emily_mh 's review for:

You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

4.0

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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If I was rating this solely based off enjoyment, it would be 5 stars. There were some definite issues with quality that meant I felt I should dock it a full star. But first, the positives! It was incredibly fast-paced and gripping, taking place over just a day (to this end, I thought it lived up to the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off gone wrong premise). Actual investigation took place, and the romance was actually believable (unlike the other two romances I’ve read of McManus). Finally, the situations and subsequent developments of the characters were really strong. 

In terms of negatives, the character personalities (despite their diverse circumstances) were all fairly generic. More significantly, it was a little messy.

For example, it didn’t really tie up who the Coach got to kill Brian.

Finally, while I didn’t hate the resolution, I didn’t love it either. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Murder

Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence

Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

Minor warnings for gentrification, loss of a loved one, death of a pet, divorce.