Scan barcode
emilykmaloney's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
ibeforem's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
I always remember that I love Tana French's books, but I always forget just how *much* I love her books until I pick up another one.
Toby has lived a charmed life where not much has gone wrong, until he comes home one night and is attacked and left for dead. He has survived, but not without a severe brain injury that has left him weaker, confused, and without full use of one hand and leg.
While he is home recovering, he finds out that his beloved Uncle Hugo, who he used to spend holidays and summers with along with his 2 cousins, has terminal brain cancer. When his cousin Susanna calls and asks him to consider moving in with Hugo to help him out Toby initially declines, but his girlfriend Melissa convinces him to give it a try, at least for a few weeks. So they move into the old family home with Hugo, at least for a few weeks.
A few weeks turns into longer, as the family falls into the uncomfortable rhythm that happens when someone is sick and dying, but you just don't know when. The extended family, especially the cousins, are around often, and conversation turns to "what is going to happen to the house?" Until a skull is found in the witch elm in the garden, and things take a mighty turn.
There are many things that French does well. She knows how to write beautifully, and she knows how to write family dynamics. She's not afraid to give a story room to grow and breathe -- I don't think anyone would ever refer to one of her books as fast-paced. She can spend an entire chapter on a single conversation, and keep you interested. And an extra twist in this story is that Toby is an unreliable narrator. Because of his brain injury, there are things he can't remember, and you can't always trust his impression of what is going on, especially when there are drugs or alcohol involved.
Though the mystery does go in some predictable directions, the book itself took some turns that I definitely was not expecting. It does not end up where I thought it would, at all.
I'll always pick up a Tana French book, without hesitation.
Toby has lived a charmed life where not much has gone wrong, until he comes home one night and is attacked and left for dead. He has survived, but not without a severe brain injury that has left him weaker, confused, and without full use of one hand and leg.
While he is home recovering, he finds out that his beloved Uncle Hugo, who he used to spend holidays and summers with along with his 2 cousins, has terminal brain cancer. When his cousin Susanna calls and asks him to consider moving in with Hugo to help him out Toby initially declines, but his girlfriend Melissa convinces him to give it a try, at least for a few weeks. So they move into the old family home with Hugo, at least for a few weeks.
A few weeks turns into longer, as the family falls into the uncomfortable rhythm that happens when someone is sick and dying, but you just don't know when. The extended family, especially the cousins, are around often, and conversation turns to "what is going to happen to the house?" Until a skull is found in the witch elm in the garden, and things take a mighty turn.
There are many things that French does well. She knows how to write beautifully, and she knows how to write family dynamics. She's not afraid to give a story room to grow and breathe -- I don't think anyone would ever refer to one of her books as fast-paced. She can spend an entire chapter on a single conversation, and keep you interested. And an extra twist in this story is that Toby is an unreliable narrator. Because of his brain injury, there are things he can't remember, and you can't always trust his impression of what is going on, especially when there are drugs or alcohol involved.
Though the mystery does go in some predictable directions, the book itself took some turns that I definitely was not expecting. It does not end up where I thought it would, at all.
I'll always pick up a Tana French book, without hesitation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
arti_27209'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Addiction, and Cancer
Minor: Drug use
mlindley's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
babayagaofficial's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Bullying
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Medical trauma
Minor: Child death and Transphobia
More...