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trippyotter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely love all the layers to this story! Once you have an idea of what's happening, a new detail is added, and you're left wondering what will happen next. This was my first book written by Sulari Gentill, and I can't wait to read her other books.
The story begins in the reading room of the Boston Public Library, where our strangers hear a scream, a scream that will terrify and unite them in their curiosity to unravel the mystery. A mystery that has no simple answer and will test their newly developed friendship.
As the secrets unravel and their bonds are tested, ties will strengthen between the couples that will begin to divide their loyalties to each other.
Over the course of several weeks, as details are discovered, you'll begin to question the agenda of several of the strangers. Was the chance encounter between them, on that fateful day, just happenstance or was it orchestrated?
As the mystery starts to unravel, will their friendship survive the truth of what happened?
Will they survive the truth?
I'd also like to mention that besides loving the story, the foodie in me couldn't get enough of the food tour of Boston, real or fake!
But, I think my only complaint, if any, would be how little time is actually spent in the library. After the murder, there's very little time spent in the library, majority of the time will be spent in Freddy's apartment, local eateries, or walking about the city. It all meshes wonderfully with the story, but I do wish more time was spent in the library.
The story begins in the reading room of the Boston Public Library, where our strangers hear a scream, a scream that will terrify and unite them in their curiosity to unravel the mystery. A mystery that has no simple answer and will test their newly developed friendship.
As the secrets unravel and their bonds are tested, ties will strengthen between the couples that will begin to divide their loyalties to each other.
Over the course of several weeks, as details are discovered, you'll begin to question the agenda of several of the strangers. Was the chance encounter between them, on that fateful day, just happenstance or was it orchestrated?
As the mystery starts to unravel, will their friendship survive the truth of what happened?
Will they survive the truth?
I'd also like to mention that besides loving the story, the foodie in me couldn't get enough of the food tour of Boston, real or fake!
But, I think my only complaint, if any, would be how little time is actually spent in the library. After the murder, there's very little time spent in the library, majority of the time will be spent in Freddy's apartment, local eateries, or walking about the city. It all meshes wonderfully with the story, but I do wish more time was spent in the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
bk2nocal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Fun read. Some surprising twists and turns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Violence
flyoverzoner's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I will start by saying I listened to this on audiobook, so sorry if I spell names wrong.
I found this book to be really off-putting at times. I didn't like the story within the story, I don't think it was executed well, nor did it add much to the book.
The portion of the book dedicated to Hannah was my least favorite part. Having her be explained simple concepts by Leo, and then /that/ whole plot doing a 180, seemed completely unnecessary. Maybe Leo's annoying mansplaining was supposed to be telling of his lack of expertise, but it was a struggle to get through.
In the part of the story involving Freddie, I didn't particularly bond with any of the characters, nor was I invested in their relationships, because they kept making incredibly stupid decisions. Freddie and Cain were not interesting enough to take up so much time in this story, but I guess they were needed to continue the plot.
The murder mystery itself kept me interested enough to listen until the end, since I was invested in the whodunit and their reasoning.
I found this book to be really off-putting at times. I didn't like the story within the story, I don't think it was executed well, nor did it add much to the book.
The portion of the book dedicated to Hannah was my least favorite part. Having her be explained simple concepts by Leo, and then /that/ whole plot doing a 180, seemed completely unnecessary. Maybe Leo's annoying mansplaining was supposed to be telling of his lack of expertise, but it was a struggle to get through.
In the part of the story involving Freddie, I didn't particularly bond with any of the characters, nor was I invested in their relationships, because they kept making incredibly stupid decisions. Freddie and Cain were not interesting enough to take up so much time in this story, but I guess they were needed to continue the plot.
The murder mystery itself kept me interested enough to listen until the end, since I was invested in the whodunit and their reasoning.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Violence
ckraney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars. I loved the format of this book—the book within a book. I thought the crimes and clues were well plotted and I was prepared for a masterful reveal. I was disappointed by the twist at the end and it felt like it cheapened all of the previous work. Such crimes seemed more intricate than how they were tied up in the end. (It’s hard to explain without spoilers!) I wish the ending had been as well thought out and crafted as the rest of the story. It would have been a 4 star book in that case.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, and Murder
linneak's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
notartgarfunkel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism
breacommelafromage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this so much more than I expected. I read so many psychological thrillers that I can normally sus out the ending at about the 60% mark, but truly it wasn’t until the final puzzle piece was laid on the table that everything came together, and DAMN is it fun to be held in suspense like that. Although I will say I called the tiny subplot almost immediately but that was pretty obvious and didn’t remove any of the fun from the story within the story which is the real story (I promise that makes sense if you read this).
I’m not sure if I actually *liked* the way it ended but I was very entertained by it. All in all, a fun read and one I highly recommend.
I’m not sure if I actually *liked* the way it ended but I was very entertained by it. All in all, a fun read and one I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
tealeaf5's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Quick, engaging read but I wanted more from the ending
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
laura_keoski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
This was one of the more creative murder mysteries I've read this year! I thought the plot-within-a-plot device was used in a really clever way, and allowed space to explore some interesting topics about the genre itself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Discussed in the book: COVID-19 pandemic, characters experiencing homelessness, prison incarcerationbekah1210's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Physical abuse