Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent

14 reviews

calicat42's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

pippamillerxoxo_'s review

dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

coffeekitaab's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

When reading a fiction that is so close to the truth always hits me hard, especially when that truth is the violence faced by women and girls. There is not a single scenario that Kitty overhears either from friends or on the news that is untrue, be it ghosting by men after sex leading to heartbreak, sexual harassment faced by aspiring artists by those dominating in the industry, and even violence and abuse from their own partners. This is a book that needed to be written and I understand and appreciate the emotion behind it, especially when stats tell you that convictions for rape are the lowest, because firstly they're not reported by women in the first instance and secondly because of a "lack of evidence". This is not about the innocent  (although Katy Brent really ties up all eventualities in this book especially on this element to her credit) and there will be because no justice system, especially not the British system, is perfect but what happens when it fails the survivors? Enter Kitty Collins. 

I loved the dark humour and satire in this book. With it being a theme close to my heart, I would have struggled with the gruesome descriptions of violence and murder generally (did anyone turn vegan after reading this book I'm intrigued to know?). I loved the writing and the concept. It leaves me sad because of the truth behind it but overall I would recommend this - but noting all the trigger warnings first. Looking forward to Brent's next. Thank you @netgalley and @HQStories for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

So, imagine if Dexter and Rihannon Lewis (of SweetPea fame) moved to Chelsea and had a baby....meet Kitty Collins.

How to Kill Men and Get Away With It is the dark, twisted and sweary story of Kitty Collins (online influencer) and her crusade to right the wrongs done to women by lecherous men across London. Filled with dark gallows humour, graphic depictions of abuse and murder and some nicely placed plot twists this book will appeal to fans who are trying to fill that Dexter/SweetPea/Jane Doe shaped hole.

I really wanted to love this book and while I did enjoy it unfortunately some aspects were just overly far fetched for me. Let's just say Kitty Collins would want to be a whole lot smarter about how she conducts her business if she is to remain a free woman and see a sequel!

I listened to the audiobook and definitely think this would be the best format as Kitty's sharp humour and snobby snipey comments translated so well, although it does increase her unlikability factor (but I guess that’s just Kitty). 

Overall a dark yet funny tale of a female serial killer doing good, or is she?

 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment