ALL DRESSED UP BY JILLY GAGNON

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NAME OF THE BOOK : ALL DRESSED UP

AUTHOR NAME : JILLY GAGNON

PUBLISHER : RANDOM HOUSE INC

GENRE : MYSTERY THRILLER

BOOK BUY LINK : https://www.amazon.com/All-Dressed-Up-Jilly-Gagnon/dp/0593497325


This book follows Blake and Becca, a couple on the verge of ending their marriage but willing to give themselves a second chance to regain the broken trust. In an attempt to redeem their relationship, Blake takes Becca to a 1920s murder-mystery-themed weekend vacation game. While they get invested in finding the murderer, one of the employees- Bethany, is missing and Becca smells something wrong. All participants in the locked house are on a sprint to end the game by finding the murderer, while Becca is on the chase to expose the actual murder that may have taken place. 



I really enjoyed the book very much with its innovative and fast-paced narrative. I liked how the chapters were divided into clues, character cards, game rules and event invitations. The suspense and the mystery were hooking, and I suspected all the characters guilty at least once. 


My favourite part about the book was how well it explained Becca's mental breakdown and her helplessness about her relationship struggles. It was very natural and relatable. All other characters were just forgettable and supplementary.


Though nothing was happening except for the game emphasis in the first one-third of the book, the ending made up for it, and I had my full attention on the story. The premise of relationship struggles and mental health felt good, but the book deliberately advocated an open relationship concept. Not being judgemental here - To each their own, but the pushy narrative made me sulk a bit. 


The concept errors were glaring, such as the lack of CCTV in such a sophisticated place to identify an actual murderer and no one noticing the ominous details that are obvious to the main character. If you set aside the logic part, the book feels otherwise great.


MY REVIEW: 4/5

#penbooksandscalpel

I am participating in Blogchatter’s #TBRChallenge


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