Scan barcode
rebeccahensley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, and Violence
carissa230'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? No
4.25
The story is told in 2 different timelines. In one a girl is a victim of a rape, and the case is preparing for trial. The trial is the setting of the newest season of a hit podcast. Rachel is putting her fans in the jury box and letting them be there as the case unfolds.
The other timeline is Jenny drowned as a teenager. Her sister Hannah doesn't believe that Jenny drowned. Hannah is convinced that Rachel can help her solve the mystery of Jenny's death, if only she could get Rachel to listen.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Child death
Moderate: Torture, Bullying, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
lilifane's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I am impressed!
I love mysteries from the past that are uncovered in the presend and this one was done SO well. Loved the mystery aspect, the subtle clues, the way Rachel handled both cases. I thought it was balanced so nicely between the current case, the one from the past and the podcast elements. To be honest I wasn't prepared for the amount of emotions I went through.
First of all there is the recent rape trial. The trial elements were so good, it felt like I was actually in the courtroom. All the characters involved were flashed out, even though you only get little information on them. The judge, the jury, the lawyers, the witnesses, they all felt like real people. Plus the way the subject was handled was impressive. It was done in such a sensitive way. And the commentary and critique on rape culture and rape trials was so good.
But Jenny's story. Uff. It broke my heart. Repetedly. The way it was presented, through Hannah's memories, was gut wrenching. You get all the descriptions from a child's point of view, a child that doesn't understand what is going on. But as a reader you understand and it hurts. It was so hard to read. But at the same time it was interesting and gripping and you just wanted to know what happened next.
You actually get enough information to figure out what happened long before it is revealed. You just have to pay attention because some of the clues are really small and subtle. But at the end it is really satisfying how every small detail fits together. I really enjoy reading books that are thought out so well that every question is actually answered at the end.
If this becomes a book series (there is actually a lot of potential), I will totally read it. Rachel is a great protagonist and her podcast is super interesting.
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness