“You think you’d know what a killer sounds like. That their lies would have a different texture; some barely perceptible shift. A voice that thickens, grows sharp and uneven as the truth slips beneath jagged edges. You’d think that, wouldn’t you? Everyone thinks they’d know, if it came down to it. But Pip hadn’t.”
Damn! Holly Jackson is not letting up on any of the punches. This is the very first paragraph and I’m already stunned by her ability to craft a piece of writing with such a dramatic flawlessness that can’t help but hit you. This makes you think right away, putting you into the mindset of the main character, Pip Fitz-Amobi. It’s poetically written with a suspenseful description that instantly makes you want to know more. More about Pip. More about what’s going to happen next. How she will handle herself having since solved a cold case. It left me wanting more and quick. I devoured this book in about a day and a half and I have zero regrets. This is yet another masterpiece written by Jackson and I cannot wait for the next book by her called As Good as Dead. And guys? This is the last book in the series so let’s prepare ourselves! I have a terrible reputation of not finishing series’ just because I’m not ready to let the stories and its characters go. But I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from reading this as soon as possible because they are that good!
“That’s what happens when you’re a detective. The people around you get hurt. And you hurt people, without meaning to. Have to keep secrets you’re not sure you should. That’s why I don’t do it anymore, and you shouldn’t either.’ The words dropped right down into that waiting pit in her gut, where they belonged. ‘Do you understand?” – Pip to her younger brother, Josh
Pip addresses her reasoning behind the hesitation in investigating Jamie’s disappearance and why she doesn’t want to attack things the same way she did last time. She’s learned from her mistakes and this hesitation shows significant growth in her character. She’s no longer blinded by her naïve curiosity and her dogged personality to go at this case like a pitbull. She now understands how dangerous these things are and she’s thinking about those around her rather than just herself. These were things she didn’t think about in the last book and the fact that Jackson wasn’t afraid to make Pip like this going into book 2 (considering how outside of character it is---especially her stubbornness quality she clearly possesses in spades) because it made sense for her to think this way! She’s being responsible here and really thinking things through which given her story so far, makes this plot and character development all the more satisfying because of its genuine. I believe in the same circumstances and with everything she has experienced, I would have put some serious thought before diving back in.
Bravo! I appreciated this direction and all the elements behind her maybe not wanting to go back down the proverbial rabbit hole of missing persons and cold cases. It was a necessary turn in the story, plain and simple! She only decides to pursue this case further after going to the police first and having them turn her down, unbelieving of the situation. She is Jamie’s only hope and she is determined to find him, but this time she’s doing so with caution!
_____
“A cascade of fizzing brown liquid fell over him, soaking into his hair and over his face, his eyes screwed shut against it. There were gasps around the room, titters of laughter, but it was a few seconds before Tom himself could react through the shock.
‘You bitch!’ He stood up, hands to his eyes to clear them.
‘Don’t fucking cross me again,’ Pip said, dropping the empty bottle at Tom’s feet with a clatter that echoed around the now almost-quiet room. She walked away, flicking droplets of Coke from her hand, a hundred eyes following as she went, but none of them, not any of them, would meet hers.”
______
There is absolutely no need to worry about Pip going soft now that she’s more cautious heading into her next case. She still has that stubborn fiery temper and tenacity. It’s very evident in her confrontation with Tom after discovering how he only wants to profit on Jamie’s disappearance and become internet famous rather than actually caring that someone they know, from their town has gone missing and is probably in a lot of trouble. She proves to him that she has not gone soft and that she will fight for those who cannot. I loved this scene! Pip has balls and she uses her words and actions to effectively convey how she’s feeling.
If there’s something she doesn’t agree with like profiting off of people’s problems like Tom is with Jamie, then she’ll say something or do something to make a statement that provokes thought. She makes people take a second and think about how they’re acting and whether or not it’s the right way to deal with their issues. I don’t even think she’s aware that she’s doing it because she’s acting in the moment but what she displays, her emotions say it all. Once again this is another brilliant way to use a character’s growth to further the story.
It’s obvious but I’m going to state it again. I love Ravi. Him and his relationship with Pip is incredibly adorable and I can never get enough with them. It’s like nothing phases him despite all the bad and dark things he witnesses since Pip entered his life. He is still the life of the party (pardon the horrible cliché) but his humour really does lighten the suspenseful unknown of Jamie’s fate. I will never forget the stakeout they do where he warms his granola bar with what he calls, “Arse-heat”. It gets me EVERYTIME! Look out for this scene because it is so gloriously Ravi! You guys will know what I mean.
Now let’s discuss the romance between Pip and Ravi. First, there was Pip recognizing Ravi was at the door because of his super secretive knock that they created in book 1. That got me instantly! It was sweet and cute and so unlike Pip to remember something fluffy like that because this time when it’s mentioned you can tell that she is 100% smitten with him. It’s now a sentimental knock. He is no longer just a partner in crime and I love it! And this was just the first sign of their new budding romance in book 2.
Next, came Pip’s moment of vulnerability. She starts to crack to Ravi about how the truth doesn’t really matter because when she exposed it, some got away, free. Obviously being upset over this is realistic and when she feels the mounting pressure of Jamie’s case weighing on her Ravi tells her that they will find him. Together. He tells her that she is NOT alone. That she has to stop pushing people away. Pushing him away. I loved this scene because it showed Ravi being the strong, confident person in their relationship that Pip usually is and this allowed her character to confide in someone of her insecurities. This showed a trust they’ve achieved in their relationship that only happened because they grew into it. The role reversal was a nice change and it helped Ravi’s character grow too. He was able to step out of his class clown personality and be serious with her, proving that he is her perfect partner in life.
The romantic moments they choose to tell one another that they love them was hands down THE BEST I’ve read in a long time. It fit so well with who they both are and having said it in an angry setting kinda made me smile because you know that they could never be truly angry or upset with one another. So when they did say it you knew they really meant those words, even if it didn’t fit the conversational tone at the time. It’s also cute when they argue over who said it first. It’s SWOONWORTHY!
One thing that stuck with me and I just had to mention was right at the beginning when Pip tells her brother that he will get “square eyes” if he watches the television from too close of a distance and even now that phrase has stuck in my mind. I love its originality. I remember people in my family telling me and my siblings that exact same thing but they never phrased it with that term. Square eyes, it’s just a quirky slang that has meaning to me. Brings a sense of nostalgia if you will and that was a nice little side note I wanted to include in this review.