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Arrowood
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
This robust, old-fashioned gothic mystery has everything you re looking for: a creepy old house, a tenant with a secret history, and even a few ghosts. Laura McHugh s novel sits at the intersection of memory and history, astutely asking whether we carry the past or it carries us. Jodi Picoult, #1"New York Times" bestselling author of "The Storyteller" and "Leaving Time" A haunting novel from the author of "The Weight of Blood "about a young woman s return to her childhood home and her encounter with the memories and secrets it holds Arrowood is the most ornate and grand of the historical houses that line the Mississippi River in southern Iowa. But the house has a mystery it has never revealed: It s where Arden Arrowood s younger twin sisters vanished on her watch twenty years ago never to be seen again. After the twins disappearance, Arden s parents divorced and the Arrowoods left the big house that had been in their family for generations. And Arden s own life has fallen apart: She can t finish her master s thesis, and a misguided love affair has ended badly. She has held on to the hope that her sisters are still alive, and it seems she can t move forward until she finds them. When her father dies and she inherits Arrowood, Arden returns to her childhood home determined to discover what really happened to her sisters that traumatic summer. Arden s return to the town of Keokuk and the now infamous house that bears her name is greeted with curiosity. But she is welcomed back by her old neighbor and first love, Ben Ferris, whose family, she slowly learns, knows more about the Arrowoods secrets and their small, closed community than she ever realized. With the help of a young amateur investigator, Arden tracks down the man who was the prime suspect in the kidnapping. But the house and the surrounding town hold their secrets close and the truth, when Arden finds it, is more devastating than she ever could have imagined. "Arrowood "is a powerful and resonant novel that examines the ways in which our lives are shaped by memory. As with her award-winning debut novel, "The Weight of Blood, " Laura McHugh has written a thrilling novel in which nothing is as it seems, and in which our longing for the past can take hold of the present in insidious and haunting ways. Praise for "Arrowood" Superb and subtle psychological suspense, and a compelling mystery, too . . . I thought I knew who did it, but I was wrong four times. Lee Child, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Jack Reacher novels An eloquently eerie tale. "Booklist" Poignant . . . lyrical. "Publishers Weekly "(starred review) Praise for "The Weight of Blood" Laura McHugh s atmospheric debut . . . conjures a menacingly beautiful Ozark setting and a nest of poisonous family secrets reminiscent of Daniel Woodrell s "Winter s Bone." " Vogue" A tense, taut novel and a truly remarkable debut . . . a suspenseful thrill ride that satisfies in all the right ways. "BookPage" [An] expertly crafted thriller. "Entertainment Weekly, " The Must List "
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Susanita
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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1. Bittersweet mystery that takes place in that little tiny corner of the state marked by the ❌
2. It‘s probably a little cliché, but I‘d love to see the Field of Dreams field. (Is this Heaven? No, it‘s #Iowa)
#RoadTripUSA2022
#TravelTuesday

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Susanita
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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It‘s not often that a mystery actually makes me cry, but this one did. Bittersweet story about the mercurial nature of memory and “going home again.” #52mysteries

33 likes1 stack add
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paulareadsallthetime
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book is the story of Arden and her twin sisters. She inherits Arrowood which is where she was living with her parents and twin toddler sisters when she was 8 years old. One day, the twins disappeared. All these years later, it is still unclear what happened to them. Suspects pop up but the truth is finally revealed. A heartbreaking story.

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Pamwurtzler
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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These are on their way to you, @ferskner ! Enjoy! #whodunitthesequel has been fun! Thanks, @Librarybelle for taking care of us!

Librarybelle Thanks for the update! 4y
ferskner Woohoo thank you! 4y
23 likes2 comments
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JenlovesJT47
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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I‘m a week behind but here are my #stats for June 2020. I sped through 8 audiobooks this past month because I‘ve started listening to #audiobooks while putting together huge puzzles. (It‘s very relaxing, I highly recommend it!)

My favorite book of the month is Arrowood (SO good!). Here‘s to reading 100 books in July! 🍻🤓

#BookishStats
#ReadingGoals
#Goals

Avanders This is mind blowing. Even just the 21 full length novels part 🤯🤯🤯🤯 4y
JenlovesJT47 @Avanders 8 of the full-length books are audiobooks 😬 kinda feels like cheating! I‘ve been too hard on myself lately and just need to read whatever I want! 🤗 4y
Avanders That‘s still 13!! Lol (and I totally count the audio books!!) And I 💯 agree — read what you want! 💖💖 I had to walk away from my real life book group book (at least for the time being) bc I wasn‘t reading it, so I wasn‘t reading anything. 🙇🏽‍♀️ 4y
49 likes3 comments
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JenlovesJT47
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

If I could have gotten away with doing nothing all day, I would have sat in a corner and finished this book in one sitting. It‘s one of my favorites of the year so far. It‘s a realistic mystery that had me guessing until the end, although I did mostly guess right! Thanks to whoever picked this for #whodunitthesequel 🤗 5⭐️

ferskner Yay! I'm so glad this was a popular one! 4y
61 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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hes7
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

I got behind on #NewYearWhoDis reviews, but I enjoyed all of these (very different) picks in January.

-Arrowood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #mandmchallenge2020 #twins
-The Castle on Sunset ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #booked2020 #liveandlearn
-The Lost Queen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Summer Country ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Librarybelle So glad you liked these! 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage OOOH — I have this on my shelf and wasn‘t thinking about it as a #twins book. Thanks! 5y
97 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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MumWhoLovesToRead
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Mehso-so

Brilliant story

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Librarybelle
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

Simply...I loved this one! Think of Southern gothic, though set in the Midwest. It‘s part suspense, part psychological, and the ending packs a punch, even if you kind of know where this is going.

I won‘t be able to get this out until Friday, @bookwrm526 , so sorry it will be a few days late! #WhoDunItTheSequel

Crazeedi Sounds like a good one!! 5y
ferskner Yayyyyyyyyy! Laura McHugh never disappoints. 5y
86 likes1 stack add2 comments
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heidisreads
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

A snippet of a convo I had with my mom right before the end of this book blew my mind! Woah!

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heidisreads
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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my current #audiobook
I never turn down a #mystery in an old mansion!

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JillyMann
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Mehso-so

A book worth reading on a lazy Sunday afternoon or perched in a beach chair on a sunny vacation day. It reminds us that memory is fickle especially when dealing with a traumatic event such as the witnessing the kidnapping of ones twin sisters at a young age and returning to the place that housed those memories to uncover the truth, which even surprised me.

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NatalieR
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Mehso-so

This was just okay for me. I liked it, but I didn‘t love it. I love old, big houses, so I enjoyed the descriptions of the house that was at the center of the story. On the down side, it seemed like a lot of unknowns/mysteries were quickly resolved at the end.

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BookwormAHN
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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I read seven books this month. The Last Time I Lied was my favorite. I enjoyed all of the though. This was a pretty solid month 🦑

TheWintergarden Sorry. I'm a bit of a newbie. Can you help with the spoiler alert function? When i send a blurb about the book I'm reading the spoiler wont stay closed. It posts with it shut, but if I check for spelling errors it won't reclose it. 6y
eanderson I enjoyed the Last Time I Lied! So good!!! 6y
BookwormAHN @TheWintergarden I'm not sure but try @LitsyWelcomeWagon they have all kind of tips and videos. My suggestion would be to not hit the spoiler until right before you post. Hope that helps 😺 6y
TheWintergarden Thanks. 6y
95 likes4 comments
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Mollyanna
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

This books was excellent. I was not sure what to expect when I started reading it, but the spookiness, gothic feel and mystery were superb. This is Book 5 for #13books13weeks.

#Booked2018 #spookyread

TheHeartlandBookFairy Love the cover! 6y
CatLass007 Glad you liked it. Are you behind on your #whodunnitthesequel mail. 6y
Mollyanna @CatLass007 Nope. Just way behind on reviews. 6y
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CatLass007 I see. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Great pick! I have this on my shelf—need to pick it up!! 6y
Mollyanna @BarbaraTheBibliophage It would make a great fall read... just the right amount of spookiness. 6y
Cinfhen Even the cover is spooky 👻👻👻 6y
Mollyanna @Cinfhen It does have that tinge of eeriness about it, doesn‘t it? 6y
40 likes1 stack add8 comments
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GypsyKat
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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I love it when books on my TBR list go on sale. 📚

Insightsintobooks Me too. :) 6y
kyraleseberg This was a great book!! 6y
90 likes2 comments
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BookwormAHN
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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I received the next book in the #whodunitthesequel I read Arrowood a few years ago and I'm looking forward to the reread 😺 @Mollyanna Thank you for the coffee and crisps 😺

robinb I really enjoyed that one! 😊 6y
Mollyanna You‘re welcome! I hope you enjoy the treats and the reread. I really like this pick. 6y
76 likes2 comments
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Mollyanna
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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@BookwormAHN This is finally on its way to you. Sorry for the delay.

BookwormAHN That's okay, I'll watch for it 😺 6y
34 likes1 comment
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CatLass007
Arrowood | Laura McHugh

@Mollyanna your book and notebook are on their way, and should arrive by Wednesday.

Mollyanna Thanks. I‘ll keep an eye out for it. 7y
Mollyanna I received the book yesterday. It looks very intriguing. Thank you for the nice note too. Hope things are going okay and that real life isn‘t being too hard on you. 7y
30 likes2 comments
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CatLass007
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

I listened to the audio version of this book rather than trying to plow through my reading slump in the print version. The narrator did a good job, not the best narrator I‘ve ever heard since it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between character voices. I thoroughly enjoyed the story however. It was a slow paced book, meandering like the Mississippi River on a calm day. It was intense, keeping me on edge and wondering what really happened.

Cathythoughts This sounds interesting! Nice review 👍🏻 7y
CatLass007 @Cathythoughts thank you for the compliment. If you think this sounds interesting, you‘re right. I highly recommend this book. 7y
Cathythoughts Great ! I‘m putting this on my Audible list 👍🏻 7y
robinb I liked this one too! 👍 7y
81 likes5 comments
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CatLass007
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Loving this audiobook! #WhodunitTheSequel

73 likes2 stack adds
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CatLass007
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Received the next book in #whodunitthesequel today.

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kyraleseberg
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

Ten year old Arden Arrowood's twin sisters go missing and all she remembers is a flash of their white blond hair in the back of a gold car. A suspect is found but never arrested due to lack of evidence. The family leaves behind their large ancestral home and painful memories until years later when Arden's dad dies and the house is willed to her from her grandfather's estate.
The story is slippery, showing how time, memory, and nostalgia (cont'd)

kyraleseberg (Cont'd) alter our perception. I felt like the timeline didn't fit (years and ages) but when stopping to calculate, they were accurate. A nice gothic mystery that cast doubt on most characters. A quick read but I felt it covered enough information for a satisfying ending. 7y
29 likes1 comment
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kyraleseberg
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Found this on clearance at B&N recently and started reading last night. I really enjoyed The Weight of Blood and this gothic mystery sounds like something I'll enjoy!

Schlinkles Just finished that one up as a book swap title. I enjoyed it. 7y
kyraleseberg @Schlinkles I did too! McHugh is a great storyteller, no shocking twists just subtle storytelling. I thought this was a pretty good mystery. 👍 7y
25 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Schlinkles
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Finished up this month‘s #whodunitthesequel
It was not what I expected but I really enjoyed it, I read it in two days. It will be making its way to you, @CatLass007 soon. Happy reading!

CatLass007 Thank you! 7y
30 likes1 comment
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Schlinkles
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Book club books are out of the way for a couple of weeks, on to this #whodunitthesequel pick

36 likes1 stack add
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ScientistSam
Arrowood | Laura McHugh

The next #whodunitthesequel is headed your way, @Schlinkles!

