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Bright and Tender Dark
In the tradition of Notes on an Execution and I Have Some Questions for You, an enthralling, wire-taut debut novel about an unsolved murder on a college campus and its aftermath twenty years later
Days after the dawn of Y2K, beautiful, charismatic twenty-year-old Karlie Richards is found brutally murdered in her campus apartment. Two decades later, those who knew Karlie―and those who just knew of her― remain consumed by her death. Among them is her freshman year roommate Joy, now middle aged and mid-divorce, living in the same college town and desperate for a new beginning. When she stumbles upon a 20-year-old letter from Karlie, Joy becomes convinced the man in prison for her murder was wrongfully convicted. Soon she is diving deep into the dark world of Internet conspiracy theorists and amateur sleuth blogs and bouncing off others touched by the long, sensational aftermath of this crime. They include KC, the trans, constantly harassed night manager at the building where Karlie was killed; Sheri, the mother of the intellectually disabled man serving time; and Jacob Hendrix, the charming professor with whom, Joy knows all too well, Karlie was romantically entangled before her death.
Jumping between 2019 and 1999, Bright and Tender Dark takes us from the era of Reddit threads and online obsession to the evangelism-infused culture of the late 90s to reveal what really happened to Karlie. It is a compulsively readable, prismatic literary mystery that brilliantly mines the mythology of murder, the power of urban legend, and the psychological urge to both protect and exploit what you love but cannot have.
Publisher's Note: Bright and Tender Dark is not a traditional thriller or mystery but a nuanced literary novel with multiple point-of-view characters, exploring how one young woman's life and death ripple throughout an entire community.
Days after the dawn of Y2K, beautiful, charismatic twenty-year-old Karlie Richards is found brutally murdered in her campus apartment. Two decades later, those who knew Karlie―and those who just knew of her― remain consumed by her death. Among them is her freshman year roommate Joy, now middle aged and mid-divorce, living in the same college town and desperate for a new beginning. When she stumbles upon a 20-year-old letter from Karlie, Joy becomes convinced the man in prison for her murder was wrongfully convicted. Soon she is diving deep into the dark world of Internet conspiracy theorists and amateur sleuth blogs and bouncing off others touched by the long, sensational aftermath of this crime. They include KC, the trans, constantly harassed night manager at the building where Karlie was killed; Sheri, the mother of the intellectually disabled man serving time; and Jacob Hendrix, the charming professor with whom, Joy knows all too well, Karlie was romantically entangled before her death.
Jumping between 2019 and 1999, Bright and Tender Dark takes us from the era of Reddit threads and online obsession to the evangelism-infused culture of the late 90s to reveal what really happened to Karlie. It is a compulsively readable, prismatic literary mystery that brilliantly mines the mythology of murder, the power of urban legend, and the psychological urge to both protect and exploit what you love but cannot have.
Publisher's Note: Bright and Tender Dark is not a traditional thriller or mystery but a nuanced literary novel with multiple point-of-view characters, exploring how one young woman's life and death ripple throughout an entire community.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Bright and Tender Dark.
If I had known what the narrative was really about, I wouldn't have requested this so my dissatisfaction with this is on me.
Bright and Tender Dark is one of those books that has a mystery concept but it's not a thriller or a mystery.
Also, it's not suspenseful.
** Non thrilling spoilers ahead **
The narrative consists of the various characters in the life of the deceased, Karlie, the golden girl, the sweet girl, the one everyone wants and want to be, the ever popular cliche in these genres riding high here.
There are various themes including evangelicalism, which I found tiresome, plus a random urban legend.
From the various characters perspectives, readers see there are a number of suspects who could have harmed Karlie.
In the end, the identity of the perp is anti-climatic but by then, I didn't care who did it.
I'm not a fan of novels exploring characters and their backstories; introducing a ton of minor and supporting characters from the past and present, blurring timelines, people I don't care or won't remember when I flip the page.
When I read a mystery and/or thriller, my expectations aren't complicated.
I expect the mystery to be resolved in some way following a standard procedure, a police procedural, perhaps; a civilian playing Nancy Drew, looking for clues, interviewing suspects or allies.
I read to be entertained; sadly, Bright and Tender Dark didn't even meet my basic expectation.
If I had known what the narrative was really about, I wouldn't have requested this so my dissatisfaction with this is on me.
