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There are currently 18 member reviews
for True Crime Story
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Diane C
What is real here?
Who to believe, when even the author appears as an unreliable character? A girl goes missing from her college. Seven years later, a writer pieces together the story through interviews with an assortment of friends, family members, police and others. It's very twisty, with segments of interviews intertwined to create something like an ongoing conversation. Great for those who like puzzlers!
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Jennifer H
What did happen to Zoe?
True Crime Story is a novel that doesn't feel like a novel.
It feels like being a party to an investigation.
A failing writer becomes interested in a seven year old
cold case of missing co-ed Zoe, who happens to be a twin. The story unfolds via interviews with the victims friends and relatives, and a series of emails between the failing writer and a successful crime writer who is helping her get the book together. The characters gradually unfold, and become quite well developed, albeit unsympathetic, for the most part. The end was a one/two punch! Certainly would recommend this mystery, twin study, and look into family dynamics. Very clever read.
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Theresa M. (Murphysboro, IL)
True Crime Story
The story line of this book is laid out in a very interesting way. The interviews and emails were fun to read and really added to my enjoyment of the story. Initially I did find it difficult to keep track of all the characters, but the plot twists were good and overall the story held my interest. The ending was unexpected which, for readers who enjoy mysteries, that is a perfect way to have it end. Reading it again is on my list of things to do as it would be fun to read a second time and try to pick out all the clues that I missed the first time around.
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Ginny H. (Troutdale, OR)
True Crime Story
Blending fact with fiction, Joseph Knox has written an impressive book about a university student who went missing walking home from a party. Told mainly through interviews with a writer years later, the characters are all unlikable. Joseph Knox is also featured in the story as he is consulted by the writer to give his perspective. An interesting and long read.
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Chris (CA)
Unique Format
I really liked this book. The format was great - unique and intriguing. I wasn't sure if it was based on a true story, and I almost googled the characters' names. The characters were fairly well developed. There were enough plot twists to keep me turning pages and being surprised. However, I felt it was a little too long and the ending was not completely satisfying. There are so many topics for book clubs to discuss.
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Darcy C. (San Diego, CA)
Twin Murder or is it Twin Mystery?
This was an enthralling book with a great twist, one that I never predicted. This twist made me gasp, actually! I thought this story had good character development. I learned each of their back-stories without being distracted from the overall story. This is ultimately about twins at college and one of them goes missing. Does she want to disappear or is it more nefarious?
(IMO: after I read this story I'm not sure if I'd want to be a twin. Their sibling rivalry was off the charts and much of it should have been mediated with a therapist!)
One of the characters I got to know was the twin's father. This guy turns out to be a publicity hound. (More like publicity whore.) When the story starts telling you the back-story of the Dad things become interesting. What the Dad did in the process of trying to keep the his missing daughter in the news and the public's mind. He manufactures stories, manipulates the media and he doesn't care who he hurts as long as he and his missing daughter are in the news. He has made himself part of her story. It's deplorable.
I gave this story 4 stars. It kept my attention all the way the book. I did have some trouble with how the story wrapped-up in the end. Did I miss something crucial to the ending? I was confused. So I went back through the book to find out if therre was some important detail that ties the ending into a neat little bow. There was something I wasn't getting. I felt the ending was unsatisfactory which is so unfortunate because the story was very good. This story and had some satisfying twists -- and they were all a surprise to me. I love books with surprises! Enjoy -- it's worth the trip!
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Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA)
It's complicated
I've decided that this books rating is a 3.5. I had to sit with this for about a week after reading to make my decision. I loved the format of the book. It's all interviews and emails which makes for a fast read. The reason I chose 3.5 is because it's about a hundred pages too long. I felt there was a lot of repetition. It also felt like more of a YA read to me.The idea was great but the execution was lacking.
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