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drjoannehill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
Re-reading for Bridges Book Club.
Second read (for Bridges Book Club Sept 2024).
I am terrible for remembering plots and names from books I read a while ago, so this was almost like a brand new book, I only remembered parts. It kept me awake as my brain was trying to process what was going on in what I'd read that day - the time of day, what was going to happen in what order. We're at a crumbling country house on a stormy day, in the lead up to a dinner and ball to which the Lord and Lady have invited a range of guests. The lead character loops through the same day eight times trying to solve a murder that happens late in the evening, and he does so from eight different perspectives (body-hopping) who each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of his characters meet and the ones in the future (later on in the loop) wonder whether they should re-do the same actions or conversations that they remember from earlier on, from the other perspective. That's not to mention the twisty conspiracies and betrayals going on amongst the family and guests on the scene, that affect how the murder is solved. We do not always know the lead character's motives for specific actions and conversations - he acts on instinct sometimes, and is not always in a hurry to try to solve the mystery. Plenty to think about regarding how physical and mental strengths and weaknesses, different perspectives and circumstances, can affect how we interact with others, build friendship, and learn the information we need. I was surprised which "bodies" the lead character is in when he learns crucial information and turns things to his advantage (given his earlier prejudice about certain people).
I am very interested to know what the Book Club thinks of it (not the usual fare). I'm exhausted! But I still think it is a clever and exciting book.
First review (2020).
Clever 'time travel body-hopping murder mystery' as the author terms it. You have to pay attention. I wasn't sure if some things were plot holes or meant to be there. Would probably be very different on second reading.
Second read (for Bridges Book Club Sept 2024).
I am terrible for remembering plots and names from books I read a while ago, so this was almost like a brand new book, I only remembered parts. It kept me awake as my brain was trying to process what was going on in what I'd read that day - the time of day, what was going to happen in what order. We're at a crumbling country house on a stormy day, in the lead up to a dinner and ball to which the Lord and Lady have invited a range of guests. The lead character loops through the same day eight times trying to solve a murder that happens late in the evening, and he does so from eight different perspectives (body-hopping) who each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of his characters meet and the ones in the future (later on in the loop) wonder whether they should re-do the same actions or conversations that they remember from earlier on, from the other perspective. That's not to mention the twisty conspiracies and betrayals going on amongst the family and guests on the scene, that affect how the murder is solved. We do not always know the lead character's motives for specific actions and conversations - he acts on instinct sometimes, and is not always in a hurry to try to solve the mystery. Plenty to think about regarding how physical and mental strengths and weaknesses, different perspectives and circumstances, can affect how we interact with others, build friendship, and learn the information we need. I was surprised which "bodies" the lead character is in when he learns crucial information and turns things to his advantage (given his earlier prejudice about certain people).
I am very interested to know what the Book Club thinks of it (not the usual fare). I'm exhausted! But I still think it is a clever and exciting book.
First review (2020).
Clever 'time travel body-hopping murder mystery' as the author terms it. You have to pay attention. I wasn't sure if some things were plot holes or meant to be there. Would probably be very different on second reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual violence
zerer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
I personally really enjoyed reading this book! Felt there were so many twists and turns especially as I got closer and closer to finishing it up. It did take me a bit to get into the book as I did jump from a completely different genre and tone of voice but nonetheless it was an interesting read from beginning to end. I do wish I had the detective skills that Aiden has!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
cozyfantasyfaetay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
2.5
Slow start, didn't really enjoy it until I knew the twist. Lots of characters and hard for me to follow 😵💫 But maybe better for murder mystery fans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Gore, Infidelity, and Classism
shawniejo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Torture and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape
star's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.0
This book was complicated for me. I really enjoyed it, but it was pretty hard to get through at points. Possibly that was because I was already anxiety-ridden waiting for something in my personal life, but the palpable anxiety throughout the book did not help me.
I found the relationships between the characters quite interesting, but unraveling it took quite a bit of time. Especially jumping between the hosts, I felt like I needed a huge wall of pictures and colorful yarn to figure that out.
I will say that the ending made the book very worth it for me. Between all the points being added and deducted in my brain for various things, I think I have settled on a 4 star rating. Good enough to finish, but not good enough to keep -- I will be donating this sometime soon. (Which is great, as I bought it at a half-price used books sort of deal, and I believe it was one of the donated ones (they also carry limited new selections).)
Now, for the spoiler portion:
I found the comparison of Anna to Hitler to be unnecessary, especially because Aiden just fucking ignored that anyway. I LOVED the twist ending, though - I did not expect for a second that Evelyn was actually Felicity, and that the REAL Evelyn was hiding. I also can appreciate how many of the characters died in various ways that WEREN'T Evelyn. I can't believe they wiped out the entire Hardcastle family in this book.
Finding out that Evelyn was to be married to Ravenscourt killed me though. And so many little plot points just stood out to me. It was a shame it was a bit of a slog.
I have seen a lot of complaints online about the descriptions of Ravenscourt in this book. Personally, the fatphobia was expected for me. As someone who is "medically obese" (a term I hate) it bothered me, but not enough to get me to stop reading. It was quite repetitive and gratuitous, as most of his descriptions of the characters "negative" traits are, but oh well. I do think that I would not have read this book if I had seen those reviews first.
I found the relationships between the characters quite interesting, but unraveling it took quite a bit of time. Especially jumping between the hosts, I felt like I needed a huge wall of pictures and colorful yarn to figure that out.
I will say that the ending made the book very worth it for me. Between all the points being added and deducted in my brain for various things, I think I have settled on a 4 star rating. Good enough to finish, but not good enough to keep -- I will be donating this sometime soon. (Which is great, as I bought it at a half-price used books sort of deal, and I believe it was one of the donated ones (they also carry limited new selections).)
Now, for the spoiler portion:
I found the comparison of Anna to Hitler to be unnecessary, especially because Aiden just fucking ignored that anyway. I LOVED the twist ending, though - I did not expect for a second that Evelyn was actually Felicity, and that the REAL Evelyn was hiding. I also can appreciate how many of the characters died in various ways that WEREN'T Evelyn. I can't believe they wiped out the entire Hardcastle family in this book.
Finding out that Evelyn was to be married to Ravenscourt killed me though. And so many little plot points just stood out to me. It was a shame it was a bit of a slog.
I have seen a lot of complaints online about the descriptions of Ravenscourt in this book. Personally, the fatphobia was expected for me. As someone who is "medically obese" (a term I hate) it bothered me, but not enough to get me to stop reading. It was quite repetitive and gratuitous, as most of his descriptions of the characters "negative" traits are, but oh well. I do think that I would not have read this book if I had seen those reviews first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Fatphobia, and Rape
33vee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
priscillarobock's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
turrean's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A marvel! This was a tightly plotted, tense, thrilling puzzle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Fatphobia, Gore, Suicide, Torture, and Suicide attempt
jenn_reads's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
3.5
Started listening to the audiobook, switched to reading the kindle edition at chapter 34.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Alcohol
annareads97's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly mind blowing. A book that I already can’t wait to read again just to see what I pick up on, now that I know how it ends. At no point did it go where I was convinced it was going. This is one I would pay a good amount of money to be able to read again for the first time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism