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bookswithabbey1'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
greenclovers75's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
martachbc's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use
savvyrosereads'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Paris Peralta wakes up covered in blood next to her husband’s dead body, but her arrest threatens to reveal the secrets she has spent years trying to hide.
I read this as part of Love Struck Thrills Book Club and found it to be enjoyable overall. It wasn’t particularly “thrilling” (shoutout to Britni (@bitty_gets_litty on Insta) for characterizing it as a “crime drama” which I think is the best descriptor) but I was generally entertained for the entire book and that does go a long way. The characters were well-written and I thought the writing style was pretty engaging—I’ll definitely be checking out other Hillier novels.
That said, the plot was ultimately pretty predictable and I felt a bit “meh” about this one as a whole—I didn’t actively dislike it, but I wouldn’t quite say I actively liked it, either. Still, if you want a quick (and pretty dark) mystery read, this is probably worth a shot!
Recommended if you like: nonlinear stories with lots of flashbacks; slow burn mysteries; detailed character portraits
CW: Child abuse, including sexual abuse; murder/blood/gore; some discussion of depression/suicide/substance abuse; fire/fire injury.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide
books_in_badgerland's review against another edition
5.0
“She was familiar with that smile; she’d seen it too many times. It was the smile monsters wore when they were pretending they weren’t monsters.” Eww.
Based on these two quotes, I can tell this book would be a hit for me.
I see why everyone raves about Jennifer Hillier. Wow! This book is hard to describe without giving too much away. The timeline shifts between past and present to discuss multiple deaths and some incredibly complex family dynamics. I love Hillier’s writing style! I felt sad, mad, creeped out, and satisfied at the end. I can’t wait to read more of her books! (5⭐️)
⚠️ Child abuse, physical/mental/emotional abuse, gaslighting, and I’m sure more.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
jhenry'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury
blouviere4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
julienicole1106'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
emilylovesgoodbooks'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Drug abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
paisleypetty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dementia, and Alcohol