Bright and Tender Dark is one of those books that has a mystery concept but it's not a thriller or a mystery.
Also, it's not suspenseful.
** Non thrilling spoilers ahead **
The narrative consists of the various characters in the life of the deceased, Karlie, the golden girl, the sweet girl, the one everyone wants and want to be, the ever popular cliche in these genres riding high here.
There are various themes including evangelicalism, which I found tiresome, plus a random urban legend.
From the various characters perspectives, readers see there are a number of suspects who could have harmed Karlie.
In the end, the identity of the perp is anti-climatic but by then, I didn't care who did it.
I'm not a fan of novels exploring characters and their backstories; introducing a ton of minor and supporting characters from the past and present, blurring timelines, people I don't care or won't remember when I flip the page.
When I read a mystery and/or thriller, my expectations aren't complicated.
I expect the mystery to be resolved in some way following a standard procedure, a police procedural, perhaps; a civilian playing Nancy Drew, looking for clues, interviewing suspects or allies.
I read to be entertained; sadly, Bright and Tender Dark didn't even meet my basic expectation.
January 11, 2024
I think this book is great.
If you like traditional mysteries where a body shows up in the first 10 pages, and the rest of the book is spent rooting for a sleuth to figure out what happened, then Bright and Tender Dark may not be for you. Yes, the deceased makes an appearance in a first page obituary, but we don’t get to follow a single protagonist searching for clues. Instead, characters come, and characters go, like they do on any college campus, and each contributes a piece towards helping the reader untangle what happened to the poor departed girl. Along the way, the backgrounds and connections for each character increase your understanding of strengths that might make them the one to solve the puzzle, and weaknesses that might make them the one who did the deed.
I believe this approach is called ‘literary mystery’ – which I’ve seen defined as literary fiction that has mystery at its heart but is more about the characters and the plot, and less about the gory murder details. Joanna Pearson has a writing style perfectly suited for this sub-genre, and if you are open to that sort of thing, you’ll enjoy this book. But keep a dictionary handy to help understand the unique words sprinkled throughout that add something extra to the reading experience: historicity, supercilious, jeggings, trompe l’oeil, a monk’s tonsure, limerence, prelapsarian, demyelination, judder, helpmeet, puerperal, etc. This is not Agatha Christie – you need to slow down and enjoy the ride!
I completed my advance reading copy in three days and felt rewarded at the end when the mystery was deliciously solved. Then I did something I’ve never done with a mystery book before: I went back to the beginning and reread each of the highlighted social media posts and the text of the victim’s letter to see what clues I missed. Others have questioned these parts – by the end of the book, I realized that Joanna’s use of this technique was actually very clever.
Oh, and after finishing this I’ll never feel safe when I pass through Chapel Hill, NC.
If you like traditional mysteries where a body shows up in the first 10 pages, and the rest of the book is spent rooting for a sleuth to figure out what happened, then Bright and Tender Dark may not be for you. Yes, the deceased makes an appearance in a first page obituary, but we don’t get to follow a single protagonist searching for clues. Instead, characters come, and characters go, like they do on any college campus, and each contributes a piece towards helping the reader untangle what happened to the poor departed girl. Along the way, the backgrounds and connections for each character increase your understanding of strengths that might make them the one to solve the puzzle, and weaknesses that might make them the one who did the deed.
I believe this approach is called ‘literary mystery’ – which I’ve seen defined as literary fiction that has mystery at its heart but is more about the characters and the plot, and less about the gory murder details. Joanna Pearson has a writing style perfectly suited for this sub-genre, and if you are open to that sort of thing, you’ll enjoy this book. But keep a dictionary handy to help understand the unique words sprinkled throughout that add something extra to the reading experience: historicity, supercilious, jeggings, trompe l’oeil, a monk’s tonsure, limerence, prelapsarian, demyelination, judder, helpmeet, puerperal, etc. This is not Agatha Christie – you need to slow down and enjoy the ride!
I completed my advance reading copy in three days and felt rewarded at the end when the mystery was deliciously solved. Then I did something I’ve never done with a mystery book before: I went back to the beginning and reread each of the highlighted social media posts and the text of the victim’s letter to see what clues I missed. Others have questioned these parts – by the end of the book, I realized that Joanna’s use of this technique was actually very clever.
Oh, and after finishing this I’ll never feel safe when I pass through Chapel Hill, NC.
