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A review by duskx
The Stolen Girls by Jeff Stetson
3.0
Two Stolen Girls by Jeff Stetson and Lauren Street is a thriller novel that follows the investigation of two kidnapping cases that seem to be connected by a mysterious serial kidnapper. The book alternates between the perspectives of the police, the two fathers of the missing girls, the kidnapper, and the victims. The book explores the themes of family, trauma, justice, and survival.
The book has a promising premise that could have been a gripping and suspenseful read. However, the book fails to deliver on its potential due to several flaws. One of the main weaknesses of the book is the slow pace and the lack of plot twists. The first 50 chapters are mostly filled with mundane details and repetitive scenes that do not advance the plot or the character development. After dragging on for most of the book, the plot finally heats up and reaches its conclusion in the last 10 chapters. However, the reader may have already given up on the story or lost their enthusiasm by then.
Another weakness of the book is the lack of depth and originality in the characters and the plot. The book relies on clichés and stereotypes to portray the police, the fathers, the kidnapper, and the girls. The police are portrayed as diligent but inept, the fathers are portrayed as heroic and determined, the kidnapper is portrayed as a psychotic and sadistic man, and the girls are portrayed as kindhearted and helpless victims. The plot is also predictable and simplistic, with no surprises or twists.
Some of the book’s strengths are its descriptive and vivid writing style that creates a realistic and immersive setting and some tense and exciting scenes that capture the reader’s attention and curiosity. It also has a satisfying and hopeful ending that resolves the main conflict and gives closure to the characters and the reader. The book also depicts diverse races, albeit in a clichéd way, such as black being impoverished, white being affluent, Asian having rigid parents, and Mexican being migrants.
Overall, Two Stolen Girls by Jeff Stetson and Lauren Street is a mediocre thriller that could have been much better with more creativity and complexity. This book might appeal to readers who enjoy action-packed stories, but it might disappoint readers who expect more depth and originality. The book deserves a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
The book has a promising premise that could have been a gripping and suspenseful read. However, the book fails to deliver on its potential due to several flaws. One of the main weaknesses of the book is the slow pace and the lack of plot twists. The first 50 chapters are mostly filled with mundane details and repetitive scenes that do not advance the plot or the character development. After dragging on for most of the book, the plot finally heats up and reaches its conclusion in the last 10 chapters. However, the reader may have already given up on the story or lost their enthusiasm by then.
Another weakness of the book is the lack of depth and originality in the characters and the plot. The book relies on clichés and stereotypes to portray the police, the fathers, the kidnapper, and the girls. The police are portrayed as diligent but inept, the fathers are portrayed as heroic and determined, the kidnapper is portrayed as a psychotic and sadistic man, and the girls are portrayed as kindhearted and helpless victims. The plot is also predictable and simplistic, with no surprises or twists.
Some of the book’s strengths are its descriptive and vivid writing style that creates a realistic and immersive setting and some tense and exciting scenes that capture the reader’s attention and curiosity. It also has a satisfying and hopeful ending that resolves the main conflict and gives closure to the characters and the reader. The book also depicts diverse races, albeit in a clichéd way, such as black being impoverished, white being affluent, Asian having rigid parents, and Mexican being migrants.
Overall, Two Stolen Girls by Jeff Stetson and Lauren Street is a mediocre thriller that could have been much better with more creativity and complexity. This book might appeal to readers who enjoy action-packed stories, but it might disappoint readers who expect more depth and originality. The book deserves a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.