Review: He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker
He Will Be My Ruin
by: K.A Tucker
Publication Date: Feb. 2, 2016
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 352 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her romantic thriller debut with this heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans.
Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a bottle of Xanax and a handle of Maker’s Mark, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers secrets in the childhood lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man who Celine herself claimed would be her ruin.
On the hunt for answers that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a bottle of Xanax and a handle of Maker’s Mark, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers secrets in the childhood lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man who Celine herself claimed would be her ruin.
On the hunt for answers that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
Having read many of K.A.'s books, I was excited to dive into this one, as it was something different than her contemporary romances! I knew she could do mystery and suspense, because we have seen those elements already in her previous novels. I was definitely intrigued and I love books where I suspect everyone. And I mean, I suspected EVERYONE. I kept creating different scenarios in my head about who could have done it and why, which is always fun. And I was quite excited to see that my gut was right. But Tucker kept me on my toes because just when I thought someone was cleared, she made me doubt myself again!
I liked Maggie's character overall. Does she make some bad choices? Of course she does. Did I worry about her safety? Several times. I can't imagine how difficult it was to lose her best friend. Not only that, but she doesn't agree that her death was a suicide. Maggie wants to get to the bottom of everything and she gets thrown into a world where she finds out that she didn't know her best friend quite as well as she thought she did. Reading some of Celine's journals definitely made me hurt for Maggie, because Celine does not censor her feelings about Maggie's wealth and how she even resents her for it at times. I definitely felt that the two had grown apart over the years and that even though she considered Celine her best friend, it made me sad how much Maggie didn't know about Celine and her life.
There's not much more I can say because I definitely don't want to ruin anything, but I loved how the book started. I am always a fan of getting the present day situation first and then going back to how we reached that point. There was a small amount of romance in this one, but I don't know that you could really call it that because I didn't really see feelings develop. The two were friendly enough and they liked one another, but I saw it more as a casual thing than a long term one.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I don't read much mystery and suspense, but I do like when my brain is challenged and trying to figure out how the puzzle pieces all fit!
13 comments
I can't wait to read this one. It sounds good and I haven't read anything in this genre for a while now so I'm looking forward to something different. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI liked it Teresa! I wouldn't say it was one of my favorites by her, but it definitely still kept my interest even despite the lack of romance.
DeleteI was disappointed with this one. I guess I expected more from her as an author because I know she has the potential to write good suspense books? Maggie really frustrated me. The romances felt very unnecessary. I did really like the writing and I hope whatever book she writes next is better for me!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this overall, Jess! :)
Lovely review!
I'm sorry Nick! Maggie was a little frustrating I agree, and I didn't need the romance either because it didn't feel like a real romance.
DeleteI've never read KA Tucker, but I keep meaning too. I think I will start with her more romantic books. Glad you did enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a good idea Quinn. While I liked this one, I definitely like her romances better.
DeleteThis sounds like a great book. Maggie sounds fun - flawed, yes, but aren't we all? I like the plot of the suicide turning out to be murder.
ReplyDeleteMajanka @ I Heart Reading.
I think you'd like this one Majanka!
DeleteI don't read many mysterious either, but I do like the sound of this one. I mean, I really enjoy K.A. Tucker, so I was very interested in picking this one up! I also like how the book starts and how you suspected everyone! Definitely pick up this one when I can!
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
Typically they just aren't a go-to genre for me, but a few every now and again are fine!
DeleteThis book sounds intriguing - I've been a fan of mysteries and thrillers lately (probably has something to do with the massive number being released left and right by YA publishers), and the dynamic between Maggie and Celine sounds interesting as well. I just know that I'll enjoy reading about their friendship through both their past experiences.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Jessica! :)
Lyra @ Defiantly Deviant
Thanks Lyra! I did enjoy reading about their friendship and seeing how it got to the point it did. It was a bit sad, but it felt realistic.
DeleteGreat review! I didn't care for this one because I wasn't surprised, at all, and Maggie was annoying as shit LOL but I can appreciate its good parts!!
ReplyDeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.