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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.ajay913's review
- 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, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
amelia_horseman'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
hexmex's review
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug use, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Drug use
aimyreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
ashgross01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, and Sexual assault
jillie's review
4.25
Read if you like:
- dual timelines (done well)
- creepy atmosphere
- slight paranormal elements
November 2023
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Sexual assault and Forced institutionalization
alkemistimole6's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Sexual assault and Murder
teesreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
jjames_mal's review
- 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
4.0
Another spooky murder mystery about a murder that happened years ago. I don’t know why but these books seem to always follow a pattern, not that I’m complaining. I liked the characters and the mystery, with the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars being the true crime aspect that had just a smidge of the whole some people are just evil and cops are good rhetoric which I know this type of book did not have to deconstruct, but it still made me uncomfy. But overall I loved the creepy house and the ghosts that feel like a staple for St. James’s books.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a little paranormal in their murder mystery, and I’ll be continuing to pick up anything Simone St. James writes.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Car accident and Cursing
Minor: Terminal illness, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Infertility