Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

26 reviews

blouviere4's review against another edition

mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Car accident, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Murder, Grief, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Cursing, Death, Alcoholism, and Blood

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, and Sexual violence

honeywine's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This book pulled me in quickly and I enjoyed my time reading it. The mystery felt solved about 3/4 of the way through, however, and the final quarter of the book was more of a long, drawn out afterword. 

There are ghosts, which I love, and the main character is likable and relatable. I’d recommend this book to people who like darker stories and paranormal sprinklings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Confinement, Child death, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Pedophilia, Torture, and Car accident

et3rnali33's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 
what the fuck is one response to this book but, oh my god is the second. 
This was made for the thriller/suspense/mystery book lovers. With a hint of paranormal activity which would make my eyes watery…yes im a little bitch lolol
No but really, I kinda wish I read this during Fall not summer because it is an intense and creepy yet mysterious read that through off my summer vibes haha. But, you will definitely be hooked and the twist and turns you take trying to solve and crack the case with Shea. 
Definitely recommend again for those who love thriller/suspense novels!! Not to mention there is duo POV with first and third person along with court transcripts that added more to the experience! 
I WISH THE PODCASTS AND TRANSCRIPTS ACTUALLY COULD BE HEARD WITH A QRCODE OR SOMETHING!!! That would’ve been a BETTER experience <3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Murder

augustinedreams's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat through every plot-twist. The character relationships are so intriguing, and complicatedm It's a true crime murder mystery with a side of paranormal, just the way I like it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, and Murder

Moderate: Blood and Car accident

Minor: Rape

ocean_the_reader's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I loved the mystery that surrounded this book from page one. It was complex and so full of twists and turns up until the very end. I personally have an interest in true crime, and while I'm not as obsessed as Shea, I understood it and how she felt. Didn't love the paranormal aspect, but it was interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Car accident and Child abuse

alyssagirardi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death, Death of parent, Body horror, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Infertility, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Torture, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, and Violence

mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It was good, I was definitely interested in seeing how it ended, but had hoped for a more realistic mystery setting. The dual perspectives and multiple timelines was written really well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Murder

Moderate: Kidnapping and Alcoholism

Minor: Grief

odrib's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcoholism, and Blood

Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Child abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Grief, Bullying, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Sexism, and Car accident

doreyghc's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Medical content

soobooksalot's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.5

Take my money, Simone St. James!
 The Book Of Cold Cases was one of my most-anticipated books of the year and I'm thrilled to say it lived up to expectations!
 In 1977, Beth Greer was charged with the murder of two men and dubbed the Lady Killer. Though acquitted of the crimes, she was presumed guilty by the public and retreated to a reclusive life in the Greer family's Oregon mansion.
 In 2017, Shea Collins is fascinated with all things true crime and runs a blog called The Book Of Cold Cases. 
 A chance encounter with Beth reignites Shea's interest in the Lady Killer case and she aims to solve that which has remained a mystery for 40 years.
 It's one of those stories you feel like you want to Google for more background because it feels so real. 
 There's some excellent Gothic retro atmosphere here, mixed with a modern feel.
 As with previous books by this author, there are varying timelines and gripping backstories. And a touch of paranormal creepy goodness to round out the traditional thriller. 
 Loved it. 
 Recommended!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault