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emilyger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
kshertz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
tsundokukarla's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Titus, a former FBI agent and current sheriff, returned to his small hometown in Charon County, Virginia, to take care of his elderly dad.
- The book opens with a school shooting, and without giving away more, the investigation pivots to deeper, darker secrets in the town.
- Very-well written + good pacing
- FINALLY! A diverse group of characters
- Police-procedural thriller
- Impressive character development
- Loved the main character, Titus, and found him easy to root for
- Satisfying ending
- Cosby is a talented storyteller
- Explores many tough topics, such as racism, hypocrisy, prejudice, religion, and prevalence of systemic, intergenerational hatred
- Heavy read; would encourage folks to check out trigger warnings
- I read a lot in these genre, and this book is an excellent reminder of why it’s important to read work by Black authors. Sadly, in 2023, Black authors’ voices are not as prevalent as they should be, and Crosby’s work is a scarce treasure in the literary world. Cosby takes time to incorporate race into the character development and plot, and he offers an glimpse into Black lives in rural America.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism
klbreyfogle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
rachel_reads_it_all's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I do not remember the last time I had to take so much time to read a book ( 15 days) because it was so raw, so real, it hurt to read. Crosby is a immensely gifted story teller, but is frightening how far inside your soul his story telling can burrow. I started listening to this on Audible, it is so well narrated, but had to switch to e-book to provide a bit more emotional distance.
Thriller readers who like dark, gritty, intense stories with a more anti-hero feel will want to pick up SA Crosby. A dark, soul bruising ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (five stars).
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
chessakat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
barbn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
nevertheless_she_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book begins with a high school shooting and through the investigation of the killer, unravels to reveal secrets of the victim, a beloved teacher in Charon County. At the head of the investigations, is Titus Crowne, the county's first ever Black sheriff.
This is a heavy book, as S.A. Cosby's books are, that comes with a multitude of content and trigger warnings, including racism, murder, child pornography, molestation and sexual assault of minors, and body mutilation.
While I struggled at times with the content, I pushed through because S.A. Cosby's work is powerful, and he always writes a good story.
This one is not for everyone. But I am grateful for the opportunity I had to listen.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
brolivia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Murder