The Rented Mule

Average: perhaps a 3-star, but that feels too generous relative to my previous ratings so 2 is as much as I'll give this book.

Very slow. Clunky style. The story has many characters, some throwaways that clutter up the story. The different pov per chapter ended up working in its favor, though I was put off at first. Cole's writing screams Exposition and often states the obvious or repeats facts again and again. It managed to pick up the pace in the last fourth of the book. There was a surprising twist and action after all the build up which was nice after the wait, but it wasn't quite worth it. (At times, it felt a bit contrived and cheap but I am very picky with mysteries.) Not a regrettable read but I won't be picking this up again ever.

Another note: there are not quite a few unnamed female characters (even if they were helpful in the mystery in minor ways) and plenty of named male characters. I found that bothersome. Wouldn't say this passes the Bechdel test either.