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zabeishumanish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The murder victim of this book is a large and sickly old woman with several children and step-children. Throughout the first section, it becomes clear that she is a type of sadist and has been systematically breaking down, abusing, and controlling these children for their entire lives. There are graphic examples of mental abuse and even more graphic examples of the effects that abuse has had on the now adult children. It is explicit and painful. Had I not been determined to read this entire series I would have DNF'd the book. Upon reflection, I still should have DNF'd it, and taken the loss.
This may just be a matter of trigger warnings, so I'm trying not to affect my rating too harshly. The book is well-written, the crime is artful, and the mystery reveal is satisfying. I would though, advise caution when you consider reading this because the book hit my emotions far more than I was expecting.
There is also a lot of very casual racism toward the Arab characters in the book. I am sure this was standard speech for the time frame, but it is uncomfortable with modern sensibilities.
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child abuse
heini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Minor: Antisemitism, Fatphobia, Racism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
dazed_and_distracted's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Islamophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Xenophobia, Suicide, Racism, Death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
sam_fielder_137's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Death of parent, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Death, and Domestic abuse
ms_gouldbourne'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
4.5
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Racism
lizzieb29'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
5.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Racism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ran_sophia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Suicide, Racism, Racial slurs, and Forced institutionalization
musebeliever's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Misogyny and Antisemitism
janeeyre8'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder, Death, Antisemitism, and Racism
mossybeds's review against another edition
All to say, I found it distracting / upsetting to the point where I DNF.
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse