A young woman agrees to star in a filmmaker’s latest project, but soon realizes the movie is not what she expected in this chilling debut novel.
In the wake of her father’s death, Betty Roux doesn’t allow herself to mourn. Instead, she pushes away her mother, breaks up with her boyfriend, and leaves everything behind to move to New York City. She doesn’t know what she wants, except to run.
When she’s offered the chance to play the leading role in mysterious indie filmmaker Anthony Marino’s new project, she jumps at the opportunity. For a month Betty will live in a cabin on a private island off the coast of Maine, with a five-person cast and crew. Her mother warns against it, but Betty is too drawn to the charismatic Anthony to say no.
Anthony gives her a new identity–Lola–and Betty tells herself that this is exactly what she’s been looking for. The chance to reinvent herself. That is, until they begin filming and she meets Sammy, the island’s caretaker, and Betty realizes just how little she knows about the movie and its director.
The Sexy Nerd's Review
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this story? It’s the type of story where you look up in the sky with questions in mind. At least, that’s how I’m feeling at the time of writing this review. I didn’t dislike the story, but I’m not exactly sold on it either. I’m a bit confused as to how I should feel and perhaps that’s exactly the reaction the author was seeking? “Shrug” – Not sure?
But anyhoo, I will do the best I can to sum up the gist of this novel. Betty Roux recently lost her father and given the circumstances in which her father died, carries a great deal of weight for her. Instead of facing her demons head on and trying to decipher her own feelings about her father’s death, she runs away from her mother and ex-boyfriend to none other than New York City. That’s the absolute best place to run and hide when trying to outrun your mind. (chuckle). A good friend lets her crash on the couch while she tries to figure out her life. While she’s sorting things out mentally, she’s given a rare opportunity of a lifetime. She’s going to audition for a role in a movie. What better way to sort out your life and feelings than auditioning for a movie role? Hmm?
Not only does Betty get an opportunity to play a leading role, but she’s being asked to be in indie filmmaker, Anthony Marino’s latest venture. Betty doesn’t have any idea what type of film it will be, all she knows is that she wants to make sure she’s a part of it. When she’s finally offered the role, of which she’s elated, she learns that she will be staying in a small cabin in a sleepy-town off the coast of Maine for about a month or so. But before she leaves for her latest quest, her mother reached out to her to advise that she didn’t think Betty should be a part of this film. Something about the way she described the whole concept didn’t sit right with her. Of course, Betty didn’t think her mother made any kind of sense and so she said her good-byes and headed off to Maine with Anthony and his few movie crew members. It will soon become apparent even before Betty makes it to the cabin that something about this movie just wasn’t all she had imagined. She was beginning to think her mother’s advice was the correct one. In spite of all Betty’s misgivings and butterflies in the stomach, she forged on with Anthony’s original plan. So, when Anthony advised he wanted to change her identity and her name, Betty knew she was in deep trouble. And if that wasn’t strange enough, when she meets a man named Sammy, who personally knows Anthony, that, readers, is where this story really takes on a different type of vibe.
Wow, that’s quite a bit to absorb, but I have to say this story was quite interesting! For starters, Betty Roux angered me a great deal. She was smart in some ways and then very dumb in others. The more she inquired about the type of film Anthony Marino was going to be filming, she just took his ideas and excuses for face value. She wanted to escape her former life that bad that she was willing to put herself out there for what? That’s the interesting part, readers. When you learn why Betty did the things she did, it will either leave you shocked or scratching of one’s head. For me, I felt a little of both, which is why I started my review as I did. I most certainly cannot say I didn’t enjoy this story because I did, but I wasn’t in love with it, if that makes any sense. At the end of the day, you just have to read it and see for yourself and perhaps then you’ll understand where I’m coming from.
The story was well written and quite engaging. It was a little too long for my reading tastes, but at least it wasn’t boring and it kept me turning the pages and terrified with each swipe of the Kindle. If you’re looking for suspense, oh Shutter definitely brings the heat!
The Sexy Nerd gives Shutter four staccato clicks. This was a very interesting and strange read, but it works, if that makes sense to some of you? This story will get you hooked, that’s for darn sure! Shutter will be available for purchase on Tues., June 15, 2021.
Make sure you pick up your copy and/or download at your favorite book retailers.
Open a Book and Get Mind Blown!
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