I did really enjoy this book, the writing is smart (perhaps too smart - quite a few of the references flew right over my head at times) and the characters nuanced, but it got to a point where nothing very much was happening and I just wanted the story to be done. 
 The plot itself isn't anything entirely new - college kids commit a murder and struggle to cover it up/stop their lives from unravelling - and whilst the writing was its saving grace it also did it a great disservice at times; about two thirds into the book, I found myself wishing for something, anything to happen. The characters are so, so terribly flawed (which is the point, I suppose) but I found it very hard to care about most of them, save for one or two in particular. They're pretentious and selfish and very, very messed up in their own ways (view spoiler)[the incestuous relationship revealed towards the end wasn't surprising, but nevertheless disturbing (hide spoiler)] and some of their actions had me completely baffled. There were instances where Richard discovered something terrible (view spoiler)[ ie. the incest (hide spoiler)] but never really said a word to anyone involved, and never seemed to find any fault in it, and it confused me, in all honesty. 
 Regardless, it was an engaging read that had me hooked for the most part and while there were times where very little happened and I was bored, it was still an enjoyable book. The Goldfinch is sitting on my shelf and I can't wait to jump onto that next because I really do enjoy Tartt's writing overall.