Not His Finest

 Try Not to Breathe by David Bell

If you go back to some of my prior years' posts, you'll see David Bell's work. He was an author I discovered quite by accident on July day at Barnes and Noble. I devoured that first book, and within days of finishing it, I ordered everything else he had published to date. I've read every book of his that has been published since, including a few that came out while I was not keeping up with my blog (I'll try to remember to review those soon). He's a fantastic writer, and for the most part, I enjoy his books. This one though, didn't grab me like his others.

First of all, when you read the blurb, it's about two sisters. One who is in her early 20s and is ignoring her family and school, and one who is in her late 20s/early 30s. According to the blurb, the younger sister refusing to talk to her family has her dad concerned, so he sends his oldest daughter, a former cop, to find her and bring her home. The book is very much about that for the first two-thirds, then there's a major plot twist that sends everything on its head. 

This took me more than a month to read. Sure, we could blame me going back to work for not getting to read much, and that would be true. We could blame my ADHD for not keeping me focused, and that would also be true. We could even blame the fact that this book just isn't as engaging as other of Bell's works. Personally, I think it is a combination of all three. 

I didn't feel satisfied at the end of this. I was glad it was over and I could move on with my life, but there was nothing that blew me away. This probably should've ended up in my DNR pile, except that I don't have one. 

Anyway, read this or not, as you see fit. As for me, I will just hope that his next book is on par with some of his others.

Up next though, Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.