Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy

44 reviews

teddie_valetine98's review

5.0

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol

whatzoreads's review

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

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: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Gaslighting

Minor: Grief, Abortion, Death of parent

anawaskie's review

3.5

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol

thehauntedfawn's review

4.5

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting

Moderate: Self harm, Car accident, Death of parent

baileymorgannnn's review

3.75

dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I enjoyed this a lot! It had a slow start, but it picked up by the end. I couldn’t put it down! I did predict the ending, but I still enjoyed it. It really brought to light how scary being a woman in 1950s Missouri could be. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry

Minor: Abortion

alexa2107's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

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: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol

loganreadshorror's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Abortion

Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting

reading_and_roaming20's review

4.5

dark hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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It’s funny how sometimes you buy a book and it sits forever. Other times you just feel drawn to it and pick it up immediately. The bond that I had with THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT was the latter. I saw a five star review from @mother.horror and I was on my way within the day. 

THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT is such an interesting combination of genres. Who knew that 50s historical gothic paranormal mystery would work so well? It’s not too dark and it’s not too creepy but it will scratch a horror itch with spirits from the other side while also hooking you with Mrs. Davenport herself. 

The story follows Loretta as she grapples with her abusive, controlling husband (in a time where that was totally a-ok with society) and newfound psychic abilities. When a local girl is murdered, Loretta becomes entangled in the mystery by way of visions and visitations from the girl’s spirit. The character development is fantastic and I absolutely adored watching Loretta grow into the confident woman her husband was gaslighting and berating her into thinking she could never be. 

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is into any one of the genres that are tied together to create this story. I definitely plan to check out other works from PAULETTE KENNEDY after loving this one so, so much! (I rounded down to 4 stars but it’ll be a 4.5 on StoryGraph.)

CW NOTE :: There are scenes containing a multitude of abuses, so this is just a heads up to consider CWs on @the.storygraph before reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Death of parent

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Self harm

Minor: Alcoholism

bellebookcorner's review

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Another fantastic read by Paulette Kennedy! 

This book was such a page turner - the perfect combination of historical fiction, horror and mystery! 

 

I was hooked into the story early in the beginning with great and easy to read writing style and fascinating plot that keep my eyes glued into my kindle! 

The author definitely gives a thorough research to write this book that makes the readers feel transported back to the 1950s with Loretta. 

 

I really enjoy my time following Loretta’s journey as she explore her new-found ability with Dr. Hansen as well as finding the courage to stand up for herself and save her kids. 

Aside from that, I’m also intrigued with finding out the culprit behind the murder mystery and figuring out the identity of the real 'devil' in this story. 

 

This story brings up several sensitive topics about how women was treated during the 1950s so I highly suggest checking out the trigger warnings below before reading this book. 

 

Overall, this was a remarkable well written story that comes with a satisfying ending and justice for all the characters – a fitting end! 

I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future! 

 

I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

 

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: physical, emotional, sexual, child and religious abuse; fatphobia; murder; self-harm; alcohol dependence; pregnancy; and abortion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Fatphobia, Self harm, Murder

Minor: Child abuse, Abortion, Pregnancy

agentalpo's review

4.25

challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Self harm, Sexual violence

Minor: Vomit