Suspense

When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica was one of my standout thrillers for 2018. But anything by this author is usually amazing. This was one of those mysteries that had a slow burn. Each clue was laid out perfectly adding build up to the story. The story is told from two main viewpoints and alternating timelines. We experience Jessie's story firsthand, in the present. While also uncovering her mother, Eden's story, told from the past. My mother always says that secrets either come out in the wash or they have a way of catching up with you, after years of caretaking for her mother, Jessie is faced with rebuilding her life. On a leap of faith, she applies to college but quickly discovers there might be a problem with her registration due to identity. What does this mean for Jessie? The mystery of figuring out just who she is takes her down an unbidden path. She is extremely fatigued and overwhelmed with insomnia, and it is affecting every aspect of her life while she also tries to figure out who she is. As the chapters flew by I found myself relating to both sides of the characters. I won’t give it away I will say that I feel for both mother and daughter and loved how this story played out. ( )

This book’s ending bothered me. Somethings just didn’t seem realistic. I assume Jesse went to High School. Certainly they had some sort of photo id for her. I did like some of the suspense with Eden. Just didn’t click for me. Maybe it will for you ( )

The book is a slow burn with not a lot of action happening for most of the book. The majority of the story is about Jessie's grief following her mother's death, her insomnia, and trying to find out who she really is. Throughout the story we hear the viewpoints from Eden...Jessie's mother...and Jessie, herself. The "twist" at the end felt disappointing. As I was reading, I kept thinking that there was something that would tie everything together and that I must be missing that unifying "thing". At the end it was a letdown for me. I do have to say that I have loved everything that I have read by this author. This one just wasn’t as good as I remembered her others being. The book had enough redeeming qualities so as not to be, in any way, a waste of time. ( )

I might rate this book 2.5 stars; however, this book was definitely not as goos as Kubica’s previous novels. The writing is sloppy, respective, and the storyline difficult to follow. ( )