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Edna Wichman
Crime story deluxe
Written in interview style, the story centers on a missing girl, Zoe. Her sister is caught up in a complex story of the disappearance as are Zoe's friends. Each chapter ends with emails between the author of The Story and a friend who offers suggestions.
The roles are clearly defined and even with the ending all receive sympathy. Excellent read. Written so the movie will be easy to do.
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
…more family dynamics. Very clever read. (less)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.
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.
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.
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
…more 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! (less)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.
Carol N. (San Jose, CA)
I gave it a honest try. . .
After having read the various book reviews, I was fascinated with Joseph Knox's premise of "True Crime Story." I, too, found it a most unique concept. It was presented in such a way that it made it seem like a true crime. Regrettably this book simply didn't do it for me and I am not sure why. Could it be this style of writing or the lack of interesting characters that is making for this lackluster review? I do know I was hard-pressed to finish this book, finding myself putting it back on the shelf after the first 100 pages, only to pick it up several times to finish it for review.
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