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leblcr1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
frannieman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Pregnancy, Self harm, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
claumyr'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: Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
princessjj14'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
3.5
Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Child death, and Alcoholism
miraculeus's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Child death, Abandonment, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
caitrunswild'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? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Grief, Addiction, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Rape, and Sexual assault
kjohnstone62's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Rape, Blood, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Alcoholism
kelly_e'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
4.25
Author: Paula McLain
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: April 13, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Atmospheric β’ Haunting β’ Messy
π S Y N O P S I S
Anna, a veteran missing persona detective in San Francisco, knows the dark side of human nature all too well. In the wake of a personal tragedy, she returns to Mendocino, the place she grew up, with hopes of healing. Upon her arrival, she quickly becomes entrenched in a local case involving the mysterious disappearance of a teenager girl. She soon become obsessed with with saving the missing girl, yet will have to face some of most difficult lessons her life has taught her.
π T H O U G H T S
Sometimes I go into a book completely blind, picking it based solely on the cover. Such was the case with When the Stars Go Dark as the stunning cover instantly attracted my attention, and upon finishing, I believe it captures the tone and atmosphere of this novel perfectly.
This novel has serious true crime vibes. Paula McLain takes an unique approach weaving facts into the narrative and this structure allowed for only small portions of the plot to be revealed at a time.
The writing was immersive, making me feel as though I was inside Anna's mind as she did worked the case. The characters were flawed and real, which helped me to connect even more with the story. As a psychology graduate, I appreciated the psychological facets and really getting into the minds of criminals. It is something I find interesting as well as fascinating to try and understand.
A departure from her typical genre, When the Stars Go Dark held a personal connection for the author, which she details in the author's note at the end. Exploring trauma theory, she has delivered a nail-biting and complex account of reclaiming our lives when the worst has happened. I'd definitely love to see this cast of characters in a sequel.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of true crime
β’ readers who like the missing person trope
β’ anyone who enjoys Criminal Minds
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Getting your heart broken is the privilege of being human."
"The people we love never leave us, Anna. You know that already. Thatβs what I mean by spirit. I mean love."
Graphic: Murder, Death, Child death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
missing persons, adoption, overdosewonderfulxwonderful's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Death of parent, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Rape
lesliej5574'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
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Murder