Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

72 reviews

joyematt's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

There wasn't really a reason this book needed to be 900 pages. I'm sorry, but there could have been some editing for sure. The whole Bijou plot felt unnecessary. The first person JK thanks in the acknowledgements is her editor, but they could have done a bit more editing for sure.
The cult aspect of the book was well done, though I did skim a bit of the more jargon-heavy parts, just having a feeling they wouldn't really matter in the end. Reading Robin's chapters really got to me and I did dread reading some of them just from the descriptions of the abuse and all the disturbing stuff. I did find myself feeling a lot of anxiety for her.
One of the main things I like about this series is the Strike and Robin relationship which was missing a bit from this one for obvious reasons. We did get them back together, which was nice, but a little too late for me. 
Overall, the world building of the cult was extremely well done. The book was very readable, despite being too long. The mystery was good and unpredictable, in my opinion. Main characters were good; I'm glad we got more Pat in this one.

I used to love this series. I still do, I guess, but JK makes it really hard to separate her from her writing. I have only gotten books of hers in recent years from the library or second-hand. Really trying not to give her any more money.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Stalking, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Suicide, Child abuse, Trafficking, Self harm, and Sexual assault

keegan85's review

challenging dark tense slow-paced

3.75

So. Many. Words!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Rape, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, and Misogyny

novelshire's review

challenging dark tense slow-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, and Child abuse

Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Trafficking, Child death, and Mental illness

booksandcats's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Suicide, Child death, Dementia, Pregnancy, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Murder and Trafficking

isabellaoliveira's review

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Lesbophobia, Confinement, Torture, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Child abuse, Dementia, Abortion, Murder, Homophobia, and Child death

Minor: Self harm, Rape, and Pedophilia

kchessrice's review

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

“Confucius says… Life leads the thoughtful man on a path of many windings. Now the course is checked, now it runs straight again. Here winged thoughts may pour freely forth in words, There the heavy burden of knowledge must be shut away in silence. But when two people are at one in their inmost hearts, They shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze.” 

Robin and Strike are back and better than ever! Another tough case for the detective pair which this time involves rescuing a vulnerable young man from a highly dangerous religious cult. To get the evidence they need to take to the police to get the cult shut down and rescue their client's son, Robin must go undercover in her most perilous mission yet. 

This is a long book at 945 pages, however the storyline keeps up a good pace and the cliffhangers kept me turning the pages, eager for more! The manipulation of people through fear and lack of food alongside the darker undertones of sexual abuse are hard to read. I think that Galbraith has handled it sensitively and [spoiler] the baddies get what's coming to them! 

The cult is based in the countryside of North Norfolk and I was thrilled that Cormoran Strike spends some time in Cromer as part of his investigation! Although he wasn't overly impressed with the charms of the Hotel de Paris it was great to see Cromer brought to life on the page. I recently discovered that Arthur Conan Doyle was so impressed with Cromer Hall (on a visit to the town to play golf in 1901) that he used the exterior as the basis for Baskerville Hall! So, whilst small and unassuming, Cromer has had a big part in some very famous literature! 

The most compelling element is, of course, the will they-won't they partnership of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. Galbraith has teased us over the last couple of books with some fiery scenes between the two - but going by the ending there might be no going back...

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child death, and Gun violence

lizzyf's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Pregnancy, Violence, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Confinement, Death, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Sexual assault

kymzii's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Murder, and Child death

hugsowls's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Torture, Suicide, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Grief, Confinement, Child death, Child abuse, Bullying, and Blood

kitpotter's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Incest, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Dementia