what_heather_loves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
So when I learn, in the days following this morning - this in pc, commonplace morning, with dogs and frog and coffee and dead priests - that I know nothing of this woman, it will break me."
I adored this complex and emotional read, which is a character-driven thriller, for those who aren't usually drawn to mysteries and thrillers. It's not about a crime, but about love and the emotional impact of sometimes unforgivable, weighty decisions on two families, who become entangled as a result. Chapters alternate between charismatic protagonist Emma and her winsome husband Leo, as the secret she has carefully kept hidden begins to unravel. The first part of scene setting is a little slower, but the rest of the novel feels brisk and engaging, one of those books you can't put down. I felt for Emma and also for Janice (the woman from the other family) because of how their roles as mothers was challenging and nuanced. Tightly written, there is skilful ambiguity in the early part, the author knowing the reader is likely to jump to a particular conclusion about why Emma is hiding her past that later turns out to be incorrect.
Exploring challenging topics such as mental illness and deception in families, this is a heart-wrenching, nuanced and compelling mystery.
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Stalking
bethanyearle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Mental illness, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Stalking, and Infertility
Minor: Suicide attempt
wifeslife's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, and Infertility
suzelarson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Gaslighting, Grief, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Miscarriage, Cancer, Death of parent, and Infertility
chelle22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cancer, Pregnancy, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent, Cursing, Self harm, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Infidelity
saricostanzo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Suicide, Cancer, Child abuse, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism
mkchickentender's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Mental illness, Cancer, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Infertility
Minor: Miscarriage, Cursing, Stalking, Child death, Death of parent, and Abortion
lisa00'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
0.25
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Blood, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Bullying, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Moderate: Miscarriage
chapterswithcass'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Self harm, Stalking, Miscarriage, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cancer, and Grief
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Spoiler
Also them finding Janice was pretty anticlimactic to me. Not necessarily the part where they found her in the shed, but more so why she did it. Like the whole reason she abandoned her family over having a mental breakdown over what she did felt very underwhelming for me. I felt like that needed more explanation. And also I maybe have forgotten, but I don't recall this conversation Janice and Emma had that led to Emma finding her. And also the whole Robbie thing was made to seem like it was big but then was just explained away just like that.Graphic: Grief, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Cancer, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Miscarriage and Stalking