by Hannah Jayne
To be published on July 2, 2013
By Sourcebooks Fire
Source: e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Please see my FTC disclosure on right sidebar.
Connect with the author: website | Twitter | Facebook.
Summary from Goodreads: Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin. When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by "an admirer" and printed with two simple words: "You're welcome."
Buzzwords: serial killer, secret admirer, guilty pleasure, Pretty Little Liars meets Lifetime TV.
My take: As a lifelong fan of mysteries, I appreciate all types -- the dark, twisted psychological thrillers, the grim police procedurals and even the tamer "cozies." Truly, Madly, Deadly is a book that is to the mystery genre what one of those Lifetime TV "woman in jeopardy" movies is to television: a guilty pleasure that's also pretty entertaining.
If you like your mysteries on the literary or psychological side, then Truly, Madly, Deadly may not be the book for you. The characters and setting could have been much more developed. Sawyer, the protagonist, spends most of her time fainting, throwing up, or making out with a hot guy she's only just met. Sawyer also cries a lot, but not damsel-in-distress crying -- serious ugly-crying. Because I was reading on a Kindle with a search function, I can tell you that variations of the phrase "snot and tears" are used four times. Someone hand this poor girl a tissue!
The book's plot consists mostly of the Sawyer learning that someone close to her has died under mysterious circumstances or finding creepy, threatening notes. I guessed the identity of the killer pretty easily. The story does touch on some serious issues -- bullying, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, class differences, suicide -- but not in any kind of serious way. Truly, Madly, Deadly is clearly not trying to be an "issue book."
But Truly, Madly, Deadly does offer up some very funny dialogue, a fair amount of suspense, and a creepy, campy premise: a hapless protagonist with a mysterious and possibly crazy secret admirer. If you love that kind of thing, then I think you'll find Truly, Madly, Deadly to be a fun, fast-paced summer read.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy, though I think Sawyer would annoy me a bit. I love a good mystery so I love all types!! Great review!
ReplyDeleteShe didn't annoy me that much. She has a role in the story, which is to be the girl in jeopardy...
DeleteI really do enjoy a good mystery so might read this one at some point. Great review Jen
ReplyDeleteMy Friends Are Fiction
Despite its flaws, I did think it was a fun book!
DeleteHmm. I think I'll skip this one. I love mysteries, but I have trouble liking books unless I really like at least one MC and I don't know that I would in this one. I also have been very anti-drama lately and this sounds like there is plenty of that.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I liked or disliked Sawyer. All that stuff it says about her in the blurb -- track star and singing -- never comes into play because she's just getting freaked out and crying….
DeleteThis has been one of my most anticipated books and it seems like I might need to lower my expectations a bit but I still want to give it a try as it should be a fast easy summer read.
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoyed reading it!
DeleteI finished this one last night, and while it's definitely not a favorite - it was still a pretty enjoyable read! I felt like a lot of things were thrown into the story to make it seem creepier? I don't know - and this might sound weird, but I wanted some sort of flashback or memory of when her relationship with Kevin went bad. I know it wasn't the focus of the book, but I would have liked it!
ReplyDeletegreat review!
- Tabitha @ Tabitha's Book Blog
I completely agree. I mean, the whole premise of the book was that Kevin was abusive, but we really don't get much of a feel for that at all!
DeleteThis book looks so great. It's been a long time since I've last read a suspense book and I almost forgot how much I love them.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty disappointing to read that the book was easy to guess and lacked depth... I think I'll still give it a try and see for myself.
GREAT REVIEW!! Thanks for sharing :)
Sapir @ Diary of a Wimpy Teen Girl
Well, I've read so many mysteries that I'm getting pretty good at picking out the killer.
DeleteI did think the book was a little light on substance, but it was still fun to read.
I've never heard of this book before, but it does sound pretty intriguing. It's been a pretty long time since I last read a great mystery book. I'll definitely have to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteAw, shame to see this isn't very psychological--those are my absolute favorite types of thrillers and murder mysteries: the ones where you question the mental state of the MC and practically everyone and everything is just a huge mindfuck. Love that. But still, this one sounds really fun! I may have to get to reading my ARC soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally read thrillers, but I love the sound of this. The last two lines in the summary gave me chills!
ReplyDeleteI do like thrillers and despite the character issues and such I may still like this one, I think!
ReplyDelete"A hapless protagonist with a mysterious and possibly crazy secret admirer!" LOL I was actually drawn to this book based off the fact I want to know who her psycho admirer is and if she will thank him or call the cops on him! hehe I did hear this was a bit predictable but sounds like a fun read still.
ReplyDeleteThe plot sounds really intriguing- but Sawyer sounds like an MC I'd hate. Huh. Now I'm confused whether to read this or not! But thanks for the review, without it, I wouldn't have even heard of this book! :)
ReplyDeleteUnderdeveloped books like characters and settings don't work awfully well for me, but the idea of this novel has always intrigued me. I'll move this done my TBR for now.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, hon! <33
Yeah, I just wasn't feeling this one. It was just so lacking in all the things I love and full of the things I don't. Great review, though...you managed to review it somewhere in the middle without making it sound quite so terrible. ;0)
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Yeah, I don't think this book is for me. Not that I don't appreciate a random all day Lifetime Movie Marathon every now and then, especially when you are home sick in bed;) I like that cover a whole lot though:)
ReplyDeleteGlad it was fun and fast paced but sorry the characters needed more developing
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Jen.
Andreea
OMG! I have been wanting to read this book. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteThis actually sounds like I would love it.
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