Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

73 reviews

elysedc's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Gore, Blood, Death, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

ronnieb's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

4.0

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Child Abuse/Assault, Death of Family Members (Children Included), Mental Illness

This was an enjoyable and fast-paced ride of a story. It has some interesting paranormal elements mixed in with the horror and mystery vibes. All the elements came together well but I think the first part of the story is the strongest. This is the most mysterious section and the one I found myself most invested in which led to a slower second half for me. 

I also think the discussion of mental illness is a bit rocky. It was not outright offensive but it did make my ears perk up as I was listening. I also think the ending wraps up a bit too neatly and ends in a happy/perfect world and to me, this just seemed like the wrong ending or at least an ending that would be years down the line not half a year after the majority of the story takes place. 

Overall I think this was a strong story. I was never bored and wanted to know how things would end. I recommend especially if you love a different kind of flavor for a mystery/thriller. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Death of parent

tlynn_07_14_21's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book and cannot wit to read more by this author. This book was definitely dark and mysterious,  creepy and suspenseful. The mansion was so atmospheric. I truly got some Goosebumps at times. The first chapter of this book grabbed a hold of me like no other book of this genre ever has. I was not expecting that paranormal twist at all. 
Beth Greer gave me some serious Evelyn Hugo vibes, but darker.
Lily Knowles 100% Lisa vibes from Girl, Interrupted. 
Even the MC, Shea is lugging around some darkness. 
If you're into Thrillers, this should be on your tbr.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence

krys_kilz's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

The first half of this book had me hooked, but the second half started to drag a bit and felt less high stakes. Some of the reveals were made too soon and the reveals towards the end were just lackluster in comparison. The characters relationships also felt unbelievable to me, they were far too convenient and the secondary characters felt so underdeveloped.

I also don't know if the paranormal element worked for me... it just felt like it was more of a plot point than an actual elemental piece of the story. If the house itself had been more fleshed out as a character, it would have been more effective.

The ending was way too neatly wrapped up and the last chapter's attempt to close on a creepy note really fell flat. A lot felt unresolved, and not in a mysterious open-ended kind of way, but in a this was super rushed kind of way. Also, the pro-prison shit, no thank you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Car accident, Child abuse, and Kidnapping

Minor: Rape

et3rnali33's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

 
what the fuck is one response to this book but, oh my god is the second. 
This was made for the thriller/suspense/mystery book lovers. With a hint of paranormal activity which would make my eyes watery…yes im a little bitch lolol
No but really, I kinda wish I read this during Fall not summer because it is an intense and creepy yet mysterious read that through off my summer vibes haha. But, you will definitely be hooked and the twist and turns you take trying to solve and crack the case with Shea. 
Definitely recommend again for those who love thriller/suspense novels!! Not to mention there is duo POV with first and third person along with court transcripts that added more to the experience! 
I WISH THE PODCASTS AND TRANSCRIPTS ACTUALLY COULD BE HEARD WITH A QRCODE OR SOMETHING!!! That would’ve been a BETTER experience <3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Murder

local_hat's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Murder, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, and Child abuse

Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: Rape

shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

"'You don't always get a motive....That's something you learn in police work. You don't always get the why, especially with stranger killings.'"
This was a fun book, and I'm glad I picked it up. This was my first dip into the true-crime and mystery genres. While I'm not sure if I'll dive into it with more reads, I know I enjoyed this read. It was fun for what it was, and it was nice getting to know all the characters. I think this is a good book for that nice dip of your toes into the waters of mystery and/or true-crime books.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

I 100% think that Beth's home was haunted, possibly by her parents' ghosts, and that it wasn't just Beth's drinking problem (although the alcohol almost certainly exasperated it).

horizonous's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, and Kidnapping

Minor: Car accident, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

◦ Mental illness = PTSD

ocean_the_reader's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I loved the mystery that surrounded this book from page one. It was complex and so full of twists and turns up until the very end. I personally have an interest in true crime, and while I'm not as obsessed as Shea, I understood it and how she felt. Didn't love the paranormal aspect, but it was interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Car accident and Child abuse

regen20's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

3.5

What a page turning book! I was genuinely creeped out at times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Drug use