Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

125 reviews

ninahuynh's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.75

This book is much slower paced compared to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. There were several parts where there is an obvious way to do something, but the character chose to complicated way to make their life harder... Definitely a different kind of plot twist from the series. This is more of a disappearance/reappearance mystery, family mystery than murder mystery. Maybe suspense, not quite thriller.

My favorite line is "I'm hungry" 😂 iykyk (audiobook version)

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Stalking, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

zahraloujain's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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 Reappearance of Rachel Price is an emotional journey of mystery and redemption, weaving complex themes of loss, love, and the unexpected returns of people who shaped us. Holly Jackson’s writing is strikingly authentic, with a cast of fully realized characters who drive the story’s profound emotional impact. 

“[…] she didn’t always have to pick the way that hurt less. Some hurts were good: friends grew apart, people moved away, they left. It didn’t have to last forever to count. Things ended, this was ending, but that didn’t mean it never mattered.” 

“The people who loved you, the ones who really cared, they would always come back. Sometimes, they even came back from the dead.” 

 

One of the most powerful aspects of Jackson’s storytelling is the way she creates characters who feel real, flawed, and deeply relatable. The protagonist, Bel, is not easy to like at first—she’s rough around the edges, her pain sharp and almost abrasive—but that’s precisely what makes her journey so compelling. By the end, Bel’s character arc becomes a testament to healing and self-forgiveness. In grappling with her trauma, she learns to embrace the idea that things don’t have to last to matter and that the people who truly care will always find a way back.

 

The relationship between Bel and Ash is a subtle yet deeply affecting thread in the novel. Their journey, particularly that last scene, carries a bittersweet beauty, leaving readers both hopeful and heartbroken. Jackson’s talent for emotional complexity is apparent here, as Bel and Ash share a bond that feels destined, even if not straightforwardly “happily ever after”. Their ending is left open enough to inspire a sense of faith in their future. At least that’s what I have convinced myself of.

 

True to her style, Jackson keeps readers on edge with her plot twists, making The Reappearance of Rachel Price impossible to put down. While some twists may be anticipated, others come out of nowhere, keeping the experience both unpredictable and emotionally intense. This roller coaster of emotions—anger, heartbreak, and ultimately peace—leaves a lasting impression, making the book hard to shake even after the last page is turned. And Jackson’s inclusion of diverse characters feels effortless, lending authenticity without seeming forced or performative. 

 

In short, The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a must-read, earning a solid 5 out of 5 stars. Holly Jackson’s gift for authentic character development and her nuanced exploration of trauma make this novel unforgettable. It’s a story that lingers, one that feels achingly real, and it’s clear that Jackson has become a treasured staple on my bookshelf.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Dementia, Death of parent, and Abandonment

calamitywindpetal's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Minor: Vomit

keelymightread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• 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? No

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Ableism, Death, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Miscarriage and Misogyny

louiepotterbook's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

estellec13's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

I loooove this book so much !! Holly Jackson does it again! I couldn't put it down for the whole second half of it !! I tried to guess the plot and I did guess some things but other things really took me by surprise! 

There's only one thing that I was disapointed about: we never really find out why Charlie wanted to kill Rachel, I don't really understand.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment

beccaperson's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

The premise for this is really cool, and all the plot points laid out sound like a great story. Ultimately the writing fails to really deliver the reason people do.....anything in this book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

vibingandy's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

wow she did it again. very reminiscent of her book As Good As Dead, but also so much more. This was a whirlwind start to finish I think I could talk about it for days. Actually incredible. I may end up bumping this to 5 stars bc I am incredibly gagged.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

colorful_lulu's review against another edition

emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.25

It was slow until 2/3 of the book. It had a very interesting concept it was just not paced as well as it could’ve been. I thought the way Holly Jackson described details, or rather which detailed she pointed out and which she omitted, was really cool. The romance plot line confused the hell out of me. The kiss scene was added in so randomly in the most unrealistic and illogical point of the scene.

The reason why they ended up kissing was because they were standing closely when placing the camera on the bookshelf but Rachel found it immediately so what’s the point of putting them in that situation?

I get that the romance subplot adds to the theme but it was so random

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore, Stalking, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy

charlee_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

I have no words. Just. Wow…

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting