Review: Burntown

Title: Burntown
Author: Jennifer McMahon
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Mystery/Psychological/Suspense/Thriller
Recommended If You Like: McMahon's previous works, unique psychological thrillers, mysteries with twists, a touch of the supernatural and paranormal

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

The Book:

Necco was once known as Eva, when her family were all still alive, before her father and brother died in a terrible flood. Unable to remember what happened that day, Necco has always had to trust her mother's stories, told to her under the influence of "the devil's snuff" while they lived on the streets with a community of women known as fire eaters.

But now her mother is dead too, and when her boyfriend is murdered as well, Necco realizes she has no choice but to solve the mystery of her past.

What I Liked:

Jennifer McMahon is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have read and re read everything she's ever written, and when I found out I had gotten an ARC of this book, I could not have been more excited. And McMahon did not disappoint one bit.

McMahon is able to balance so much so well in this book. There is everything from visions brought on by the devil's snuff, to a mysterious invention purported to be based on plans from Albert Einstein himself, to a cafeteria worker who dreams of starring in the circus--and in McMahon's expert hands, everything works beautifully and compellingly.

The characters are all so complex and multi-layered, and while Necco is definitely the main protagonist, the supporting characters come alive and stand apart in their own rights. Each character is crucial and has an important part to play.

The mystery is fantastic, so unique, and so well-executed. There are lots of twists and turns, something McMahon is definitely known for.

Anything I Didn't Like?

I did feel I was able to predict more of the twists than I usually can with McMahon's books. They were still great twists, but I was able to guess some of them a few chapters before they actually were brought out in the plot.

So...?

I cannot recommend McMahon's books enough. They do not have to be read in any specific order, so grab this one (it's out today!) and read your way through her amazing body of work!