BOOK REVIEW: The One That Got Away With Murder by Trish Lundy
Be careful who you fall for...
I sometimes feel that I’m too hard on books when I read them. That I find them too predictable or it’s not ‘crazy’ enough. Maybe that’s why I read so many fantasies…there typically is little reality to bias my impressions. However, I LOVE reading good murder mysteries. I just tend to be picky about the ones I read, and I definitely try to spread them out so I don’t get annoyed by them like I do when I read too many rom-coms back to back if it begins to feel like they all follow the same outline.
However, this was the perfect time for me to pick this one up and give it a go. I find the difference between adult and YA is more prominent in this particular genre. What I enjoy about the YA genre of murder mysteries is that there tends to be fewer distractions from the actual plot. I want characters who development and actions connect directly to the forward movement of the plot. That is exactly what I loved so much about this particular book. It was so character driven that it tended to put the actual conflict on the backburner at times because you were trying to figure out exactly what as happening with the charcters.
I loved that aspect because it was learning and knowing the characters that allowed the mystery aspect to become so engaging. All the characters in this book from the main ones to the secondary ones are flawed to some degree, and it becomes hard to distinguish between who is telling the truth and whose motives are honest. I loved the constant doubt, even when I was like “ugh, this is so predictable. Clearly the murderer is xyz,” I ended up being wrong.
After a catastrophic event occurs, Lauren and her mother feel their only option is to move across the country leaving California and their past behind so she can have a more normal senior year of high school, and her mom can eliminate the distance in her long distance relationship. Immediately, Lauren finds herself involved with Robbie who is connected, along with his brother, to the unsolved murders of their girlfriends. The small town has already rendered their guilty verdict even though neither brother was ever arrested and continue to claim their innocence.
Lauren, trying to heal from her own ordeal, finds herself nose deep into trying to solve the murder of these two beloved community girls. But, it’s a truth that the community doesn’t really want. She finds that she can’t run from her past, but as the reader, her past is shrouded in mystery as well. Throughout, there are hints and small drops of minor facts that are like the border pieces of a puzzle, but never quite able to get any of the center pieces. Their tragedies connect Lauren to Robbie and his brother, Trevor, and ostracized her from her new soccer teammates. Lex and Mira and the rest of the soccer team have their own flaws and faults that compound the challenges that Lauren faces.
It was like a love hate relationship. There were a few moments where I just wanted one character to be rational, honest and, well, normal. However, they were all a hot mess.
Don’t even get me started on Lauren’s mom. There were so many times I wanted to smack her upside her head. Your daughter has been through a catastrophic and traumatic event and this is how you act. As a parent, I was at times disgusted. But, again, every character in this book was flawed to some degree.
The pacing was effective and moved smoothly. It was a quick and engaging read that provided plenty of red herrings to keep it interesting. Details of Lauren's past as well as the murder of the girls are slowly provided at moments when you think you might finally be figuring it out. The writing style and structure is consistent with what you would see from this targeted genre.
My only irritation comes from the actual climax. Everything leading up to who the “murderer” is was fantastic. Even when you finally figure out who the bad guy is; I mean, I thought it was an interesting “bad guy,” but the moment of discovery to the resolution felt so rushed and quick. We spent so much time building up to the moment, that I almost feel bad that the murderer didn’t get more page space to do the evil actions in all their glory. (Obviously, I don’t want to give any spoilers away).
The actual conclusion of the book was satisfying though. I appreciate Lauren being able to get the closure on her past that she desperately needed to be able to heal, and to see the community attempt to rally together.
Where does this land on my bookshelf?
It’s a pretty solid read. I appreciate the flawed and unreliable characters that fill this book as well as the red herrings that continually led me in one direction only to find out I was wrong. With such a strong character driven plot, I would have to put this on my top shelf for sure. Sadly, you will have to wait until April 2024 to get your hands on a copy. But, it is definitely worth adding to your TBR. It was an enjoyable ride.
Thank you Netgalley, Macmillian and Henry Holt & Company for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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