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gen_wolfhailstorm'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? It's complicated
3.0
Narrated by Bailey Carr, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz
Unabridged
One of my late netgalley arcs, I decided to listen to via my library app.
This was riveting and harrowing read following a dual sexual assault case, one in the present day and one set in the mystery of a cover up that happened some years before.
We follow a podcast presenter investigating both cases and it was interesting to see the perspective of varying characters of what, to me, is an obviously awful crime.
The acts done to the body was so graphic and really hard to read, so please bear that in mind.
Overall, I'm glad to have finally read this, but it was a heavy, difficult read.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Car accident, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
colleeen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction
ksalquida's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Rape
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
daniellamariee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Misogyny
thatsssorachael'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? No
2.75
I did like that it handled the issue of rape with tenderness and respect. The author wasn't gratuitous in her descriptions, and she respected the survivors enough not to make them "just the rape victim". I thought the verdict in the Kelly Moore timeline was realistic (not going to say much more because spoilers, but I have more thoughts.) I also found Hannah's timeline intriguing, although a little disjointed and hard to get a read on who she actually is beyond a grieving sister.
Now the negatives. I really, really did not like Rachel. She was SO BLAND, and I found her grating on my nerves. How did this woman solve 3 crimes? Why did everyone feel open to talking with her, when she had zero personality? On top of that, I thought the podcast aspect did not work. It's not going to age well, and I think in even a few years that will seem dated. The podcast aspect was pure filler, didn't add anything to the story, and just made me dislike Rachel even more.
I found the writing to be stilted in parts, and the dialogue to be very clunky throughout. It took me out of the story several times. I also have a pet peeve where the author sets the story in America but uses british/aussie slang or terms. That happened a few times (car park, called vs named, etc) and I found it to be bordering on sloppy editing. On top of that, there were 2 or 3 times where an entire sentence is printed twice in different places. Not sure if that was just my copy, but that also caused the flow to become disrupted to me.
At the end of the day, it was a slow paced, mildly predictable, entry level thriller around rape culture. Some parts felt like Rape Culture 101, but maybe that's needed for some people. I didn't hate it, but I don't think I'd recommend this one.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Addiction
eeeva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Violence, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Drug abuse
Minor: Addiction, Stalking, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness
honeyytree's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Addiction