I think this is the end of this series for me. Whilst I enjoyed the first few books, this one had exactly the same tone and problems that put me off the previous instalment. Kathryn Fox obviously wants to use her books as a sounding board to talk about violence against women, which is great, it’s just not done all that well. It comes across as a bit patronising to point out to the reader that it’s a “common misconception” that women who drink are after sex. That is an excuse, not what the majority of people actually believe and there are several moments where it feels the reader is being lectured on the obvious.
I also found it hard to believe that cruise ships, preserve of the middle class older generations, are full of drunken louts who spend their time hunting young women on board. And this cruise ship, which was just off the coast of America, was incapable of reaching outside help…for several days. It’s all a bit far-fetched and I didn't find there was enough intrigue or tension to keep me turning the pages. It's a shame, because it could have been such a good setting but I'm just not a fan of reading about how "normal" it is for women to be victims of horrible men.
Don't let me put you off reading her earlier books though!
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Also reviewed @ Book'd Out | Milo's Rambles
You really aren't in a crime mood right now, are you?
ReplyDeleteI was in a crime mood which is why I picked it up...just this was the wrong book. She just really got on my nerves and the plot didn't distract me. Am excited about the new Karin Slaughter though.
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