The Girl Before
Written by J. P. Delaney
Hardcover, 341 pages
Published January 24th 2017 by Ballantine Books
ISBN 0425285049 (ISBN13: 9780425285046
I listened to the audiobook version, and was enthralled from the very beginning by the uniqueness of the characters, the premise (an architect's dream home for rent), and the 'who really is a monster' mystery that winds through every chapter.
Why I'm torn: I really, REALLY liked this mystery. But there is one problem: a kitten is killed. Savagely. It's actually a teeny tiny part of the story, and yet it broke my heart. Sure, it's not a living cat, as this is just fiction. But why even think it, let alone write it into a story? If that wee part could be excised, the story would have been fine.
Why do that?
On the flipside, am I too sensitive to cats (dogs, birds, you name it) being mistreated, in books and movies? Another case in point, "The X-Files: I Want To Believe", which was the 2nd movie made from the hit TV series, which I love. My friends and I gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, to see this movie premier together. I left the theatre in tears, and shaking. Fake animal mutilation pushed me over the edge. Everyone else stayed for the next showing of the movie; I refused, and instead went to see "Mama Mia"...and was traumatized again by Pierce Brosnan singing.
I must not be alone, because I've seen t-shirts with "I Don't Care Who Dies In The Movie As Long As The Dog Lives" written on them. In this book, I had no idea the kitten was even a part of the story, until about 75% way into the book. Otherwise, I wouldn't have started it.
*stepping off soapbox*
😾🙀😾
