Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay

18 reviews

beckyremillard's review against another edition

mysterious 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? No

4.5

In 1999, four teenagers were murdered at the Blockbuster they worked at. One person survived. The suspected murder was arrested, but released on bail and escaped. Fifteen years later, a group of teenagers were murdered at the ice cream shop. One person survived. 

The book is written in the third person from the perspectives of Ella, the Blockbuster survivor, Chris, the alleged Blockbuster murderer’s brother, and Special Agent Keller. 

There was a lot of layers to this one but I liked that I didn’t immediately guess the entire plot. I figured it out before the story got there, but that’s how the book is written. 

There seem to be some polarizing reviews on this one but I really liked it. I just couldn’t stand that the 8 month pregnant with twins FBI agent was running around and putting herself in danger. She made a comment about how she was treated by some while pregnant and working but she makes some extremely poor decisions. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Self harm

librariangeorgia's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The concept was so interesting and very well executed. Full of twists and surprises - I totally didn’t guess the killer!

It’s split into 3 parts, with each part having short chapters that alternate between Ella, Chris and Keller’s perspectives. With the chapters being so short, I did struggle at the beginning to get used to how quick it flicks between characters.

I really liked Keller and Ella as character, wasn’t fussed on Chris. However, I did think that Ella was a more interesting ‘final girl’ than Jesse - I don’t know if it’s because of how they were written or if it was because Ella was an ‘old’ final girl whereas Jesse had only just become a final girl.

Overall, I found it to be a really interesting alternative ‘final girl’ style thriller.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Grief, and Murder

lilifane's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense 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? No

4.0

I'm surprised how much I enjoyed the book. 
It's about a brutal murder taking place in the past and a similar crime taking place in the present. I really like these kinds of stories. 
This was fast-paced, the twists and turns surprised me, all loose ends were tied up, nothing really annoyed be. And I even liked the characters, although some of them were a little one dimensional. But I guess that's what I liked so much, no unnecessary personal drama. 
It's not groundbreaking or anything, but it gave me exactly what I needed from the story. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Self harm, and Suicide

briarsreviews's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay is easily one of my favourite thriller reads in 2022. I was honestly surprised how fast paced, mysterious, and binge-worthy this book was! The multiple POVs kept me hooked at every turn, and even the little cliff-hangers at the end of each chapter didn't bother me. I was completely enthralled with this book and it was super hard to put it down. 

The characters were relatable, even through their tough times. You feel for these characters, and you want an answer... Even if it's not the one we want. The ending will leave you wanting to punch through walls (but don't, because everything is expensive with the supply chain problems these days). 

I will give it to Alex Finlay - this is a masterfully crafted book that has left me wanting to read more books by this marvellous author. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a mystery that brings back the nostalgia of the 1990s/2000s, and really makes you think. Plus, short chapters are always great for binge readers like me that sometimes need a wee break (to sleep!).

Five out of five stars!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Pedophilia

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, and Pregnancy

wertzuio's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• 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? No

2.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Self harm

tbose22's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Blood

Minor: Physical abuse and Self harm

bekah1210's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

dogearedbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

It was good, very good. I didn't think I would rate it this high until the second half of the book, the ending was especially great as everything comes together. Like his debut Alex Finlay has broken my heart. Also like his debut Agent Keller is in this book, which I am super happy about. A competent and compassionate FBI agent who has a good home life and isn't tragic. 

I wish there was more 1999 in this book, I would love a 80s or 90s thriller/mystery. Love the idea of a mass killing at a blockbuster. By the end of the book I stopped wishing it was something else snd was glad it was what it was. 

I will read Alex Finlay again.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail