jennanicolereid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Child death
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Stalking, Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
the_restricted_section'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death of parent, Stalking, and Grief
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Spoiler
Literally the kid gets abducted around the 75% page mark, around page 280, and then rescued about 40 pages later. And the killer being the son of the former killer is a very common twist that has been used a plethora of times so I'm surprised how many people claimed they were shocked by it. Also, I think the real mystery should've been how this kid is able to communicate with "spirits". It's low-key confirmed that he can talk to spirits considering he knew something only his dead grandfather could know. We never find out how or why this happens and are just supposed to roll with it. Also, that woman being a reporter the whole time still didn't sit right with me. Can't believe Tom went out with her after that.Graphic: Death, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Alcohol, Grief, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Cancer, Cursing, and Bullying
thee_eclectic_eccentric's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Grief, Kidnapping, and Alcoholism
augustinedreams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Grief, Medical content, Alcoholism, Child death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy and Panic attacks/disorders
beccabarpel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
bugsoup'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
3.5
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Stalking
Minor: Violence
megelizabeth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
For the first half, or even two thirds, of this book, I was absolutely obsessed with it and thought it might end up being a five-star read. The atmosphere created is incredible - so so creepy and unsettling - and the premise is super intriguing. I loved getting to know the characters, even though for the most part they weren't particularly likeable, and I found myself feeling equal parts terrified and heartbroken, which is a sure sign of a great thriller. There are some great twists and turns, and there's one plot twist in particular which absolutely floored me and which is just so, so brilliantly done.
However, for me, this book unfortunately started to go downhill a bit in the last third or so. There's such great build-up, and I liked the concept of what ends up being revealed, but it's just revealed far too early and too simply and it just meant that so much of the great tension that had been developing was gone. There are also a few unanswered questions left by the end. There's one thing that happens towards the end of the book which did shock me, but when it came to the main 'Whisper Man' plotline, I did feel ultimately a bit let down.
I was therefore a bit conflicted when deciding on my rating, but ultimately I still feel it deserves a high rating just because of how much the earlier part of the book got under my skin and how brilliant one of the earlier twists was, and also because of the way it deals with some of its themes. There are really great conversations about generational trauma, grief, addiction, and memory, and about some of the psychology behind crime and policing, and I also loved the way it explores and looks at fatherhood and father-son relationships. And overall, while I did feel disappointed by the conclusion of the central mystery, I was still left feeling haunted and uneasy and, above all, sad. It's definitely a book that hits you in the gut and makes you think; I just wish the actual main thriller plotline had been better-executed.
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Blood
mysterymom46'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Confinement, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Bullying