Reviews with content warning for Murder - Perfectly Preventable Deaths

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Perfectly Preventable Deaths by Deirdre Sullivan

9 reviews

caoimhe9876's review against another edition

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dark

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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softasapanda's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

2.5

The kitten scene was unnecessarily gruesome, but maybe I was just sensitive because my own kittens were sitting next to me during it.

My first audio book, because I'd caught up to all my podcasts and needed something to listen to while doing the dishes. It felt extremely slow with not much actually happening, and then the big event wasn't really resolved satisfactorily. I noticed there's a sequel but don't care enough to find out what happens next. If I'd been reading the physical book I probably wouldn't have finished it.

Also, why was nobody bothered about a 20 year old lurking around a school and then dating a 16 year old student??

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goldenslug's review

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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champagnepr0blem's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

For me this was an okay book. While the writing was often clunky and confusing, once you were in a flow it was easy to get through. The characters were often one dimensional and hard to empathise with. The third half seemed rushed in order to make the ending some semblance of neat. All this being said, I finished it. I wanted to see where this went. With more exploration of certain plot points this could be a five-star book, which is exactly why I feel so disappointed. At times I was more excited about reading reviews than the book because I wanted to know I wasn't alone in this disappointment.

Now here are my real issues with the book.

1) It was obvious from the meeting Lon that he was going to be the 'killer' his coercive control over Catilin was shown in clunky 'everyone-can-see-it-but-you' way. While it's true that people experiencing this sort of control are less likely to see this than outsiders, there were a lot of reg flags both of the twins ignored until it was too late, despite his behaviour never changing. It'd be more true to life if he his behaviour developed slower, to explain Maddie's lack of concern at the beginning.

2) I understand that the teachers are supposedly 'here for a season' characters, however it is implied that the head teacher is more of a permanent fixture. So why are they not concerned about Lon hanging round the school? Why are the adults not concerned about him hosting 'youth club' lock ins? Where is the adult supervision in this town of predators?

3) For a woman that is a lady of leisure, and loves her children, the twin's mum doesn't have a clue what's happening in their lives. Either the family was groomed/hypnotised by Brian to give Lon his latest feed without endangering the lives of those already in the village (could have been explored) or she really just doesn't care about her children. Ones been groomed by a serial killer who's age is unknown, the other by an old witch who wants to pass down magic. Neither of which she has any idea about until its too late for both of them.

4) The casual homophobia from Catlin about Oona, there was no need other than to make Maddie coming out harder, however when she did come out all was fine and forgotten. Along with the relationship with Oona.

5) Casual animal sacrifice is never cool. When you bring in a kitten just to sacrifice it 10 pages later that feels really cruel.

6) Final, the pace made no sense. The first 3/4 seemed so slow like nothing happened at all, then there was 5% where the entire story happened before going back to nothing happening at all.

Overall, you can probably find something you like about this book it's mostly, inoffensive apart from those offensive bits.

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madeleinebay's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

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mollyv's review against another edition

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adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

I would have given the initial premise of the book a much higher rating, however the ending destroyed any enjoyment I had out of the book. Firstly, the mystery is extremely obvious as to who it is, to the point where I was waiting for a plot twist that never came.

Secondly, the ending was disgustingly graphic for no reason, I did not need to read what happened to her sister in such detail. Furthermore, every character is exactly as perceived from the time they are first introduced - if you are expecting development, hidden depths or anything, read a different book. The "grandma" like figure is horrible throughout and is horrible at the end too, the creepy older man, whilst creepier in a whole other way than expected, was still creepy and the mum was absolutely useless

I would like to forget I ever read this book.

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