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_cararichardson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really enjoyed this one, really sad and dark that it entered my dreams. I found some of the writing a little confusing at times, but as a whole, her prose is very beautiful. Didn’t expect the ending, and I always enjoy problematic characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Rape
nat20charisma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
4.0
That was an emotional rollercoaster!
Tana French is a talented writer. She can make you care about a character, then completely change your mind. The story was disorienting and shocking. This story is not for everyone; there were many dark topics presented. PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!
I am glad they found Katy’s killer, but after such an emotionally taxing book, it’s not as satisfying when one of the killers gets away. Or that we never got an answer for Ryan’s murdered childhood friends. I would have enjoyed a slightly happier ending with a clean wrap up after such a dark story, but real life is never so simple and easily concluded.
Tana French is a talented writer. She can make you care about a character, then completely change your mind. The story was disorienting and shocking. This story is not for everyone; there were many dark topics presented. PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Child death, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
chefboyavi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
2.0
I came at this book a bit backwards because I read The Likeness first, and unfortunately I don’t think that did this book any favors. I enjoyed The Likeness up to a point: it’s well written and the mystery is compelling, but it’s overwritten and the characters lost their luster over time. In the Woods is also well written and has a compelling mystery, but the MC (who I honestly can’t tell if French wants us to sympathize with) is impossible to get behind. Ultimately, it’s a slog to get through to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical content, Self harm, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Violence
rekhamohan1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, and Child death
raekit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Murder, Rape, Child abuse, and Child death
gracefulege's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
I am so obsessed with Tana French as an author. Her murder squad series keep me up late turning pages trying to figure out who did it, and more importantly, why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt
kecresser's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
I really loved the beginning of this book - it's dark, tense, moody, and gives me the same vibes as the TV show Silent Witness, although that may just be because on the characters in the first few seasons is also from Ireland. Rob and Cassie's partnership was very entertaining and felt well-developed. The ending of this book let me down. Even after the discovery of the killer, things felt very open ended, although maybe that's the whole point. I think that author writes very well, although the language was a bit flowery and overly descriptive for a crime thriller, in my opinion. Overall, it was enjoyable, even thought it left me feeling unsettled at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Child death, Death, Murder, and Pedophilia
sarahgordon327's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
I enjoyed the premise of this book and really wished that it had lived up to my expectations based on the first 10 or so chapters. After that, it dragged a bit for me. I found main character/narrator to be unlikeable, always making questionable choices, and unreliable (though the last one was part of the point of the story, I think).
The ending was surprising, and very sad. I did enjoy feeling like I was a fly on the wall in a true detective’s search for truth, and I think the character’s flaws worked well to portray how the criminal justice system doesn’t always work the way it’s meant to.
The author wrote in a sort of high-brow manner, but the effect to me was a pretentious tone that was un-relatable and a little annoying. There were too many loose ends left strung out at the end, and I know this is #1 in a series, but from what I can tell, the ending of the story I want to hear is never discussed in a sequel. Not planning to read the rest of the series anytime soon.
The ending was surprising, and very sad. I did enjoy feeling like I was a fly on the wall in a true detective’s search for truth, and I think the character’s flaws worked well to portray how the criminal justice system doesn’t always work the way it’s meant to.
The author wrote in a sort of high-brow manner, but the effect to me was a pretentious tone that was un-relatable and a little annoying. There were too many loose ends left strung out at the end, and I know this is #1 in a series, but from what I can tell, the ending of the story I want to hear is never discussed in a sequel. Not planning to read the rest of the series anytime soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Child death
Moderate: Rape and Pedophilia
sarcasmpotato's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Several spots this book just was a total drag but then a new revelation is brought up and I was back in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicide attempt
directorpurry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt