Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong

5 reviews

bzliz's review

mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.0

This book was almost the exact definition of average. It wasn’t a very long read but I didn’t have any real feelings for any of the characters one way or the other. Plus there’s a mystical element that may or may not be real which I find kind of boring. 

Some of the big twists were pretty obvious like

Jori not being Edward’s son, the priest being a bad dude, etc.

but I didn’t see the final twist coming which was nice. And its biggest fault is that it’s being set up like it could become a series. What happened to standalones?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, and Suicide

Moderate: Mental illness and Infidelity

Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy

I’ve tagged sexual assault because

Sir Edward is said to have been remarkably promiscuous, including with members of his household staff. Once such member was dismissed after she became pregnant. Ruby remarks on how it wasn’t like women in Nellie’s position had much room to deny their boss’s advances. And when Nellie came to him for assistance, it’s implied that she had to continue providing him sexual favors to keep her son fed.

steshabee's review

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide

enchantedfiction's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

*Thank you Libro.fm for the audiobook!*

I enjoyed this mystery story with some fantastical elements. There were intertwining plot lines that were weaved into the main plot without being too obvious, adding to the mystery element, and the characters were interesting enough. I did not see the end result, which I always enjoy in mystery stories, and I really enjoyed the setting in the Cornish countryside. 

I felt as though there were some times when the pace became a little slow, and I felt like the main plot got lost. I also wanted a few more fantasy elements to be part of the story, as it felt like it was alluding to that happening, but then it just kind of fell off. And maybe that had to do with Ruby's attitude towards the curse and unexplainable things, but I thought it would have been a little more fun if the story had made her a bit more of a believer.

If you are looking for a good mystery with fantastical elements, I would definitely recommend this one!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore and Suicide

trippyotter's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Blood, Infidelity, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Death

lacunaboo's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Death, Violence, Alcohol, and Murder

Moderate: Gore, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Classism, and Sexual content