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elliesberrie's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Car accident, Cancer, and Bullying
colleeen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction
griskusse's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Death of parent, Child death, Suicide, Murder, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
zoejoanne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Car accident
shaleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Cancer, and Sexual assault
becksreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Bullying, Car accident, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Panic attacks/disorders
thatsssorachael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I did like that it handled the issue of rape with tenderness and respect. The author wasn't gratuitous in her descriptions, and she respected the survivors enough not to make them "just the rape victim". I thought the verdict in the Kelly Moore timeline was realistic (not going to say much more because spoilers, but I have more thoughts.) I also found Hannah's timeline intriguing, although a little disjointed and hard to get a read on who she actually is beyond a grieving sister.
Now the negatives. I really, really did not like Rachel. She was SO BLAND, and I found her grating on my nerves. How did this woman solve 3 crimes? Why did everyone feel open to talking with her, when she had zero personality? On top of that, I thought the podcast aspect did not work. It's not going to age well, and I think in even a few years that will seem dated. The podcast aspect was pure filler, didn't add anything to the story, and just made me dislike Rachel even more.
I found the writing to be stilted in parts, and the dialogue to be very clunky throughout. It took me out of the story several times. I also have a pet peeve where the author sets the story in America but uses british/aussie slang or terms. That happened a few times (car park, called vs named, etc) and I found it to be bordering on sloppy editing. On top of that, there were 2 or 3 times where an entire sentence is printed twice in different places. Not sure if that was just my copy, but that also caused the flow to become disrupted to me.
At the end of the day, it was a slow paced, mildly predictable, entry level thriller around rape culture. Some parts felt like Rape Culture 101, but maybe that's needed for some people. I didn't hate it, but I don't think I'd recommend this one.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Addiction
carissa230's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The story is told in 2 different timelines. In one a girl is a victim of a rape, and the case is preparing for trial. The trial is the setting of the newest season of a hit podcast. Rachel is putting her fans in the jury box and letting them be there as the case unfolds.
The other timeline is Jenny drowned as a teenager. Her sister Hannah doesn't believe that Jenny drowned. Hannah is convinced that Rachel can help her solve the mystery of Jenny's death, if only she could get Rachel to listen.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Child death
Moderate: Torture, Bullying, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
mirandareadsca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Car accident
booksof_fern's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide