Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

174 reviews

peoplecallmeteresa's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Violence, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, and Physical abuse

ivy123's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

This novel has multiple layers and is impossible to describe without spoiling anything. Overall this blends genres between horror, thriller and at times contemporary. Rather than bring focused on scares it centres around greif, regret and the comsequences of trauma. 

Although not what i would usually read I would highly recommend to others to give it a try as i really appreciate how it was written. The authors note as mentioned in other reviews is a must read after you have finished. At times it did seem like too many reveals at once rather than one big reveal but overall a well written and thought provoking book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Mental illness

Minor: Pedophilia

brndnwrght's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Suicide

clconrad's review against another edition

mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

0.5

Dissociative Identity Disorder should not be used as plot device/plot twist. Mental illness is already stigmatized and those who are dealing with it are already misrepresented enough without books like this demonizing them by making the reader think that the person with DID is a monster and a murderer for 90% of the book. It was clear the author had done their research and knew how DID functioned, but accurately representing the facts of the illness while simultaneously presenting the character with the disorder as an unhinged murdering maniac is not responsible story telling and undercuts any credibility they may have gained as a storyteller. 
The message of the book may have been that one should not assume someone is weird or dangerous just because they are mentally ill, but the fact that it’s written in a way that the reader can’t help but assume that, negates the message severely.
I will not be reading anything else by this writer.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Mental illness

stardustvein's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Grief, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Murder

kimberlyswalters's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I was reluctant to start this book. It was a gift - not something I'd choose for myself. This book completely surprised me and has left me wanting more.

I would love to read more about Ted's life with Rob and how their friendship/relationship grows, how they deal with Ted's alters, etc. I don't like "fluff", but I would make an acception for that. And I could read more about Night Olivia and their little show, and their opinions on naps.

I recommend this book if you're even slightly interested in reading it. It's rare that a story has me hooked from so early on, so this one is special. I'll certainly never forget it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Mental illness

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Body horror, Death, Grief, Child abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide

Minor: Murder and Self harm

nicolesbookreviews's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Animal death, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Incest, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

niceonehros's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts

While much of the content is troubling, disturbing, and hard, this book was worth the discomfort. I don't want to give anything away, but do make sure you read the Afterword.

forkontheleft's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Blood

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Vomit

susie_bee's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Mental illness, Murder, and Torture

Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse

Minor: Animal death, Suicide, and Child death