Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

21 reviews

nahret's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad 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

3.5

 A difficult read, ngl. Not only are the murders absolutely, horrifyingly gruesome, the atmosphere in fictional Charon County is nothing short of oppressive. There's the racism that the US, and the South especially, is built on; the author makes it clear at every point, that there is no escaping the legacy of slavery. And not just because we never actually arrived in a post-racial America, but specifically because the White Supremacists in Charon hold on to their questionable heritage with incredible dedication and an all-consuming hatred for everyone who is not a straight white cis man.

And then there's religion. Charon has an abundance of churches (which, again, I hear is normal in the South), and religion might as well be the protagonist of this novel. It permeates every aspect of life in this town, from intimate familial relationships all the way up to politics and administration. Consider this, if you will, a content warning in case of religious trauma; this book will probably cause a reaction.

This story hits all the important notes of a crime novel:
- the sense of danger is constant
- the resolution of the case proceeds at a steady pace
- the characters behave in a consistent manner
- all ends are tied up in a satisfying conclusion

My only quibble with the book was the sheriff's inner monologue. I mostly liked the prose, but sometimes the bible quotes, idioms, similes, and metaphors became a bit much. They certainly helped with the whole Southern vibe, but they don't need to pop up every other sentence.

However, solid read, with as happy an ending as possible under the circumstances. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Slavery, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

beckiedenise's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book! It was such a riveting mystery all the way through. The small town setting added a layer of intrigue and corruption on top of having to find the serial killer. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Racism, and Mass/school shootings

Moderate: Pedophilia, Terminal illness, and Religious bigotry

condls27's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

5.0

A gripping, dark mystery that will keep you engaged to the very last sentence. Take care and check trigger warnings before reading. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Murder

drsa's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

faeriegodmutha's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.25

I rather enjoy a Christ-haunted psychological terror type novel and this was very solid. Great writing,plot, setting.... Very unsettling but beautifully written!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

goldenpumpkin's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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? No

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, and Murder

mysterymom40's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content and Fire/Fire injury

eeefann125's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Gaslighting

reddeddy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

averycrainepowell'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Murder

Moderate: Gore, Pedophilia, and Racial slurs

Minor: Terminal illness and Police brutality