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boba_nbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This novel follows Paul Adams--a man who, as a child, was accused of brutal and ritualistic murder of a fellow classmate. Back then, Paul befriended Charlie--a boy obsessed with lucid dreaming and exacting revenge on his "enemies." It's clear Charlie was a part of the murder, but he disappeared without a trace. Thankfully, Paul was set free, but as soon as he could, Paul left his childhood home behind. It's been 25 years, and Paul still has no desire to return. But, when his mother's dementia worsens and she has a concerning fall, Paul has no choice but to come home. While in the dreaded town, Paul discovers that a detective is visiting to try and find any clues to help her solve a copycat murder of the one from Paul's childhood. Suddenly, Paul finds himself dragged back into the past, and he's discovering that, even as someone who was close to the murderer and victim, there are still things he does not know about what happened.
This book was creepy in the best way possible. The reveal was a tad lackluster, but I quite enjoyed the lead-up and the dual timeline showing Paul in both the past and the present as well as the point-of-view of the detective. Anyone who loves psychological thrillers and mysteries will eat this book up.
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
antimony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
haleybre'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
2.75
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
yomireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Homophobia
literaryliaisons'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: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia