lightlessxo's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Gore, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
shafaerie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, Sexism, Car accident, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, and Stalking
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The narrative style is a bit unusual. There are several main characters whose perspectives are shown as point-of-view characters. But only Chloe narrates in first-person, the others use third person. This creates detachment and uncertainty, which works especially well when Chloe suspects most of them of being the murderer at one time or another. I like Chloe, Charles, and Andre, they're a solid trio in the narrative, even as their individual relationships with each other are very different throughout the text. They make sense as people, which is important in a story which revolves around a bunch of characters having the same mental health diagnosis. Chloe has her own way of being a psychopath which is distinct from the others, with these traits often helping but just as frequently getting in the way of her goals. I like her as a character, and Charles has his own charm, but Andre is my favorite of the main three.
By focusing on characters who are diagnosed with psychopathy, the narrative takes advantage of an opportunity for a wonderful mix of showing and telling. Chloe knows that certain of her traits are because of her psychopathy, but that doesn't make her better at controlling her impulsiveness (at least not this early in the program).
This is a solid mystery, very thrilling. The twists and turns make sense without being immediately guessable. Part of what helps is there are lots of bad actors in addition to the actual murderer, so it becomes a matter of figuring out who is doing a bunch of bad things, whether they're doing one or several of them, and whether any of them are enough for that person to make sense as the killer.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Sexual content, Vomit, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Drug use, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Suicide, Pregnancy, Ableism, Child abuse, and Rape
odrib'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Sexual violence, Mental illness, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Drug use, and Infidelity
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Car accident
at806'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Car accident, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
mondovertigo's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Death, Violence, Stalking, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Child death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Racism
moon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, and Suicide
yunnie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Stalking and Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
babayagaofficial's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I loved this. A fantastic thriller with complex characters, wry humor, and a strong plot. I recommend this to any thriller fan, and I can’t wait for Kurian’s next book.
Brittany Pressley gives an excellent performance on the audiobook, too. She differentiates the characters well, and her dialogue delivery rings true and is full of personality, augmenting what’s already strong on the page. A great listen.
Graphic: Mental illness and Stalking
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, and Rape