These Shallow Graves
Author: Jennfier Donnelly
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte
Summary:
Jo Montfort is beautiful and rich, and soon she’ll graduate from finishing school and be married off to a wealthy bachelor. Which is the last thing she wants. Jo secretly dreams of becoming a writer – a newspaper reporter like the trailblazing Nellie Bly.
Wild aspirations aside, Jo’s life seems perfect until tragedy strikes: her father is found dead. Charles Montfort accidentally shot himself while cleaning his pistol. One of New York City’s wealthiest men, he owned a newspaper and was a partner in a massive shipping firm, and Jo knows he was far too smart to clean a loaded gun.
The more Jo uncovers about her father’s death, the more her suspicions grow. Then she meets Eddie – a young, smart, infuriatingly handsome reporter at her father’s newspaper – and it becomes all too clear how much she stands to lose if she keeps searching for the truth. Only now it might be too late to stop.
Life is dirtier than Jo Monfort could ever have imagined, and the truth is the dirtiest part of all.
First Sentence: Josephine Montfort stared at the newly mounded grave in front of her and at the wooden cross marking it.
I received a copy of the book from BEA in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
I originally wasn’t planning on reading These Shallow Graves. I had no clue what These Shallow Graves was about – all I knew was that I wouldn’t want to read it because the things I’ve heard about Jennifer Donnelly’s other books didn’t fit my reading tastes. However, I picked up These Shallow Graves on a chance encounter at BEA – this is starting to sound like something on a dating show now – actually read the synopsis for the first time, and was like hey, why not? I do enjoy reading crime novels after all. After reading These Shallow Graves, all I can do is shrug and say that it’s sadly nothing special.
It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be. Jo stood up on shaking legs and approached the reporter.
“How dare you. The dreadful thing you just said…” (ARC 31)
My one main complaint about These Shallow Graves is that it was WAY too long. I figured out who the culprit was less than one-fourth into the book – I bet others would too – and as I read on, I found so many parts of These Shallow Graves that was just plain unnecessary. All those additional parts of the book did was just make the book drag on and on and on with all those small events that can easily be inserted into other areas of the book. I can cut out about one hundred unnecessary pages and you’ll still get the overall essence of the story.
I wasn’t sold on the romance either. Jo and Eddie had barely talked and Eddie was rude for at least a fourth of the time they had talked. Before I knew it, Jo and Eddie were kissing and declaring their love for one another. Jo and Eddie’s relationship had no buildup whatsoever besides the cliche stuck-in-a-close-space-and-almost-kissing scene. I really wanted to root for the couple because I love reading love stories where a rich person and a poor person want to be together but can’t because of society’s constraints, but with Jo and Eddie, they lacked the reason and chemistry that will cause me to root for them.
Eddie had pulled her back to him and kissed her again. Slowly and deeply.
“Still sorry?” he’d asked, his voice husky.
“Yes,” Jo had said. (ARC 133)
I also understand that back then in the 1890s, rich society girls were incredibly sheltered and protected from the world. However, constantly witnessing Jo’s naivety due to her being protected and sheltered slowly grew annoying until I was just plain frustrated. I understand that Jo is sheltered, but after there were three different hints dropped, shouldn’t she know?
Overall, don’t get me wrong – I did enjoy These Shallow Graves even with its flaws. However, it sadly isn’t a book I’ll be recommending to others anytime soon.
I’m sorry that this book didn’t work for you!
Kate @ Ex Libris recently posted…Walk On Earth A Stranger By Rae Carson
Great and insightful review! I’m sorry you didn’t like it.
Yes I heard about this book as well through Netgalley. I have actually heard the same things from other people. Such a bummer that you predicted the villain and the romance wasn’t that appealing. I’m glad that you were able to enjoy it! Great review :)
Man, I have heard some mixed reviews of this book. Some good, some bad – some just okay. I’m going to have to find out what I think about These Shallow Graves sooner or later lol. Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you!
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger recently posted…Quote-tastic Review #4: Big Bad Beast
Sorry to hear that it was somewhat a disappointment for you. I personally enjoyed it, although I do understand where you could have had problems with the plot, very well written review!
Ola recently posted…ARC Series Review: Sky Ghosts Series – Alexandra Engellmann
Great review! I always hate when you can figure out what’s going on in a book so soon after starting it…especially thrillers. It tends to make the book a bit boring, because you pretty much already know what’s going to happen. I had really high hopes for this one.
Kelly recently posted…Blog Tour: Darkest Dawn by Katlyn Duncan – Review and Giveaway!
I’m currently reading this book so far and I’m enjoying it, but I do know what you’re talking about with Jo being completely clueless! Yes she was sheltered, but come on! Take a hint already!
Sigh… What can i say other than sigh? This sounds really good, but that doesn’t always equate to actually BEING good. So, again, sigh
Jaime Lester recently posted…Blog Tour ~ Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) by Jennifer Estep ~ Review by Jaime and Giveaway!
I’ve picked this one up a few times now, but just haven’t been able to get into it… I’m not sure if it’s worth pushing through or just marking it as DNF….
Lara recently posted…Abraxos is Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon || THE PROOF
Aw. Awesome review Kelly. <3 I'm glad you liked this book, as three stars is pretty high :) But ugh. I understand why you didn't love it. That romance quote was so not good, and it was so short too, lol. Yet I know I would not like it either. I just, I think this book looks so pretty. But never wanted to read it :) And now I really won't, lol. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it sweetie. <3
Carina Olsen recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #211
I’ve seen really great things about this one but like you, I am hesitant about it because of the author’s other books (Deep Blue). I imagine I’ll read this one at some point.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…If I Could Rule Westeros + a Falling Kingdoms Giveaway
I’m sorry to hear that this book didn’t work for you. It is quite a lengthy book, which has put me off getting to it. I really hope I enjoy it when I do, but I hate when I guess the culprit early on and am just waiting for all the characters to catch up, that can get pretty annoying.
You have no idea how glad I am to see someone else feel the same way about this. I found her so annoying, after meeting all these people and seeing what they do, I couldn’t believe she is still so damn trusting!
Lily B recently posted…Wicked Reads: The Appearance of Annie van Sinderen by Katherine Howe
I had an ARC myself and could not agree more! Especially with the fact that it was more than easy to see who the killer was from the beginning! I do not read crime normally except for J.K.Rowling but These Shallow Graves were alright, I mean easy forgettable time of alright. How did you like the grandmama? :D
New follower :)
HannahCassie @ http://psilovethatbook.blogspot.co.uk/
HannahCassie recently posted…REVIEW: THE DREAM THIEVES by Maggie Stiefvater
her being naive made me mad, and not because I didn’t understand, but because she continue to be naive. there was NO character growth with her what so ever, even after meeting the people she did and witnessing all the horrible out there, she was STILL way too trusting ugh
Lily B recently posted…Tasty Book Tours: No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton
I’ve heard so many disappointing things about this book. Its sad when an awesome premises isn’t executed that well. Maybe one day I’ll end up reading it once I’ve forgotten what everyone has said about it.
I completely agree!! I did really enjoy this book myself, but man, watching her go through that stuff was super frustrating!!! I think that’s why I struggle with historicals… they just really get on my nerves! >.< Great review!! :)