Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

How to murder your Boss – McMasters Handbuch zum Morden by Rupert Holmes

112 reviews

dyer's review against another edition

medium-paced

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

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Someone who’s looking for a more casual read with a dark academia setting might enjoy this book with a unique premise. 

The structure needed more work (from author/editors but also the whole idea that a super secret school with super secret alumni is writing a tell-all book didn’t really make sense) and there was a lot of “telling rather than showing” type of writing (hence why I consider it a casual read).  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Minor: Suicide, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Alcohol

chezler24's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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: Complicated

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"Don't commit homicide. Commit a tragedy." 

A fantastic read to kick off the new year! (I technically started this at the tail end of December, but I read most of it in January so I'll count it.) Holmes embraces what could be a dark topic with engaging wit and whimsy. Throughout the novel, you follow three main characters (Cliff Iverson, Gemma Lindley, and Dulcie Mown) in their separate quests to "take care of" their individual problems. What seems to be a straightforward assassination plan is handled with care, stealth, and cautiously laid out plans that tie up every loose end imaginable. The act of killing isn't just thrown about willy-nilly, and it's interesting to see the different moral/ethical guidelines put in place by McMasters. Holmes successfully immerses the readers in the ideology of the McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts by introducing them to the different classes, techniques, and professors that help create well-rounded deletionists (not murderers, obviously). Such an engaging book with a fitting while somewhat unexpected end!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Death, Sexism, Suicide, Death of parent, Sexual harassment

shinypurplepants's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark funny mysterious

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Incredibly thrilling overall. I would clarify this as a dark comedy thriller more than a mystery. Gives me the same fun vibes as a well done heist.

Ending was almost too sweet in contrast with the serious subject matter.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment

autumnpak's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark funny informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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It was super engaging and a fantastic and a fun idea I just wanted more they could have done so much more but if this is vol 1 I’m excited to read what comes next! Definitely a fun read especially if you love school/tests and that type of trope definitely a fun time 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Transphobia, Medical content, Car accident, Abortion, Murder, Sexual harassment

dev921's review against another edition

5.0

dark fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail

daepyonimst's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Minor: Suicide, Death of parent

callidoralblack's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous lighthearted mysterious

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder

Minor: Chronic illness, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

emilywemily6's review against another edition

4.5

dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The dry, witty sense of humor in this book is my cup of tea. Listening on audio was hilarious! So many death puns. The concept was original and I loved the first half of the book. I did feel like we knew Cliff better than the other two characters highlighted in the book, and I wish we had learned more. I honestly was not a fan of Gemma as a person or her storyline, so when her storyline was a more prominent part of the book, I enjoyed reading this book a bit less. I found her a bit pathetic and uncreative in her deletion thesis, whereas I was totally on board with both Cliff and Doria’s plans, executions, and contingencies. The only other gripe I have is that the setting in the 1950s was pretty subtle for most of the book, so I had to remind myself what the culture was at that time to understand the book. Overall, this book was so fun to read, witty and smart.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content

Minor: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Classism

dexkit10's review against another edition

4.0

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Alcohol

imds's review against another edition

3.5

Diverse cast of characters: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment