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Meara C. (Los Angeles, CA)
A Thrilling Roadtrip With A Killer Ending
An estranged, dysfunctional family has an inheritance up for grabs which is dependent upon repeating a road trip they took together with their now-deceased grandfather twenty years ago. This is witty and well-plotted with an excellent final twist.
This book had my heart racing and my brain whirring. I love a mystery that keeps me guessing and that completely messes with my narrative perceptions. "He Started It" was such a crazy ride with twists that continually kept me blind-sided.
Elizabeth_L1
Enjoyed but didn't love
The unreliable female narrator is a played out genre in my opinion unless the book is really special and this book isn't. That said I thought the book was well written and although the final twist was maddening I prefer that over a tidy bow!
Amy in NV
Road Trip...Ahhh or Ugghh?
This plot is like the proverbial Onion Story...peeling layer by layer to reveal information and explanation. The premise of a prescribed road trip as a means to inheritance is unique. The characters are self absorbed and less than pleasant; some more than others. The narrator is unreliable (mostly by omission) from the beginning, and the surprise ending is almost unbelievable. A few red herrings throughout the story, though not always brought full circle.
Yet I find the writing style, short chapters, dual time frame, and quick pace keeping me intrigued & amused until way past bedtime, and I had a hard time putting it down.. All in all, a fun read! It will put every family road trip (past or present) into perspective!
Arlene S. (Granger, IN)
A doozy!
Siblings reunite to recreate an earlier road trip with Grampa. This time, however, Grampa's ashes are in a box and the inheritance is at stake. The character development is great - the family dynamics are spot on. The conflict comes between greed and family. Lots of unexpected twists and turns move this book along, getting darker and darker as the story unfolds. It is a quick read in that it's hard to put down.
wdh-kentucky
Attention Grabber
This book grabbed my attention from the opening through to the closing sentences. The road trip was an interesting way to bring estranged siblings together, forcing them to be cooped up in a small space allowing tensions to build and flaws to be revealed. As the characters start to form, you realize they are all despicable in their own ways. These siblings are clever liars, cheaters, manipulators and rightfully suspicious of each other. The payoff anticipated at their final destination added to the tension and mistrust. I really enjoyed the book until the final showdown, which I thought was just a bit ... disappointing. Just a bit though. Overall a good read.
Jennie_W
He Started It
This was a page turner. I could not put this down. There were so many twists and reveals. The author does a great job of building up the suspense and keeping you guessing. I did not find many of the character very likable, however, they keep you wanting to know more about them and their past circumstances. I was thinking about the ending for days after finishing.
Liz_B
Engaging Thriller
He Started It is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of unexpected twists. With a better ending, it would rank 5 stars for sure. These are characters you love to hate as their unlikely story unfolds. I enjoyed the smartly written dialogue and road trip details as the family crossed the US. Just wish there had been a more definitive ending.
Ginny H. (Troutdale, OR)
He Started It by Samantha Downing
Beth, Portia, and Eddie Morgan's grandfather passes away and in order to claim the money in his will, they must reenact a trip that he took them on years before across the country. The siblings haven't been together for ages so it could be a strain. Two of them bring their siblings along for the ride. We learn many secrets and opinions as they trudge across the route. Each one is all about the inheritance and not so much each other. We learn more about the oldest child who disappeared on the first trip. I have to admit I was a little taken aback with the ending which I won't give away.
