That was a great mystery/thriller!

I'm not used to reading this genre, and I probably would've never picked it up if it wasn't for the masterful HBO series Sharp Objects. I watched the first episode and I was SO intrigued that when I saw it was based on a book, I immediately purchased and started reading it, because I was not about to WAIT to see what happened. Ain't nobody got time for that.

It was a great read, though I feel like the ending was kind of rushed past, after the "mystery" was thought to be resolved. It was so much so that when it was revealed who the true killer was, I was a bit like "wait what now?". Up until the last 10% of the book though, it's absolutely great!

I also felt like I was being tricked and not in a good way... In retrospect, it doesn't feel like I had any chance whatsoever of solving that mystery by myself. I was purposefully mislead.

However, the narrator's voice is on point and I could feel her disgust for certain foods, actions and people. I daresay this was a synesthesic experience, because I really connected with the narration of the book.

I had already enjoyed one of Flynn's short stories, but that was my first time reading a novel. ( )

Talk about The Monster at the End of the Book (sorry, Grover). Although I figured out The Who-dun-it within the first 70 pages, I thought this was a well-written, original, unusual story. There were some parts that made me cringe. I also watched the television show and enjoyed that as well. The characters are so toxic, it’s scary to think that this could really happen. ( )

Gritty, raw and full of horrors. This book physically turned my stomach. It was hard to read,so I just read it in one big....gulp of a day. I tried not to get too far from it, and tried to shield the pages from the eyes of my family. Half the time I was completely mortified and disgusted by what I was reading. The other half I was plotting and comparing notes, trying to ignore the trysts and bad decisions our poor Camille was making.

The end wasn't shocking until I got to the very VERY end. Wow. I mean, you get a sense it might head this direction - but you really do hope it will end differently. ( )

I need to wash my brain. The twist wasn't as big of a twist as I expected, but I think Flynn does something amazing with her characters that I've only experienced reading Ruth Rendell: she sucks you in and makes you think that what these twisted, damaged people are doing is acceptable. ( )

3.5 stars

Will write full review later. BUT.......................

I really enjoyed this page turning yet disturbing novel. Now I just have to read Dark Places. ( )