Official Review: A Life Before by Julien Ayotte

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any crime, thriller, mystery or horror books or series.
Post Reply
User avatar
lavellan
Posts: 576
Joined: 25 Dec 2017, 17:40
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 60
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lavellan.html
Latest Review: encoded by Richard Nedbal

Re: Official Review: A Life Before by Julien Ayotte

Post by lavellan »

Thanks for your review! The premise of the book sounds very interesting. I liked how you mentioned the movie that the plot reminded you of so that readers would get a better idea of the plot.
LanieTaj
Posts: 44
Joined: 08 Feb 2018, 10:38
Currently Reading: And Then I Met Margaret
Bookshelf Size: 34
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lanietaj.html
Latest Review: The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace by Julie Penshorn

Post by LanieTaj »

I just thought of reading about mysterious stories and here it comes. By reading thie review, curiosity striked me because I want to know how Samantha Collins will overcome her problem. I'll consider this one to read.
User avatar
DeannaChristian
Posts: 2
Joined: 24 Feb 2018, 08:54
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by DeannaChristian »

The first two pages make me want to read the book. A chivalrous man who offers his seat to a smart young woman, their casual meeting on the train, and what will happen at their encounter at the library? Julien Ayotte has created characters I want to know.
User avatar
Miss_BeckyG
Posts: 1559
Joined: 28 Jun 2017, 04:06
Currently Reading: Behind Broken Glass Walls
Bookshelf Size: 1129
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-miss-beckyg.html
Latest Review: East Wind, 2nd edition by Jack Winnick

Post by Miss_BeckyG »

The book sounds thrilling. I have to read it and just understand how Samantha's dreams are linked to the past occurrences. I am hooked...
“ Ego says, "Once everything falls into place, I'll feel peace." Spirit says "Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place." ”
Marianne Williamson
User avatar
Kat Berg
Posts: 776
Joined: 05 Oct 2017, 22:29
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 5">Raven's Peak</a>
Currently Reading: James Baldwin
Bookshelf Size: 223
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kat-berg.html
Latest Review: Why Am I Here by Melvin Bell
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Kat Berg »

It does sound intriguing. The sample I read the timeline was a little hard to follow because of the back and forth, right from the very beginning, as you mentioned. But your review makes it sound like it is definitely worth the effort to wade through the shifting timeline as the story is just that good.
User avatar
Strangerthanfiction
Posts: 703
Joined: 06 Mar 2015, 21:12
Currently Reading: Night Seeker
Bookshelf Size: 304
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-strangerthanfiction.html

Post by Strangerthanfiction »

Great review. This book sounds like the perfect suspense/crime thriller/mystery read combined with the John Grisham like courtroom drama, I feel like I am really going to be able to sink into this story as it has so much to offer. Also let’s not forget Samantha’s reoccurring nightmare. Thanks so much for sharing.
“You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” – Paul Sweeney
User avatar
CaitlinGonya
Posts: 370
Joined: 01 Sep 2017, 15:45
Currently Reading: Heart of Iron
Bookshelf Size: 76
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-caitlingonya.html
Latest Review: Serendipity Mystery by R.F. Kristi

Post by CaitlinGonya »

The religious concepts worry me, not because I'm religious but more because of how the author created them. However, I do like Erin Brockovitch and John Grisham so I might research this a bit more and then decide. Great review.
BookInspector300
Posts: 52
Joined: 29 Dec 2017, 14:32
Currently Reading: And Then I Met Margaret
Bookshelf Size: 15
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookinspector300.html
Latest Review: Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole

Post by BookInspector300 »

Sounds like my kind of book. But I feel like the controversy of religious content warning was put in place just for me.Makes me wary
EWatson02
Posts: 48
Joined: 27 Jan 2018, 10:15
Currently Reading: The Black Swan
Bookshelf Size: 18
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ewatson02.html
Latest Review: Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1) by Janet McNulty

Post by EWatson02 »

I've read the sample provided in the giveaway, and it seems like a fairly good read. One of the things I'm noticing is that there's a lot of repeating information--that is, the narration will explain something, only to have the character explain it again, almost word-for-word. This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but it makes the writing a little clunky. Your review is a good one, though!
lesler
Posts: 510
Joined: 25 Jan 2018, 21:47
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 88
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lesler.html
Latest Review: Confrontations by Donald J Williamson
Reading Device: B00I15SB16

Post by lesler »

I love when they give the main character a realistic occupation, like future elementary teacher. So often these characters are writers, which I can understand, but it becomes unrealistic. This looks like a great suspenseful read!
harrymadede
Posts: 75
Joined: 13 Feb 2018, 07:21
Currently Reading: The Reel Sisters
Bookshelf Size: 19

Post by harrymadede »

cant wait to read and see what happened did the lawyer mike strange win the case he took of wrongful death clain
User avatar
Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 617
Joined: 29 Apr 2017, 05:44
Favorite Book: The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace
Currently Reading: When Leaves Fall
Bookshelf Size: 1590
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-chigozie-anuli-mbadugha.html
Latest Review: Breaking the Mold: Remodeling your Way to Success by Fabian Videla

Post by Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha »

Awesome review. Thanks. I definitely want to read this mind boggling, suspenseful crime thriller!
User avatar
bluegreenmarina
Posts: 368
Joined: 26 Oct 2016, 14:43
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =6703">The Count of Monte Cristo</a>
Currently Reading: Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead
Bookshelf Size: 1230
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bluegreenmarina.html
Latest Review: Spontaneous Addiction Recovery by Dr. James Slobodzien

Post by bluegreenmarina »

This sounds like a unique and suspenseful thriller! You’re right, religious concepts are not frequently the focus of these kinds of suspense stories, so I am very curious about how this one plays out.
User avatar
rusyalana
Posts: 2170
Joined: 26 Jul 2017, 10:47
Currently Reading: 4 Shots
Bookshelf Size: 156

Post by rusyalana »

I like thrillers a lot, especially those that make the reader speculate and anticipate for all the pieces of the story to converge. The author skillfully connects all the crimes in the past and in the present making the book in general unpredictable until the last pages. I also like the mystical part of the book with the gorl having dreams of something that has happened even before she was born. I believe the book is worth reading. Congratulations on becoming the BOTD!
Rajanis
Posts: 285
Joined: 24 May 2017, 06:23
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 231

Post by Rajanis »

You are right, reading this review reminded me too of the Erin Brokowitch movie where she uncovers the mystery behind people illness. Thanks for the review.
Post Reply

Return to “Crime, Thrillers, Mystery and Horror Books”