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moomookachoo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Miscarriage
rainbowbean's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Writing:
I have been a long time fan of Ashley's storytelling via her podcasts and while most of those stories are not written by her (sans the fictional podcast) I was curious to see if it translated well to a fictional work, it did-ish.
The story itself was generally interesting and had the tone of her storytelling that makes you want to keep listening/reading. I approached reading this knowing it was a debut novel and likely would read as such and... it did. Nothing really new to see here, average writing, which is ok for this story.
I did like the style of jumping between the 2 POV's/timelines. It was clear and cleanly done.
World Building:
Well done building the feel of the town and world which I think was fairly easy as it's the literal world we live in and the Author grew up in.
Inconsistencies:
I had nothing that was glaring or bothersome in terms of inconsistencies.
Trope Talk:
No bothersome tropes here. So grateful we did not get a needless romance between a gone off to the big city reporter and the small town cop she knew from grade school!
Plot:
The plot was solid yet less than original. It felt like almost too much Jon Benet Ramsey case with a hint of other cases mixed in. The story was still interesting and while I wanted to read it, it was comfortablely predictable.
Plot Twists:
No spoilers but the "twist" was good, although unsurprising.
Character Development:
We learn much about the characters over the course of the book but I wouldn't say they "develop" into anything other than regular people who's background we learn more about. There's no real strong unexpected character change.
Main Character:
Likeable, smart, slightly damaged typical small town gal leaves home and returns to solve a murder that just happens to happen her first day back. Margot is otherwise largely forgettable.
Representation:
Could have been more but also it's a small town in a flyover state. Potato White.
Pace:
Consistently paced this story keeps flowing with very little dip.
EDITING FEEDBACK:
I was disappointed in the poor editing of word/description choice. The absolutely excessive use of " xyz emotion flickered across a face" "her gaze flicked over his face", "her eyes slid to his", "she hitched a shoulder", "she clapped a hand to her face after xyz injury" was so distracting and amateurish. This definitely could have been fixed with a better editor. If I read the word "flicked or flicker" one more time…ugh.
Ending:
I'm not going to spoil it but while we get answers to two items there is a very sudden unnecessary end that may translate well in a tv show cliffhanger but as a book left me irritated for a standalone novel.
Overall:
A solid 3 ⭐. While I have criticism I liked the book overall and I'd read more from Ashley assuming future works are more original/stronger plot wise with the editing expected of a publisher of this size. Currently she's a library author for me, as in I'll read it for free but it's unlikely I would buy it even as a paying CJ fan club member. I would still recommend this as a beach/vacation/just for fun read.
(As always to be fair: I am extremely picky about purchasing books for my limited shelf space and choose 4-5 stars from my personal ratings and only if I love it, want my children to read some day, or want to re-read.)
Trigger Warnings:
Death of child, CSE, Murder, Suicide, Dementia
Graphic: Child death, Dementia, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Murder
becca_w_'s review
- 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: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Dementia, Gore, Infertility, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Grief, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Violence, Stalking, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual violence, Addiction, and Sexual assault
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Classism, Abortion, Drug use, and Rape
aleshamiller's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Minor: Dementia, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, Violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Child death, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
labtech69's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Violence, Child death, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Infertility