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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s your “typical” thriller. Hero in a small town with the predictably complicated past, disturbing violence/crimes, and the big showdown at the end. But the racial commentary, likable hero, and overall good writing makes it a satisfying read.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I blazed through this book. It was fairly different than what I normally read - it's classified as a "southern noir" crime novel rather than a mystery novel, so it didn't have a bunch of surprising reveals or twists and turns, but the story and crime investigation were well-crafted and compelling.
One of the standout details for me is that this story didn't revel in graphic violence against women like so many other crime writers do. The book was definitely graphic at times and tackled some sensitive subject matter like bigotry, religious violence, and violence against black children and adults (make sure you check some of the trigger warnings before you dive in), but Cosby spared the reader from going into any level of detail when writing about children, and largely left the female characters alone.
I can't tell you the last time I read a crime novel that didn't include some graphic violence against women or children (which is why I generally avoid crime fiction) so I give credit to S.A. Cosby for writing about vulnerable groups with sensitivity. I'm definitely going to check out a couple of his other novels once I make some progress on my to-read pile.
One of the standout details for me is that this story didn't revel in graphic violence against women like so many other crime writers do. The book was definitely graphic at times and tackled some sensitive subject matter like bigotry, religious violence, and violence against black children and adults (make sure you check some of the trigger warnings before you dive in), but Cosby spared the reader from going into any level of detail when writing about children, and largely left the female characters alone.
I can't tell you the last time I read a crime novel that didn't include some graphic violence against women or children (which is why I generally avoid crime fiction) so I give credit to S.A. Cosby for writing about vulnerable groups with sensitivity. I'm definitely going to check out a couple of his other novels once I make some progress on my to-read pile.
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood
Minor: Death of parent
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes