damaged individuals clung to each other out of necessity, desperation, or maybe something darker - not out of genuine connection or affection. I didn't understand at all why Maddie pined away for Ian for years and years without any contact, given the superficial nature of their relationship. But, again, that could have been purposeful - another way to highlight the damaged nature of her personality...and his.
I was left with some unanswered questions, but overall I did walk away feeling that I had finished a good, but not great, story.