Scan barcode
jessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Stalking, Alcohol, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Dementia, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
catherine_t's review
- 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
4.75
Then Fin, Estelle's husband, shows up, and a meddling neighbour interferes, and suddenly Anna's past is roaring back like an express train. She and Fin find themselves on the run, whilst simultaneously investigating Leon's death and podcasting about it.
This was my first Denise Mina, but it won't be my last. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved the whole premise. I thought the characters were great: Anna especially really leapt off the page, but all the characters were exceptional. And I totally didn't expect the twist at the end, even though, in retrospect, all the clues were there. Highly recommended.
Moderate: Alcohol, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Rape
zenzi2read's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Rape
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide
malexinator's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
shaylac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TLDR:
This thriller/mystery will take you through Anna's past recounting her life but in doing so finds an unlikely friend to uncover the mystery of an old friends death.
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Infidelity, and Eating disorder
crystalleighwrites'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Car accident, Rape, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Death, Murder, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide, and Death of parent
jewelkr'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: Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Rape, Abandonment, Eating disorder, Murder, Gaslighting, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
gracepf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide, Addiction, Suicide attempt, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, Blood, Car accident, Body shaming, and Death of parent
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
- 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
Present day Glasgow, Scotland and affluent mother of two, Anna is addicted to true crime podcasts. Her day starts out as normal, but is disrupted by husband Hamish announcing he's leaving her for friend and neighbour Estelle and taking their two girls. After he has left, distraught but determined Anna flees, and ends up with a travelling companion - Estelle's husband, famously anorexic musician, Fin. Listening to a new podcast, Death and The Dana, about the scuttling of a luxury yacht in Saint Martin leading to the death of its three passengers, startles Anna when she realises that, years before, she was friends with one of the passengers, wealthy Leon. No one understands why the yacht sank, but it appeared deliberate. Disturbingly for Anna, she has another connection to Leon, through his then wife, gangster billionaire, Greta. Anna's life explodes and normal rules no longer apply...
My first Denise Mina and certainly not my last. I knew it would be spectacular storytelling after hearing Sam Baker interview the author on her podcast, The Shift. It was also a Reese's Book Club pick. Anna is a complex character, handled masterfully by Mina, but I liked Fin too, found him funny if vulnerable. Including the topical subjects of true crime podcasts, fame and celebrity, and the dilemmas it creates, Mina's writing is exuberant, whipping the plot from glamorous locations like Skibo Castle and Venice to train journeys and escaping gangsters. It's one hell of a ride. I read this sparkling thriller compulsively over two days and nights.
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
felicitydisco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts