Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

34 reviews

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

jujusand's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Blood, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Addiction, and Abandonment

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

alisiakae's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Murder, and Addiction

Minor: Car accident

tlynn_07_14_21's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book and cannot wit to read more by this author. This book was definitely dark and mysterious,  creepy and suspenseful. The mansion was so atmospheric. I truly got some Goosebumps at times. The first chapter of this book grabbed a hold of me like no other book of this genre ever has. I was not expecting that paranormal twist at all. 
Beth Greer gave me some serious Evelyn Hugo vibes, but darker.
Lily Knowles 100% Lisa vibes from Girl, Interrupted. 
Even the MC, Shea is lugging around some darkness. 
If you're into Thrillers, this should be on your tbr.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence

regen20's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

3.5

What a page turning book! I was genuinely creeped out at times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Drug use

odrib's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcoholism, and Blood

Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Child abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Grief, Bullying, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Sexism, and Car accident

doreyghc'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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Medical content

soobooksalot's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.5

Take my money, Simone St. James!
 The Book Of Cold Cases was one of my most-anticipated books of the year and I'm thrilled to say it lived up to expectations!
 In 1977, Beth Greer was charged with the murder of two men and dubbed the Lady Killer. Though acquitted of the crimes, she was presumed guilty by the public and retreated to a reclusive life in the Greer family's Oregon mansion.
 In 2017, Shea Collins is fascinated with all things true crime and runs a blog called The Book Of Cold Cases. 
 A chance encounter with Beth reignites Shea's interest in the Lady Killer case and she aims to solve that which has remained a mystery for 40 years.
 It's one of those stories you feel like you want to Google for more background because it feels so real. 
 There's some excellent Gothic retro atmosphere here, mixed with a modern feel.
 As with previous books by this author, there are varying timelines and gripping backstories. And a touch of paranormal creepy goodness to round out the traditional thriller. 
 Loved it. 
 Recommended!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

bookedandbusy's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

This book was amazing! I absolutely loved how strange and atmospheric it was! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Kidnapping and Blood

Minor: Abandonment

drowning is mentioned when the main character is finding out more about Beth’s mother, it is revealed Mariana’s sister died in a drowning accident. Beth also kills Lily by drowning her in the bathtub after striking her on the head with an ashtray, and Lily’s ghost pulls Shea over the edge of the cliff and into the ocean where she nearly drowns.