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Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'
Die sieben Tode der Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
120 reviews
minnows's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read this book consistently in under a month & took notes through, and it was still hard to keep track of characters, at least for me, and I read a lot of mystery books (as well as actually working in the legal field, lol). The ending felt so incredibly rushed, so much more like I was being "told" rather than "shown". The amount of twists felt like an M. Night movie. And the degree to which the author would emphasize character's physical size (repeating over and over how large one of the hosts is) was genuinely difficult to get through, and I would have DNF'd if it weren't for a book club.
But like .... it wasn't bad. It wasn't incompetent writing, just felt rushed. The twist of what the purpose of this all was, ends up being pretty intriguing. So yeah, it's not a bad book, just a long one that I don't feel I gain too much from having read??? Gah. I may come back and update this when I've given it more thought.
But like .... it wasn't bad. It wasn't incompetent writing, just felt rushed. The twist of what the purpose of this all was, ends up being pretty intriguing. So yeah, it's not a bad book, just a long one that I don't feel I gain too much from having read??? Gah. I may come back and update this when I've given it more thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
katiekinsi97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.75
The premise, while interesting, lead to a story with a confusing plot that had too many elements, a world building structure that was difficult to follow, and an ending that was felt disconnected from the story and was unsatisfying based on the premise given. More spoiler based thoughts below.
I don’t understand how time works in this story. To me, the events of the day should be fixed, no matter who Aiden is at any given moment. The fact that they aren’t doesn’t make sense. Additionally, if they’re supposed to be solving a murder that actually happened- the actions of Daniel, Anna, or Aiden shouldn’t have any effect on it. But having Felicity as the murderer is DIRECTLY tied to Aiden’s actions. The twist at the end should have been that Evelyn wasn’t murdered- Felicity was. Thats the /actual/ answer.
I have so many more thoughts.
I have so many more thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
frenchpants's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Great concept, but poor execution—ending really ruined it for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Child death, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, and Classism
monstersinspace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Spoilers throughout: Interesting and well written, I don't know how the author kept up with all the characters and days. I could have done without the whole "omg this character is so fat and disgusting how can he even exist" chapters but what can you do? I actually did predict most of the ending, but I don't know how I feel about Aiden forgiving Anna for brutally torturing and killing his sister and arguably he didn't he just chose to live as someone that it basically didn't happen to. Also it's not like Anna realized she was a horrible disgusting murder, they literally just made her forget she was and I don't think that's the same thing. It all kind of just doesn't vibe with me, usually people who think anything is forgivable are the ones that need that forgiveness. Also the fact that Anna can just live without the horrible things she did if she wanted to, while her victims have to remember it every day is really fucked up. The whole time Aiden interacts with multiple people who love brutality and murder and he's disgusted by them, yet he's totally cool with Anna having done that cause he thinks she changed but all she did was forget how much she loved those things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
kumquats87's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Alcohol
drjoannehill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Re-reading for Bridges Book Club.
Second read (for Bridges Book Club Sept 2024).
I am terrible for remembering plots and names from books I read a while ago, so this was almost like a brand new book, I only remembered parts. It kept me awake as my brain was trying to process what was going on in what I'd read that day - the time of day, what was going to happen in what order. We're at a crumbling country house on a stormy day, in the lead up to a dinner and ball to which the Lord and Lady have invited a range of guests. The lead character loops through the same day eight times trying to solve a murder that happens late in the evening, and he does so from eight different perspectives (body-hopping) who each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of his characters meet and the ones in the future (later on in the loop) wonder whether they should re-do the same actions or conversations that they remember from earlier on, from the other perspective. That's not to mention the twisty conspiracies and betrayals going on amongst the family and guests on the scene, that affect how the murder is solved. We do not always know the lead character's motives for specific actions and conversations - he acts on instinct sometimes, and is not always in a hurry to try to solve the mystery. Plenty to think about regarding how physical and mental strengths and weaknesses, different perspectives and circumstances, can affect how we interact with others, build friendship, and learn the information we need. I was surprised which "bodies" the lead character is in when he learns crucial information and turns things to his advantage (given his earlier prejudice about certain people).
I am very interested to know what the Book Club thinks of it (not the usual fare). I'm exhausted! But I still think it is a clever and exciting book.
First review (2020).
Clever 'time travel body-hopping murder mystery' as the author terms it. You have to pay attention. I wasn't sure if some things were plot holes or meant to be there. Would probably be very different on second reading.
Second read (for Bridges Book Club Sept 2024).
I am terrible for remembering plots and names from books I read a while ago, so this was almost like a brand new book, I only remembered parts. It kept me awake as my brain was trying to process what was going on in what I'd read that day - the time of day, what was going to happen in what order. We're at a crumbling country house on a stormy day, in the lead up to a dinner and ball to which the Lord and Lady have invited a range of guests. The lead character loops through the same day eight times trying to solve a murder that happens late in the evening, and he does so from eight different perspectives (body-hopping) who each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of his characters meet and the ones in the future (later on in the loop) wonder whether they should re-do the same actions or conversations that they remember from earlier on, from the other perspective. That's not to mention the twisty conspiracies and betrayals going on amongst the family and guests on the scene, that affect how the murder is solved. We do not always know the lead character's motives for specific actions and conversations - he acts on instinct sometimes, and is not always in a hurry to try to solve the mystery. Plenty to think about regarding how physical and mental strengths and weaknesses, different perspectives and circumstances, can affect how we interact with others, build friendship, and learn the information we need. I was surprised which "bodies" the lead character is in when he learns crucial information and turns things to his advantage (given his earlier prejudice about certain people).
I am very interested to know what the Book Club thinks of it (not the usual fare). I'm exhausted! But I still think it is a clever and exciting book.
First review (2020).
Clever 'time travel body-hopping murder mystery' as the author terms it. You have to pay attention. I wasn't sure if some things were plot holes or meant to be there. Would probably be very different on second reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual violence
zerer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I personally really enjoyed reading this book! Felt there were so many twists and turns especially as I got closer and closer to finishing it up. It did take me a bit to get into the book as I did jump from a completely different genre and tone of voice but nonetheless it was an interesting read from beginning to end. I do wish I had the detective skills that Aiden has!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
cozyfantasyfaetay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
2.5
Slow start, didn't really enjoy it until I knew the twist. Lots of characters and hard for me to follow 😵💫 But maybe better for murder mystery fans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Gore, Infidelity, and Classism
shawniejo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Torture and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape
star's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was complicated for me. I really enjoyed it, but it was pretty hard to get through at points. Possibly that was because I was already anxiety-ridden waiting for something in my personal life, but the palpable anxiety throughout the book did not help me.
I found the relationships between the characters quite interesting, but unraveling it took quite a bit of time. Especially jumping between the hosts, I felt like I needed a huge wall of pictures and colorful yarn to figure that out.
I will say that the ending made the book very worth it for me. Between all the points being added and deducted in my brain for various things, I think I have settled on a 4 star rating. Good enough to finish, but not good enough to keep -- I will be donating this sometime soon. (Which is great, as I bought it at a half-price used books sort of deal, and I believe it was one of the donated ones (they also carry limited new selections).)
Now, for the spoiler portion:
I found the comparison of Anna to Hitler to be unnecessary, especially because Aiden just fucking ignored that anyway. I LOVED the twist ending, though - I did not expect for a second that Evelyn was actually Felicity, and that the REAL Evelyn was hiding. I also can appreciate how many of the characters died in various ways that WEREN'T Evelyn. I can't believe they wiped out the entire Hardcastle family in this book.
Finding out that Evelyn was to be married to Ravenscourt killed me though. And so many little plot points just stood out to me. It was a shame it was a bit of a slog.
I have seen a lot of complaints online about the descriptions of Ravenscourt in this book. Personally, the fatphobia was expected for me. As someone who is "medically obese" (a term I hate) it bothered me, but not enough to get me to stop reading. It was quite repetitive and gratuitous, as most of his descriptions of the characters "negative" traits are, but oh well. I do think that I would not have read this book if I had seen those reviews first.
I found the relationships between the characters quite interesting, but unraveling it took quite a bit of time. Especially jumping between the hosts, I felt like I needed a huge wall of pictures and colorful yarn to figure that out.
I will say that the ending made the book very worth it for me. Between all the points being added and deducted in my brain for various things, I think I have settled on a 4 star rating. Good enough to finish, but not good enough to keep -- I will be donating this sometime soon. (Which is great, as I bought it at a half-price used books sort of deal, and I believe it was one of the donated ones (they also carry limited new selections).)
Now, for the spoiler portion:
I found the comparison of Anna to Hitler to be unnecessary, especially because Aiden just fucking ignored that anyway. I LOVED the twist ending, though - I did not expect for a second that Evelyn was actually Felicity, and that the REAL Evelyn was hiding. I also can appreciate how many of the characters died in various ways that WEREN'T Evelyn. I can't believe they wiped out the entire Hardcastle family in this book.
Finding out that Evelyn was to be married to Ravenscourt killed me though. And so many little plot points just stood out to me. It was a shame it was a bit of a slog.
I have seen a lot of complaints online about the descriptions of Ravenscourt in this book. Personally, the fatphobia was expected for me. As someone who is "medically obese" (a term I hate) it bothered me, but not enough to get me to stop reading. It was quite repetitive and gratuitous, as most of his descriptions of the characters "negative" traits are, but oh well. I do think that I would not have read this book if I had seen those reviews first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Fatphobia, and Rape