sarfow11's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. What a read. It took me a few reads of the synopsis to realize this was about the infamous and gruesome trunk murders of 1931, but this was an incredibly vivid and detailed reimagining of what happened. This writing is phenomenal; a bit of a slow burn at the beginning as I was getting acquainted with all the characters, but things picked up fast. Gore, sex, intrigue...this was a work of literary art. Megan Abbott continues to impress.
lacywolfe's review against another edition
3.0
I actually liked the book more after I finished it and realized it was based on a true story of the Trunk Murderess. Of course it's my fault I didn't know that before hand because I purposely don't read the blurb on the back of the book once I've decided to read it. This was my first book by Abbot, but I'll be sure to read more of her oeuvre.
jerefi's review against another edition
2.0
The book is based on a real life crime during The Jazz Age. One who loves a good crime story, especially one based on something real like Black Dahlia or Zodiac, I was ready to dive in. I was somewhat disappointed overall with the story. It was OK and I read it pretty fast, but I think I would find the books delving into the true crime much more interesting. In the end, there was a note to discuss all the ways she deviated from the original occurrence and I did like the way she changed the ending, but I think it could have been better.
sincerekillhope's review against another edition
5.0
Holy god, I loved this book. Abbott did a great job of making me care about her protagonist, which when one considers what she does over the course of the novel, is no small feat. It read like sex in a back alley feels - fun, dangerous, exciting, scary.
juliemhowe's review against another edition
5.0
This ticks a lot of boxes for me: noir, femme fatales, nursery, passion, true crime, etc, and it did not disappoint. A little long in the end, but the rest went by in a flash. This might be a good read-alike for the Girl on a Train and Gone Girl.
acinthedc's review against another edition
2.0
Based loosely on actual events, this noirish novel is predictable and formulaic. If the author had held the ending a little closer to what really happened, it would have been a slightly more satisfying read.
s_lorenz's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Addiction, Body horror, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion and Lesbophobia
sireno8's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely unique experience. Like William Faulkner writing pulp fiction. The juxtaposition of practically poetic writing of an absolutely lurid story -- by turns tittilating and nauseating but always captivating -- without the usual preciousness, empathy or sentimentality was a little confusing at first but once I got into I got WAY into it. Feels more like a true crime novel than IN COLD BLOOD. The last 50 pages were a total surprise. At first I didn't think the ending was emotionally satisfying, because the heroine didn't do what i wanted her to do. But she what she does is infinitely better and elevates the novel way beyond it's genre. Good dark stuff!! Plus a great author's note at the end. bravo!
jesjesimonetti's review
5.0
Wow, ain't that a surprise! This is a very very good crime story. Everytime I thought I knew where things were going, something entirely different happened.
Not only that, it uses delightful vernacular and sets the scene of the American 1930s perfectly. Also learned a lot about tuberculosis in the process.
Not only that, it uses delightful vernacular and sets the scene of the American 1930s perfectly. Also learned a lot about tuberculosis in the process.