Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

97 reviews

boldphoenix's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is such a gripping, creepy, thought provoking thriller.  I was enthralled by the character-driven plot, and was kept wondering if the supernatural vibes were legitimately paranormal.  The characters Shae and Beth were fleshed out, which I love, and I felt like I really knew something about their personalities.  Simone St. James did a wonderful job flowing back and forth from past to present, and I was invested in Beth’s story about what ‘really happened’ in 1977. I had a hard time putting the book down, because I just wanted answers! 

 Favorite Quotes:
>"It made no sense, but guilt doesn't have to. It simply exists, weighing you down and choking you until you can't breathe anymore."
>"It's amazing what you can do when you stop sleep-walking through your own life."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Minor: Car accident, Rape, and Kidnapping

smagzisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Rape, Murder, Death, and Medical content

Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Domestic abuse

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.25

I thought I’d had this book all figured out, and I sort of did, but the twist was fantastic! The dual point of view was interesting and a great way to tell different aspects of the story without rushing key plot points with the court transcript deviation that was surprising yet played a huge part in making the book move forward. Simone St. James did. an excellent job creating interesting characters and a compelling story!

The only part I wasn’t super fond of was Beth’s storytelling close to the end. I get the why behind it, but it somewhat dragged and didn’t add too much for me, personally. Overall, a book I would recommend listening to because the narration is great, but also enjoyed reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Death, Blood, and Mental illness

Minor: Rape, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Sexual violence

kll_msh's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolutely loved this book! A great mystery with well thought out characters. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Murder, and Mental illness

Minor: Rape

samsbookreview's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Murder, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Sexual assault, Child death, Rape, and Kidnapping

liv_camryn's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Addiction, Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Car accident, Death, and Mental illness

shinypurplepants's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book offers: a ghost story, a true crime fan protagonist, and the elusive femme fatale. 

Not for me, reasons in spoilers just in case.

I was very turned off by the hyperfixation on female sexuality as a threat especially since it was about the "beautiful waif blonde" who no one could ever believe was dangerous!! *bats eyes*

As a black femme, I am often treated as a threat despite my femininity so all the proto-feminist "but women can murder toooo" made me really upset and the focus over and over and over on White Beauty was annoying at best and distracting fluff that took away from any building tension at worst.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Gun violence, and Misogyny

Moderate: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders

torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Death of parent, Rape, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Infertility

thelassinlinen's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

jupiter_01's review against another edition

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? Yes

4.0

It took me some time to get into the book, but I'm glad I stuck with it! I was always eager to read on, especially with each new tidbit.

I liked the characters and their complicated, interwoven feelings for one another. In my opinion, the romantic connections were given more development than in Sun Down Motel, which enhanced Book of Cold Cases. I was very surprised that Beth didn't nab

her detective!

The one thing that bothered me was how often the female murderer/s were described as 'sexy.' I love a foxy, morally-gray woman, but it doesn't need to be a constant reminder. Otherwise, a good, intriguing read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Rape, Child abuse, and Car accident