Book: What Happened That Night
Author: Deanna Cameron
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Publish Date: September 17, 2019
Clara Porterfield knows suffering like no other. Her older sister, Emily, was arrested for the murder of Clara's childhood crush--their neighbor and city golden boy--Griffin Tomlin. Griffin was found floating face down in his family's back yard pool after a Labor Day party. Clara and her family suffer through the aftermath of Emily's decision and only one person knows the reason behind Emily's choice--Clara. Emily's dad refuses to believe Emily killed Griffin, but Emily's mother believes she did it and wants to brush it under the rug. Emily and Clara's parent's were close friends with Griffin's parents. After Emily is gone and her parents split views, Clara finds refuge with Griffin's best friend, Kolby, and a girl that wears too much pink, Aniston. "Like Jennifer Aniston." The story unravels through the present and the past, a dual timeline. The events that led up to what really happened that night is dark, twisted, sinister, and heart wrenching.
When I first started to read this story, I knew I would be hooked. The story line was complex and it kept me guessing. I couldn't put it down. Every time I had thought I figured it out--why Emily did it--there was another small detail that would come up and throw a small wrench in it. I say "small" because it wasn't overdone. Cameron didn't keep throwing things in just to prolong the story. These little details piled into the bigger story and made sense.
Most of the characters were well put together, but a few had a couple flaws. Clara, the main protagonist, was a well put character. She had gone through something dark and it reflected. She had gone from a carefree teenager pining for her neighbor, into a reclusive shut in. Many people had seen the change but never asked what had happened. No one had gotten close enough to figure out why Clare had gone from outspoken to barely speaking. She quit drama and her job at a local ice cream shop. Her best friend became a stranger.
Kolby was supposed to be a bigger character in the story. For the most part, he was a great supporting character. I wish there was a little more to him. Kolby had been Griffin's best friend throughout the entire book. Even Kolby mentioned that he didn't know how he had become friends with Griffin. In a sense, Kolby reminded me of Bex. Bex had been Clara's best friend and she seemed to have some bigger roles in the story, but there wasn't much to her.
Griffin was what you could expect from the attractive, popular boy. He had girls falling at his feet and guys trying to become his friend. He had his parents and his brother, Brandon. Griffin had a very dark side that reflected through the story. He thought he could get away with anything he wanted because everyone loved him. Those that knew his dark side were scared of him.
Emily, Clara's sister, didn't have much background to her. I enjoyed that the author had glimpses of memories between Clara and her sister. Emily is a character you want to feel bad. As the story progresses, the more you find out about the beloved sister, Emily.
Throughout this story, there are so many troubling subjects brushed up against. The story was deep and believable. Most of the subjects are situations that actually happen. The story brushes upon rape, popularity, secrets, love, hate, and the aftermath of other people's decisions, as well as the twisted work of some. Every time a killer comes out, there's always someone swearing up and down that the person accused(or guilty) could never be capable of doing such twisted things. This story takes you into the mind of someone that had believed that. Not only about one person, but two.
Verdict: Overall, I liked this book. It was compelling. I would suggest reading this book. But please be advised, this can be a trigger. Read the Author's Note before you dive into the book!
Rate: 4.5/5
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Publish Date: September 17, 2019
Clara Porterfield knows suffering like no other. Her older sister, Emily, was arrested for the murder of Clara's childhood crush--their neighbor and city golden boy--Griffin Tomlin. Griffin was found floating face down in his family's back yard pool after a Labor Day party. Clara and her family suffer through the aftermath of Emily's decision and only one person knows the reason behind Emily's choice--Clara. Emily's dad refuses to believe Emily killed Griffin, but Emily's mother believes she did it and wants to brush it under the rug. Emily and Clara's parent's were close friends with Griffin's parents. After Emily is gone and her parents split views, Clara finds refuge with Griffin's best friend, Kolby, and a girl that wears too much pink, Aniston. "Like Jennifer Aniston." The story unravels through the present and the past, a dual timeline. The events that led up to what really happened that night is dark, twisted, sinister, and heart wrenching.
When I first started to read this story, I knew I would be hooked. The story line was complex and it kept me guessing. I couldn't put it down. Every time I had thought I figured it out--why Emily did it--there was another small detail that would come up and throw a small wrench in it. I say "small" because it wasn't overdone. Cameron didn't keep throwing things in just to prolong the story. These little details piled into the bigger story and made sense.
Most of the characters were well put together, but a few had a couple flaws. Clara, the main protagonist, was a well put character. She had gone through something dark and it reflected. She had gone from a carefree teenager pining for her neighbor, into a reclusive shut in. Many people had seen the change but never asked what had happened. No one had gotten close enough to figure out why Clare had gone from outspoken to barely speaking. She quit drama and her job at a local ice cream shop. Her best friend became a stranger.
Kolby was supposed to be a bigger character in the story. For the most part, he was a great supporting character. I wish there was a little more to him. Kolby had been Griffin's best friend throughout the entire book. Even Kolby mentioned that he didn't know how he had become friends with Griffin. In a sense, Kolby reminded me of Bex. Bex had been Clara's best friend and she seemed to have some bigger roles in the story, but there wasn't much to her.
Griffin was what you could expect from the attractive, popular boy. He had girls falling at his feet and guys trying to become his friend. He had his parents and his brother, Brandon. Griffin had a very dark side that reflected through the story. He thought he could get away with anything he wanted because everyone loved him. Those that knew his dark side were scared of him.
Emily, Clara's sister, didn't have much background to her. I enjoyed that the author had glimpses of memories between Clara and her sister. Emily is a character you want to feel bad. As the story progresses, the more you find out about the beloved sister, Emily.
Throughout this story, there are so many troubling subjects brushed up against. The story was deep and believable. Most of the subjects are situations that actually happen. The story brushes upon rape, popularity, secrets, love, hate, and the aftermath of other people's decisions, as well as the twisted work of some. Every time a killer comes out, there's always someone swearing up and down that the person accused(or guilty) could never be capable of doing such twisted things. This story takes you into the mind of someone that had believed that. Not only about one person, but two.
Verdict: Overall, I liked this book. It was compelling. I would suggest reading this book. But please be advised, this can be a trigger. Read the Author's Note before you dive into the book!
Rate: 4.5/5
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