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chapters_and_pages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I absolutely love mystery/thrillers and I haven’t read many where the main character is the killer, but I really enjoyed it!
Millie is sick of men who hurt or intimidate women, so she starts Message M, a hotline for women and girls to call when they need help. A creepy guy following you home? A weird date gone awry? Suspect someone has put something in your drink on a night out? Message M. But Millie quickly realises helping the women isn’t enough, she needs to take out the source of the problem…
Books like these are always tricky to review because I know I shouldn’t root for our serial killer main character, but I kind of can’t help it. Is Millie a good character? God no. Can I understand her motives? Absolutely. A vast majority of women will understand the motivation Millie has because we have all, at one point or another, been made to feel unsafe by a man. Unfortunately, that’s the harsh reality of being a woman, and even though it’s not all men, it doesn’t change the fact that women have to be cautious of every man.
I’ve read a few other books similar to this (Katy Brent’s How to Kill Men (and Get Away With It) comes to mind) however I think this is the first one I’ve read where our main character is an actual psychopath with no remorse, even when she unintentionally kills an innocent man, thinking he’s someone else. I really enjoyed this because sometimes killers, serial killers especially are just insane, and don’t care about their actions.
To be honest, I don’t really mind that Millie got away with it in the end, and that she and Nina framed James. The one part I wasn’t to sure about was Nina. Obviously, I can’t speak from experience, but I think if I were to find out that my best friend was a serial killer who had killed about 9 (I think it was around that number at that point…) people, including my boyfriend, I highly doubt I would just get on board and help with the next one. Would I understand her motives and reasoning? Hell yes. Would I want to give her a chance to turn herself in? Possibly. Would I decide to say fuck it and join in? Absolutely fucking not!
On a completely unrelated note, I loved that the author is from Bristol and the book was based in Bristol because I rarely see my home in books!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely read Eve Kellman’s future books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Domestic abuse, Gore, Stalking, Self harm, Alcohol, Death, Murder, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Rape, Blood, and Sexual assault
cheyennedierker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.5
4.5/5.0 ⭐
If you were a fan of Netflix's 'In the Dark,' this book is for you.
Our deeply unhinged female protagonist Millie is bitter, judgmental, self-deprecating, and drifting through life with a handful of imbalanced relationships with her best friend, boss, and family. Then, after her younger sister is attacked, Millie seeks vengeance in the form of a vigilante service line for local women.
"Are you on a date that doesn't feel right? Can't shake the creepy guy at the bar? Worried you're being followed home? Message M."
After a series of over-the-top, ridiculous, and frustrating-to-the-reader decisions, it all comes to a head. It's quick-paced. It's dark-humored. It's sharp. It's heavy in places, so do check the trigger warnings.
ARC | Kindle Version
Thank you to Harper360 and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
If you were a fan of Netflix's 'In the Dark,' this book is for you.
Our deeply unhinged female protagonist Millie is bitter, judgmental, self-deprecating, and drifting through life with a handful of imbalanced relationships with her best friend, boss, and family. Then, after her younger sister is attacked, Millie seeks vengeance in the form of a vigilante service line for local women.
"Are you on a date that doesn't feel right? Can't shake the creepy guy at the bar? Worried you're being followed home? Message M."
After a series of over-the-top, ridiculous, and frustrating-to-the-reader decisions, it all comes to a head. It's quick-paced. It's dark-humored. It's sharp. It's heavy in places, so do check the trigger warnings.
ARC | Kindle Version
Thank you to Harper360 and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Suicide and Self harm
clarke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I support women's rights, and more importantly women's wrongs (she did nothing wrong).
I really enjoyed the jovial writing style, and each reveal of information was well done. Whilst some things were predictable and some silly actions, it was relatively realistic and didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. I enjoyed the relationships in the book, especially the "I'd do anything for you" type of love outside of a romantic relationship. Every character had a purpose, even if very minor, and the ending tied everything up well. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would love to read more like it. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.
I really enjoyed the jovial writing style, and each reveal of information was well done. Whilst some things were predictable and some silly actions, it was relatively realistic and didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. I enjoyed the relationships in the book, especially the "I'd do anything for you" type of love outside of a romantic relationship. Every character had a purpose, even if very minor, and the ending tied everything up well. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would love to read more like it. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, Incest, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Suicide, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Death, and Alcoholism
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