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blairlovesbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Important caveat for my review: while this is the 2nd book in the series, it’s the 7th or so I’ve read.
It’s clear to me that my gripes with the series as a whole have been present from the start. I half thought the thinness of the plot was due to an obvious reliance on ghostwriters for later books, but no. From a mystery perspective, there are absolutely no red herrings or obfuscation of any kind. The murderers are extremely easy to spot. Hannah’s inner monologue dies down quite a bit in later books, thankfully, given she’s not particularly funny.
Normally I read these books, with all their shortcomings, for a simple reason: I like the descriptions of food and baking, and whatever its other faults, the story does feel very rooted in place. As the child of a Minnesotan who frequently goes there to visit family, I like reading about people who feel like they could be my aunt, uncle, or cousin. I rated this book lower than the others for two reasons:
1. There is an odd paragraph where Hannah (but no doubt actually Joanne Fluke) defensively reflects about how “Indian” is not actually a slur (some contemporary scholars as of this writing have stated they prefer the term “American Indian” but I don’t think their reasoning aligns with Joanne’s). If I were her editor I’d take it out of online editions.
2. She refers to the physical abuse Danielle suffers as a “shameful secret,” and that it would sully Boyd’s reputation with his students. While I ultimately agree with Hannah’s conclusion that it’s up to Danielle whether or not she discloses the abuse to others, her reasoning frankly makes my blood boil. This book is over 20 years old as if this writing, but frankly I don’t think that’s enough justification for calling a victim of abuse “shameful.”
Finally, I realized I have trouble keeping most of the characters straight because everyone’s name is either an old person name, or ageless in a way that makes their age hard to determine (like Carrie). A guy in his 20s named HERB?! Come on now, Joanne, that was an old man name in 2001, and you know it.
It’s clear to me that my gripes with the series as a whole have been present from the start. I half thought the thinness of the plot was due to an obvious reliance on ghostwriters for later books, but no. From a mystery perspective, there are absolutely no red herrings or obfuscation of any kind. The murderers are extremely easy to spot. Hannah’s inner monologue dies down quite a bit in later books, thankfully, given she’s not particularly funny.
Normally I read these books, with all their shortcomings, for a simple reason: I like the descriptions of food and baking, and whatever its other faults, the story does feel very rooted in place. As the child of a Minnesotan who frequently goes there to visit family, I like reading about people who feel like they could be my aunt, uncle, or cousin. I rated this book lower than the others for two reasons:
1. There is an odd paragraph where Hannah (but no doubt actually Joanne Fluke) defensively reflects about how “Indian” is not actually a slur (some contemporary scholars as of this writing have stated they prefer the term “American Indian” but I don’t think their reasoning aligns with Joanne’s). If I were her editor I’d take it out of online editions.
2. She refers to the physical abuse Danielle suffers as a “shameful secret,” and that it would sully Boyd’s reputation with his students. While I ultimately agree with Hannah’s conclusion that it’s up to Danielle whether or not she discloses the abuse to others, her reasoning frankly makes my blood boil. This book is over 20 years old as if this writing, but frankly I don’t think that’s enough justification for calling a victim of abuse “shameful.”
Finally, I realized I have trouble keeping most of the characters straight because everyone’s name is either an old person name, or ageless in a way that makes their age hard to determine (like Carrie). A guy in his 20s named HERB?! Come on now, Joanne, that was an old man name in 2001, and you know it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Physical abuse
skelbea's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This book is sadly almost a carbon copy of the first one. Same progression and not much character development. It wouldve been better as a stand alone. The mystery itself was solidly average. Not grounbreaking but not awful. Combine that with the outdated opinions on Indigenous people, fatphobia and an ableist slur, it make for a pretty disappointing read overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Racism
A character is a victim of domestic abuse. There are descriptions of said abuse in the book.
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