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vj_thompson's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I would totally read a spin-off series where Carly solves missing persons cases. Overall loved the writing and the story. There were so many good moments, and I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. Will be reading more of Simone St. James’s novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Infidelity, Stalking, Violence, Addiction, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Child death, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Bullying, Eating disorder, Sexism, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Racism
steffi_23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I did enjoy the story but there were several moments in the writing that made me go … was that really necessary. Yes a lot of the story is set in the 80s but some remarks were unnecessary
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Murder, Misogyny, Sexism, Racism, Rape, and Stalking
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
decembermagpie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Confinement, Rape, Murder, Sexual violence, and Homophobia
natbrooke94's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Cancer, and Lesbophobia
lydiavsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
An enjoyable fun mystery that spans two timeliness, which I always like: leading up to the dissappearance of one woman, and years later another woman investigating the disappearance. A really fun combination of horror and thriller, it won't scare you but it does have a good amount of spooky ghosts alongside a thrilling mystery.
The main thing that I think prevented me from enjoying this more than I did was that I found the 2 perspectives really hard to differentiate between. We follow 2 main characters from 2 different timeliness but both had the same tone and way of thinking and talking which made it really confusing to keep up with who did what. To some extent I think that happened woth most of the characters, there was no distinguishable tone or voice for any of the characters. I also can't say I found either main character overly likeable, I don't know if its just me but there was definitely a 'not like other girls' vibe about both of them which I got a bit sick of reading. There was also a comment made about gay men, which I understand was written within the 1980s perspective but I'm not sure it was needed and it was a tad uncomfortable.
The plot, although it didn't shock me or blow me away definitely kept my attention, I was intrigued throughout and satisfied by the ending. The Stephen King references could've easily felt kinda gimmicky but I actually enjoyed the little nods to classics of the genre.
The main thing that I think prevented me from enjoying this more than I did was that I found the 2 perspectives really hard to differentiate between. We follow 2 main characters from 2 different timeliness but both had the same tone and way of thinking and talking which made it really confusing to keep up with who did what. To some extent I think that happened woth most of the characters, there was no distinguishable tone or voice for any of the characters. I also can't say I found either main character overly likeable, I don't know if its just me but there was definitely a 'not like other girls' vibe about both of them which I got a bit sick of reading. There was also a comment made about gay men, which I understand was written within the 1980s perspective but I'm not sure it was needed and it was a tad uncomfortable.
The plot, although it didn't shock me or blow me away definitely kept my attention, I was intrigued throughout and satisfied by the ending. The Stephen King references could've easily felt kinda gimmicky but I actually enjoyed the little nods to classics of the genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Violence, Murder, Rape, Death, and Homophobia
notenchanted's review
mysterious
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
0.25
this is one of the worst books i’ve ever read and i would give it 0 stars if i could. the writing is horrendous, the plot moves quickly but is somehow still unbelievably boring, the main character’s entire personality is “i’m not like other girls because i read BOOKS and wear SWEATSHIRTS”…i could go on and on about the flaws here. not to mention that there are multiple instances of extremely problematic nonsense ranging from misogyny to homophobia to racism and if the author intended them to come across as critical, in my opinion that was not clear. on top of all that, the way this story unfolds is too convenient and easy without much explanation — the woman renting her aunt’s house JUST HAPPENS to be looking for a roommate and doesn’t charge rent because she just wants a friend?? the motel where her aunt works JUST HAPPENS to be hiring the moment she moves to town?? this is lazy writing at its worst and i cannot comprehend the 5 star ratings for this book. would have DNF’d it if i didn’t spend money on it. no hate to anyone who liked it, i just don’t understand
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, and Homophobia
bxnnny's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
greatly enjoyed the pace of the story, the plot, and the two different timelines coinciding. though it was pretty predicitable, it was enjoyable and i read through it in one day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Sexism, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Pedophilia, and Cancer
murder, paranormal activity, and violence against women are main themes. rape is mentioned several times as well as some mentions of cancer. there are brief instances of homophobia and sexism. pedophilia is implied as well.cmaples's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual harassment
Minor: Mental illness, Cancer, and Homophobia
beckyremillard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Carly is looking into the disappearance of her aunt, Vivian, which occurred 35 years ago. Her mother died without ever discussing it and Carly wants answers. She goes to the town Viv disappeared from, Fell, to check it out.
The story is told in 2017 from Carly’s perspective and in 1982 from Viv’s perspective. A lot of information is discovered twice, when Viv finds out in 1982 and when Carley finds out in 2017.
This book definitely held my interest and I did not want to put it down.
I didn’t expect there to be actual ghosts. Most thrillers I read, the “ghosts” are explained away by something else. I feel like the paranormal aspect of it should be more announced, I might have reached for the book sooner.
Also, I was expecting there so be some tie in with the mother. She was so adamant about not wanting to discuss Viv, I thought she’d have known about her or something.
The story is told in 2017 from Carly’s perspective and in 1982 from Viv’s perspective. A lot of information is discovered twice, when Viv finds out in 1982 and when Carley finds out in 2017.
This book definitely held my interest and I did not want to put it down.
Also, I was expecting there so be some tie in with the mother. She was so adamant about not wanting to discuss Viv, I thought she’d have known about her or something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Cancer, Stalking, and Rape
Moderate: Racism, Child death, Death of parent, Sexism, and Homophobia
Minor: Mental illness
taelights's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I loved this book so much. Both Viv and Carly's POVs held my interest throughout and I enjoyed seeing the connections between their stories. Listening to them piece together the same basic mystery but at different times and using different clues was actually really interesting! It never made me bored or felt repetitive at all. Also this book had so many twists I didn't see coming.
Also the mix between mystery, crime thriller, and supernatural horror was perfect. The author did an amazing job writing all of these elements, especially the creepy spooky ones. Adding in ghosts just added to the story and setting so well.
The only thing I didn't like was one element of the ending.I was disappointed with Viv's ending. I don't think she should have confessed. Between her confessing and having cancer I thought her being revealed as alive was pointless. It's like oh cool this character I got attached to but thought was dead is actually alive! Yay! Oh wait… she's now either going to die soon from cancer or rot in prision for the rest of her life when she literally could and should have kept getting away with this crime.
But overall this was a very amazing read that I deeply enjoyed! I can't wait to check out more books by Simone St. James now as I definitely loved her writing style in this book.
Edit: I just looked up the author and saw she's cis het so it kind of makes me uncomfortable and not like her because she used lesbian slurs in her writing. Using the word dyke in her writing was unnecessary to begin with but knowing she's heterosexual and using it leaves a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth. I'll still read Book of Cold Cases through the library but I'm glad I didn't pick it as my BOTM like I almost did because I won't be financially supporting her.
Also the mix between mystery, crime thriller, and supernatural horror was perfect. The author did an amazing job writing all of these elements, especially the creepy spooky ones. Adding in ghosts just added to the story and setting so well.
The only thing I didn't like was one element of the ending.
But overall this was a very amazing read that I deeply enjoyed! I can't wait to check out more books by Simone St. James now as I definitely loved her writing style in this book.
Edit: I just looked up the author and saw she's cis het so it kind of makes me uncomfortable and not like her because she used lesbian slurs in her writing. Using the word dyke in her writing was unnecessary to begin with but knowing she's heterosexual and using it leaves a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth. I'll still read Book of Cold Cases through the library but I'm glad I didn't pick it as my BOTM like I almost did because I won't be financially supporting her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Sexual violence, Stalking, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Death, Grief, Cancer, Child death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Rape, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexism
Homophobic and lesphobic slurs written by a cis het author.