Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I loved the author's two previous suspense novels, but this book is so slow moving that I found it impossible to get past the 25% point. The major characters are unlikeable and involved in totally dysfunctional relationships, so I found it extremely difficult to empathize with their situations. I read 3-4 psychological suspense novels per week, so my expectations are high for books in this genre (especially given Hawkins' prior level of achievement) and this book does not meet the standard of four or five stars in my estimation. Almost every review I have seen mentions the slow pacing, changing back and forth of time frames, and unsympathetic characters, but still the reader is expected to plow through this book. Normally I can read an entire book in one sitting if the story is compelling, but I had to stop reading 25% through and then skipped to the last few chapters where the conclusion wasn't worth the effort. Sorry, I am annoyed at paying $15.00 for a mediocre book.