Scan barcode
bek_p87's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Overall, I enjoyed this book - even though the premise was a little far-fetched. I didn't guess the answer to either of the key mysteries, so that must suggest a reasonably well-written crime thriller (or lack of intelligence on my part?). However, the characters were all a bit one-dimensional, which meant the prose was rather repetitive, and relied a little too much on clichés.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Suicidal thoughts
ashleycmms's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Child death, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, and Gun violence
j_squaredd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal death
juliannar's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent
Minor: Dementia
What a solid thriller! This was a quick read for me, as I read in a few hours during the afternoon, and I just couldn't put it down. Collins writes so clearly that I couldn't help but feel I was walking behind Dahlia for the extent of the novel. The premise is grim. Dahlia and her family live in a mansion that the locals call Murder Mansion due to the family's obsession with murder. The island was the center of the Blackburn murders completed by a serial killer over a period of many years. Her twin brother Andy disappeared on their 16th birthday and was never found. Until the siblings return to bury their father and find Andy in their father's grave- murdered. Dahlia learns that her family has not always been transparent, and even she closed them off throughout much of her life. There are several side characters who are extremely well-developed and add a lot to the story as well. There are several twists and turns, including two major ones at the end that I could never have seen coming. Content warnings: murder, child abuse (psychological), violence against women, death of a child Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
More...