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david_slack110507's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was amazing and I will admit that I was extremely worried due to seeing certain reviews and reviewers being disappointed with how the series ended, I will admit that while the ending isn't my favourite, I think the rest of the book more than made up for the somewhat anticlimactic ending.
I really liked how this book brought the whole series together in a circular narrative. I loved that Andie's character outside of what happened to her was filled in and to me. It didn't feel forced and I'm glad that certain details weren't retconned to serve the purpose needed for the story. It actually answers some longstanding questions from the first book that was never truly explained such as 'Why was Andie so desperate to leave this seemingly perfect life of hers?', 'What happened to Pip's dog Barney seen as Elliot admits that he never did anything to him?', 'Why did Andie start dealing drugs?' etc. It was done really well imo and I'm glad that most loose ends were tied together concerning other books in the series.
This book also has the story at its grittiest and darkest whilst also having Pip at her lowest and once again I think it's done well by Holly Jackson and her writing. It may get tiresome for some to read about Stanley's blood being on Pip's hands for the 80th time but it serves a point to remark on the PTSD and trauma Pip has gained due to her crucial yet self-damaging involvement in these cases. Pip is shown to be a strong character and has some amazing character development in this book and from where she started in the first one.
Pip killing Jason Bell / The DT Killer / The Slough Strangler was unexpected, and it allowed Pip to fall into that morally grey area that she hates so much. There were some nitpicks that I did have an issue with such as Charlie's role in the book, after evading capture at the end of the last book, Pip constantly mentions him and how what he did to Stanley and his conflicting morals has affected her on a major level yet when he is captured it's simply a throwaway line that doesn't ever amount to anything. We don't get to see Pip confront him and just talk which could have been a very interesting dynamic considering the build-up. Billy Karass' unjust imprisonment is also dropped pretty quickly after mentioning it as it acts more as a plot point for Pip to discover and learn about the DT Killer and just gets dropped until right at the end where it's briefly mentioned and resolved leaving it to feel a bit rushed.
Overall, I still loved this book despite some minor flaws and by extension, I loved this series as well. I may begin reading She's Gone by David Bell as I have seen that it has similar vibes to this series.
I really liked how this book brought the whole series together in a circular narrative. I loved that Andie's character outside of what happened to her was filled in and to me. It didn't feel forced and I'm glad that certain details weren't retconned to serve the purpose needed for the story. It actually answers some longstanding questions from the first book that was never truly explained such as 'Why was Andie so desperate to leave this seemingly perfect life of hers?', 'What happened to Pip's dog Barney seen as Elliot admits that he never did anything to him?', 'Why did Andie start dealing drugs?' etc. It was done really well imo and I'm glad that most loose ends were tied together concerning other books in the series.
This book also has the story at its grittiest and darkest whilst also having Pip at her lowest and once again I think it's done well by Holly Jackson and her writing. It may get tiresome for some to read about Stanley's blood being on Pip's hands for the 80th time but it serves a point to remark on the PTSD and trauma Pip has gained due to her crucial yet self-damaging involvement in these cases. Pip is shown to be a strong character and has some amazing character development in this book and from where she started in the first one.
Pip killing Jason Bell / The DT Killer / The Slough Strangler was unexpected, and it allowed Pip to fall into that morally grey area that she hates so much. There were some nitpicks that I did have an issue with such as Charlie's role in the book, after evading capture at the end of the last book, Pip constantly mentions him and how what he did to Stanley and his conflicting morals has affected her on a major level yet when he is captured it's simply a throwaway line that doesn't ever amount to anything. We don't get to see Pip confront him and just talk which could have been a very interesting dynamic considering the build-up. Billy Karass' unjust imprisonment is also dropped pretty quickly after mentioning it as it acts more as a plot point for Pip to discover and learn about the DT Killer and just gets dropped until right at the end where it's briefly mentioned and resolved leaving it to feel a bit rushed.
Overall, I still loved this book despite some minor flaws and by extension, I loved this series as well. I may begin reading She's Gone by David Bell as I have seen that it has similar vibes to this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Death, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Gore, and Stalking
Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
danicampbell0506's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Grief, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing
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