Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

26 reviews

theninth's review against another edition

dark hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Police brutality, Outing, and Animal death

Moderate: Murder, Suicide, Child abuse, and Hate crime

Minor: Sexual violence and Rape

zachzakku's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

This book is terrific from every angle: the writing flows, it's well-paced, the mystery is well-plotted, and the setting feels realistic. It's set in the 1950s, and even in San Francisco, life is rough for queer people; The Lavender House pulls no punches, and we see many, many examples of just how difficult life could be, whether someone is out (or outed) or not. But there's also a good balance of queer boys flirting with the handsome detective, which is also nice.

Not to be one of those annoying people who wants everything good to have a sequel, but like, c'mon, this one's so sequel-friendly. More Mills, please!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Suicide

fionamclary's review against another edition

3.25

Overall I liked it. I always enjoy queer historical fiction, and the concept was unique and intriguing. However, it didn't always feel like it was set in the 50s in terms of the narration and dialogue. Also, I got the sense that Rosen was afraid of making any of the queer characters too villainous or even too flawed. I wish in particular that the moral conflict of Andy being a gay cop had been further explored and been a more consistently incorporated thread throughout the book. Instead, it got some occasional mentions and slightly awkward, start-and-stop moments of reflection. Maybe I shouldn't expect more from a murder mystery though. I might read the second book, mostly because I want to see

Spoiler

Andy get a chance at romance with the hot bartender

.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Homophobia, Confinement, Outing, and Violence

Moderate: Suicide

cadence99's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Not groundbreaking, but certainly enjoyable- a fast paced, quick read that will satisfy a craving for a mystery book. (Definitely do take note of content warnings though as this does take on some tough subjects!)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, Outing, Police brutality, Violence, Confinement, Alcoholism, Grief, and Suicide

Minor: Medical content

1undercover's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this book. Excellent mystery. Competent but human detective. Interesting characters and a message about family and found family. The homophobia is tough though - watch out. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Suicide, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Hate crime

saholland's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicide and Murder

smalika's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Murder, Alcoholism, Police brutality, Suicide, Animal death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Confinement

leanniefae's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Alcohol, Biphobia, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, and Outing

Minor: Blood, Animal death, Gun violence, Grief, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicide, War, Abandonment, Classism, Confinement, and Cursing

bedtimesandbooks'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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Animal death, Alcohol, Classism, Hate crime, Suicide, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Alcoholism

purplepenning's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

"People are always trying to claim you, without ever listening to who you are."

I usually choose mysteries on the cozier side, with a good dose of humor and shenanigans, and this is definitely not that. This is closer to straight noir. Well, not "straight," since most of the characters are queer and the tone is just slightly less cynical by the end, but definitely more noir than cozy. Anyway — I'm glad I stuck with it! The mystery itself is intriguing. Though it's not too difficult to figure out, there are plenty of surprises and layers to discover along the way. It's the gilded cage 1950s setting and the found family of characters that really shine, however. The historical era comes to life and I love how the ending sets the stage for the rest of the series. Pair this with Last Night at the Telegraph Club, a multi-award-winning YA historical set in the same era and area (San Francisco, but Chinatown).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Child abuse, Homophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Alcohol, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Transphobia, Animal cruelty, Suicide, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent

Blackmail, historically accurate portrayals of the criminalization and brutalization of LGBTQ people