Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

15 reviews

unsweetener's review against another edition

dark emotional funny

5.0

This book somehow has everything, and I absolutely binged the audiobook. Beth is a widowed companion in her late 20s who has come into an inheritance, presumably because she's really fun. Ian is a genius with autism (and the attending trauma of having an undescribed condition, which is tough to read) who has the hots for Beth immediately, and the insta-lust worked for me here because Ian is immediately communicative about his interest in Beth, and she's not a blushing virgin. The real strength is Ian getting to know and trust himself alongside Beth, and there were about a dozen moments of real pathos that I don't always feel for a male main character. Beth is a delight; she's got jokes, but Ian usually doesn't get them, which really pushes her not to always deflect with humor in her conversations with him. Just great character beats all around.

There's also a murder mystery, which is handled just about perfectly for a romance novel; true crime vibes that don't detract from the romance and has a huge impact on Ian and his relationships. It's not exactly progressive, but it's well done. 

The audiobook narration is absolutely incredible and really elevated the story. Angela Dawe's performance gave all the characters such much personality, especially Beth and Katie, who constantly had me laughing. I would read a Katie spinoff in a heartbeat.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder

Minor: Pregnancy

angelicav95's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Murder

Minor: Death

amris's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, and Murder

beccaand's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Murder

shannonbeehall's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder

junjun10's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-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

So good! Author had such a good grasp of how to depict autism, and wrote the time period so well while also maintaining an interesting plot and cast side by side with the developing romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Ableism and Murder

Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia

alicia447's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol

dvy's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Suicide

cluckieduck's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

2.5

This started off so promising, but I’m left feeling disappointed with the turn it took. The story & characters hooked me right in through the first few chapters, but overall it lacked the substance I look for in a romance. 

I didn’t think Ian & Beth were developed enough or had enough chemistry, and their sex scenes were very basic and almost…off putting in their monotony. 

Sad to say it just fell a bit flat overall and I think it’s a 2.5 ⭐️ read for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

trashbinfluencer's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder