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bookish_leslie's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
- 1 Star: Hated it
- 1.5 Stars: Really didn't like it
- 2 Stars: Didn't like it
- 3 Stars: Meh
- 4 Stars: Liked it
- 4.5 Stars: Really liked it
- 5 Stars: Loved it
Other than that concern, I found this novel to be well-written and incredibly atmospheric. October. Upstate NY. Nor’easter. The rain lashing, the wind howling, the lights flickering. Trapped on an island with a killer. I enjoyed how the stormy weather added tension and fear to an already loaded situation - the drama of the investigation increasing as the storm gained fury - and I’m always a sucker for a locked room mystery. Shana’s PTSD also added a lot of tension. I was right there with her while she grappled with self-trust. Could she trust her instincts? What was real and what was projection? Her anxiety and flashbacks made everything feel more threatening.
The one thing that really bothered me was how Shana kept alluding to a secret having to do with her prior abduction. This secret was never revealed in the book, and while I know this is a series and the secret will likely be revealed down the line at some point, I hate being left with unresolved questions.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
Minor: Cancer and Drug use
Also: PTSD; brief mention of date-r**e drugsmtnest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
syellico's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
kaylasbookgram's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This locked door thriller definitely hit all the marks for me when looking for a good book. I especially love crime thrillers as you try to figure out who did the crime along with the detectives. This book had so many suspects and each one had a reason to do the crime and the end result was one I was leaning towards but was also shocking with a twist I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in this series I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Detective Shana.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
thrillofthepage's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I loved the secluded island setting because it magnified the idea of being stranded with an unknown killer and cast everyone in a suspicious light. Like Shana, I suspected every member of the Sinclair family and didn’t trust anyone’s account of the events of the prior evening. I really enjoyed how Wegert crafted motives for everyone, but none of the red herrings unlikely or exaggerated. The family drama and secrets brought to light provided an additional layer to the plot.
Shana Merchant is a great character! She recently “recovered” from a traumatic experience during her time working in law enforcement in New York City. She is attempting to start fresh in a small town with a new police force in hopes that the dark crimes of NYC are behind her. Throughout the story we are granted glimpses into Shana’s past and how it impacts her actions, thoughts, and investigative skills in the present. As a result of her past trauma, Shana is somewhat of a loose cannon, but it made the story all the more interesting.
I highly recommend Death in the Family for fans of Agatha Christie and Ruth Ware. This is the first book in the series and I’m excited to see what’s next for Shana Merchant!
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship