Reviews tagging 'Murder'

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

247 reviews

siobhanward's review

Go to review page

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

3.0

This was definitely a book that I have read... Honestly, I feel like this book was just very middle of the road. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. It was too long and dragged, but still had some interesting parts. I don't know, it just wasn't for me. I didn't love Bodie - she felt self-absorbed and immature for someone who was supposed to be in her forties. I wish this had been more of a straight thriller that focused on Thalia's murder, rather than being bogged down with Bodie's drama. The school murder mystery has been done better than this, as has the true crime podcast as the centre of a book genre. This just felt kind of mid. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

edamamebean's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • 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? N/A

4.0

I feel like it’s important to say from the outset that this is not a murder mystery. It’s a meditation on racism, the justice system, and the constant, almost casual violence that is inflicted upon women. It asked a lot of really important questions and definitely got me thinking. Bodie’s own internal struggle reminded me of a time in my own life when I had to reexamine my high school memories after my favorite teacher was outed as a predator. Something I especially liked about this book was its ability to make clear that what happened to Thalia is not exceptional. In fact, it happens all the time. Worth the read. Although it is very heavy, the subject is handled with care and nuance. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

miafromorchardstreet's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A really good literary thriller. Kept me on my toes through to the final act.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

minimarg95's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

deadhouseplant's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

4.75

The Secret History meets Serial. In this whodunnit, Makkai takes on our obsession with true crime in a cold case that examines the #metoo movement, racial profiling, and classism in academia.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

phantompansy's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lenak's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

maddysoup's review

Go to review page

dark informative mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

nuuamuikkunen's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Loved Rebekka Makkai’s The Hundred-Year House, and decided then I would devour everything this author has written. But I have to say, maybe this book wasn’t as good. Or maybe, it was too different.

But, if I only examine what I thought about this book, I would say it was a great read. It made me feel so many things. Not a light read at all. And there wasn’t really any big plot twists in the story, but I feel like it didn’t need any.

I listened to the audiobook and let me tell you there are waaaaayyy too many names to remeber. At times it was so hard to keep up who had done what!

Edit: If you can, listen to the audiobook! Shoutout to the producer or whoever thought to have
a man read the part with Omar’s phone call with the podcast
was a genious! It gave me chills! Plus, who doesn’t love Julia Whelan.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mmackay375's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.75

 Started strong and I couldn't put it down. It has a lot of specific themes its trying to explore and i think it really did explore it, without much settling. I don't think I mind that, because there doesn't seem to be a right answer, but the ending started getting a little muddled. The tension in the third part left, making the book flounder a little.

Overall, really enjoyed it, and it's time period, and a lot of the themes and conversations it brings up. The narration style was fun and inventive for a true crime/ thriller book. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings