I didn't hate this story, but I didn't like it. The chapters were really short, which is normal for a thriller/mystery, but these were like 1-2 pages each, and ended strangely. Generally when a chapter ends, it ends on a cliff hanger or there's at least some indication of a chapter closing/resolution. These just stopped and then switched to another perspective in the next one. I found it odd and disjointed.

I found the plot to be obvious, except for the near ending, which just seemed far-fetched and unnecessary. There were also plot lines developed that went nowhere and were absolutely pointless.

Pros: The pace was good and the story moved fast and kept me interested.
Cons: Basically everything else.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Balance of Fear alternates between the stories of four women. Beth, a professor and ex-professional dancer, finds the body of Alyson, a university student, in an apparent suicide. Everyone agrees, however, that Alyson was not someone who would kill herself. She consistently attended therapy, was doing well in her classes, and had a wonderful girlfriend. After speaking with Ami, one of Alyson's classmates, Beth begins to wonder if something more afoul is at play, and she is willing to put herself in the middle of an investigation to get to the truth.

I really wanted to love this one. The synopsis pulled me in, but the book left me feeling unfulfilled. Hall doesn't provide much closure, which might have been her intention, but I felt that it could have been done in a smoother way. It seemed as though the last few chapters were left out of the book by mistake. I truly just expected a lot more from the story than I was given. The writing was beautiful, but the substance of the story seemed to be lacking. Overall, I wanted more character development to bring a really interested plot to life.

Thanks to Netgalley & Diana C Hall for the digital ARC of Balance of Fear. This is my first time reading this author and my honest review.
Lots of sub plots going on, academia, tenure, theater, Broadway, LGBTQ, race, stalkers, abuse, murder, sexual proclivities, domestic violence and lawyers. I nearly had a panic attack trying to keep up! That said, it was a quick, easy read.
Beth is a former dancer, now a professor teaching theater arts. She has past emotional trauma requiring a support dog. I am not a dog person, (don't judge!) but even I believe in these trained companions & thought it was a great addition to Beth's character.
I enjoyed the academia, theater and the Madam Butterfly mirrors real life murder comparison. I liked the basis of the plot, however; I felt the author tried to include too many current issues resulting in superficial depth to the cast of characters. I knew more about the dog than the victim or her husband.
All in all an enjoyable mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I really, really couldn't get into this book. I loved the premise, but by 30% in, it still hadn't found its feet. While dialogue is an important part of storytelling, when almost all the forward motion in a novel is through dialogue and not action, it gets old quickly. I just couldn't finish it. I don't like giving up on books, but when I'm a good portion in, and there's still no hook, I don't need to spend more time trying to find a way to get through the story.

Great mystery read and also addressed mental disorders in a sensitive way. I ended up reading it in one evening as I was so absorbed by what was in front of me and I had to see how everything was going to end… An absolute must-read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The balance of fear is a mystery novel that follows the death of theatre student Alyson and four women in the community.

This book was a pretty great mystery read, I was engrossed from the beginning because of how many different storylines aided the plot, and it ended beautifully. I would love to see the book enacted someday because I think it would translate very well in media.

However, I would have loved to see more of the detective’s involvement through the story, and some more sleuthing and serious plotlines. Although the storylines started off and pulled me in, they weren’t wrapped together at the end. As a reader, I could tell what was happening but I would have appreciated a little more action and the consequences of the revelation of the mystery in the context of the book: what Beth, Susan, and Ami, would have done. I would love for it to be tied up at the end.

Mental illnesses were very well portrayed in the book and weren’t stigmatized nor stereotypical; the characters were believable but would want to learn more about them and see them interact often.

After Beth finds the body of one of her students, the search for the killer is on. The book is set up as any thriller: there’s a body, they find out the what and how, there’s several suspects, and a plot twist. I personally really liked it! I breezed through it, which isn’t very hard for a book that’s only 240 pages. I’d guess it’s a psychological thriller, because of all the mind games and back stories, which are written very well. You slowly learn more about Beth’s past, but it stays quite superficial. It’s really just about the case and some minor back stories, but doesn’t really go in depth. All in all I’m surprised I’ve not heard much about it so far, and I’d definitely recommend it.

Elizabeth discovers one of her students dead inside an empty theater, Beth risks her own safety to discover the truth of Alyson’s death. four women lie and secrets are buried and the events surrounding the production of the play Madame Butterfly.
This was a great quick mystery read! I loved everything about it! Especially the awesome characters!
Thanks Publishers and NetGalley for this a were awesome book!