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jmkendall0218's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Murder, Rape, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, and Gun violence
ashleyelizabeth's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
lilacs_book_bower'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
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Gun violence, Car accident, Child death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Bullying, and Child abuse
With thrillers like this, there are always a lot of CWs, so please check them before reading, if necessary. This book was a solid mystery, but St James's novels (of the two I have read, at least), are more about the characters and how they solve the mystery and their own traumas, rather than shocking last minute reveals. The solutions are not really that surprising. I couldn't help but comparing this to the author's book, The Broken Girls, and this one felt like a lesser (and less interesting) version. There are a LOT of surface level similarities with the character types, a spooky building, even careers of the the heroine and hero. The two main characters here were semi-decently fleshed out, but the other minor characters really weren't. I read it in literally one sitting, but more just to be done with it, rather than that I couldn't put it down. All the same, I would still give St. James another try. This was solid (and The Broken Girls was very well-done and memorable).smagzisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Kidnapping, Rape, Murder, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Domestic abuse
ronnieb's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
This was an enjoyable and fast-paced ride of a story. It has some interesting paranormal elements mixed in with the horror and mystery vibes. All the elements came together well but I think the first part of the story is the strongest. This is the most mysterious section and the one I found myself most invested in which led to a slower second half for me.
I also think the discussion of mental illness is a bit rocky. It was not outright offensive but it did make my ears perk up as I was listening. I also think the ending wraps up a bit too neatly and ends in a happy/perfect world and to me, this just seemed like the wrong ending or at least an ending that would be years down the line not half a year after the majority of the story takes place.
Overall I think this was a strong story. I was never bored and wanted to know how things would end. I recommend especially if you love a different kind of flavor for a mystery/thriller.
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
tlynn_07_14_21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beth Greer gave me some serious Evelyn Hugo vibes, but darker.
Lily Knowles 100% Lisa vibes from Girl, Interrupted.
Even the MC, Shea is lugging around some darkness.
If you're into Thrillers, this should be on your tbr.
Graphic: Car accident, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
doreyghc's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Medical content
midnightgarden'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: Death of parent, Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, Child abuse, Alcohol, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Sexual assault
toofondofbooks_'s review
- 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
3.0
I have so many conflicting feelings on this one so let's go:
Positives! I liked the dual timelines, but I definitely liked the 1970's timeline better. I think that Simone St. James' strength is definitely in period pieces, and while I know that the present day perspective is necessary for the book to work, I just liked the past timeline better. I thought that the spooky scenes were extra spooky and often made me scared to turn my light out, and that addition to the plot made things way more interesting and tragic to me. There was one character who I thought was absolutely terrifying and interesting and I enjoyed every scene with her, but I'm not going to say more than that because spoilers. I thought some parts were predictable, but not in a way that angered me, more in a way where I was glad to have my suspicions confirmed.
That's kind of where my positives end? I feel torn, because there were parts of this I really enjoyed, but then there were so many parts that I thought could've been done better if someone else had written it. Before page 140, I was considering a DNF, but I wanted to give it a chance to redeem itself, and it did, but not as much as I would have liked it to.
Also....why does every book this woman publishes have a romance with a cop??
Overall, I think people who liked The Haunting of Hill House or Haunting of Bly Manor will like this one, but it wasn't my favorite.
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Misogyny, Abandonment, Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
juliaraimondi's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Car accident, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Addiction, and Drug abuse