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downtown_kb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
This book picks up with only minimal time passed from the end of the last book. This murder revolves around a cold case involving murdered youth and some creepy photographs.
This in general had a much darker tone. The murder was darker, dealing with p*dophilia, and we get to know our protagonists on a deeper level. They have some heavy baggage. Larkin is really struggling with his mental health in this one.
However, it was balanced with a lot of sweet moments as these two build a solid foundation of trust, honesty, and communication. There’s some cute banter as we get to see more of Larkin’s humor. Honestly, I am loving how slowly these two are proceeding. They are truly trying to learn about each other and what the other needs. Respecting boundaries and meeting in the middle in such a healthy mature way! This is definitely one of the healthiest relationships I’ve ever read.
There is one more book before I have to wait for book 4 to come out next year and I’m already kicking myself for the book hangover this is going to give me.
Once again this is great on audio by Kale Williams.
This in general had a much darker tone. The murder was darker, dealing with p*dophilia, and we get to know our protagonists on a deeper level. They have some heavy baggage. Larkin is really struggling with his mental health in this one.
However, it was balanced with a lot of sweet moments as these two build a solid foundation of trust, honesty, and communication. There’s some cute banter as we get to see more of Larkin’s humor. Honestly, I am loving how slowly these two are proceeding. They are truly trying to learn about each other and what the other needs. Respecting boundaries and meeting in the middle in such a healthy mature way! This is definitely one of the healthiest relationships I’ve ever read.
There is one more book before I have to wait for book 4 to come out next year and I’m already kicking myself for the book hangover this is going to give me.
Once again this is great on audio by Kale Williams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gore, and Homophobia
Minor: Pedophilia and Suicide attempt
herfleurs's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Blood, Child death, and Death
Minor: Pedophilia
_isabel_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Utterly amazing.
I've loved C.S. Poe's books for several years now, but with this ongoing series, she's really outdoing herself. "Subway Slayings" was fantastic: chilling and creepy, angsty with a touch of sweetness, and ridiculously gripping and addictive. I managed to devour Larkin and Doyle's most recent adventure in a day, and now I'm really not sure how am I supposed to wait for the next book: maybe I can pay somebody to teleport me to next year? I'm perfectly willing to sacrifice my soul for it.
Anyway, "Subway Slayings" is a sequel that completely lived up to my expectations, and then surpassed them.
The murder mystery at the centre of this book is closely connected to the chilling reveal at the end of the previous book and the mysterious sender of Larkin's taunting letter. And it's even more scary, creepy and horrific: I'll be including some content warnings at the end of this review, because wow. This was a tough read, and (of course) I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what was going on, and what was going to happen, right until the end. And what an ending! I feel the sudden urge to re-read, and satisfy my Larkin-shaped heart.
And speaking of our beloved, badass Cold Cases detective, I didn't think it was possible, but Everett Larkin broke my heart EVEN MORE than the previous book. I really love him to absolute bits: he's such an interesting character, so broken and insecure, but still scarily smart and resilient and lovable and snarky, and I need him to be okay. I really do.
And Doyle? Re-reading "Madison Square Murders" made me realize he's pretty much still a mystery, albeit a very charming, very yummy one. Here, we get to explore his backstory a bit more, and well. I think he broke my heart even more than Larkin did. GAH, these two deserve all the love and care and peace in the world.
I cannot wait to see what will happen with them, and how their relationship will develop. I'm a big fan of slow-burn, although I love spice and steam just as much. Regardless, I think the pace C.S. Poe has set for them is perfect. I'm excited to see what will happen, how it will happen, and I'm even more excited to get more information about the big, underlying, mystery plot surrounding Larkin's mysterious "observer" (and Larkin's own, still quite mysterious, past).
Also, seeing more of Neil Millett was an absolute TREAT. He could give Sebastian a run for his money with his snark. GAH, his is another book I wish I could sell my soul for. Maybe I should just re-read the whole "Snow & Winter" series? Yes? Good idea.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I've loved C.S. Poe's books for several years now, but with this ongoing series, she's really outdoing herself. "Subway Slayings" was fantastic: chilling and creepy, angsty with a touch of sweetness, and ridiculously gripping and addictive. I managed to devour Larkin and Doyle's most recent adventure in a day, and now I'm really not sure how am I supposed to wait for the next book: maybe I can pay somebody to teleport me to next year? I'm perfectly willing to sacrifice my soul for it.
Anyway, "Subway Slayings" is a sequel that completely lived up to my expectations, and then surpassed them.
The murder mystery at the centre of this book is closely connected to the chilling reveal at the end of the previous book and the mysterious sender of Larkin's taunting letter. And it's even more scary, creepy and horrific: I'll be including some content warnings at the end of this review, because wow. This was a tough read, and (of course) I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what was going on, and what was going to happen, right until the end. And what an ending! I feel the sudden urge to re-read, and satisfy my Larkin-shaped heart.
And speaking of our beloved, badass Cold Cases detective, I didn't think it was possible, but Everett Larkin broke my heart EVEN MORE than the previous book. I really love him to absolute bits: he's such an interesting character, so broken and insecure, but still scarily smart and resilient and lovable and snarky, and I need him to be okay. I really do.
And Doyle? Re-reading "Madison Square Murders" made me realize he's pretty much still a mystery, albeit a very charming, very yummy one. Here, we get to explore his backstory a bit more, and well. I think he broke my heart even more than Larkin did. GAH, these two deserve all the love and care and peace in the world.
I cannot wait to see what will happen with them, and how their relationship will develop. I'm a big fan of slow-burn, although I love spice and steam just as much. Regardless, I think the pace C.S. Poe has set for them is perfect. I'm excited to see what will happen, how it will happen, and I'm even more excited to get more information about the big, underlying, mystery plot surrounding Larkin's mysterious "observer" (and Larkin's own, still quite mysterious, past).
Also, seeing more of Neil Millett was an absolute TREAT. He could give Sebastian a run for his money with his snark. GAH, his is another book I wish I could sell my soul for. Maybe I should just re-read the whole "Snow & Winter" series? Yes? Good idea.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Alcoholism
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