March 30, 2024
A well written but rather disjointed thriller that swerves into unnecessary subplots that don’t add much to the narrative.
May 15, 2024
A beautiful literary mystery - one of the first books in ages to keep me up past midnight reading.
"Bright and Tender Dark" is a captivating debut novel by Joanna Pearson that intertwines mystery, drama, and an exploration of human nature in a compelling and nuanced narrative. The story centers around the unsolved murder of Karlie Richards, a charismatic college student found brutally murdered in her campus apartment just after Y2K. The novel jumps between the year 1999 and 2019, delving into the lives of those who knew Karlie - as well as those who were merely fascinated by her.
Joy, Karlie’s freshman year roommate, is now a middle-aged woman going through a divorce and still living in the same college town. When she discovers a 20-year-old letter from Karlie, Joy becomes convinced that the man imprisoned for the murder was wrongfully convicted. Her quest to uncover the truth leads her into the dark world of Internet conspiracy theorists and true crime subreddits, but it's impossible to know if she's on a wild goose chase, or actually getting close to the truth.
The novel’s strength lies in its rich character development and the intricate weaving of their backstories. Pearson skillfully navigates multiple points of view, including Joy’s obsessive investigation; KC, the transgender night manager of the building where Karlie was killed; Sheri, the mother of the man serving time for the murder; and more, including Joy's son, Joy and Karlie's predatory professor, and the boy who loved Karlie. Each character is deeply flawed and profoundly human, adding layers of complexity to the story. I felt like I really connected to and understood these characters and their motivations.
Pearson’s writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the essence of the late 90s and the modern age of Reddit threads and online obsession. The novel explores the enduring impact of unresolved trauma on a community. It also delves into the psychological urge to protect and exploit what we cannot have, making it a thought-provoking read.
One of the standout aspects of the novel is how it balances the suspense of a murder mystery with the depth of literary fiction. The story is not solely about solving the crime but about understanding the ripple effects of Karlie’s death on everyone involved. Pearson’s ability to blend these elements seamlessly makes "Bright and Tender Dark" a standout debut.
While the narrative may not follow the traditional structure of a thriller, it is engrossing and thought-provoking. Do not go into this book expecting a neat popcorn thriller, where a dead body shows up on page five and you're left racing through action-packed pages with twist after twist. The slow unraveling of secrets and the gradual piecing together of the truth is so rewarding. For fans of literary mysteries with rich character studies and intricate plots, "Bright and Tender Dark" is a must-read.
Overall, "Bright and Tender Dark" is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that explores the complexities of human nature and the enduring impact of unresolved trauma. It’s a promising debut from Joanna Pearson that will leave readers reflecting on its themes long after they turn the last page.
Thank you to Joanna Pearson and Bloomsbury for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out 6/4!
"Bright and Tender Dark" is a captivating debut novel by Joanna Pearson that intertwines mystery, drama, and an exploration of human nature in a compelling and nuanced narrative. The story centers around the unsolved murder of Karlie Richards, a charismatic college student found brutally murdered in her campus apartment just after Y2K. The novel jumps between the year 1999 and 2019, delving into the lives of those who knew Karlie - as well as those who were merely fascinated by her.
Joy, Karlie’s freshman year roommate, is now a middle-aged woman going through a divorce and still living in the same college town. When she discovers a 20-year-old letter from Karlie, Joy becomes convinced that the man imprisoned for the murder was wrongfully convicted. Her quest to uncover the truth leads her into the dark world of Internet conspiracy theorists and true crime subreddits, but it's impossible to know if she's on a wild goose chase, or actually getting close to the truth.
The novel’s strength lies in its rich character development and the intricate weaving of their backstories. Pearson skillfully navigates multiple points of view, including Joy’s obsessive investigation; KC, the transgender night manager of the building where Karlie was killed; Sheri, the mother of the man serving time for the murder; and more, including Joy's son, Joy and Karlie's predatory professor, and the boy who loved Karlie. Each character is deeply flawed and profoundly human, adding layers of complexity to the story. I felt like I really connected to and understood these characters and their motivations.
Pearson’s writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the essence of the late 90s and the modern age of Reddit threads and online obsession. The novel explores the enduring impact of unresolved trauma on a community. It also delves into the psychological urge to protect and exploit what we cannot have, making it a thought-provoking read.
One of the standout aspects of the novel is how it balances the suspense of a murder mystery with the depth of literary fiction. The story is not solely about solving the crime but about understanding the ripple effects of Karlie’s death on everyone involved. Pearson’s ability to blend these elements seamlessly makes "Bright and Tender Dark" a standout debut.
While the narrative may not follow the traditional structure of a thriller, it is engrossing and thought-provoking. Do not go into this book expecting a neat popcorn thriller, where a dead body shows up on page five and you're left racing through action-packed pages with twist after twist. The slow unraveling of secrets and the gradual piecing together of the truth is so rewarding. For fans of literary mysteries with rich character studies and intricate plots, "Bright and Tender Dark" is a must-read.
Overall, "Bright and Tender Dark" is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that explores the complexities of human nature and the enduring impact of unresolved trauma. It’s a promising debut from Joanna Pearson that will leave readers reflecting on its themes long after they turn the last page.
Thank you to Joanna Pearson and Bloomsbury for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out 6/4!
June 13, 2024
The thing is, when you write a “literary mystery,” the literary part needs to be top notch. And the meandering tangents indulged in by the many uninteresting characters here and the painfully pedestrian details do not suffice.
DNF around 36%. I like Mara Wilson, but I also couldn’t take listening to any more of someone saying a long strings of “ats” for @s in relating a social media interaction.
DNF around 36%. I like Mara Wilson, but I also couldn’t take listening to any more of someone saying a long strings of “ats” for @s in relating a social media interaction.
July 30, 2024
✨B O O K • F E A T U R E✨
Bright and Tender Dark
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book - many thanks to @bloomsburybooksus & @joanna_k_p #partner
Crime and thriller lovers here is a book you’re going to want to read.
The book hooks you immediately with an obituary for 19 year old Karlie Richards, who was brutally murdered in January of 2000; which is followed by a Reddit thread where Karlie’s life and death are talked about.
The story then jumps to 20 years later where Joy, a friend of Karlie, is struggling in her life. When she finds a letter Karlie wrote 20 years ago she immediately suspects that the person in jail for murdering Karlie is innocent.
Joy is desperate to find the truth, and thus her journey to figure out what really happened that night begins. The story alternates between 2019 and 1999. The first part of the book takes place in 2019, the second half in 1999 and concludes in 2019 at the very end.
I loved this book and the story as a whole. It all came together perfectly. While the chapters are a little longer than I usually like, the writing and story are so captivating that you won’t even notice the chapter lengths.
I also enjoyed all the online blog posts and emails that are sprinkled throughout. They add a special element to the story and make it much more engaging.
A sharp and poignant debut that people will remember. You absolutely have to read this one.
Bright and Tender Dark
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book - many thanks to @bloomsburybooksus & @joanna_k_p #partner
Crime and thriller lovers here is a book you’re going to want to read.
The book hooks you immediately with an obituary for 19 year old Karlie Richards, who was brutally murdered in January of 2000; which is followed by a Reddit thread where Karlie’s life and death are talked about.
The story then jumps to 20 years later where Joy, a friend of Karlie, is struggling in her life. When she finds a letter Karlie wrote 20 years ago she immediately suspects that the person in jail for murdering Karlie is innocent.
Joy is desperate to find the truth, and thus her journey to figure out what really happened that night begins. The story alternates between 2019 and 1999. The first part of the book takes place in 2019, the second half in 1999 and concludes in 2019 at the very end.
I loved this book and the story as a whole. It all came together perfectly. While the chapters are a little longer than I usually like, the writing and story are so captivating that you won’t even notice the chapter lengths.
I also enjoyed all the online blog posts and emails that are sprinkled throughout. They add a special element to the story and make it much more engaging.
A sharp and poignant debut that people will remember. You absolutely have to read this one.
March 19, 2024
I love a good murder mystery, but this one didn't do it for me. It would seem to have all the required elements -- the murder of a promising college co-ed, an illicit affair, multiple suspects, her former roommate feverishly trying to solve the case 30 years on -- but it just never drew me in. So close but no cigar.
December 9, 2023
If other people can review this book before the ARCs even come out, THEN I CAN TOO! This book is bound to be dark, riveting, and creeptastic and I cannot wait to read it.
July 17, 2024
Schadenfreude showed up so that was cool. Other than that I’m going to forget this book so fast that when it comes out in paperback I’m likely to buy it again.
July 22, 2024
Bright and Tender Dark is not a thriller. It is a beautifully written literary mystery about the dark side of academia, religious cults, and the uncertainty of youth. It is an in-depth character study of a group of young people and the baggage they carry. It begins with the murder of a very popular girl on a NC college campus and ends 20 years later with long sought after answers. It is truly at times Bright and Tender and Dark.
August 12, 2024
The story centers around the murder of Karlie Richards, a beloved and popular student. It’s told well in dual timelines from multiple intriguing POVs, including Karlie’s freshman year roommate Joy in the past and present. I enjoyed this slow-burn mystery as it unravelled, but I was left wanting more. I could have kept going for another 100 pages, and I would have loved to have seen the characters merge in a more meaningful way at the end.
April 6, 2024
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Since the publishers insisted Bright and Tender Dark is not a thriller or mystery (not genres I typically enjoy), I decided to stretch my reading muscles and try something different. I loved the first several chapters of Pearson's novel about a murdered college student. The book alternates between time periods - Karlie is murdered in early 2000 and her roommate re-examines this chapter of her life nearly two decades later. Besides alternating timelines, the story is also told through myriad characters.
At first, I enjoyed the varying points of view as there seemed to be an interesting through-line in the novel. Yet as I read further, I realized many of these viewpoints didn't add anything to the story and seem to distract from the most important plotlines. For example, one chapter follows Joy (Karlie's roommate)'s son who never met Karlie and adds nothing to Joy's reflections or investigations of the crime. Pearson has a penchant for fancy vocabulary and it didn't suit every character despite these uncommon words being sprinkled through nearly every chapter. The editors also seemed to miss Pearson's love for describing character's faces in varying forms of light - there are so many examples of faces being illuminated by everything from flashlights to car dashboards.
By the end of the book, I found myself losing patience. The characters don't tie together in a meaningful way at the end, and while we do find out what happened to Karlie on the fateful night of the murder, some of the key players aren't explored until near the end of the novel (they are, to be fair, introduced fairly early in the book, but just left as passing references). So, while this started a four star read, it felt like a weak two star read by the close of the novel. I don't know that I would read another book by Pearson (but, on the bright side, I didn't find the book too gory or gratuitous so maybe I will continue to branch out in that sense!).
Since the publishers insisted Bright and Tender Dark is not a thriller or mystery (not genres I typically enjoy), I decided to stretch my reading muscles and try something different. I loved the first several chapters of Pearson's novel about a murdered college student. The book alternates between time periods - Karlie is murdered in early 2000 and her roommate re-examines this chapter of her life nearly two decades later. Besides alternating timelines, the story is also told through myriad characters.
At first, I enjoyed the varying points of view as there seemed to be an interesting through-line in the novel. Yet as I read further, I realized many of these viewpoints didn't add anything to the story and seem to distract from the most important plotlines. For example, one chapter follows Joy (Karlie's roommate)'s son who never met Karlie and adds nothing to Joy's reflections or investigations of the crime. Pearson has a penchant for fancy vocabulary and it didn't suit every character despite these uncommon words being sprinkled through nearly every chapter. The editors also seemed to miss Pearson's love for describing character's faces in varying forms of light - there are so many examples of faces being illuminated by everything from flashlights to car dashboards.
By the end of the book, I found myself losing patience. The characters don't tie together in a meaningful way at the end, and while we do find out what happened to Karlie on the fateful night of the murder, some of the key players aren't explored until near the end of the novel (they are, to be fair, introduced fairly early in the book, but just left as passing references). So, while this started a four star read, it felt like a weak two star read by the close of the novel. I don't know that I would read another book by Pearson (but, on the bright side, I didn't find the book too gory or gratuitous so maybe I will continue to branch out in that sense!).
June 14, 2024
This just wasn’t a book for me. Too many tries at subplots that weren’t interesting or just downright didn’t make sense. The “thriller” part of the story was not interesting either. To be honest, the whole thing was pretty boring from start to finish. I kept reading hoping it would eventually get better, but it didn’t.
