Scan barcode
bookish_leslie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
My rating scale, for reference:
- 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
It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a murder mystery as thoroughly as I enjoyed this one. I was a bit on edge throughout, given some of Shana’s flashbacks into her abduction, as I was worried there might be references to sexual violence, but there wasn't.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
kaylasbookgram's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
“Family’s just a collection of people who happen to be bound by blood.”
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
More...