This began as a fun read with great characterization (deserving a 4/5 rating). The story follows the elderly Mrs Plasky on her quest for pay-back, which involves a physical journey but also her growth as a grieving elderly widow. The author does a wonderful job with characterization, with a lot of “show not tell”. I really like that we hear the inner dialogue running through Mrs Plasky’s head during conversations. It makes her more human & helps the reader empathize with her. There is a wonderful character arc with her going from victim to ‘bad-ass’ over the course of the story.
The book wasn’t as strong in the second half, when we shifted to Romania. Here the story veers into highly implausible territory with the plot’s all-too-convenient coincidences. The setting descriptions also didn’t work as well (I had a hard time with that back stairway scene) and it was a little odd that the author had the flight to Bucharest stop in Zurich, without the character having to change planes (as this wouldn’t happen).
I was provided with an ARC (thanks to the author & publisher!) and I am voluntarily posting my honest review.
The book wasn’t as strong in the second half, when we shifted to Romania. Here the story veers into highly implausible territory with the plot’s all-too-convenient coincidences. The setting descriptions also didn’t work as well (I had a hard time with that back stairway scene) and it was a little odd that the author had the flight to Bucharest stop in Zurich, without the character having to change planes (as this wouldn’t happen).
I was provided with an ARC (thanks to the author & publisher!) and I am voluntarily posting my honest review.