July 29, 2024
It is the year 2000, and beautiful, popular nineteen-year-old Karlie Richards is found brutally murdered in her campus apartment. Twenty years later, those who knew Karlie are still consumed by her death. Among them is her freshman-year roommate, Joy, now middle-aged and divorced, living in the same college town and struggling to move on from the past. When she stumbles upon a twenty-year-old letter from Karlie, Joy becomes convinced the man sitting in prison for her murder was wrongfully convicted. Soon she is immersed in the dark world of internet conspiracy theorists and amateur crime sleuth blogs to piece together past events. In her quest, she discovers others who were also starstruck and slightly obsessed with Karlie – the night manager at her apartment building, her former professor, and members of her college evangelical youth group.
Bright and Tender Dark is a beautifully written novel exploring those casual and yet intense relationships many people experience in their late teens/early twenties. Karlie is a magnetic personality, drawing many people to her, although she is unaware of the impact she has on those around her and the intensity of their feelings toward her. Many love and hate her in equal measure, resulting in no shortage of plausible suspects for her brutal murder. Like most young people, Karlie appears to have a sense of invincibility and lack of concern for her safety. Ultimately this leads her to take risks that place her in the path of dangerous and ruthless people. Slipping seamlessly between 1999 and 2019 with multiple perspectives, the novel explores the ways in which the impact of a violent murder can send cracks through the lives of many people. I was astonished that this is a debut novel by Joanna Pearson as it was written with such skill and insight. I am giving this all the stars.
Bright and Tender Dark is a beautifully written novel exploring those casual and yet intense relationships many people experience in their late teens/early twenties. Karlie is a magnetic personality, drawing many people to her, although she is unaware of the impact she has on those around her and the intensity of their feelings toward her. Many love and hate her in equal measure, resulting in no shortage of plausible suspects for her brutal murder. Like most young people, Karlie appears to have a sense of invincibility and lack of concern for her safety. Ultimately this leads her to take risks that place her in the path of dangerous and ruthless people. Slipping seamlessly between 1999 and 2019 with multiple perspectives, the novel explores the ways in which the impact of a violent murder can send cracks through the lives of many people. I was astonished that this is a debut novel by Joanna Pearson as it was written with such skill and insight. I am giving this all the stars.
September 24, 2024
2 stars. Meh. It's not a good sign when a publisher has to add a disclaimer to the book:
Publisher's Note: Bright and Tender Dark is not a traditional thriller or mystery but a nuanced literary novel with multiple point-of-view characters, exploring how one young woman's life and death ripple throughout an entire community.
I started reading this before I read the (middling) reviews. It was good enough to keep my interest, but too many (often shallow) characters, too many plot points that were inconsequential, and too many tangents made it pretty dull.
Publisher's Note: Bright and Tender Dark is not a traditional thriller or mystery but a nuanced literary novel with multiple point-of-view characters, exploring how one young woman's life and death ripple throughout an entire community.
I started reading this before I read the (middling) reviews. It was good enough to keep my interest, but too many (often shallow) characters, too many plot points that were inconsequential, and too many tangents made it pretty dull.
May 27, 2024
A superbly written debut thriller that focuses on mannerisms, behaviors and personalities.
The story is about what happened to lovable 19 year old Karlie Richard’s, how she died, why she died and by whom?
The story is regaled to the reader by Joy, Karlie’s freshman year roommate from twenty years ago.
Joy-a name that radiates positivity and happiness; except in this case it does not. She is described as a plain Jane, unassuming, and not someone who stands out in a crowd. Rather, she is that person who hangs back, always on the outside and looking in, yearning to be included, be that vibrant person her name suggests.
Any scrap of attention she receives now is based her constant mentioning of being Karlie’s former roommate and friend and when that attention comes, she lavishes in it.
A lost letter found, springs Joy into action of thinking she can solve who murdered her former roommate and Joy latches on to all the attention she gets from it.
But is the story really about finding out how Karlie died? Or is it the breakdown of a person who uses the tragedy of another to boost themselves up? Jumpstart that stalled out life?
A stunning and engaging read and one that shouldn’t be missed.
Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for this arc! Loved it.
The story is about what happened to lovable 19 year old Karlie Richard’s, how she died, why she died and by whom?
The story is regaled to the reader by Joy, Karlie’s freshman year roommate from twenty years ago.
Joy-a name that radiates positivity and happiness; except in this case it does not. She is described as a plain Jane, unassuming, and not someone who stands out in a crowd. Rather, she is that person who hangs back, always on the outside and looking in, yearning to be included, be that vibrant person her name suggests.
Any scrap of attention she receives now is based her constant mentioning of being Karlie’s former roommate and friend and when that attention comes, she lavishes in it.
