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boba_n_books's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
This novel follows Paul Adams--a man who, as a child, was accused of brutal and ritualistic murder of a fellow classmate. Back then, Paul befriended Charlie--a boy obsessed with lucid dreaming and exacting revenge on his "enemies." It's clear Charlie was a part of the murder, but he disappeared without a trace. Thankfully, Paul was set free, but as soon as he could, Paul left his childhood home behind. It's been 25 years, and Paul still has no desire to return. But, when his mother's dementia worsens and she has a concerning fall, Paul has no choice but to come home. While in the dreaded town, Paul discovers that a detective is visiting to try and find any clues to help her solve a copycat murder of the one from Paul's childhood. Suddenly, Paul finds himself dragged back into the past, and he's discovering that, even as someone who was close to the murderer and victim, there are still things he does not know about what happened.
This book was creepy in the best way possible. The reveal was a tad lackluster, but I quite enjoyed the lead-up and the dual timeline showing Paul in both the past and the present as well as the point-of-view of the detective. Anyone who loves psychological thrillers and mysteries will eat this book up.
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Drug abuse
amareenicole11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Suicide
bishopbox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Suicide
opplecopter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Bullying, Dementia, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Animal death
cyndi1966's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Child death, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Death, Suicide, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Dementia, Mental illness, Animal death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Bullying
rcd229's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: Torture
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Child death, Blood, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Animal death
bxnnny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Violence, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Gaslighting, Animal death, and Child abuse
haleybre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Moderate: Kidnapping, Child death, Death, Dementia, Violence, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Grief, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
belysagan's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Child death, Toxic friendship, Blood, Death, Dementia, Violence, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Suicide, and Body horror