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harpoonholly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is the second St. James horror I've listened to, the first being Sundown Motel, which I also enjoyed, but The Book of Cold Cases is more satisfying at the most important times, though the horror/plot of Sundown Motel is more compelling (to me).
Also, I get it, Beth Greer is beautiful, I didn't need to be convinced with repeated assertions. She was hot in her 20s and she was hot in her 60s, noted.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
The mentions of the attempted sexual assault of a child are not graphic and only referenced (despite the 1st-person POV, the reader still isn't made aware of even passing details), but the trauma related to it is brought up regularly.cassielaj's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape and Suicide
This book is not for the faint of heart.jillianalice's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn’t like the paranormal aspects of the book and found that portion unbelievable. Otherwise, I love the author’s writing style and the atmosphere she creates.
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Sexism, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Death, Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Sexual assault, Violence, Pedophilia, and Rape
spookysierra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Drug abuse, Addiction, Sexual harassment, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Murder and Gun violence
Minor: Kidnapping and Sexual assault
targrhaegar'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Alcoholism, Drug use, and Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault
jennyoli96's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Cursing, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Police brutality
bookcheshirecat's review
4.0
“Being a girl is the best,” she said, “because no one ever believes you’d do something bad. People think you’ll do nothing, which means you can do anything. I’ll show you.”
➽ This is probably my favorite Simone St. James book so far! The Book of Cold Cases follows Shea Collins, a true crime blogger who gets the chance to interview a suspected killer. I loved that the protagonist runs a website and is passionate about true crime. Shea was almost abducted as a kid, so she's dealing with her trauma by analyzing cases in her free time. The opportunity to interview Beth Greer is something she can't pass up, even though something strange seems to be going on in her house.
➽ Beth is an intriguing figure and I liked seeing her dynamic with Shea. Beth was suspected of being the Lady Killer back in 1977, but because there was not enough evidence, she was never arrested. However, that doesn't mean that people have forgotten as many still think she is guilty. Ever since, Beth has been living as a recluse and Shea is the only person she's willing to talk to after all these years. I loved diving deeper into Beth's past, as she was a socialite from a wealthy, but tumultuous family with many secrets. Some of them still haunt her now. Shea finds herself caught in the case, as she can't let it go no matter how dangerous things get.
Graphic: Sexism, Mental illness, Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping
shinypurplepants's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not for me, reasons in spoilers just in case.
As a black femme, I am often treated as a threat despite my femininity so all the proto-feminist "but women can murder toooo" made me really upset and the focus over and over and over on White Beauty was annoying at best and distracting fluff that took away from any building tension at worst.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders
ravenpuff's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Death, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Kidnapping, Rape, Addiction, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Stalking, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, and Misogyny
local_hat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Murder, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape