Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

111 reviews

lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Gun violence, Car accident, Child death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Bullying, and Child abuse

With thrillers like this, there are always a lot of CWs, so please check them before reading, if necessary. This book was a solid mystery, but St James's novels (of the two I have read, at least), are more about the characters and how they solve the mystery and their own traumas, rather than shocking last minute reveals. The solutions are not really that surprising. I couldn't help but comparing this to the author's book, The Broken Girls, and this one felt like a lesser (and less interesting) version. There are a LOT of surface level similarities with the character types, a spooky building, even careers of the the heroine and hero. The two main characters here were semi-decently fleshed out, but the other minor characters really weren't. I read it in literally one sitting, but more just to be done with it, rather than that I couldn't put it down. All the same, I would still give St. James another try. This was solid (and The Broken Girls was very well-done and memorable).

bethasaurus13's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

I really enjoyed this! It was a very quick read for me. I loved the multifaceted characters and how nuanced Beth and Shea were. Their relationship was complex and I appreciated the portrayal. I also loved that the book had 2 female main characters. 

while I did thoroughly enjoy this, I knocked it down half a star because of the paranormal aspect. I’m not a big fan of paranormal reads. It did also slightly remind me of haunting of hill house and also PLL because of the evil psychopathic secret sibling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent

Minor: Infertility

prittypeaches's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

I loved the cold case thriller... The paranormal aspects of this book left me a bit empty.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, and Death of parent

Paranormal activity displaying and causing violent acts.

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I thought I’d had this book all figured out, and I sort of did, but the twist was fantastic! The dual point of view was interesting and a great way to tell different aspects of the story without rushing key plot points with the court transcript deviation that was surprising yet played a huge part in making the book move forward. Simone St. James did. an excellent job creating interesting characters and a compelling story!

The only part I wasn’t super fond of was Beth’s storytelling close to the end. I get the why behind it, but it somewhat dragged and didn’t add too much for me, personally. Overall, a book I would recommend listening to because the narration is great, but also enjoyed reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Death, Blood, and Mental illness

Minor: Rape, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Sexual violence

samsbookreview's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Murder, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Sexual assault, Child death, Rape, and Kidnapping

jujusand's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Blood, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Addiction, and Abandonment

pernillelsk's review against another edition

dark 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Gun violence

Moderate: Mental illness, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Car accident

Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy

jennyoli96's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• 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

4.0

I enjoyed the book but I'm getting tired of the "plot twist has something to do with a sibling" trope that has appeared in every book so far of this recent thriller marathon I'm on.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Cursing, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Minor: Police brutality

katyannreads's review against another edition

mysterious fast-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

4.0

I really liked the concept of this story. Only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is I’m not a fan of the paranormal / ghosty trope. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Murder

Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

torturedreadersdept'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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Death of parent, Rape, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Infertility