@Tiffy_Reads

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ScientistSam
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Mehso-so

This book was an Gothic mystery that did its job so well I felt a sense of anxiety while reading the second half! That's actually why I give it a so-so, and why other readers may love it. Read for #whodunitthesequel, so more comments will be under the spoiler tag in the comments.

ScientistSam I really like how memory plays such a role in this book, but on the flip side, I don't do well with ambiguous endings. Also, I cringed at the scene where she goes through old medical records. HIPAA rolled over and died😜 7y
38 likes1 comment
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ScientistSam
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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@robinb I was able to pick up my #whodunitthesequel package last night! The book looks intriguing!

robinb Oh good, glad it‘s safely there. I really enjoyed it, and there was even time over the holidays for my daughter (who was also intrigued) to read it. 😊 Happy Reading! 7y
51 likes1 comment
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robinb
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

This was one of our #whodunitthesequel picks, and I really enjoyed it! I won‘t give away much but will say I‘m glad to have joined this reading group as it‘s exposing me to books that I might not normally pick up. This one‘s moody, a bit dark, and really more about characters learning to live with the past through solving the mystery. A very good read. 4/5⭐️ @ferskner
@Tiffy_Reads

Mdargusch Ooooh. This looks like a good one. 7y
robinb @Mdargusch I definitely recommend! Lots of tension with the mystery but also a deeper look at how these characters dealt with pain and loss from their pasts. 7y
ferskner Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it like me! 7y
robinb @ferskner 👍🙌😊 7y
65 likes1 stack add4 comments
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robinb
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Finally getting back to this #whodunitthesequel read. Had put it aside to read a Christmas mystery.
I‘m slightly worried about the scary factor here...😳😳😳😰😰😬

56 likes2 stack adds
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BookwormAHN
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

Arrowood
Salem's Lot
Heart Shaped Box
Lord of the Rings
Everville
You
🐈🐈🐈🐈

MinDea @Caroline2 just recommended You to me!! 7y
BookwormAHN @MinDea you should read it. It's good and dark. 7y
MinDea I plan to! Thanks for the recommendation you two!! 7y
See All 7 Comments
wanderlustforwords Stacey: Stoner, Tender is the Night, An Unnecessary Woman, Chernobyl Prayer, East of Eden and (A) Year in Provence. 7y
wanderlustforwords I haven't been tagged and wanted to play. 😜 7y
kamoorephoto I really want to as well but I‘ve not been tagged and my name is really long, so I do have to think... 7y
TricksyTails Love the three middle books! Haven't read the others. I'll tag you @wanderlustforwords and @kamoorephoto ! 🤗 7y
77 likes7 comments
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ferskner
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

I love Laura McHugh's books! I found this mystery unputdownable, and I really liked her thoughts on the failures of memory and the weight of history on our lives.

It's on its way to you, @robinb! I was in such a rush I didn't even include a note or anything. Gah! #whodunitthesequel

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Lovebooks87
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Almost finished this one!!

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VeryLazyDaisy
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Pickpick

I enjoyed this mystery. There were parts where I was mentally critiquing the structure and the writing, but overall I enjoyed the story, and the characters. I liked how the house itself became a character. I love stories with old lovely houses.

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VeryLazyDaisy
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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I needed an audiobook to listen to while getting some work done today. I clicked this one without even reading the description. I'm halfway through and I haven't pressed stopped. Not bad.

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BookwormAHN
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

Great story of family secrets and lies. Arden inherits her family home, Arrowood. She then returns there determined to find out the truth about her sister's death. Challenge #2 siblings #awesomeautumnbooks @Jess7

12 likes2 stack adds
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Chocamanda
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

It's been a while but I'm back! Just finished the audio version of Arrowood. Very atmospheric. McHugh's use of all the senses in her imagery really transports the reader into Iowa through Arden's perspective. This one is worth picking up especially if you were a fan of Flynn's Sharp Objects.

