Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Winter People

This book starts off with an exceptional first chapter that honestly made me nervous that the rest of the book wouldn't live up to the standard set. This fear was unfounded as this story absolutely delivered!

I am very picky when it comes to dual timelines because I find myself loving one and not caring about the other. With this book, however, I was equally invested in both timelines. The book was also wonderfully paced where it felt impossible to put down.

This is my 2nd book to read by Jennifer McMahon, and I can confidently say I am a fan!!! Can't wait to continue to read the backlist!

Content Warnings

katelynprice's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I devoured this whole book in one day. I love a dual-timeline story where the past and present connect, so this was right up my alley. It was delightfully creepy while examining different responses to grief and loss. McMahon is brilliant in the way she drops information, describes characters, and sets a spooky tone. This was my first book by her, but it definitely won’t be my last.

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angcar's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

The “did that really happen?” mystery part of the story kept me invested. But I felt a few plot lines were left hanging and the last 1/4 of the book wrapped everything up a little toooooo neatly.

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paronomaniac's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

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donicareads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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phantomgecko's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A novel labeled "horror" that is actually horrifying. Kind of a slow burn horror in a lot of ways. When a story is told nonchronologically, there needs to be delicate unveiling of plot points to build tension well. This book does that well. What happens in the past gently (hauntingly) informs what happens in the future and vice versa.

The spookiness of the story is not a new idea, v Pet Sematary. But the inclusion of

a non-supernatural antagonist

is really delightful. Like, chef kiss. Also a fan of the dual but intertwined mysteries: how did Gertie die? And where's Alice?

Also, although a supernatural evil is heavily implied, I felt like it wasn't the only option. Martin going crazy was a strong possibility in my mind. Definitely one of the most tense bits for me was centered on the barn. I legit thought Martin had accidentally killed and skinned his daughter in a delusional state. Chilling.

Overall, I'd say the ending was frustrating, though. Ruthie deciding not to go to college? Bleh. Destroying the pages? Yeah! A certain someone going ahead and sharing all those pages anyway? C'mon, dude.

Frustrating ending, but it doesn't ruin the book for me. Delicious resolution before the frustrating bits.

Content Warnings

julienicole1106's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious slow-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

3.25

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