Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Sotto il sole di mezzanotte

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Sotto il sole di mezzanotte by Keigo Higashino

14 reviews

shannonlipp's review against another edition

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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

4.75

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jackiedreadsbooks's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Loveable characters? No

1.75

I love Keigo Higashino but I hated this book, and not because it was too dark. The device of telling the story of the main characters through side characters was an interesting idea, but it also meant new characters were introduced up until literally the very end, dozens of random, flat, disposable characters with dropped side plots coming and going with no rhyme or reason.

I was also absolutely unable to suspend disbelief in any way that

children committed a series of unsolvable murders in such a perfect and calculated way

or that

they kept killing people in Yukiho's way for TWENTY YEARS and no one ever caught on except for one "obsessive" cop.

Give me a break. I would have been less disappointed if the whole book had been a dream, it's the only thing that would make any sense whatsoever.

I admire the ambition of this book and the creativity through which he tried to tell it, but that's about it. It was a rare Higashino flop that I am shocked I even finished.

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daepyonimst's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-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

4.0

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angelie_jelly's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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sabstract's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

A really well written slow burn mystery if i do say so myself with an incredible intricate plot spanning over 20 years, everything and everyone was weaved together in such a mind blowing way. there were points that got me gasping in shock and disgust and it was just a really emotional and sad story.

Considering the book spans over 20 years do expect a large host of characters, many of them were unlikeable and gave me a sense of unease which was great in the context of a gritty mystery crime thriller novel. so do bear that in mind if it concerns you!

Most readers would probably have no trouble guessing the ‘who’ in the criminal case as it was definitely alluded to throughout the book and was not a total mystery but i think it’s worth reading especially if you enjoy understanding other aspects of criminal cases like the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’.

Would have given it a 5 if it wasn’t so long, got impatient and even bored at times as there were plot points that were just unnecessarily detailed and had no real bearing on the main storyline… it definitely took me much longer to get through the book than i expected but i thoroughly enjoyed it nevertheless! definitely recommend if you are on a break or holiday and need a good long crime escape.
!! also heed the trigger warnings !!

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candiemarsh's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Well, that was frustrating. It took me a longgg time to find my way around all the characters appearing in the span of 20 years for the conclusion to be as such. I do feel some feeling towards the main character but wow the amount of lives ruined?? Plot-wise it was really thought out and explained well. I'd recommend absolute focus and commitment to this book, which I was unable to provide at this time and may have somewhat hindered me to fully enjoy it.

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asianfiles's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

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aisclaradm's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

A slow-moving, dense read, with some of the most fascinating characters I've ever read. A dozen different characters' stories intertwine, weaving a complex story that leaves hints and clues throughout the book. The ending is phenomenal, and the story is intensely dark.

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daylight_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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equleart's review against another edition

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informative slow-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

3.5

Whoever put 'Thriller' on the cover of this book did not read it. That was the slowest of slow burn murder stories. 30 years of occurences matter-of-factly told through a series of non-characters and always upfront about what is happening.

What was and is happening is never in doubt over the course of the book and the obvious, only conclusion you are presented throughout ends up being what happened, and it honestly doesn't feel like thrill or a thrilling reveal was ever what Higashino was going for.

I do have to say that it was original structurally, and even though all the stakes are kinda low, the story has a feel that's almost Kafkaesque. It has this never realy delivered-on ominous dread thing going on while never straying from mundanity and that's kinda cool.

That said, I would've liked a clearer thread tying everything together, like the 'main' detective, because it feels like a short story anthology but doesn't get in-depth enough for the length. At 300 pages, this would've been pretty good, but not at its 700.

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