EvieBee I wanted to read this but saw "supernatural" in the description and passed. That stuff freaks me out (experience). Is there much of that in there? 8y
Chocamanda Actually it wasn't very supernatural at all. The supernatural stuff had more to do with the MC's childhood fears and nightmares. It's more of a story about a small town with a lot of secrets. 8y
Chocamanda On second thought there was one more supernatural element but it was so subtle I just dismissed it as a normal thing that happens in an old house. 8y
5 likes3 comments
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rayna
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Just starting this now. #librarybook

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nickimags
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Pickpick

Really enjoyed this atmospheric mystery. I loved the writing and the story kept me guessing right 'til the end. Thanks NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone for my digital copy.

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nickimags
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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So true about memories not being facts and how they can change over time!

Luv2readbookz I didn't realize that until I was much older. 😕 8y
7 likes2 comments
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nickimags
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Loving this book so far, great imagery.

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aizekj
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Pickpick

I picked this one up thanks to reviews here on Litsy. I really enjoyed it and I'll probably read more from this author. :)

12 likes1 stack add
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JDHawkins
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Mehso-so

I almost hate to give this is a so-so rating since I tore through the vast majority of the book. But there were really terrible red herrings and the final reveal was both totally expected and really rushed. And a few of our main character's revelatory moments did not seem genuine.

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JDHawkins
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Day 25 of #angiebookishnovember is #currentlyreading. I am sitting in my chair next to the space heater while my husband plays videogames, reading #Arrowood and sipping #scotch from my N7 snifter because I am a classy nerd.

#bookandsip

Alfoster Rock on!🍸🍸🍸 8y
Litlady Love it!!! 💗💙💜🍷👍 8y
MrBook Niiiice pairing!!! 😎👌🏻🙌🏻 8y
JDHawkins @Alfoster Yeah!! @Litlady Me too! Perfect way to spend an evening! @MrBook Why thank you, sir! 8y
BB1958 Real "classy needs" prefer bourbon - 8y
33 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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quietjenn
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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This week, in lunch break reading ...

JDHawkins I just started this! 8y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JDHawkins
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Day 2 of not getting out of bed because of my danged sinuses. Does anyone diffuse essential oils and know of any that would help?

Day 12 of #angiebookishnovember is a #onewordtitle. This one is a #tbr that I picked up yesterday at the #library where I work. Anyone read it yet?

LauraBrook Sorry you're still dealing with this sinus junk - it's awful! As for diffusing essential oils, I like to use eucalyptus, or lemon/grapefruit, Thieves (Young Living trademarked brand) or a "four robbers" smell-alike blend to help get rid of airborne bacteria, lemongrass would be okay too. Anything strong or antiviral is what you want- that means lavender too! I have a couple of different respiratory blends I use in my office (massage) for clients. 8y
JDHawkins @LauraBrook Those are great suggestions! Thank you! 8y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BookGirl1313
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Mehso-so

Why am I usually disappointed after a stunning debut? I couldn't stop handselling McHugh's "The Weight of Blood" when it came out, both in hardback and pb. Still do! This was fine enough: good writing, I loved the gothic creepiness of the house/setting and the premise of lost children years ago. But many characters weren't fleshed out enough, a few too many red herrings, and as soon as the UR was mentioned I knew the broad strokes of the reveal.

Bette I was disappointed too, I had high hopes. 😢 8y
5 likes1 comment
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HiddenGemBooks
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
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Arrowood is an old historical houses that lines the Mississippi River. But the house has a mystery: It's where Arden's younger twin sisters vanished 20 years ago—never to be seen again.

After the twins' disappearance, her parents divorced and left the house. Arden has hope that her sisters are still alive. When her father dies and she inherits Arrowood, Arden returns to her old home to discover what really happened to her sisters.

#TBR 😱📚

lute Great read! 8y
BostonBookAddict I have this book sitting in my Amazon Cart waiting to be bought! 8y
69 likes32 stack adds2 comments
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kswartz
Arrowood | Laura McHugh
Pickpick

Two little girls disappear on their sister Arden's watch, and when they are never found the story becoms a sensational cold case. The adult Arden returns to her childhood home seeming closure. A story about the unreliability of memory.