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savvyrosereads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
Ruby McTavish is a local legend in her North Carolina hometown…both for her fortune and her tendency to marry men who die mysteriously. When Ruby dies, her adopted son is her only heir—but he wants nothing to do with her house or fortune until family events force him back to a place filled with secrets.
I absolutely LOVED this one, which is absolutely my favorite Rachel Hawkins. Imagine if you were reading Evelyn Hugo but no one was quite sure whether she’d murdered her husbands and you’ve got something a lot like this book, which I found captivating and super fun. It’s definitely heavy on moral greyness and “women’s wrongs,” which I personally love, and the ending made me gasp more than once.
This is more mystery/suspense than “thriller” in my opinion, so know going in that it’s a bit of a slow burn as things unfold…but I was genuinely hooked from the beginning, and I highly recommend this one!
CW: Death/murder; domestic abuse/physical abuse; kidnapping/missing child; mentions of suicide
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Violence, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
iamnita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Blood, Chronic illness, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Violence, Mental illness, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Suicide, Infidelity, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
samepaige's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Death and Suicide
asteinke's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Such a face paced quick read about murder, betrayal, and family drama, what more could you want in a book. This book will keep you guessing until the very end, it was a twist I did not see coming.chronicallyplotting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ruby McTavish better known for her unfortunate kidnapping when she was a child… and the untimely deaths of her… four husbands; lived what some would say a hard life, aside from her family being the wealthiest one in North Carolina. Her son Cam and his wife Jules are led back to Ashby House after the Uncle’s Passing to settle some of the affairs. But as time passes more of Ruby’s and other’s secrets unfold. Secrets that even money can’t hide or heal.
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Domestic abuse, Death, Grief, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Murder
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship