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art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My first gut instinct when finishing this book was that I liked it. After thinking about it more and ripping through it in my bookclub I have decided to lower my rating from a 4 to a 3.
First off this book is classified as a mystery as well as horror or paranormal. Although there is some of the latter (no horror in my opinion), it is used as a device in certain spots to further the plot in such ways that would be unnecessary if the sequence of events was simply thought about a bit more. This book would have been much more suspenseful and mysterious if the paranormal bits were more vague. Some people will laugh but some of the paranormal instances in the book don't fit in with the typical standards for such things making it feel forced.
There were a variety of other details that felt forced, as if the author was trying to meet a page count and didn't have enough ideas left to develop the plot further. I love the cat, but it's storyline was thrown in as if we needed to see that Shea's life is perfectly-normal-thank-you-very-much-look-she-has-a-cat. However, Shea has an incredibly rich back story that could be delved into a lot more. We barely scratch the surface of her trauma, instead focusing on her fear of cars. Maybe a psychologist would disagree but it felt very flat and unrealistic. And I don't mean in the sense that someone can't have a pathological fear of cars or strange ways of dealing with trauma; I mean the way she acted and reacted in the book felt like how someone without trauma thinks people with trauma are.
I liked the base storyline and thought the mystery components were well thought out. Some of the characters were likeable. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this to anyone.
First off this book is classified as a mystery as well as horror or paranormal. Although there is some of the latter (no horror in my opinion), it is used as a device in certain spots to further the plot in such ways that would be unnecessary if the sequence of events was simply thought about a bit more. This book would have been much more suspenseful and mysterious if the paranormal bits were more vague. Some people will laugh but some of the paranormal instances in the book don't fit in with the typical standards for such things making it feel forced.
There were a variety of other details that felt forced, as if the author was trying to meet a page count and didn't have enough ideas left to develop the plot further. I love the cat, but it's storyline was thrown in as if we needed to see that Shea's life is perfectly-normal-thank-you-very-much-look-she-has-a-cat. However, Shea has an incredibly rich back story that could be delved into a lot more. We barely scratch the surface of her trauma, instead focusing on her fear of cars. Maybe a psychologist would disagree but it felt very flat and unrealistic. And I don't mean in the sense that someone can't have a pathological fear of cars or strange ways of dealing with trauma; I mean the way she acted and reacted in the book felt like how someone without trauma thinks people with trauma are.
I liked the base storyline and thought the mystery components were well thought out. Some of the characters were likeable. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this to anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, and Drug abuse
Minor: Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Terminal illness
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
ashhearddwrites's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Alcoholism, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Drug use
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.
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.
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
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
tamara_joy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Actually scary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, and Blood
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.
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.
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
augustinedreams's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat through every plot-twist. The character relationships are so intriguing, and complicatedm It's a true crime murder mystery with a side of paranormal, just the way I like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Car accident
Minor: Rape
ambenicole418's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really like this book! It’s a murder mystery with a touch of ghost story. We don’t get to see the bulk of the ghost stuff until the last half of the book (because who is haunting the house is important to the overarching murder mystery plot), but when you do get to the parts about the ghosts you can feel the intensity and spookiness of the whole situation. Overall, while I did take a few issues with the book I really enjoyed this story and would recommend to anyone looking for a murder mystery/thriller book.
Dislikes:
Dislikes:
- I didn’t really like that they never explained the haunting of the house, specifically, they never explain why the house itself feels sentient in the fact that it seems to be taunting Beth at times with her alcoholism and images of her father or why Marianna is also haunting the house.
The first and last time we see her ghost towards the beginning of the book she is opening doors in the house looking for someone and then banging on Beth’s door loudly for her to open it, but they never give an explanation for why she does this. We also don’t find out what happened to Marianna’s ghost at the end of the story. At the end of the book they explain that the house is still haunted and mention that there are now two ghosts in the window which we assume to be Lily and Beth, but they never say anything about Marianna’s ghost. Is she still there and if not what made her finally leave? - And while the ending was satisfying enough I wasn’t a huge fan of the some of the choices.
The way Shea paints Beth as a muderous villian and makes it her mission to put Beth away for Lily’s death you would think that Beth killed an innocent person in cold blood. The police were never gonna put Lily away for the murders she committed. There was no evidence and the only person alive that even knew she existed and what she was doing was Beth. Lily made it clear that she wasn’t going to stop killing people and she was probably gonna force Beth to kill too. I mean even in death she was still trying to kill people. I’m not saying Beth was a righteous hero or anything, but by killing Lily she stopped more innocent people from dying, and I don’t think she deserves to be condemned and jailed for that especially at Beth’s ripe age of 60+ years old.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Rape, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
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
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