Teaser Synopsis:
When beautiful but aloof Claire Harkness is found dead in her dorm room one spring morning, prestigious Armitage Academy is shaken to its core. Everyone connected to school, and to Claire, finds their lives upended, from the local police detective who has a personal history with the academy, to the various faculty and staff whose lives are immersed in the daily rituals associated with it.
First Thoughts after finishing book: hmmm.....not sure what to think of this one.
What I liked about this book:
- The setting...I like the idea of a twisted love story, murder, and cover-up that takes place on a boarding school campus. Don't know why...I must be twisted!
- The cop who actually went to the boarding school there on a scholarship. I thought his inside knowledge of how the school ticked made the story interesting.
- The secret society behind the title of the book. Sinister and just a tad creepy..helped add that extra factor to the story.
- The cover! It is pretty cool!! That's part of the reason I chose this book. Yes, I'm shallow like that!!
What I didn't like about this book:
- Too many characters!!!!!!!!!!! I felt like I needed a cast list so that I could refer back to it every other page!!
- Not connecting with one person in this entire story! That frustrated me and really left me with that so-so attitude once I finished the book.
- Privileged brats!! I don't think I could handle being the 'scholarship' kid at a school like this. Too many of them had no respect for others, and a huge sense of entitlement.
Recommend? I'm not really sure. I guess if someone gave you the book or you were able to get it as a free download to your eReader. But would I recommend you spending good money on this one....no. It just wasn't sinister enough and there were just way too many characters. I think in order to do creepy well you must make some sort of connection with at least one character...that didn't happen for me.
Rating: 6.5/10
Check out these reviews by fellow book bloggers who enjoyed this title:
Check out these reviews by fellow book bloggers who enjoyed this title:
Reviews by Lola- " I was enthralled for the majority of the book, and found it insatiably readable. Add to that the setting of a prestigious boarding school, and you’ve got a real winner. "
The Sunday Book Review- "The writing is simple and quick – though I do feel as if urgency would have done wonders for this story – and it will make an afternoon go by quickly."
Author: Charlotte Bacon
Published: June 14, 2011 eBookPublisher: VoiceGenre: MysterySource: NetGalleyISNB: 9781401341503
Published: June 14, 2011 eBookPublisher: VoiceGenre: MysterySource: NetGalleyISNB: 9781401341503
Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I love stories with a boarding school setting. A Secret History, Chatham School Affair etc, so thought I might like this one too?? It's still on the shelf. I need to be able to find just the right time. Sorry it was just ok for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's a bummer! I would have sooooooooooo gone for the cover also! :):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI downloaded this from NetGalley, as well. It sounded perfect. Sad to say, I read a couple of pages soon after I got it, but it didn't capture my attention, so I let it go. I did plan on giving it another shot, but I think it expired or will expire soon. Your rating confirms my original feeling.
ReplyDeleteOk forget it. Yes I can deal with many characters, but that is in fantasy books that span over several books
ReplyDeleteInteresting review - I don't know what to think! :--) But I like the cover also!
ReplyDeleteInteresting things you confess to in this review: twisted, shallow, and then frustrated. After having read your blog for well over two years, I don't see you that way. I think this book brought out too many negative thoughts. I'll skip it.
ReplyDeleteToo many characters can really bog down a book for me, so I probably won't pursue this one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like one to skip. I like boarding school settings but if not handled well, the rich kid personality type is overused and becomes boring.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the many characters, thats a bit a of a deal breaker. I like to connect with a character or too. Not sit there thinking "wait who is that again?'
ReplyDeleteI think a very fair review, The cover is rather creepy isnt it?
I hate books with too many characters, but good review!
ReplyDeleteThis is a book that I was really looking forward to reading so I'm sorry to hear that you didn't care for it too much. I'm still planning on reading it but it looks like I don't have to rush to get it :)
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't sound like one for me. Too many characters can be confusing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a library choice!
ReplyDeleteI usually enjoy the boarding school books, but have to admit that they are becoming a bit clonish in their execution. I have had my eye one this one, but may just move on to another book title instead.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a large cast of characters as long as you can feel connected to a few or one of them at least. This doesn't sound like a book I would be interested in given the boarding school motif. Thanks for the honest review though...I wish it had been more creepy for you. I like creepy stories, hence the August read-a-long of IT by Stephen King
ReplyDeleteI didn't love this one for many of the same reasons
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to follow too many characters, especially when it's a murder mystery.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually enjoy books that have so many characters that I have to keep going back to ficgure out who they are.
ReplyDeletelol thanks for being honest. Privileged snotty kids, no thanks :) great review.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's too bad you didn't like this one. I think it sounds really intriguing. The problem with not connecting to characters is huge for me though. I may have to rethink wanting to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThe cover drew me in, hauntingly creepy — I just had to know what this one was about. Minus the "secret society" thing it sounds a little like Shreve's "Testimony".
ReplyDelete