Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

5 reviews

readingtotravel's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

The book had a slow start and I felt like there was an overuse of similes in the beginning. However, it picked up by page 60, and from then on, Alexandra Benedict was IN HER BAG. 

The mystery and story were well written and plotted out, and I love that there were games for the readers to okay along with. 

I do wish we got a short epilogue or time jump to see what Lily did with Endgame and what became of the family that was left. I also wish we got to delve into the Mom's murder more at the end. We did get the why but the why felt kind if surface level.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Death, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death of parent, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Sexual content

tiffanielle's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Car accident, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Pregnancy

amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Homophobia, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Murder, Gore, Pregnancy, Blood, Grief, and Incest

growintogardens's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

2.75

Sigh. Well, I'm happy to see the lgbtq rep in mysteries, especially a bi protagonist. That said, I didn't really care for the story or the characters. Too many deaths, not enough character development. I also really didn't like having to read about pregnancy. Overall I just couldn't get into it, which sucks because I love the whole stuck in a house mystery. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Incest, Pregnancy, and Death

Minor: Bullying, Biphobia, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Car accident

purplepenning's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

A classic, tense, atmospheric whodunit with a dysfunctional family and a rising body count during a snowed-in, country-mansion inheritance game full of clues, puzzles, and the weight of the past, present, and future. Not entirely my cup of tea (I like my Christmas murder mysteries to have at least a little Christmas warmth and cheer 😆) but a good one for word-puzzlers who like to play along at home.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Cursing, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Incest, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Violence, Biphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Gun violence