I can understand why the build-up was so long, but it took about half the book to get back to the present after the time switch. Because it took so long to build up, I sometimes forced myself to pick the book up to read it. In the second half, however, the suspense and the secrets revealed were very good. I applaud the author for making every sentence in the book deliberate and that all things the characters did were purposeful. Everything connects and it's very satisfying to read.