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elizabeth_delozier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Our main character finds herself sitting with her dead, wealthy, older husband, covered in his blood, and holding a blade. While she tries to uncover the mystery of her husband's death and avoid murder charges, she also finds that the past that she has been desperately running from for her whole life is finally finding her with a vengeance.
This story feels less like a thriller and more like a drama, while the mystery aspect remains. There is so much going on with the story (different timelines and perspectives and storylines), that it feels more confounded than necessary. Additionally, none of the characters were particularly likeable, which makes it extremely difficult for me to care about the story. If even one character, main or not, was likeable I might have felt more invested in the story.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. The narration style made perspective switches and timeline changes difficult to quickly orient myself too, which does not have to be the case. Overall, I did not enjoy the story and would not recommend, even to those who tend to enjoy mystery/thrillers.
Please check trigger warnings for this one, while also noting that doing so may give minor spoilers to the story.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Carla Vega, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“She wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore. There was nothing the dark could do to her that it hadn’t already done.”
As I said, the beginning is so strong, but then it got repetitive. The book is broken up into several parts and changes points of view. Honestly, Drew’s section was extremely dull and he tries to figure out what happened to his friend Joey, who was murdered years before. The ending started to pick up as all the loose ends began to unfold. I did find the finale a bit anti-climatic as well.
However, this book is labeled as a thriller. There are several moments that give off that vibe. But I wouldn’t say the whole book is a thriller. It is mainly about a young girl coming of age in the midst of severe child abuse and trauma and her struggle to run away and be free of her past. The abuse and trauma are HEARTBREAKING and extremely descriptive, so be prepared. It is difficult to read. Overall, it was an intense book about murder and doing whatever it takes to survive.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
alilbitofmonica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence
jenpurlteach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Rape
Minor: Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, and Vomit
jennifer_bush_73's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
And intergenerational trauma.
The story opens with Paris, the beautiful, yoga instructor, younger wife of a wildly beloved older comedian and former sitcom star who’s making his comeback, in the bathroom, next to her dead husband, covered in his blood and holding the razor that caused his death. It looks very bad for Paris and she’s immediately arrested.
Two things become immediately clear: (1) Paris didn’t kill Jimmy, and (2) Paris is keeping a pretty big secret. The crux of the story is about Paris’ past. Jimmy’s death quickly takes back seat Paris’ story.
This is a book about overcoming a difficult (which a huge understatement) childhood and reinvention oneself masquerading as murder mystery.
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Book of the Montholivia119's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
lacyloveslit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"While you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself."
The story focuses on answering three main questions: 1. Who killed Jimmy Peralta, 2. Who is Paris Peralta and what/who is she hiding from, and 3. What happened with Ruby Reyes and why is Drew so invested in her case? Told from three different perspectives (Paris, Drew, & Joey),these questions are answered and the three storylines all intertwine in the seamless way that Jennifer Hillier is known for.
I loved the pacing of the story and the anticipation this book built throughout each person's POV. I loved Paris's character and couldn't wait to find out what the heck was going on with her. I couldn't put this book down! There was one character I was very suspicious of in the first half of the book and the plot line and conclusion left me surprised regarding that character.
I will say that I think most readers who read mysteries/thriller will be able to predict a many of the "surprises" in this book, however this did not change how much I enjoyed reading it. There were a lot of dark issues and situations in this story so check trigger warnings before reading. Some of the situations broke my heart and I felt so bad for the character who endured them.
This was my second book by Hillier and I can't wait to read more of her books. They pull you in and keep you reading far into the night.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date (July 19, 2022)! This is no way affected my review and all opinions are my own.
Graphic: Rape, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, and Suicide
lizwarnerr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Racism, Pedophilia, Rape, Physical abuse, and Suicide
faerietale_princess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Murder, Gore, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit, Suicide attempt, Dementia, Death of parent, Racism, Drug use, Suicide, and Rape
jaynekernodle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Drug use