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radler's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
stefhyena's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Finished. I'm going to assume it was a well-intentioned book in that it sort of discusses problematic families and men's violence including DV. I had trouble believing in any of the characters because they all seemed to be suffering from empathy deficiency. There was a twist at the end which from a purely formulaic perspective was just right but it didn't really work for me in other ways.
My least favourite thing was Alice and the fact that even though there were two protagonists she was constantly subtly pushed as the main-main and Iris as her support. Which makes no sense. But nothing about Alice makes sense. She's a poor little rich girl who has never been loved, supported or approved of and we are supposed to feel sorry for her. But she's also had a kind best friend and a sweet doormat of a boyfriend and a nanny who loves her like an aunt or something and some random hot dude and...and...and....everyone. Like how can she be "no interpersonal skills because such an abandoned loner" and "my best friend Brooke how will I ever..." at the same time? But also noone seemed to care about Brooke's death much including the grandma who treated the "mysetery" as a bit of girlish fun for our heroines.
Alice and Iris constantly did illegal or dangerous things and they were STUPID things. Iris in particular given her family situation would surely stay clear of violent men? Real life survivors usually do. They were cheered on in this by a range of adults- some of the adults were ridiculously stupid and incompetent and others were just irresponsible and unethical. Every conversation had to have unnecessary drama in it and Iris' friends were quite 2 dimensional and irritating (Alice's initial friends were the same but the book used that better). WTF is Cole???? (TBH Zora says it on p 390 but then Iris still....oh gah). Everyone is hetero and race doesn't exist. Also every cliche about American schools that you ever hated from TV is in here. I hope that's not an accurate reflection of teaching in the US!
The Agatha Christie quotes were sort of a nice touch. I also wondered if the guidance counsellors name was a tribute to Christie's nom-de-plume.
I think the idea was good but it was poorly executed. I see from the reviews that I am in a minority and most people liked this book.
My least favourite thing was Alice and the fact that even though there were two protagonists she was constantly subtly pushed as the main-main and Iris as her support. Which makes no sense. But nothing about Alice makes sense. She's a poor little rich girl who has never been loved, supported or approved of and we are supposed to feel sorry for her. But she's also had a kind best friend and a sweet doormat of a boyfriend and a nanny who loves her like an aunt or something and some random hot dude and...and...and....everyone. Like how can she be "no interpersonal skills because such an abandoned loner" and "my best friend Brooke how will I ever..." at the same time? But also noone seemed to care about Brooke's death much including the grandma who treated the "mysetery" as a bit of girlish fun for our heroines.
Alice and Iris constantly did illegal or dangerous things and they were STUPID things. Iris in particular given her family situation would surely stay clear of violent men? Real life survivors usually do. They were cheered on in this by a range of adults- some of the adults were ridiculously stupid and incompetent and others were just irresponsible and unethical. Every conversation had to have unnecessary drama in it and Iris' friends were quite 2 dimensional and irritating (Alice's initial friends were the same but the book used that better). WTF is Cole???? (TBH Zora says it on p 390 but then Iris still....oh gah). Everyone is hetero and race doesn't exist. Also every cliche about American schools that you ever hated from TV is in here. I hope that's not an accurate reflection of teaching in the US!
The Agatha Christie quotes were sort of a nice touch. I also wondered if the guidance counsellors name was a tribute to Christie's nom-de-plume.
I think the idea was good but it was poorly executed. I see from the reviews that I am in a minority and most people liked this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment and Classism
wickedreads's review against another edition
3.5
It was fun but not super remarkable. I will be reading the second one when it comes out! Definitely gives the Veronica Mars vibes we were promised except they are truly terrible teen detectives 😂
CWings: domestic abuse, death of a friend, drugging, attempted drugging, murder, violence, cheating, misuse of authority by adults
CWings: domestic abuse, death of a friend, drugging, attempted drugging, murder, violence, cheating, misuse of authority by adults
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Murder
nastyabbj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Classism
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a super fun ya murder mystery detective story! I liked the dual pov from these two completely different characters and their unlikely friendship over solving a murder together. I also liked how it was a small town and each girl was from a completely different group/social class, showing small town dynamics between the rich and poor. Additionally, all of the side characters were so loveable and unique, and I would be interested to see more of the side characters (like Spike, Zora, and Neil) in future books. I also loved how focused it was on Agatha Christie, which added a lot of fun moments for those of us mystery lovers! I think that the murder mystery part was well organized and well thought out. I could predict a few things, but overall there were quite a few shocking twists and turns! I think I’m still partial to the Truly Devious series and anything by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, but I thought this one was great as well! The ending made it seem like this would be continued as a series, and I would definitely like to read more books if they are released. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it!
Age rating: 14+ (violence, language, no sexual content)
TW: domestic and child abuse!!
Age rating: 14+ (violence, language, no sexual content)
TW: domestic and child abuse!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Violence
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, and Abandonment
lizaxwin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
I really had a hard time putting this book down. I haven‘t read a crime story in quite some time and this one really reeled me in. I liked the two main characters, Iris and Alice, and how their personal problems got interwoven in the story.
Something I especially enjoyed was how the story took you from suspecting one character to the next and to the next. I was trying to piece everything together but I was so convinced Coach did it, I never would‘ve suspected Ms Westmacott.
A gripping story, with some fun but also some deep parts! Perfect kick-off for spooky season reads!
Something I especially enjoyed was how the story took you from suspecting one character to the next and to the next. I was trying to piece everything together but I was
A gripping story, with some fun but also some deep parts! Perfect kick-off for spooky season reads!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder
xlaurareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
i thoroughly enjoyed this book! it was recommended to me by a friend of mine and i had quite high hopes on it - which were absolutely met! it was incredibly well-written with strong, amazingly crafted characters, a great storyline and incredible plot points. i had a love-hate-relationship with the fact that it took me incredibly long to figure out who the murderer is because i'm usually quite good at that. but i must say, it took the authors quite a while to drop the hints as to who the murderer is...and when they started doing so, it was quite obvious who it was. that's actually the only issue i have here, but it was a great read altogether.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, and Car accident
megwilli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Murder
ava_cowbell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
This book was so amazing I finished it in one sitting. The characters are amazing, the writing is amazing, and the plot is well thought out and will keep you on your toes. This mystery keeps you engaged and thinking right up till the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent