There Should Have Been Eight by Nalini Singh | Blog Tour

There Should Have Been Eight | Nalini Singh | Penguin Random House | Pub: November 21, 2023 | Pages: 384

I had high expectations for this novel since I absolutely loved A Madness of Sunshine, but unfortunately, this wasn’t the book for me. It was a very slow burn, too slow for my taste. I was having a hard time pushing through, and it took me quite a while to finish.

There are a lot of characters right in the beginning so I was getting a bit confused, maybe a character map would have helped in this case, but even with the multiple characters, I didn’t even like any of them, so it was hard to empathize or care what was happening to them.

The other couple things I didn’t love was that the ending was somewhat predictable (maybe I’ve read too many mystery novels), and I still have remaining questions.

The redeeming factors, for me, are the excellent writing, and the premise location. An isolated gothic mansion in the middle of nowhere, count me in!

Nalini is such a great writer! I will continue to read her mystery/thriller books in the future

Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book via NetGalley. As usual, my reviews are my honest and unbiased opinions.

Synopsis

In this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh, a remote estate in New Zealand’s Southern Alps hosts a reunion no one will ever forget.

Seven friends.

One last weekend.

A mansion half in ruins.

No room for lies.

Someone is going to confess.

Because there should have been eight. . . .

They met when they were teenagers. Now they’re adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others—none more so than to Bea, the one they lost nine long years ago.

They’ve gathered to reminisce at Bea’s family’s estate, a once-glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they’re snowed in at the edge of eternity, there’s nowhere left to hide from their shared history.

As the walls close in, the pretense of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there’s the nagging feeling that Bea’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed—no matter the cost. . . .

@anintrovertreads