Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

34 reviews

niallgoulding1's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

Similar to the previous book in the series. This is a very satisfying comfort read. Easy to read, well defined characters with a comforting, wholesome message at the end of each vignette. 

The reasons I don't rate the book more highly are the lack of "sophistication". Its origins as a play are front and centre with the limited cast, single location, and  easy to follow story beats. This isn't a book with a lot of nuance or grey areas. But it tackles the themes of sadness and loss in a sensitive way and imparts a very hopeful message. 

I've enjoyed reading both and will definitely read more of this series when I'm in the right mood. The literary equivalent of a favourite Xmas movie/comforting sweater

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide attempt and Murder

lillucys's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

My review from reading Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Tales from the Café in 2020 ~ "A very intriguing ghost-like novel of 4 different yet interlinking stories. I am not normally someone who would read this genre of book but I really loved it!"

3 years later and I have now read the next novel by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the coffee gets cold ~ Tales from the Café. Some of the same faces appear in this story as featured in the first book and we learn more about their lives along with the 4 people who come to travel back, or forward, in time, in the hope of sharing one last moment with a friend, a mother, a lover, a wife. Another wonderful set of stories in one cover and I look forward to reading the next instalment. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Cancer, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

lana_reads98's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

4.5

Like reading a warm hug, highly recommend as an audiobook 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, Miscarriage, and Death

Minor: Murder

arturo_luzen's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Blood, Cancer, Grief, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Death, Violence, Car accident, and Murder

knifecryptid's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

An easy and relaxing read. I, personally, prefer the first book, but still enjoyed this one. Loved all the callbacks to events and characters from the first book, and getting some answers to questions that were left unanswered at the end of the first one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, and Miscarriage

Minor: Murder

samcsmith's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Dementia, and Murder

serendipity421's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Murder, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, and Pregnancy

lucyrudd's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Infertility, Cancer, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

stacy_es's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I read that the book author actually makes wonderful theatrical performances. I bet this book is superb as the scenario for the theatre play. 
I liked a lot the idea itself, I wish the feelings and emotions of the characters as well as they themselves were described a bit deeper. I lacked that a lot. 
There is certain hope that the 3rd part would bring some fresh turn. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, and Grief

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Cancer, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Car accident, and Terminal illness

Minor: Murder and Sexism