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burnourhistory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Child death, Classism, and Death of parent
bandysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Let's start with the plot. I think the most basic part of the concept for the plot is really cool and had a lot of potential. A Frick family heirloom of immense value goes missing and someone is wrongfully accused. For me, where this fell apart is that it took over half the book to get to this particular point and the story seems, up until that point, more invested in the lives of two women...the personal assistant to the Frick daughter and a random model from the UK decades later. Each has their own plot line and it's not until the very end that they start to tie together. In my opinion, the plot that takes place decades later was unrealistic and detracted from the story.
The characters were also a bit difficult for me. I am under the impression that we aren't supposed to like most of the Frick family and that's fine. Purposefully unlikeable characters are fine. That said, the two main characters...Lillian, the personal assistant and Veronica, the English model were super hard for me to relate to as well. I thought both had great potential, it just wasn't explored. Their storylines could've been moving and deep, but I felt like they were sort of created as an afterthought to the rest of the plot.
Additionally, this really is more of a fiction than a historical fiction. Yes, the Fricks were a real family and the location is a real location. Other than that, it's almost entirely made up. I guess when I read a historical fiction, I have the expectation that the story will be grounded in some of the actual history. Had the plot and characterization been more compelling, perhaps I would've noticed this less or been less bothered by it.
All in all, this was a middle of the line historical fiction for me. It had lots of potential, but ultimately did not deliver. It's not to say that it's not worth a read, but just temper your expectations going into it.
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Not sure how to write this warning...but false accusations of a crimelauramparis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Classism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Stalking, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Murder, Racism, and Sexual harassment
sleeson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Racism, Child death, Classism, Death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Miscarriage
martamae77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Terminal illness, Murder, Racism, Sexism, Body horror, Medical content, War, and Gun violence
le3713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You’ll enjoy this one if you like: complicated female characters with ambition, dual timelines, an element of mystery, and a strong NYC setting.
Be aware that the synopsis mentions plot elements that don’t come up until the last 1/3 of the book.
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Murder
aericsson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Blood, Body horror, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
oceanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Child death
Moderate: Murder
lit_with_lauren'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Murder and Death of parent