Beginning a book with someone's final words is gripping. I mean, how could I not read more to find out what happens next?! What happened before the family's final words?! Forty-eight pages is not enough! I need more!
Our heroine, Margot, loses everything in one accident; her family, her belongings, her friends, and her status. Talk about humbling! After six weeks at an orphanage a wealthy family takes her in but sends their lawyer to pick her up. How personable! As they approach the country estate, she realizes there is no cell service which is not a good sign. Foreshadowing?
We find out that Margot's father saved the wealthy patriarch during a swimming accident and, as a form of repayment, Margot is taken in. So far I'm reminded of Annie; when's the first sing-a-long?
This all feels too good to be true. The Suttons seem to be putting on an act in front of Margot to get her to let her guard down. Then we learn the Suttons actually do have children but their son is away at school and their daughter, Agatha, has a mysterious illness that has rendered her catatonic. This is when we find out the Suttons' actual reason for bringing Margot to their home. They want Margot to be their daughter's friend and we're left with the knowledge that she will be staying in Agatha's room!
This is exactly how I like my books - dive right into the narrative and give me something to be excited or curious about. None of that excessive description of mood or scenery. But now I have questions! How far do they expect Margot to go? Will Margot refuse any of their asks? Is Agatha just pretending to be catatonic or did something tragic happen? And most of all, what's with the spoon full of pushpins?! I want to read more but I don't want to wait.
Our heroine, Margot, loses everything in one accident; her family, her belongings, her friends, and her status. Talk about humbling! After six weeks at an orphanage a wealthy family takes her in but sends their lawyer to pick her up. How personable! As they approach the country estate, she realizes there is no cell service which is not a good sign. Foreshadowing?
We find out that Margot's father saved the wealthy patriarch during a swimming accident and, as a form of repayment, Margot is taken in. So far I'm reminded of Annie; when's the first sing-a-long?
This all feels too good to be true. The Suttons seem to be putting on an act in front of Margot to get her to let her guard down. Then we learn the Suttons actually do have children but their son is away at school and their daughter, Agatha, has a mysterious illness that has rendered her catatonic. This is when we find out the Suttons' actual reason for bringing Margot to their home. They want Margot to be their daughter's friend and we're left with the knowledge that she will be staying in Agatha's room!
This is exactly how I like my books - dive right into the narrative and give me something to be excited or curious about. None of that excessive description of mood or scenery. But now I have questions! How far do they expect Margot to go? Will Margot refuse any of their asks? Is Agatha just pretending to be catatonic or did something tragic happen? And most of all, what's with the spoon full of pushpins?! I want to read more but I don't want to wait.