Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

86 reviews

cnannery19's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

heather_harrison's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• 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

3.0

A slow and confusing start with Henry’s POVs after having a five month gap between the first novel and this. It did end up kicking into gear, and once it did it became mental. I also have mixed feelings about the ending. 

Granted I wasn’t a huge fan of Fake Fin. Or backstory with Michael. 


Overall this story seemed a bit unnecessary. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Child abuse

meghanmccall's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

annie_brewer's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Read via audiobook (Penguin Audio)

This follow up was a slower pace and had less intrigue, but a nice easy read with good writing.

There does seem to be a few too many plot points for the novel to have gripped me, and the main quest to find out what happened to Birdy was buried amongst Lucy's backstory. I think I was mostly engaged to see how Phinn had grown up and the impact his childhood had on him and was dissappointed that when he was found any tension was automatically resolved. A lot of conveniences for all characters.

Mostly an unnecessary sequel, with the new character additions not adding much. Enjoyable as a cozy mystery rather than a thriller.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Murder

izzyfreeman's review

dark medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

Rachel/Michael's back story felt a bit unnecessary, although it wrapped up the Lucy/Michael issue

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Murder

ryendnae's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

sare1125's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Stalking

stephaniezd's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Bang up job on the sequel to The Family Upstairs! Excellent storytelling and woven together just so. Loved it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Rape, and Murder

Minor: Pedophilia

Body dysmorphia

bryelle's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really good sequel to the first book. It was cool seeing different people’s lives intertwining. For a little while it was hard with the time skips. But it really comes together in the last chunk. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide

loonysaurus's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Abandonment