The Swimming Pool
The writing is lovely and lush, but the story itself didn't move me. I often felt like I was watching the characters through a window/pane of glass, like there was a distance between us that kept me from connecting with or liking them. I thought Callie's story/plot line was the most compelling part of the book and wished more time had been spent on that.
Rated of 5
by Gary R. (bolingbrook, IL)
the swimming pool
This is a debut novel from Holly Lecraw. Let's hope that the next ones will get better. Tthe premise of the book revolves around two family's,the Atkinson's and the McClatchey's, with plenty of tragedy and secrets to go around, not to mention a little post-partum depression and lots of pent up anger. Sadly I really had no empathy for the characters, mostly due to the lack of development. They were either one-dimensional or lost in another dimension altogether. Also the flashbacks to the past really didn't help matters or clear up to much. This was an ARC copy and the lack of proofing and editing was noticeable. I finished this novel for the review. If it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't have made it. Some may like it,not my cup of tea.
Rated of 5
by Jinny (Fremont, CA)
Swimming Among Genres
I wish I could give several 'number grades' to this book for various aspects; 5 for character development and dialogue, 3 for plot development, etc.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and felt the shifts among time and point of view were done well, it seemed as though some point were being missed, not the least of which was the guilty party of the seven year old murder mystery. Perhaps subtlety is wasted on me, but this missing piece was a big disappointment. I don't think stories have to be strictly categorized, but this book seemed to waver uncertainly among psychological thriller, murder mystery, romance and serious fiction.
I will still, however, look for more of this author's work. (Should probably be a 3.5)
Rated of 5
by Bonnie B. (Fairbanks, AK)
Beautiful Writing, Prosaic Content
This is a story of two families, each with secrets. Callie and Jed are brother and sister who have lived with sorrow. Their mother, Betsy, was murdered and their father, Cecil, died shortly thereafter. At the time of Betsy's death, Cecil was having an affair with Marcella. When the book opens, Jed visits Marcella to ask her some questions about his parents. They end up having an affair. The book is written in beautiful language but the plot is prosaic and does not seem worthy of the 300 pages. I look forward to further books by this author because of her beautiful writing.
Rated of 5
by Betsy R. (Gig Harbor, WA)
The Swimming Pool
When I received this book, I thought it would be something I would really like-but it wasn't. Although I could appreciate the good writing at times, I didn't care about the main characters or even about the mystery embedded in the story. I am a high school librarian and am always looking for books that would interest my students, but I don't think this one would. I hate saying anything negative about a new author, but this book just didn't do it for me.
Rated of 5
by Teresa C. (Pickerington, OH)
The Swimming Pool
I did not really care for this book. The premise sounded good and when I sat down to read it I was hoping it would be a real page turner. Sadly, that was not the case. I really did not like any of the characters...felt they were all very flawed and didn't have a lot of redeeming qualities. I also felt that it was very slow moving and that what promised to be a dramatic ending was rather a let down.
Rated of 5
by Kathy S. (Danbury, CT)
The Swimming Pool
This book started out slowly, and I kept waiting for the plot to kick in. The characters were flat and did not draw me into their world. Expanding Callie's story may have improved the story line. Definitely not a page turner; I had to force myself to finish it.
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