Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

20 reviews

capacitorofflux's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This book was one whip-lash after the other (in a good way). Did not see half of the ending twists coming. Draws together each thread brilliantly.

Random brief mentions of Covid could have been removed. Did nothing for the story and stopped being mentioned around halfway through. Felt like they were just thrown in for no good reason.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Abortion

Minor: Suicide and Pandemic/Epidemic

herondaleducks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Murder

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Vomit

sandysmith's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I enjoyed this book, so I loved that it had a book within it, a book crafted with puzzles and clues to find bones scattered about the country. Added to this, it's a story of dysfunctional families, the Lallys, and the Churchers. Nell is the main character, but it does switch between characters and timelines. At times Nell is likeable, at others she is very annoying but a product if her own upbringing when followers of the book took clues to far and tried to cut her pelvis out believing thats where the final bone is hidden. There are lots of  twists and different themes, so I am sure different readers will get different things from the book. It's  part mystery, part psychological thriller, it is long book, but engaging so I found myself finding time for it throughout the day. Good stuff

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

benmilo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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? Yes

3.75

This book started quite slow. I knew the story would be about a crime, but the first like 150 pages were establishing the families and the history and stuff. I didn't mind tho, I enjoyed Kelley's writing style. And I'm glad I sticked with the book, because when the whole crime and mystery began to unravel, I was absolutely hooked. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Violence, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Suicide

Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

laurajordensharris's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

duggireads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Classism

katieb1034's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Stalking

saffyofthecakes's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, Abortion, Murder, and Gaslighting

ohennui's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity

Minor: Suicide and Death of parent

kgeogheghan's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.0

This is a fascinating and gripping tale of a treasure hunt book that became a worldwide sensation. The story spans from the creation of the book to the fifty year anniversary, and follows two best friends, their lives and intertwined families, and the repercussions their 'competitive nature' has on the people around them. 

The characters and relationships are complex and compelling. The reveals are well laid and paced, making a book that's difficult to put down. Overall, it's a great mystery novel that I highly recommend. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Stalking

Minor: Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Abortion