ninajean's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
2.0
I thought the premise of the story was really interesting. The story follows Lou as she is dealing with being murdered by a local serial killer and is brought back to life through a government project. I think I would’ve liked the book better if it was promoted differently since it’s not actually a mystery/thriller. The main topics were exploration of identity, the challenges and relationship dynamics of motherhood, and slight discussion of fascination with serial killers. I struggled staying engaged with the writing and execution of the plot. I also didn’t like the ending and was a bit confused by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Pregnancy
jlsrau's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
kaylinvm94's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Mental illness
amandaviljanen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Mental illness and Abandonment
gummifrog's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had the wrong expectations for it. By the summary, I thought it might be more of a sci-fi thriller pageturner. Instead, it's a very literary, thoughtful, and internal novel with very little thriller or mystery content. Any semblance of a mystery is only brought up halfway through the book, and the most intense suspense only lasts a few pages.
So if you're looking for a thoughtful, literary read about serial killer culture, post-partum depression, and coming to terms with your sense of self, this book may be a good read for you! The touch of mystery was interesting and compelling, although there wasn't enough of it. I really liked this near-future earth, where everyone games in VR and people can be cloned to come back to life. There was some fun commentary on capitalism and marketing distraction from the sins of certain big-name companies. There was also somewhat of an ensemble cast element, with five women in total having been murdered and meeting up regularly in a support group. Their relationships were really fun, and I would have actually liked to see more of them talking as a group and working together as a team.
The prose is a bit detached and clinical, although we follow the protagonist, Louise, through much of her childhood and her conflicted feelings about her murder, partner, and child. The idea of being cloned and having another body that is fully *you* rotting somewhere in the ground is really chilling. I think the author captured that element of horror really well.
Still, it wasn't quite the book I was looking for at this moment! I think maybe I read this book at the wrong time, or I should have looked deeper into it first.
So if you're looking for a thoughtful, literary read about serial killer culture, post-partum depression, and coming to terms with your sense of self, this book may be a good read for you! The touch of mystery was interesting and compelling, although there wasn't enough of it. I really liked this near-future earth, where everyone games in VR and people can be cloned to come back to life. There was some fun commentary on capitalism and marketing distraction from the sins of certain big-name companies. There was also somewhat of an ensemble cast element, with five women in total having been murdered and meeting up regularly in a support group. Their relationships were really fun, and I would have actually liked to see more of them talking as a group and working together as a team.
The prose is a bit detached and clinical, although we follow the protagonist, Louise, through much of her childhood and her conflicted feelings about her murder, partner, and child. The idea of being cloned and having another body that is fully *you* rotting somewhere in the ground is really chilling. I think the author captured that element of horror really well.
Still, it wasn't quite the book I was looking for at this moment! I think maybe I read this book at the wrong time, or I should have looked deeper into it first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Medical content
katiemack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of solving one's own murder compelled me enough to request this. It's pretty decent as a speculative crime drama, though it's not the thriller the marketing claims it to be. It's more of a meditation on identity and postpartum depression--who are these women now that they've come back? Who is Lou as a mother? What do the people in their lives think about them? I'm sure the length hinders the book from really exploring these issues, but also, the "twist" is mildly interesting but less compelling than I thought it would be.
The premise of solving one's own murder compelled me enough to request this. It's pretty decent as a speculative crime drama, though it's not the thriller the marketing claims it to be. It's more of a meditation on identity and postpartum depression--who are these women now that they've come back? Who is Lou as a mother? What do the people in their lives think about them? I'm sure the length hinders the book from really exploring these issues, but also, the "twist" is mildly interesting but less compelling than I thought it would be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Pregnancy, Violence, and Mental illness
allshewrotebks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body shaming, Abandonment, Mental illness, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Blood, and Grief
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