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tanishah's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Abortion, Drug use, Gun violence, and Infidelity
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
nrogers_1030's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, Child abuse, Blood, Death, Pregnancy, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Suicide, Self harm, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Stalking, and Rape
detrasystem'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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Self harm
leebeeloves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
booksofautumn's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bre88's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Bullying, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide
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
twistykris's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
beckyremillard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The book is written in the third person from the perspectives of Ella, the Blockbuster survivor, Chris, the alleged Blockbuster murderer’s brother, and Special Agent Keller.
There was a lot of layers to this one but I liked that I didn’t immediately guess the entire plot. I figured it out before the story got there, but that’s how the book is written.
There seem to be some polarizing reviews on this one but I really liked it. I just couldn’t stand that the 8 month pregnant with twins FBI agent was running around and putting herself in danger. She made a comment about how she was treated by some while pregnant and working but she makes some extremely poor decisions.
Graphic: War, Pregnancy, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm