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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I can't remember how this got onto my TBR, but have been trying to read some of the books that have been on there for longer, so I borrowed this when I saw it. I didn't remember what I'd heard about it and just knew it was some sort of mystery involving a missing kid. This was probably the most disturbing book I've read- horror and thriller can do their best, but nothing is as gut-wrenching as the elements of this story that could have been pulled from a news article.
The main story was engaging, twisty, and heartbreaking, but the section around the 3/4 mark involving the missing boy and the torture that he was subjected to was the most horrible thing I could imagine reading. I know this was a catalyst and important to the plot, and that it was probably important to the author to reflect a reality that's hard to think about, but it was so hard to get through due to the nature of it. Overall, I think the author did a good job of balancing mystery, action, and well-rounded characters (I know this is part of a series following the PIs, but having never read any of the other books I still felt like they were three-dimensional) and managed not to shy away from the horrors of humanity while still offering an almost satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion.
Enjoyability ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The main story was engaging, twisty, and heartbreaking, but
Enjoyability ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. Just wow. This book left me utterly speechless with a spinning mind, my thoughts and feelings so powerfully roaring throughout this story. Dennis Lehane fully blossoms with this novel. My favorite so far, even though I had to turn away from the book at one point, to collect my heart. He is a master at twisting and turning the plot, and the subject matter of this story as the plot develops provokes some serious reckoning with the gray areas between right and wrong. Just wow.