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A review by kristianawithak
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
4.0
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes is a perfect October read and a great debut. It’s light on the scary and high on the mystery.
Told through alternate timelines, without chapter headings, the story is interwoven together well and requires some paying attention.
I loved the lack of heavy handed foreshadowing. Too often in books, when the mystery unfolds through past and present stories, there is a lot of telling and not showing, but Reyes shows and it all unfolds smoothly. There is suspense and questions the reader gets to feel instead of the writing announcing it.
There’s a lot to say about predators and who they choose to prey on. Themes of friendship, going home, and looking back on our youth.
The main character is flawed, but not self destructive or entirely unlikable.
In an interview Reyes says,
“The House in the Pines tackles a few big themes—the meaning of home, the importance of connecting with our roots, and the dark side of nostalgia—but it’s also a thriller designed to keep readers guessing.”
If you’re looking for a mystery with a little extra in it, this is the book for you. I love a mystery that doesn’t center around a police investigation and Reyes provides just that.
Told through alternate timelines, without chapter headings, the story is interwoven together well and requires some paying attention.
I loved the lack of heavy handed foreshadowing. Too often in books, when the mystery unfolds through past and present stories, there is a lot of telling and not showing, but Reyes shows and it all unfolds smoothly. There is suspense and questions the reader gets to feel instead of the writing announcing it.
There’s a lot to say about predators and who they choose to prey on. Themes of friendship, going home, and looking back on our youth.
The main character is flawed, but not self destructive or entirely unlikable.
In an interview Reyes says,
“The House in the Pines tackles a few big themes—the meaning of home, the importance of connecting with our roots, and the dark side of nostalgia—but it’s also a thriller designed to keep readers guessing.”
If you’re looking for a mystery with a little extra in it, this is the book for you. I love a mystery that doesn’t center around a police investigation and Reyes provides just that.