Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Last Thing to Burn: A Novel by Will Dean

7 reviews

bees_knees735's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This was a little slow at times, while the ending became a bit more rushed but this was a really interesting concept for a thriller. The premise was well executed and gave a really refreshing protagonist. I haven’t seen many thrillers that show the aftermath of trafficking rather than the threat of it, and found it to be a really fascinating take on the classic kidnapping thriller. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Rape, and Racism

Moderate: Violence, Deportation, Slavery, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Murder

chellery's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• 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: Confinement, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Pregnancy, Torture, Trafficking, Slavery, Addiction, Rape, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault

Minor: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Physical abuse

tash1531718's review against another edition

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

3.75

Hard to rate such a harrowing story - I read it in one sitting and was hooked by the pace, particularly at the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, Violence, Torture, Racism, Domestic abuse, Death, Medical trauma, Grief, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Deportation, Confinement, Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, and Pedophilia

nialiversuch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Blood, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Body horror, Mental illness, Murder, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Deportation, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Vomit, and Death of parent

andreastopit's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

I have never been so invested in a character. I wanted throw the book across the room and but also to finish it as quickly as  possible.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Trafficking, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Murder, and Slavery

soobooksalot's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense 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

4.25

This book is described as "Misery meets Room" and holy hell that couldn't be more accurate.
 Despite that, The Last Thing To Burn is unlike anything I've read.
 This is my first foray into Will Dean's writing and I'm most impressed.
 From the description we can discern there's a captivity situation. Beside that I went in quite blind, so the background and resolution was yet to be experienced. 
 Jane is under the rule of "husband" Lenn in a small, remote farm cottage. He records her every move and watches the tapes back daily. He makes Jane wear his dead mother's clothes and burns her personal items to keep her in line.
 Her name is not Jane.
 I won't say any more, other than this is a tense, heartbreaking and suspenseful read that deserves attention. 
 Recommended!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault

littlebookcastle_sam's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence