Author: Jessa Maxwell
Published: August 13, 2024 by Atria Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 304 Pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
First Sentence: Dear Constance, He will be back at any moment.
Blurb: Alex Marks’s move to New York City is supposed to be a fresh start. She plans to lay low with her mundane copywriting job but the news of the murder of her childhood hero, Francis Keen, throws her for a loop. Beloved staff writer and the woman behind the famous advice column, Dear Constance , Keen’s death is a shock to her countless fans and readers.
When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. But almost immediately, she begins to receive strange letters at the office and soon, Alex wonders why the murderer has never been found. Worse, she can’t help but question if her new boss and editor-in-chief, Howard Dimitri, was involved with Keen’s death.
As she starts her own investigation, the dark secrets of her own past rise to the surface and soon, Alex finds herself trapped in a dangerous and potentially deadly mystery. Will she solve the murder and save her own skin? Or will Alex face a similar fate?
My Opinion: The story begins slowly with Alex Marks relocating to New York City for a fresh start, only to land a mundane copywriting job. On a whim, she applies to take over the “Dear Constance” advice column from her idol, Francis Keen. However, 30% into the book, the plot hasn’t progressed much. The column snippets are frequent, and the identity of “Lost Girl” is apparent from the second letter.
The narrative then shifts to an investigation into the murder of Francis Keen, the original “Dear Constance.” Alex embarks on a new meet-cute relationship, and the past of her friend from the diner is revealed, leading to a convoluted exploration of Alex’s troubled history. The plot feels scattered and unfocused.
Despite being marketed as a captivating mystery with elements of suspense and thriller, I found these aspects lacking. There is a twist at the end, but it wasn’t compelling enough to justify reading the entire book. The sudden revelation of a character’s identity felt obvious and out of place.
I was lukewarm about Jessa Maxwell’s first book, The Golden Spoon, and this latest work has confirmed that her writing style doesn’t resonate with me.
Blurb: Alex Marks’s move to New York City is supposed to be a fresh start. She plans to lay low with her mundane copywriting job but the news of the murder of her childhood hero, Francis Keen, throws her for a loop. Beloved staff writer and the woman behind the famous advice column, Dear Constance , Keen’s death is a shock to her countless fans and readers.
When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. But almost immediately, she begins to receive strange letters at the office and soon, Alex wonders why the murderer has never been found. Worse, she can’t help but question if her new boss and editor-in-chief, Howard Dimitri, was involved with Keen’s death.
As she starts her own investigation, the dark secrets of her own past rise to the surface and soon, Alex finds herself trapped in a dangerous and potentially deadly mystery. Will she solve the murder and save her own skin? Or will Alex face a similar fate?
My Opinion: The story begins slowly with Alex Marks relocating to New York City for a fresh start, only to land a mundane copywriting job. On a whim, she applies to take over the “Dear Constance” advice column from her idol, Francis Keen. However, 30% into the book, the plot hasn’t progressed much. The column snippets are frequent, and the identity of “Lost Girl” is apparent from the second letter.
The narrative then shifts to an investigation into the murder of Francis Keen, the original “Dear Constance.” Alex embarks on a new meet-cute relationship, and the past of her friend from the diner is revealed, leading to a convoluted exploration of Alex’s troubled history. The plot feels scattered and unfocused.
Despite being marketed as a captivating mystery with elements of suspense and thriller, I found these aspects lacking. There is a twist at the end, but it wasn’t compelling enough to justify reading the entire book. The sudden revelation of a character’s identity felt obvious and out of place.
I was lukewarm about Jessa Maxwell’s first book, The Golden Spoon, and this latest work has confirmed that her writing style doesn’t resonate with me.
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