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ids100 's review for:
Beneath Devil's Bridge
by Loreth Anne White
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It began strong but steadily got worse in the second half. After learning the true crime that "inspired" the book, it's easy to understand why. To match the culprit(s) in real life, the story took several awkward and implausible turns. The final chapters then became sermons about school bulling, social responsibilities, how truth can set one free, and how Nobody's hands were clean.
... Except the podcaster whose reckless, undisciplined, and unethical reporting "revealed the truth". Everything and anything is justifiable in the name of truth-seeking. Never mind that her podcast doxxed people (before be sure about their culpability) and caused deaths, destruction, injuries, and kidnapping of children. She was applauded and thanked by everyone including those whose children hurt and whose lives ruined. THANKED. Seriously, even if they all deserved it, to think that (guilty) people would appreciate being doxxed or having their children harmed is absurd.
Even the one death she was definitely responsible, a nefarious gang-tie was introduced late in the game to absolve her.
The ending had all the principle players sitting around singing kumbaya and hugging each other. No one was in real trouble. Everyone was happy. The innocent children were hurt but not too badly. No lasting physical or psychological trauma because if there was even a hint of that we might question the wisdom of the real-time news reporting as entertainment.
It will be a much better book if the author stuck to dramatize the real life events or do a straight up nonfiction & do social commentaries to her heart's desire. But then she can't play the conscience, the "cleansing forest fire" of society, can she?
... Except the podcaster whose reckless, undisciplined, and unethical reporting "revealed the truth". Everything and anything is justifiable in the name of truth-seeking. Never mind that her podcast doxxed people (before be sure about their culpability) and caused deaths, destruction, injuries, and kidnapping of children. She was applauded and thanked by everyone including those whose children hurt and whose lives ruined. THANKED. Seriously, even if they all deserved it, to think that (guilty) people would appreciate being doxxed or having their children harmed is absurd.
Even the one death she was definitely responsible, a nefarious gang-tie was introduced late in the game to absolve her.
The ending had all the principle players sitting around singing kumbaya and hugging each other. No one was in real trouble. Everyone was happy. The innocent children were hurt but not too badly. No lasting physical or psychological trauma because if there was even a hint of that we might question the wisdom of the real-time news reporting as entertainment.
It will be a much better book if the author stuck to dramatize the real life events or do a straight up nonfiction & do social commentaries to her heart's desire. But then she can't play the conscience, the "cleansing forest fire" of society, can she?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Infidelity, Racism, Suicide attempt