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notartgarfunkel'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny
divine529's review against another edition
- 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
As stated in the summary, Evelyn Hardcastle has been murdered and will continue to be murdered until it can be solved. Our main protagonist has eight days to solve it and eight different hosts to use to do so, some are more helpful than others, and several obstacles stand in his way.
It's really difficult to talk about this book because it's one you need to experience and sit with and it's very complex. It has the feel of an Agatha Christie novel, and it has some serious twists and turns and everything happens in a way you don't exactly expect. I'm usually really good at guessing mysteries very early, but this one kept me on my toes for quite awhile, especially since things get more and more complicated as you go.
I loved the setting a lot. It's perfectly atmospheric in every way, and particularly for this time of year. The plot was expertly woven together and I kept sitting here wondering how you'd keep track of it all to even write. It was excellent. The characters were all very interesting in a variety of ways, and there were some I liked more than others, but I don't think I ever truly fell in love with any of them. They're all despicable along with the intrigue, and yet you find yourself rooting for them in a way. It's very complicated.
Unlike most people, it seems like I was in the minority who didn't hate the ending. I thought it was very fitting. There were certain parts I wished were explained a little more (but it wasn't needed) and I have a lot of conflicting feelings about certain characters' endings, but it was satisfying nonetheless.
All in all, my feelings on this book are as complicated as the book itself, but I really enjoyed it anyway and can safely say it's a mystery I'll pick up again because there's so much to unpack.
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Torture, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
nellkristen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Fatphobia, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol
prettycloud's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
No in-text rape but a perspective character has raped women in the past. No in-text drug abuse but a perspective character is still high from previous drug use and there is alcohol use and abuse.whatathymeitwas's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This reminded me a bit of the play/TV film "An Inspector Calls." Not necessarily for any real direct reason other than they're both examples of very unique ways to approach a mystery, but that alone must have made the connection. I'll be very excited to watch this whenever they finally get it in series form.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
gretag's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
blueberryelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
elliizzzabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
But overall a very good read! Would highly recommend
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Medical content, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault
cassielaj's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Alcohol
elle_dee'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism