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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was going to start off saying, "a very enjoyable read", but given the subject matter that feels like a weird way to phrase it? The book was good, the story solid, the progression tense, and ending satisfying. (Holy fuck is the last page satisfying.) (It's especially satisfying as we don't get complete closure on the serial killer facing justice, unless you prefer them to die at the end, and a few other plot threads like the romance options and the fates of certain characters are either never fully given [*cough cough* did Dayane survive??? *cough cough*] or wrapped up in a sentence in the final chapter.)
I have to start by saying what holds this back from being a 5 star read for me personally is how it's written. This is my first crime procedural and I honestly don't remember how this got in my radar initially, so maybe I'm just too used to other styles of writing. The prose here is very straightforward and simple - I'd describe it as the opposite of purple prose. There's a lot of "this happened, and then this, and then this" in the writing, often a lot of small details like putting coats up or starting coffee or doing paperwork before the actual meat of the scene kicks in. You also get hit with lots of sentences back-to-back that start off with names, so like (not an actual quote btw): "Titus sat down and pulled up the file. Titus scrolled down until he found what he was looking for." Other words like "it", "that", and other nouns will break this up, and sometimes adverbs like "suddenly", but I honestly can't think of a time where the prose got a bit more creative with how to start a sentence. Now, I actually find a lot of this writing to be fitting for both the genre and character - this is a crime procedural and our main character is a matter-of-fact straightforward hardworker that likes to keep things in order. My personal problem that others might not share is that the awareness of "this is a lot of '(name) did' and 'this happened, then this happened'" sometimes took me out of it. On a similar note, there was a lot of repeated reference to Red DeCrain to hammer in that Titus felt guilt for that and was constantly haunted by stuff in the present that reminded him of it, but sometimes it kinda felt like too much. Honestly all the things holding me back from feeling like this is a 5 star for me are nitpicks. Despite these nitpicks, I'm still thinking of recommending this book to people I know in my life, which is maybe the first time I've thought that for something that wasn't nonfiction.
There was much more with the book that I could compliment than I could complain about, though. For starters, I adore the little "Charon County" interludes breaking up the chapters, and especially the last one right before the climax hits. Other chapters would sometimes start with a sudden POV change and it got me hyped each time. The fact those two devices combined in the final "Charon County" interlude to show the atmosphere of the people as the serial killings have continued, with the previous alternate POVs and the consequences of what they witnessed highlighted in between the corrupt figureheads that have made Titus' job worse having to suck up the poison they've brewed,with the final line being what the reader would presume to be the final moments of the MIA Dayane? Chef's kiss. I also enjoyed how the other non-crime plot threads interacted with the main crime plot; at first I was like "holy shit, Charlotteville's Unite the Right complete with truck jumpscare??" towards the end, and thought it was a major moment that seemed disconnected to the serial killer plot, until it turned out it was the smoking gun to help Titus figure out a key identifying clue towards the killer's identity . Genius move by the author.
In between the plot about the serial killer and the subplots about the corruption & racism of Southern smalltowns and the personal life woes of Titus, there's some commentary and contemplation on current events, violence, and religion. Given what occurred in the real world during the time I was reading this, I think it's very important that writers tackle these subjects and readers can access them, without fear from either party about doing so. This book doesn't answer any of the big topics it touches upon - which, to be fair, can any book really do so - but it does provide compelling arguments and scenarios for each option. I think this is going to be one of the books that's gonna stay relevant no matter how long it's been since it first released.
I have to start by saying what holds this back from being a 5 star read for me personally is how it's written. This is my first crime procedural and I honestly don't remember how this got in my radar initially, so maybe I'm just too used to other styles of writing. The prose here is very straightforward and simple - I'd describe it as the opposite of purple prose. There's a lot of "this happened, and then this, and then this" in the writing, often a lot of small details like putting coats up or starting coffee or doing paperwork before the actual meat of the scene kicks in. You also get hit with lots of sentences back-to-back that start off with names, so like (not an actual quote btw): "Titus sat down and pulled up the file. Titus scrolled down until he found what he was looking for." Other words like "it", "that", and other nouns will break this up, and sometimes adverbs like "suddenly", but I honestly can't think of a time where the prose got a bit more creative with how to start a sentence. Now, I actually find a lot of this writing to be fitting for both the genre and character - this is a crime procedural and our main character is a matter-of-fact straightforward hardworker that likes to keep things in order. My personal problem that others might not share is that the awareness of "this is a lot of '(name) did' and 'this happened, then this happened'" sometimes took me out of it. On a similar note, there was a lot of repeated reference to Red DeCrain to hammer in that Titus felt guilt for that and was constantly haunted by stuff in the present that reminded him of it, but sometimes it kinda felt like too much. Honestly all the things holding me back from feeling like this is a 5 star for me are nitpicks. Despite these nitpicks, I'm still thinking of recommending this book to people I know in my life, which is maybe the first time I've thought that for something that wasn't nonfiction.
There was much more with the book that I could compliment than I could complain about, though. For starters, I adore the little "Charon County" interludes breaking up the chapters, and especially the last one right before the climax hits. Other chapters would sometimes start with a sudden POV change and it got me hyped each time. The fact those two devices combined in the final "Charon County" interlude to show the atmosphere of the people as the serial killings have continued, with the previous alternate POVs and the consequences of what they witnessed highlighted in between the corrupt figureheads that have made Titus' job worse having to suck up the poison they've brewed,
In between the plot about the serial killer and the subplots about the corruption & racism of Southern smalltowns and the personal life woes of Titus, there's some commentary and contemplation on current events, violence, and religion. Given what occurred in the real world during the time I was reading this, I think it's very important that writers tackle these subjects and readers can access them, without fear from either party about doing so. This book doesn't answer any of the big topics it touches upon - which, to be fair, can any book really do so - but it does provide compelling arguments and scenarios for each option. I think this is going to be one of the books that's gonna stay relevant no matter how long it's been since it first released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Torture
Minor: Slavery
This book is about the darkness and corruption in Southern small-towns, both racist and in-general. This book is about the violent and tragic incidents that can occur within the police force and FBI. This book is about the worst crimes a human can do to another human - both adult and child. That should tell you all about whether you can handle the content of the story or not.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Allll the content warnings for this one! Very disturbing content but well written and thought provoking without getting too preachy. The ending wasn't perfect - I would have liked to know the motives behind a couple players.
I'll read this author again eventually but it was too dark for me to go back for another right away!
I'll read this author again eventually but it was too dark for me to go back for another right away!
It was...interesi
This book read like an Amazon series. In fact I'm sure it would be a great prime series. I'm not particularly moved by that. The story just kind of fell short for me.
This book read like an Amazon series. In fact I'm sure it would be a great prime series. I'm not particularly moved by that. The story just kind of fell short for me.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes