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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
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.
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