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vj_thompson's review
- 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
4.0
The Night Shift is probably up there in being one of my favorite thrills. I didn’t see the ending coming at all. I did get one of the plot twists. I liked that two of the three characters had flaws that they were processing through while the whole story was playing out.
The ending was the Epilogue was the sweetest thing 💕
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Stalking, Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Abortion, Bullying, Classism, and Eating disorder
katemreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The book follows three perspectives and only one feels like it’s diving into the murders while the other two on are a separate journey that intersects with the cases. Those two felt more like a personal journey to resolve past issues from the first set of murders. I get why, but it felt more like the second set of murders opened old wounds and that was the main part of their journey rather than the thriller piece of being invested into the connection between the first set of murders and the second; if any at all.
There was also a character who was important to the story but kind of dropped out around the halfway point, only to return at the end. I felt their storyline was used as a plot device for these two perspectives mentioned above. While I can understand because this story isn’t about this person, the whole thing never would have occurred without them. I felt it was a bit of a disservice to use them to move the plot along for other characters and not explore deeper into their story. Some other aspects of the story also felt there for just the plot. Of course there are red herrings in thrillers, but I just wasn’t convinced on most of them. This led me to feeling I spent so many pages reading about something that ended up nowhere. Since I didn’t buy in in the first place, it felt like a cheap payout/investment. Speaking of, I guessed the “who done it” very early on. It felt a bit obvious to me which may have contributed to my skepticism with the red herrings; and lack of enjoyment of them.
On the positive side, I loved the FBI agent’s perspective! Her character and personality were so vivid and easy to picture. I enjoyed her storyline and the investigation. I have to say that the author seemed to clearly put a lot of work into learning about FBI protocols and investigating as well as the legal system; at least from what I can tell. Both of those aspects felt 100% authentic to me.
As much as it may sound like I didn’t like this book, it was a fun enjoyable read! Right after I read it I’d have given it 4 stars. Just the more I think about it the more I’m a bit unsatisfied with choices the author made; at least for my reading preference. Overall I’d recommend giving it a try!
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Death of parent
wonderfulxwonderful's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Gaslighting, Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Mental illness
bookishgoob's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Death, Abandonment, Cursing, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Drug use
briarsreviews's review
- 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
The characters were relatable, even through their tough times. You feel for these characters, and you want an answer... Even if it's not the one we want. The ending will leave you wanting to punch through walls (but don't, because everything is expensive with the supply chain problems these days).
I will give it to Alex Finlay - this is a masterfully crafted book that has left me wanting to read more books by this marvellous author. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a mystery that brings back the nostalgia of the 1990s/2000s, and really makes you think. Plus, short chapters are always great for binge readers like me that sometimes need a wee break (to sleep!).
Five out of five stars!
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Self harm, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Death
annaledbetter's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Stalking
dogearedbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wish there was more 1999 in this book, I would love a 80s or 90s thriller/mystery. Love the idea of a mass killing at a blockbuster. By the end of the book I stopped wishing it was something else snd was glad it was what it was.
I will read Alex Finlay again.
Graphic: Murder, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Bullying, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide, Alcohol, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault