I really enjoyed this novel. It is loosely based on the Amanda Knox case. I know very little about that case but it was enough to make me start the book the day I received it in the mail. I had not read anything by Ms. Dubois but plan on checking out more of her novels. I loved her writing style. I felt like I was seeing the sites of Buenos Aires. I also felt like I really got to know the characters, love them or hate them, and I could feel what they were thinking. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and I didn't get the big BANG like I wanted. But in a way it still keeps you questioning. I definitely recommend this book.

The author really doesn't understand the phrase "loosely based on real events". She straight up stole the Amanda Knox story, which makes it difficult to enjoy her story about fictional Lily Hayes.

3.5

Interesting read.

One and a half stars. Listened to it as an audiobook and I think that made it better which isn't saying much. The book goes nowhere and the characters are all REALLY annoying. Glad to be rid of it from my life.

I admit it.....I like books to wrap up at the end. This does not! I was left with questions - aaahhh!!! I did enjoy the story, though.

We have flown into Buenos Aires and cruised from their port so it was interesting to revisit South America in this novel that is re-imagined from that infamous Amanda Knox trial in Italy.
The author does a good job with character development and I really enjoyed her portrayal of Sebastien LeCompte (the rich young man next door who was Lily's boyfriend) as a possibly socially challenged Asperger type.
Lilly (the Amanda Knox prototype) is constructed as out of touch with any social responsibility and also incredibly sexually irresponsible. Needless to say that I have no empathy with her character and no sympathy for her seemingly tragic experience with Argentinian justice.

We have flown into Buenos Aires and cruised from their port so it was interesting to revisit South America in this novel that is re-imagined from that infamous Amanda Knox trial in Italy.
The author does a good job with character development and I really enjoyed her portrayal of Sebastien LeCompte (the rich young man next door who was Lily's boyfriend) as a possibly socially challenged Asperger type.
Lilly (the Amanda Knox prototype) is constructed as out of touch with any social responsibility and also incredibly sexually irresponsible. Needless to say that I have no empathy with her character and no sympathy for her seemingly tragic experience with Argentinian justice.

I've been trying to write a review in my head for days, but I had trouble pinpointing what disturbed me so in this book. Excellent story, well told, couldn't put it down. But I read the book with the perspective of a mother. This book has given me a new fear as a parent. Not that my child would be involved in a murder, but that she would grow up as naive and spoiled and self-absorbed as Lily or Sebastien. I see that desire to sound clever and snarky in so many teens and I love how the author turned these somewhat normal teen behaviors into this situation that spiraled out of control. The fact that it is inspired by a true story requires some unresolved endings. But I just want to know what happened!

I enjoyed hearing the author speak several years ago at the Texas book festival. I purchased the book at that time, but just recently got around to reading it. It didn't live up to the interest it inspired at the book festival. In fact, for me, the most interesting past was the author's note at the end.