Mystery / Thriller
Plot: Levine offers a solidly compelling premise for a thriller - a serial killer in Hawaii is murdering native women who he thinks are diluting the bloodstream. The lead detective's own past becomes embroiled in the case, leading to a satisfying degree of uncertainty regarding the culprit.
Prose: The prose is largely straightforward and clear, although there are some examples of overwritten prose where too much description causes confusion. The epigraphs at times also take readers out of the story.
Originality: The premise of the novel follows the fairly straightforward formula of a serial killer who targets individuals who he sees as a threat to something he holds precious and a detective with his own complicated past. The Hawaiian setting--particularly the darker side of paradise--and the target victims, provide a degree of welcome freshness to the storyline.
Character/Execution: The characters and circumstances are undeniably intriguing and readers will eagerly turn the pages, even as they may wish for a degree of additional nuance in terms of their psychological complexity and motivations.
Plot/Idea: Moore's novel is a slow burn that gradually builds the central tension within the story. He incorporates a generous amount of religious views into the plotline that provide obvious clues to the reader as to how each point of conflict would be solved.
Prose: Moore's prose is clear and concise. Although it sometimes lacks imagery and creativity in vocabulary, it is straightforward in leading one scene to the next.
Originality: Moore successfully uses the standard format of creating a mystery while interweaving faith and religion as the unique driving elements behind both the conflict and the resolution.
Character Development/Execution: The story holds three main protagonists, but only one of them is given ample effort in physical description and emotional development. The other two are treated like supporting characters, even though they are central to the mystery.
Plot/Idea: Murder in Santa Barbara boasts an ambitious plot with multiple characters and subplots – a thriller that is almost overwhelmed by its escalating events. Much of the story’s conflict could use more set-up and comes across as somewhat implausible, and the ending—although intriguing—is tied together a touch too neatly.
Prose: Ferraro’s prose is generally engaging, though it is also weakened by a degree of forced and awkward humor. Many scenes are brightened by the author’s playful style, but a number of the tense events come across as overdone.
Originality: Murder in Santa Barbara is a classically staged legal whodunit with an appealing narrative. Ferraro’s lighthearted banter between characters lends some distinction to the text, but it also overpowers the narrative in many instances.
Character Development/Execution: Ferraro incorporates a multitude of characters of varying degrees of importance and connection to the primary events. The main players would benefit from better-developed backstories.
Plot/Idea: Rose's Avalina is a story of a young woman seeking revenge, only to have her plans thwarted by love. Not quite a romance, the story blends mysticism into a modern-day thriller that keeps readers intrigued from the beginning to the end.
Prose: Rose writes in a straightforward manner that keeps the story moving forward quickly. While a bit more attention to detail would add a bit more texture to the story, he is able to still narrate well each sequence of events.
Originality: If I Know What You Did Last Summer, Pretty Little Liars, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch were placed in a blender, the result would resemble Manuel Rose's Avalina. The main original element that deviates from these possible inspirations is using the COVID pandemic as a present-day timeframe.
Character Development/Execution: While the overall story flows well, more attention could be given to the description of supporting characters. Characters often come off as stereotypical in their roles, requiring more complexity and depth.
