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paigestilwill's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Additionally, for it being a piece set in the 50s, Blake wrote about the teens in a very modern way, a couple of times mentioning soda pop shops or drive-ins, but not really framing the language in any concrete way to make you FEEL like you were in that time period. In fact, many times I had to remind myself that it was set in the 50s, because the writing style and diction didn’t reflect that. Once I thought, why not check security cameras, completely forgetting that was not an option in the 50s 🤦🏻♀️
I also found many parts of this story unbelievable—how a 17 year old was allowed to investigate the most prolific serial killer in the country,
In all, it was quick and the fast cadence of the plot made it a more gripping read, but it felt like much of the building action was pointless, and I expected and wished for more answers, even if it hadn’t been all of them. There’s nothing wrong with leaving readers wanting more, but this one had more loose ends than seemed necessary. I understand wanting the reader to make their own conclusions, just like the public had to when similar cases actually occurred in history. However, after 300 pages, the reader deserves some semblance of an explanation, rather than a half-hearted ending that raised its own questions more than answers.
I’m not sure if I’d return to Blake’s work in the future.
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Physical abuse, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault
Minor: Gun violence
conceptuallysound'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
3.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
hyperashley's review
- 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
1.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Gore
lsalyer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Grief, Murder, Death, Blood, Bullying, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Torture, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Gore, and Vomit
queerreaderchaos's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, and Blood
Minor: Misogyny and Alcohol
r0bin_05's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
a string of murders in the US in the late fifties, characterised by the chilling lack of blood at the crime scenes. a murder in a small town, the sheriff's son, and a girl.
supernatural / murder mystery / historical fiction
one of those that you read in one night [although that might have something to do with my scaredy-cat-ness lmao]. i did to try to reach a satisfactory not scary conclusion which was not reached. [on both counts to be honest]
so a) not my favourite genre because of the supernatural-ness
but b) well written on the most part, loved the world building
c) found the centering of romance annoying to be honest and unnecessary- i am a straight romance hater
d) ending fell a bit flat. a non-ending.
e) enjoyed the characters though
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, and Sexism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Confinement, Child abuse, Stalking, and Vomit
abwell's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
jessicalarson125's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Gore
em_5460's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Child death, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexism
kjn1329's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Stalking, Alcoholism, Cannibalism, Child death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence