Mary McCluskey

I liked the book, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting something more tense, suspenseful, and keep me on the edge of my seat. I felt like this read more as a drama-type, instead of a psychological thriller.

The beginning and end were interesting, but the middle dragged on, and took too long to get to the climax. The ending, while it was good and was resolved in a satisfactory manner, felt too rushed.

Good character development in the main characters, wished there was a little more fleshed out on some of the sideplots and secondary characters (namely, Chloe and who exactly she was to Chris). I could only imagine the pain that the parents were going through after the loss of their son. Maybe it's because I don't have kids, but I couldn't really relate, and at times, the female MC annoyed me.

The villain never really came off as threatening or dangerous, at least not to me.

With all that being said, I still enjoyed the book and was interested enough to see it through to the end.… (meer)

The Long Deception
By
Mary McCluskey

What it's all about...

Sometimes a reader sort of falls into a book that moves along slowly yet has a steady build up. That’s this book. The characters in this book are tied together from their youth until their adulthood. They are bound by heartache and sadness. Allison is married, has a career and lives in LA with her husband Jake. Her childhood friend, Sophie, has died and Allison decides to return to England for the funeral. This is more complicated than it seems. Allison had an unresolved romantic love for Sophie’s brother Matt. So...life becomes rather messy.


Why I wanted to read it...

I am not sure if anyone remembers this movie called The Big Chill. But...that’s what this book reminded me of...friends gathering for the funeral of a beloved yet wounded friend. Sophie was into drugs. Sophie left three year old twins behind. Sophie’s life was not an easy one. Sophie had lots of secrets. So did her brother Matt.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

I really enjoyed the writing in this book. I loved the way key events were revealed. There is a subtle build up to important story issues. This just kept my interest in all aspects of this story. This also just kept me guessing.

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who enjoy a story about people and their flaws and their struggles and their secrets should enjoy this well told and well written book.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.… (meer)

I liked the book, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting something more tense, suspenseful, and keep me on the edge of my seat. I felt like this read more as a drama-type, instead of a psychological thriller.

The beginning and end were interesting, but the middle dragged on, and took too long to get to the climax. The ending, while it was good and was resolved in a satisfactory manner, felt too rushed.

Good character development in the main characters, wished there was a little more fleshed out on some of the sideplots and secondary characters (namely, Chloe and who exactly she was to Chris). I could only imagine the pain that the parents were going through after the loss of their son. Maybe it's because I don't have kids, but I couldn't really relate, and at times, the female MC annoyed me.

The villain never really came off as threatening or dangerous, at least not to me.

With all that being said, I still enjoyed the book and was interested enough to see it through to the end.… (meer)