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wowsmeows's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Reading is a way of life for some customers, the
kind of customers who buy more than they read, who behave as though 'bookworm' is as inherent as their blood type or their astrological sign."
Death of a Bookseller is about two characters told through their alternating POVs. There's Roach, a creepy true crime fanatic and Laura, who is unhealthily dealing with her traumatic past. The pair work together in a bookshop are are both unlikeable in their own unique ways. The book explores the idea of hating someone so much that it turns into an obsession and morphs into stalking. As the title suggests, it does delve into a lot of morbid topics with a lot of grotesque language and descriptions throughout. I'd recommend checking out content warnings for this read. However, it is a very slow read and because we have the split POV, I dont think I would personally class it as mystery or a thriller novel as we know what both characters are doing and thinking at all times.
What I I did enjoy was that it had some interesting ideas around the ethics of true crime as a genre. It really made me think about how healthy it really is to consume true crime content. I also thought the book was well written and I thought both characters had distinct personalities that shone through in the text.
I will say that I did dislike the ending and I did feel a bit frustrated by it.
Graphic: Stalking, Vomit, Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Violence, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, and Gore
lottieingham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Stalking, Vomit, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
isb_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Graphic: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Gore, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Stalking, Blood, Body horror, and Murder
mags94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Blood
readsbyhope's review
2.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Vomit, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, and Alcohol
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Roach works at Spines and is more than obsessed with true crime, where the killers are more fun to think about than the actual victims.
When Laura joins the bookstore, Roach feels like there is a special bond between them. First, when Laura performs her dark poem at a recital, which Roach obsesses over. Next, when a drunken Laura openly admits her mother was killed, which spurs Roach into a dark plan with her goth rock boyfriend.
We follow Roach down that dark path, ensuring Laura knows how special their friendship is until lines are crossed.
This is a novel so well written that it could be true, a scenario so lifelike and characters that you can find in any workplace, all combined with a story that will leave you spooked.
Graphic: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, and Stalking
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Animal death
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
laurajordensharris's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Drug use, Blood, Cursing, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Mental illness
teatunesandtales's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Mental illness, Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Stalking
late_nite_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
sarahsbookss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Gaslighting, Excrement, Grief, Infidelity, Death, Murder, Self harm, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol, Blood, Stalking, Alcoholism, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail