#ls stratton

wow, i loved this book. i was engrossed in it from the start. i was just as paranoid as shanice was. and essie, we weren't in her head as much, but i enjoyed her chapters as well. she was strong willed and just as engaging. i loved the story. i was always trying to figure out what happens next. i flagged noah as her stalker from early on but i did not catch that he was working for hanson. that was the only thing i caught onto though, every other reveal was a surprise to me. historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, i wouldn't call this historical fiction but i did learn some about the harlem renaissance. (i've grown to enjoy reading the authors notes) and i've always been fascinated by art, pantings, and their value in history. not quite the art heist i was looking for, but the fight over the painting tickled that part of my brain enough to satisfy it. this book is also listed as gothic, i dont know if i'd call it that, more of a mystery, thriller? maybe cause of the supernatural elements? either way it was great. i loved it. there was alot going on and the storyline about her dad cheating on her mom and her mom going crazy felt a little like filler but i guess you can justify it being there for shanice's anxiety. i like that she called it the beast. also, the little bit of incest at the end really completed the weird family cult thing i just knew that was gonna happen.