A lost letter found, springs Joy into action of thinking she can solve who murdered her former roommate and Joy latches on to all the attention she gets from it.
But is the story really about finding out how Karlie died? Or is it the breakdown of a person who uses the tragedy of another to boost themselves up? Jumpstart that stalled out life?
A stunning and engaging read and one that shouldn’t be missed.
Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for this arc! Loved it.
June 23, 2024
I feel like I have whiplash after reading this book. It has so much potential, but the numerous different perspectives/timelines was confusing and really took away from what could have been a very moving story. This book could have been five stars if the author had focused on just two or three characters to really develop.
June 12, 2024
I'm often one who wants more characterization out of thrillers, and this book is a perfect fit for those of us who are deeply interested in the psychology of the characters surrounding crime. We meet many different characters with disparate motivations and perspectives with a depth you don't often find in other thrillers that often employ the same device. We see the ripples of consequences crime creates and the way our lives absorb and form around the trauma we experience.
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review via NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you for this opportunity.
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review via NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you for this opportunity.
June 9, 2024
This book is not really a true mystery or thriller, it’s the story of a typical college student, Karlie, who comes from a strong Christian background, likely an evangelical church, who does an abrupt change while away transforming to Party Girl who has
a relationship with a smarmy professor.
She ends up murdered in her apartment, and a local is in jail for the crime. Joy, her former roommate, finds a letter from her many years later, and this ignites the likely depressed woman to channel her erratic energy into re-thinking and investigating who really killed Karlie. Is the man in jail for her murder really guilty? Stories abound about what happened to the beautiful student, as well as many sightings over the years of her ghostly presence on or near campus.
Ms. Pearson writes well, it’s just that there are too many characters and back stories to track that distract from the basic plot, and they don’t add much to the story. I didn’t care much for any of the characters, and often lost interest. I really wanted to enjoy this read, it just wasn’t my book.
a relationship with a smarmy professor.
She ends up murdered in her apartment, and a local is in jail for the crime. Joy, her former roommate, finds a letter from her many years later, and this ignites the likely depressed woman to channel her erratic energy into re-thinking and investigating who really killed Karlie. Is the man in jail for her murder really guilty? Stories abound about what happened to the beautiful student, as well as many sightings over the years of her ghostly presence on or near campus.
Ms. Pearson writes well, it’s just that there are too many characters and back stories to track that distract from the basic plot, and they don’t add much to the story. I didn’t care much for any of the characters, and often lost interest. I really wanted to enjoy this read, it just wasn’t my book.
October 1, 2024
I received a physical ARC of this book, and in the first two chapters had to look up 22 words I didn't know (I am an avid reader, but this author loves a thesaurus moment apparently). That took me out of the story, so I waited for the audiobook, hoping to have better luck.
I am DNF'ing at 35%. Aside from the abundance of words I'm unfamiliar with, the story was confusing and jumped around a lot with different timelines and characters, and it made for an unenjoyable experience for me.
I hope others have better luck and may revisit this at a later time, but for now, I'm shelving it.
Tysm Bloomsbury for the ARC.
I am DNF'ing at 35%. Aside from the abundance of words I'm unfamiliar with, the story was confusing and jumped around a lot with different timelines and characters, and it made for an unenjoyable experience for me.
I hope others have better luck and may revisit this at a later time, but for now, I'm shelving it.
Tysm Bloomsbury for the ARC.
January 22, 2024
Book of the year! So well written. I felt emotionally connected to each of the characters in this book and the ending gave me absolute goosebumps. Go give it a read!!!
June 16, 2024
Thank you to Bloomsbury for an ARC of Bright and Tender Dark in exchange for an honest review.
In 1999, Karlie is the victim of a terrible murder on campus that shakes the school and community.
This novel jumps between present day and the cusp of Y2K as the mystery of what happened to Karlie is unraveled. And a bigger question yet, was the wrong man incarcerated? We get several viewpoints from people in Karlie’s life including her roommate, a sleazy professor and the mother of the accused.
I like multi-viewpoint mysteries and thrillers, but this one was a little bit of a miss for me. This felt more like a character piece I would classify as literary fiction rather than a thriller. We see a wide expanse of perspectives, some more relevant to the crime than others, but I found there were so many perspectives that it drifted quite far away from the plot.
