Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

13 reviews

jillie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.25

Ooooh!! Loved this atmosphere & the way this story unfolded! Dark & eerie, this story pulled me in & stuck with me. I REALLY enjoyed the mystery & how even when I guessed pieces, I never got the whole picture on my own. Can’t wait to read more from this author! Check the content warnings.

Read if you like:
- dual timelines (done well)
- creepy atmosphere
- slight paranormal elements

November 2023

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Drug abuse, and Addiction

Minor: Sexual assault and Forced institutionalization

sosocrafty's review against another edition

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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, and Child abuse

Minor: Infertility, Rape, Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Miscarriage

cyndi1966's review against another edition

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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Addiction

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Rape

someryarns's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy

thestarsaligned's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault

carlyjb16's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault

Minor: Terminal illness and Rape

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.25

I thought I’d had this book all figured out, and I sort of did, but the twist was fantastic! The dual point of view was interesting and a great way to tell different aspects of the story without rushing key plot points with the court transcript deviation that was surprising yet played a huge part in making the book move forward. Simone St. James did. an excellent job creating interesting characters and a compelling story!

The only part I wasn’t super fond of was Beth’s storytelling close to the end. I get the why behind it, but it somewhat dragged and didn’t add too much for me, personally. Overall, a book I would recommend listening to because the narration is great, but also enjoyed reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Death, Blood, and Mental illness

Minor: Rape, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Sexual violence

shinypurplepants's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book offers: a ghost story, a true crime fan protagonist, and the elusive femme fatale. 

Not for me, reasons in spoilers just in case.

I was very turned off by the hyperfixation on female sexuality as a threat especially since it was about the "beautiful waif blonde" who no one could ever believe was dangerous!! *bats eyes*

As a black femme, I am often treated as a threat despite my femininity so all the proto-feminist "but women can murder toooo" made me really upset and the focus over and over and over on White Beauty was annoying at best and distracting fluff that took away from any building tension at worst.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Gun violence, and Misogyny

Moderate: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders

litliz'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Death of parent, Rape, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Infertility

tlynn_07_14_21's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

I loved this book and cannot wit to read more by this author. This book was definitely dark and mysterious,  creepy and suspenseful. The mansion was so atmospheric. I truly got some Goosebumps at times. The first chapter of this book grabbed a hold of me like no other book of this genre ever has. I was not expecting that paranormal twist at all. 
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.

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Content Warnings

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