micropeenie's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Sexual violence
alevssia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Blood, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Violence
sorcery_and_stories'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: Violence, Child abuse, and Mental illness
camillarossi'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
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Death, Violence, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Car accident
Minor: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
staghunters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first thought that comes to mind is the resemblance with Twin Peaks. Not only in the murder of a teenage girl, but particularly in the focus on the small town and the people in it. As the book progresses and we come to know a bit more about Nola Kellergan, the threads that connect her to various side characters.
Marcus, however, is not a good-natured Dale Cooper. His bloated ego shines through till well into the second act, where an incident confronts him with his fame-seeking nature. Though a change in character is not dramatic, he does improve in smaller ways.
The plot has an interesting structure. The chapters count down instead of up, Marcus' storyline is intercut with scenes that take the place of someone's monologue, and what seems to be the end actually isn't.
The latter is also one of my critiques of the book. It is quite slow-paced for all but the last 2 or 3 chapters. Here, the events really rake up and gain speed. It answers questions, sure, but in my opinion, there were a bit too many rug-pulls. Maybe they will make more sense on a reread.
This certainly made me curious about Dicker's other books.
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Mental illness and Racism
bibi_08's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Murder
jazful'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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Grief, Mental illness, Police brutality, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Violence, Domestic abuse, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical trauma
ging090803's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Honestly, I understand the idea. It was a great idea. The plot is good... But oh men, it was so long. I am sure the mysterious death of Nola could have been solved way faster than that. I don't understand why, all book long, we had a suspect then no suspect then too many suspects, etc etc. We were circling around everything for 800 pages. I'm sure I would have loved how it was written (between present and past from the author's POV) normally but not this time. It was only confusing and eternal.
If someone wants a recommendation from me, I will say that there are other great mystery books before this one...
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Gun violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Stalking, Self harm, Violence, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Car accident and Sexual content
radgirl_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence and Murder
lindasoderlundd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Violence, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Self harm, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content