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thatswhatshanread's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Lou Berney is a great writer, but this story didn’t do his writing justice, if that makes sense. I don’t think it should have been named a “thriller”. It had some sketchy parts and definitely some suspense but none of it really felt thriller-like to me, which is maybe part of the reason I didn’t enjoy it as much since I was preparing for a different kind of book. The characterization was interesting and the MC, Hardly, being the very definition of an average Good Samaritan had me in the first third of the book. But then all of his decisions and the plot developments just became too far fetched. I know it’s a work of fiction but I found it pretty unbelievable that Hardly’s actions fit his character, even if his arc was ultimately about finding purpose in his average life. I enjoyed the character of Eleanor the most, and wished maybe we got to see more of her character from a different point of view.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
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