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bookworm247's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Stalking
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A friend of mine recommended I read this after I mentioned loving Dial A for Aunties. I was told it had a similar vibe. To her credit, there are several similarities, so she certainly wasn't wrong on that front. Accidental murder, trying to cover it up, dating the cop who's on the case, etc.
HOWEVER, there are also some things that didn't particularly settle as well for me.
First and foremost was the pace. It was a really slow book. For a "cozy thriller" I was expecting a little more tension and action. Instead, it seemed as though there was a lot of circuitousness to the story. Occasionally, I had to look down at my phone to make sure I didn't accidentally rewind my audiobook because I was certain I had just read that scene. It felt really repetitive and I had a hard time finding myself "on the edge of my seat."
In addition to that, there was very little humor. It had the foundation for a funny story - I mean, a thriller romance author who commits accidental murder and somehow finds herself becoming a mercenary for hire? That's good stuff! But rather than going in a humorous direction, it was pretty dark. There were moments that made me really uncomfortable when it came to the graphic nature of what the men were doing before they were killed.
That being said, I still did enjoy the book. It was fun to read something set in my home state! I also enjoyed the secondary cast a lot - especially Julian (who I'm still a little suspicious of). I do plan to read the sequel and see if it helps me feel a little more settled with the story. That cliffhanger was quite a shock!
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Gore
allyordyna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping, Stalking, and Sexual violence
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, and Stalking
jennastopreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Infidelity
Moderate: Gun violence and Cursing
Minor: Gore and Blood
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence