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Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Trap by Melanie Raabe

84 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 23/01/2017 12:12

We gave away 50 copies of The Trap, a twisted debut thriller from Melanie Raabe.

Twelve years ago, Linda's sister Anna was murdered. Her killer was never caught, but Linda saw his face. Now, all these years on, she's just seen him for a second time – on TV. He has since become a well-known reporter, and Linda, a famous novelist and infamous recluse. What will happen when they meet again?

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free book to take part in the discussion - you're welcome to grab a copy of The Trap and post a review on this thread.

Everyone who posts detailed feedback on the book by midday Monday 13 March will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

Obsessed with crime and thrillers? The Trap is the first in Mumsnet and Thin Blue Spine's Crime and Thriller book club. Get involved and find out what other books you could win, plus enter the competition to win a £100 Waterstones voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Thin Blue Spine crime writing blog

Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Trap by Melanie Raabe
OP posts:
Lilaclily · 09/02/2017 19:40

I skim read it as I was keen to find out what was happening but I did find the style a bit annoying, like the previous poster it could have been the translation , or just a bit convoluted
I liked the premise though and it kept me gripped until the end
I did find it a bit annoying that you had to read the narrators novel as well
I think it'll appeal to fans of Gone Girl though

Thanks for my copy , I'll be passing it around my friends to see what they think Smile

jammy388 · 10/02/2017 16:44

After a slow start, when I felt a frustrating amount of detail was holding up the story, this did become a gripping thriller, despite some rather far-fetched scenarios. The main character seemed self – absorbed and difficult to like, but I was glad I persisted with the book as I found the ending satisfying and to some extent heart-warming. The novel also explored the reliability, or otherwise, of memory in an interesting way.

BellFromBow · 11/02/2017 12:37

Loved this. Such a page turner - thanks for my copy. Did not anticipate the ending!!

Givemecoffeeplease · 11/02/2017 12:38

Thanks for my copy. Gripped me after a slow start. Will look out for this author

Givemecoffeeplease · 11/02/2017 12:42

Sorry posted too soon.

Particularly enjoyed the depiction of a woman driven crazy - or not - by her past, and her reliance on her home and her dog. The picture of a traumatised victim was cleverly done (this isn't a spoiler. You get all this from the cover!) and it kept me gripped. The translation felt clunky at times but that suited the moon so may have been intentional. Great crime novel and not predictable or convoluted.

grannybiker · 11/02/2017 23:02

I've only just started this, but already the atmosphere has been set for a gripping read. The characters are believable and I'm starting to worry!

horseyrider · 12/02/2017 11:54

I've just finished my copy. I felt it had a good beginning, but I found it slow. Not my favourite type of thriller, but there was a twist towards the end.

debwh142 · 12/02/2017 14:02

Managed to read this over 3 evenings and at the start didn't think I would finish it - felt it took a long time to get to the core of the story and then it all came to a finish quite quickly and I felt a bit disappointed with the ending, it felt like the 2nd half of the book was a bit rushed and suddenly it was all over and all the loose ends tied up successfully!

molly57 · 13/02/2017 11:38

I haven't read this book but it sounds thrilling.

bernie77 · 14/02/2017 16:39

An intense thriller, and though I was gripped by all the twists and turns, I did find it a bit slow at times. But the descriptions of Linda's agrophobia/ anxiety were very well portrayed and though I found the protagonist a trifle stupid, in the end I enjoyed it. Thanks Mumsnet for introducing me to a book that's just a bit different from what I normally read

hippyhippyshake · 14/02/2017 23:22

I thought that this would be hard going as I generally don't like books written in the first person present tense but I got used to it. Found the beginning slow then flicked to the end and read the reading group guide sentence - 'The book is narrated by Anna herself'. What? I was gripped immediately and wondered how this twist would pan out. It turns out this statement was an error but I was glad I'd read on. None of the characters were particularly likeable, not even the dog, but I didn't mind as the story was interesting enough. Would I read another by the author? Probably.

lolapops1 · 15/02/2017 11:14

It took me a few chapters to get into this book but once I did I was not disappointed.
The plot had you guessing at what would happen next and constantly made you change your mind about different characters.
A great read.

hanarees · 15/02/2017 16:22

I've just finished reading The Trap and was very impressed. I've read a lot of thrillers so it takes a book with something a bit unusual to really get me interested and this definitely ticked that box. I loved how the story of the main character interwove with her own novel, and how the reader was made to constantly question what was fact and fiction. One minute you were convinced you knew the outcome only for another twist to happen to make you re-evaluate the whole thing again.
I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers and look forward to reading more from this author.

sunshinesupermum · 15/02/2017 16:29

Thanks Mumsnet but sadly I had to give up on The Trap. The idea was good but the execution of it left me very confused. I normally enjoy point of view switching but not this time. The writing appears very disorganised and I didn't engage with the characters at all.

Truly sorry as I thought this was going to be a good read Sad

Vonklump · 15/02/2017 19:21

Thanks for this.

I liked the unpredictability of the story and the second half of the book.

I didn't think the story flowed well at the start. We dropped straight from planning into the interview.

I also found the protagonist unbelievable as a character, without wanting to give the plot away I am reluctant to say more.

MonsieurBing · 16/02/2017 18:16

Thanks for my copy.

Like others I found it a bit clunky to start with but then I warmed to the style of writing. I never warmed to the narrator though.

The main body of the book was enjoyable with lots of twists and turns. I thought it depicted what was going on inside her head very well.

I did not enjoy the ending though and the change of genre, it left me feeling let down somehow.

voyager50 · 17/02/2017 09:48

Thank you so much for my copy. I started reading it on my commute and I am actually looking forward to my train journeys!

The concept for this story is a unique and clever one - I really like the main character Linda and what she is trying to achieve.

I am about half way through and I am enjoying the switch between the past, present and the book within a book.

I really want to know if Linda's plan works and if she manages to get her sister's murderer convicted.

The book has been translated well from the original German and is a fast, easy read. I definitely recommend it.

libra101 · 18/02/2017 11:07

Thank you for sending me the book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

The book Is written in the present tense, which gives a sense of immediacy, adding drama to the story. The reader feels like they are living the story along with the characters.

At first I found it difficult to empathise with Linda (the heroin), she has been living in seclusion since her sister Anna was killed, and is severely traumatised. She seems to be totally absorbed with herself, and quite manipulative. However, as the story unfolds I began to understand how she became so reclusive, and wanted to know what happened.

From discovering who killed Linda's sister, readers are taken on a tale of revenge, whereby Linda wants the murderer to be charged for the crime. The story is full of twists and turns which leaves us wondering what is going to happen. We are drip fed pieces of information which adds to the plot, and builds of Linda and her sister's characters.

The pace veers between fast and a little drawn out in places, a sub plot running parallel with the main story can be distracting as it tends to slow down the main plot.

I found the book to be interesting and intriguing, and couldn't wait to reach the last chapter when all becomes clear.

An interesting and unusual story, which I would definitely recommend.

riverwell · 21/02/2017 12:44

I went in to reading this with an open mind as I'm not really that keen on thrillers. i found it quite 'bitty' and overly complex to keep up with as I read it on and off over a few weeks. This way of reading it may not have helped, but I think a good book should not be difficult to pick up after a break, without forgetting intricate facts that are important in keeping up with the overall story. I'm afraid it is not really a book I would say go and read, but might be just my personal preferences that are concluding this.

jandoc · 22/02/2017 13:00

my child hasn't read this one just yet

janeyf1 · 22/02/2017 13:10

Thrillers are my favourite books to read, and love the suspense in this one

TracyKNixon · 22/02/2017 13:19

I read this over two nights, really gripped me, twisting and turning, and not knowing until the end what really happened,well written and believable characters, hope there's more to come from this author.

mooota1514 · 22/02/2017 14:48

Sounds good. Im guessing it has a lot of interesting twists and turns which sounds gripping.

stewaris · 22/02/2017 19:24

Really liked this book. It was a real nailbiter in the lead up to the meet and the interview. Is her mind playing tricks on her from long ago or is he the killer? You hav to read it to find out.

lilyborderterrier · 22/02/2017 19:31

Thanks for my free copy, I really enjoyed it, it got me totally hooked and was hard to put down as I needed to sleep. It was very well written and the plot kept me guessing right until the end. I did incorrectly think another murder was going to occur with the characters Pa or Dog but that was just my overactive imagination.
I am going to order the next book written by the author. Thank you