ARC Review: The Good Daughter by Alexandra Burt

Release Date: February 7, 2017
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Format: Kindle
Pages: 400 pages
Genre: Mystery
Buy: Kindle | Paperback

Synopsis: 

What if you were the worst crime your mother ever committed?

Dahlia Waller’s childhood memories consist of stuffy cars, seedy motels, and a rootless existence traveling the country with her eccentric mother. Now grown, she desperately wants to distance herself from that life. Yet one thing is stopping her from moving forward: she has questions.

In order to understand her past, Dahlia must go back. Back to her mother in the stifling town of Aurora, Texas. Back into the past of a woman on the brink of madness. But after she discovers three grave-like mounds on a neighboring farm, she’ll learn that in her mother’s world of secrets, not all questions are meant to be answered...

Review:

This is not a quick book, its slow to build and a bit disjointed.  You know something isn't right from the beginning, since Dahlia talks about not having the right paperwork for most jobs.  The book picks up a bit around half way but still feels like its all over the place and not sure what it wants to be, is it a mystery, a thriller, a fantasy book? And it could be all of those if it was woven together a bit more. The ending wasn't completely satisfying. It felt rushed and off but most of the book felt off as well so I guess its fitting.

The story itself was pretty good, a bit repetitive and not woven as well as it could have been but it was an interesting plot.  When Dahlia Waller finds a woman half buried in the woods you think it will be a main theme tying things together but it seemed to just be there not very necessary or important other than it spurs Dahlia into questioning her mother about the past and her mother being weirder than she already was. It just didn't seem necessary, more like a prop that once put out you're not really sure what to do with anymore.

I wouldn't say I hated this book but I also wouldn't put it in my loved it category.  It was ok but there are so many more entertaining things to read out there.

 



Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.