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thatsssorachael's review
- 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: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Car accident
alicialoebl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
mirandareadsca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, and Death of parent
yunsq's review
- 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
4.0
i listened to the book as i read it and felt deeply connected with the story. especially in the various courtroom scenes where the author did a good job showing the two lawyers' subtle, but an intentional change in body language, mannerisms and tone. this is my first time listening/reading to a book that includes the premise of a podcast series, and i would definitely be looking out for more books in the future that centres around it, even better if they are also available as audiobooks! the narrator has a charismatic and charming voice perfect for a true-crime podcast. i'd read more megan goldin in the future for sure
would've been a 5 stars for me if there were more pages dedicated to character development and how rachel was feeling after each court session. there was a lot of telling us what she did, who she spoke to and why she had to, but i finished the book craving for more of her inner world. her reflections on being a true-crime podcaster. towards the end (someone) brought up the issues of the ethics of true-crime podcast - i'd have loved to learn more about what rachel thought about that
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Car accident
ktdakotareads's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Car accident
booksof_fern's review
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
starletise's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
soobooksalot's review
- 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
4.5
It spent far too long on my TBR and once started, I couldn't put it down.
Rachel Krall is a journalist, famous for her true crime podcast called Guilty Or Not Guilty. For her third season feature, she heads to the resort town of Neapolis to cover a rape trial.
The victim is a 16-year-old high school student; the accused a 19-year-old swimming star - the case is divisive before the trial has even begun.
While driving to Neapolis, Rachel happens upon a letter left for her on her windshield. In it, Hannah Stills chronicles the manner in which her sister, Jenny, died in the town 25 years earlier. She is seeking Rachel's help to investigate her case.
Chapters alternate from Rachel's perspective, to Hannah's, intercut with transcripts from the podcast.
It's a fascinating take on heart-wrenching subjects. The journeys through both events are intense and emotional, and questions abound if they are linked despite the quarter-century time difference and seemingly random nature.
We are taken through the nightmare of a sexual assault; from the event, to investigation, trial and lasting personal impacts.
I definitely need to backtrack to author Megan Goldin's The Escape Room, and look forward to her future publications.
Recommended, but do be aware of the content.
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
rachelb313's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Minor: Car accident