The characters involved felt completely real due to the amount of detail included in their descriptions and chapters. They felt more like someone I could read about in the paper, than a made-up character.
I think I wasn’t crazy about this novel because I like a more plot-based book. Characters have to be intriguing as well, but I need for relevant things to be happening. When we found out who the killer was, it felt very anti-climactic to me which is usually a bad sign for a thriller.
This novel does a fantastic job at showing how a community is impacted for the long term when a crime of this calibre is committed. The characters are inclusive, flawed and detailed. So if you want more of a outside perspective on the ripple effects of a crime with a huge focus on characters, I think you would enjoy this book!
In 1999, Karlie is the victim of a terrible murder on campus that shakes the school and community.
This novel jumps between present day and the cusp of Y2K as the mystery of what happened to Karlie is unraveled. And a bigger question yet, was the wrong man incarcerated? We get several viewpoints from people in Karlie’s life including her roommate, a sleazy professor and the mother of the accused.
I like multi-viewpoint mysteries and thrillers, but this one was a little bit of a miss for me. This felt more like a character piece I would classify as literary fiction rather than a thriller. We see a wide expanse of perspectives, some more relevant to the crime than others, but I found there were so many perspectives that it drifted quite far away from the plot.
The characters involved felt completely real due to the amount of detail included in their descriptions and chapters. They felt more like someone I could read about in the paper, than a made-up character.
I think I wasn’t crazy about this novel because I like a more plot-based book. Characters have to be intriguing as well, but I need for relevant things to be happening. When we found out who the killer was, it felt very anti-climactic to me which is usually a bad sign for a thriller.
This novel does a fantastic job at showing how a community is impacted for the long term when a crime of this calibre is committed. The characters are inclusive, flawed and detailed. So if you want more of a outside perspective on the ripple effects of a crime with a huge focus on characters, I think you would enjoy this book!
August 18, 2024
In January 2000, college student Karlie Richards was found brutally murdered in her apartment. An arrest is made soon after,but many think the wrong person was arrested.
Her freshman roommate Joy, who still lives in the college town, finds a letter Karlie wrote to her shortly before she was killed....Joy becomes even more convinced the wrong person is in prison for the murder.
This was a different way of telling a murder mystery. We meet many different characters, some who seem to have no connection to the story. But they do take us on the journey of finding out what happened to Karlie.
The pieces are all there. You might find yourself going back and re-reading certain sections of the book.
If you are expecting a traditional mystery solving story,this might not be for you.
This instead focuses on people who one way or another are connected or affected by the murder. But slowly, you get to the answers.
For me it was a trip worth taking.
Her freshman roommate Joy, who still lives in the college town, finds a letter Karlie wrote to her shortly before she was killed....Joy becomes even more convinced the wrong person is in prison for the murder.
This was a different way of telling a murder mystery. We meet many different characters, some who seem to have no connection to the story. But they do take us on the journey of finding out what happened to Karlie.
The pieces are all there. You might find yourself going back and re-reading certain sections of the book.
If you are expecting a traditional mystery solving story,this might not be for you.
This instead focuses on people who one way or another are connected or affected by the murder. But slowly, you get to the answers.
For me it was a trip worth taking.
August 27, 2024
In my opinion this isn’t a thriller, it’s lit fic with some discussion of murder. It felt disjointed and kept introducing irrelevant minor characters instead of building a strong protagonist. As a result, I felt like I didn’t really care about any of the characters. I do like when authors try something a little different but in the end this wasn’t for me! 2.5-3/5
August 1, 2024
2.5 rounded up. This was messy and had so much going on, but ultimately fell flat. I feel like there were interesting ideas, but they never got followed through on and just left me with unanswered questions - not in the good way.
August 16, 2024
I'm marking it read, but I didn't finish it. My mom taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Read between the lines.
September 25, 2024
good story but wayyy too drawn out 💤💤💤
August 8, 2024
Honestly, just kind of disjoined and hard to follow with so many characters and random side stories that don’t really pertain to solving the murder. The ending was pretty anticlimactic because of this.
June 9, 2024
I loved this book! Couldn't put it down--read it in two days. The mystery is given such complexity and weight through the multiple perspectives and span of time. Beautiful writing; vivid and compelling characters. Someone's gonna make a movie out of this!
June 10, 2024
Loved this book! So much more rich than most mysteries - I loved its varied characters and their trajectories. I couldn’t put it down.
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