Scan barcode
pibblemama97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Torture, Body horror, Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Gore, Murder, and Violence
stephwtsn27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Body horror, Blood, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, and Torture
melchncookies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Cannibalism, Excrement, and Drug use
dissociationstation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Torture, Misogyny, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Medical content
lunalorenne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Additionally, while it’s important to portray these killers as the horrible monsters they are, rightfully so, I wish that we were able to see more of Jeremy as a character instead of almost a caricature of a bunch of serial killers mixed together. The draw with writing from a killers perspective, I feel, is to empathize and grapple with the moral quandary of seeing a part of yourself in someone so evil, ideally then, we are faced with the fact that those monsters are people, and because we are human we have the potential (no matter how remote) to become the monster. It creates more tension to have that moral grey area and I didn’t feel that at all in this novel.
The ending was also sped up quite a bit which threw the pacing.
But ultimately this thriller did have me checking the locks on my doors before bed so well done on creating the feelings of tension and fear. I hope there is a second book as I want to get to know these characters more!
Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
beccareadswithadog'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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Torture, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
semeyers'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? It's complicated
1.0
This book was clearly minimally-if-at-all edited and it could have used a heavy handed editor and more guidance. My copy had several spelling errors ("vile" instead of "vial", for example) and grammatical errors throughout. The descriptions were over the top and often clunky, falling flat with how much they tried to pack in. The chapters themselves were hard to follow at times, characters were often in one room, then suddenly a completely different place in the next paragraph. The characters were flat. No personality, no hobbies, no background, no development, no arc. I really didn't feel a connection with any of them and the Butcher was not a very compelling villain - he has no M.O., no consistency, and is over the top edgy. The most we learn about Wren's personality and background is she likes her hair in messy buns and her grandma left her a vintage ring. That's it.
The author has also never been to New Orleans and relied heavily on stereotypes and basic descriptions. Fleur-de-Lis are featured, there are bayous and cypress trees at every turn, there's a fortune teller, and if I had to hear one more description on how hot and "thick" the air was, I may have lost it. I also did not love the medical procedure spiels and serial killer name drops/info dumps. Neither of these added much, if anything, to the story and just seemed like the author wanting to insert her own knowledge.
The 7-year jump did not confuse me, I thought it was done okay, but it was easy to spot the twist coming. My issue is that the 7-year jump is not enough time to make the twist believable
Once I learned that this book was written with a movie deal in mind, it all made sense. The characters don't need to have much emotion on the page, that can be added on the screen with actors. The sudden jumps in place for the characters are camera cuts. I think this will work better as a move than it did as a book.
I was surprised to see the relatively high review, until I noticed many of the 4- and 5-star reviews are from fans of the author's podcast.
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, and Gore
Minor: Vomit and Drug use
cait_mccarron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Murder, Death, Physical abuse, and Violence
lolamosk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Gore, Murder, Torture, Medical content, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
uncorkedthriller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me say it sucked me in from the beginning. It is a relatively short book at 242 pages, so I sped through it. It was also recommended to me to listen to the audio, which didn’t disappoint. The audio made it for me. They both took on their prospective parts and really enhanced the book, in my opinion.
I’m usually pretty good at picking out the “twists” before they come, but this one still threw me. I was close, just not on point. So I was surprised to say the least. I love when authors can throw me off and surprise me!
I did remove a star for two reasons, one being that it just abruptly ends. I’m not sure if this is setting it up for a second book, but I didn’t expect it to just end. The other reason, is strictly my opinion. The reason I was thrown was based on timelines. To not spoil anything for anyone, I won’t go into details, but when you read it you may understand.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It had the thriller aspect i enjoy and it had an added mix with Wren’s approach as the ME.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 ⭐️
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Physical abuse, Torture, Murder, Confinement, Death, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Gun violence, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent