Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
352 Pages
Synopsis: Confronted by a restraining order and the threat of a lawsuit, failed journalist Leah Stevens needs to get out of Boston when she runs into an old friend, Emmy Grey who has just left a troubled relationship. Emmy proposes they move to rural Pennsylvania, where Leah can get a teaching position and both women can start again. But their new start is threatened when a woman with an eerie resemblance to Leah is assaulted by the lake, and Emmy disappears days later.
Determined to find Emmy, Leah cooperates with Kyle Donovan, a handsome young police officer on the case. As they investigate her friend’s life for clues, Leah begins to wonder: did she ever really know Emmy at all? With no friends, family or digital footprint, the police begin to suspect that there is no Emmy Grey. Soon Leah’s credibility is at stake, and she is forced to revisit her past: the article that ruined her career. To save herself, Leah must confront the truth about Emmy Grey–and along the way, confront her old demons, find out who she can really trust, and clear her own name.
Everyone in this rural Pennsylvania town has something to hide–including Leah herself. How do you uncover the truth when you are too busy hiding your own?
Megan Miranda’s debut novel All the Missing Girls was one of my favorite psychological suspense novels of last year, so I’ve been eagerly anticipating Perfect Stranger. While this wasn’t a perfect read for me, it was still an enjoyable and quick one.
After finishing this second book, it’s obvious that Megan Miranda’s writing style is beautiful. Every word, every detail, is just perfectly placed, which makes the narrative flow so smoothly. When you combine this with the story’s fast pace, and suspenseful plot, it makes for a real page-turner that makes it difficult to put down.
I have to be honest and say I had a difficult time connecting with any of the characters, including Leah. She made some extremely questionable decisions through the story, that me suspicious of her motives. I also thought the secondary characters could have been fleshed out a little more.
As I previously said, the plot is suspenseful and filled with interesting developments which ratcheted up the tension. But, after all the build up, I confess I was a little disappointed in the ending which I thought was okay, but somewhat anticlimactic.
I admit I went into Perfect Stranger with high expectations, perhaps exceedingly so. I always do my best to judge the books I read on their own merit no matter how I’ve felt about an author’s previous works. Sometimes that’s more difficult than others and that was the case for me with this novel. Overall, I thought this was a good, solid psychological suspense story, and there’s a part of me that’s wondering if I would have enjoyed it even more if I hadn’t loved the first book so much. Whatever the case, I have absolutely no no qualms over recommending this to anyone who loves this genre, and I’m looking forward to Miranda’s next novel.
johnrieber said:
This sounds like the kind of book my wife would love, so thanks for the review, she will add it to her list! My current thing is “nordic noir”, with books by Jo Nesbo in particular – don’t know if you saw my writeup about his latest – have you red any of the Harry Hole novels? – https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/13/jo-nesbos-the-thirst-detective-harry-hole-is-back-new-nordic-noir/
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
That’s great John. And if she hasn’t read All the Missing Girls, I highly recommend that as well. I gave that a 5star review!
I’ve heard of zJo Nesbo, and the Harry Hole series, but I haven’t gotten to reading them yet. Thank you for the link to your review. I’m checking it out right now.
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Carrie said:
Nice review Kim! I’ve enjoyed both of Megan Miranda’s books I’ve read and would definitely count myself a fan now.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie! I read your review and I’m so glad you loved this. I had the worst time writing my review I think because I lived her first book so much. I hope I wasn’t unfair.
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Carrie said:
You aren’t the first I’ve read say they thought the first one was better. I guess I was just a bit more tolerant with this one because I enjoy her writing a lot so it’s easy to get hooked into the story for me. Some writers just have a style to them that it’d take a pretty darn horrible plot to not be a 4 or 5 in the end.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Doesn’t her writing have a lovely flow to it?
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Carrie said:
Yes it does, I’ve picked up a few favorites trying them out on Netgalley and she’s certainly one. 🙂
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beetleypete said:
I like the sound of this one more than many of your usual YA choices. I can see it doing well as a film too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I can definitely see both her books doing well as movies Pete.😊
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Mama Cass said:
Darn it Kim, must you give another for the taller than me TBR pile??
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
MOWAHAHA!😈
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Mama Cass said:
Eeeekk!! Who need a librarian could be scary??
Btw we need to talk sometime about JD Robb and have you read Lisa Unger or Alex Kava?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
You know Cass, even Michael Moore has issued a warning about librarians!😏
Oh! JD Robb! Dallas, Roarke, Summerset, Galahad, Peabody (Shebody), McNab, Mavis, Nadine, Morris, Baxter and Trueheart! Needless to say I’m such an In Death addict! Speaking of, Secrets In Death is out on 9/5! C’mon Cass. Say it with me now: “EEK!”
I absolutely love Lisa Unger, and thank you for reminding me that I need to write a review for her latest book. I’ll try to squeeze that in tomorrow. Alex Kava is an author that I’ve been meaning to get to for years, but just haven’t seemed to find the time. Do you have a particular favorite?
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Mama Cass said:
Didn’t know that about Michael Moore. I do remember a bloom county episode when a battle ax wielding librarian was in Binkley’s anxiety closet.
EEK!
Baby Bella too! ‘Ork! I have re-read that whole series sooo many times! I’m an addict too. 😎
I just love kick ass broads. That’s one more reason I love Ungers books. No wimpy chicks!
Perfect Evil and A Necessary Evil are my favorite Kava books.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I just dedicated a new post to you Cass!
Ooh! Baby Bella and Leonardo! I’ve read the entire series, but I haven’t had a chance to re-read them yet. Someday…
I know my library has Kava books, so I’ll have to look for the two you’ve listed on my next visit.😊
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Run Wright said:
I was referred by James at This Is My Truth Now. Great to meet a fellow bookworm and I followed your blog.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s a pleasure to meet you Karen! Thank you so much for the follow!😊
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Diana said:
Great review Kim. I had issues with this book though I didn’t like the first one either. The characters and the ending in this one were a challenge for me. I am glad to see that you had a different experience with both books though.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Diana. I do like her writing.😊
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Jen said:
Yay for enjoying another book by this author, even if you weren’t able to connect to the characters! Here’s hoping the third book released is a 5 star amazing book!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen! I think your mom might like these.😊
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Jen said:
Ohhh thanks for the idea! I’ll pass along the book titles to her, thank you!! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😊
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
I have no clue if you still remember my review for this, but I’m on the same page as you on this!!! Her writing is sooooo good, but maaaaan this Leah make some really odd decisions throughout this story. Definitely looking forward to Miranda’s next book! 😛
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I do remember your review Lashaan and it made me feel better about writing mine.
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