Book Reviews #4 - The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
Join a diverse group of women in Marie Bostwick's "The Book Club for Troublesome Women" as they navigate life's challenges through the power of friendship.
Published: December 21, 2025
When you pick up Broken Country, you enter a compact, emotionally charged novel that blends literary fiction, romance, and a twisty murder mystery. This review explains why this book matters to you: it delivers beautiful prose, a tight 320-page structure, and a plot twist that reconfigures everything you thought you knew.
If you want a book that will keep you turning pages while also prompting thoughtful conversation, this is one to consider.
Feature |
Verdict |
|---|---|
Writing Style |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ✍️ – Lyrical, precise prose that holds emotional weight and keeps the narrative immersive |
Characters |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎭 – Deeply drawn, flawed figures you’ll empathize with, especially Beth |
Plot & Twists |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🔀 – Slow-building suspense with a reveal that changes the story’s meaning |
Pacing |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⏱️ – Compact and propulsive at 320 pages; the shifting timelines heighten tension |
Emotional Impact |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💔 – Heartbreaking and resonant, likely to stay with you after the last page |
You’ll find Broken Country easy to slip into: Clare Leslie Hall writes in a way that feels both intimate and cinematic, so scenes of the Dorset countryside, family routines and simmering tensions land with real weight. The story follows Beth as past choices resurface after an unsettling event, and the book moves between past and present to build suspense while exploring grief, guilt and second chances.
For everyday reading it’s perfect with a cup of tea or on a commute when you want a gripping, character-driven story; for special occasions it makes a thoughtful book-club pick or a meaningful gift for someone who likes emotional, twisty fiction. If you like atmospheric settings, morally complicated characters and a plot that keeps you guessing, this is a book you’ll probably finish in a few sittings and still think about afterward.
Customers commonly praise the book’s beautiful, evocative writing and the way the story balances romance and mystery. Many mention the well-drawn characters and emotional depth, plus the timeline shifts and plot twists that keep the pace engaging.
Readers also note the vivid rural setting and say it’s an excellent choice for book groups or anyone who likes a thoughtful, suspenseful read.
Overall Sentiment: Positive
You will enjoy Broken Country if you favor emotionally charged, literary stories that blend romance, mystery, and historical atmosphere. The novel runs about 320 pages and moves from a slow, atmospheric build into a gripping, twist-driven climax, so you should be prepared for a deliberate opening that rewards patience.
Expect themes of grief, guilt, infidelity, and small-town tension; if you want a book that will stay with you and spark deep conversation, this one is designed to do exactly that.
The narrative is delivered primarily through Beth’s perspective with shifting timelines, which creates intimacy and sustained suspense but limits access to other characters’ inner lives. If you prefer multiple viewpoints, you may find that this single-voice approach narrows the lens, yet it also deepens emotional connection and keeps the mystery tight.
A practical tip: pay attention to time markers and small sensory details early on; they pay dividends when the plot’s twists and revelations unfold.
When you choose an edition, check the ISBNs (ISBN-10: 166807818X, ISBN-13: 978-1668078181) and publisher (Simon & Schuster) to ensure you get the format you prefer; the physical dimensions are 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches and the book weighs about 1.03 pounds, so it’s comfortable for travel but also substantial enough for a bookshelf. If you prefer audio, look for an audiobook edition; if you like to annotate, a paperback or hardcover will serve you better than a digital file.
Plan to read in focused sittings to feel the emotional arc and bring a few discussion prompts to a book group about memory, responsibility, and secrecy. Be aware of content triggers—animal harm, grief, infidelity, and a central murder—and decide in advance whether that intensity suits your reading mood.
You choose Broken Country because it pulls you into a vividly drawn setting with unforgettable characters and a taut, page-turning plot that balances lyrical prose with gritty emotional truth. If you want a book that grips you from the first page, tackles real-world issues with compassion, and leaves you thinking long after you finish, this is the one for you.
You’ll find Broken Country to be a persuasive blend of literary craft and page-turning momentum. Clare Leslie Hall writes with a measured lyricism that draws you into Beth’s interior life while the shifting timelines build pressure toward a powerful reveal. The novel benefits you by delivering concentrated emotional stakes in a lean 320-page package, making it easy to finish in a few sittings and discuss with others.
Expect well-drawn characters, moral ambiguity, and a twist that reframes the entire narrative. If you look for emotionally complex stories that balance heartbreak, guilt, and the messy ache of second chances, this book will reward your attention.
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