sginnaw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, and Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
trippyotter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
DISCLAIMER: This review will most likely contain spoilers, so be warned...
Like many of you, I grew up on Murder, She Wrote and periodically binge watch Jessica's mysterious adventures every few years, so when I first learned about the new series I couldn't wait to dig in and now I wish I hadn't.
From the start, you're plunged into a world more aligned with Netflix's Riverdale than the charming seaside village of Cabot Cove.
Within the first few chapters alone you're bombarded with an onslaught of triggers: death, death of parent (cancer), depression, anxiety, perfectionism, OCD, suicidal thoughts, emotional abuse from a parental figure, institutionalization, rasicm and bigotry.
And by the last page, you'll add: suicide, attempted suicide, murder, physical abuse from a parental figure, PTSD, bombings, political agendas, forced institutionalization, gaslighting, kidnapping, panic attack and fire.
The majority of the emotional abuse being inflicted upon the characters are by members of their own families that happen to be influential, political, or clergymen in the community.
I want to take a moment to clarify that Bea, our main character and Jessica's great-grand niece by marriage, is actually multiracial and not biracial. I don't know why this bothers me so much, other than my own personal beliefs that a connection to your history, your family and your community are important and between her parents, Bea has a genetic footprint that expands at least three indvidual cultural groups.
Shockingly, it had taken me three days to power through the first 50 pages. The amount of baggage and social hot topics being unleashed was overkill. I truly wanted to close the book and never look at it again, but I opted to continue to see how things progressed.
I can't say that my opinion changed at all. If anything, it evolved into a dissection of what not to do. If you remove the first 50 pages and any reference to Murder, She Wrote this story could have potentially, but we can't, and it now exists in the franchise.
Now I say the story could have potentially, but there'd need to be a lot of tweaking along the way. Especially considering Bea really didn't solve any "mysteries" and most of the "clues" were crumbs left by others for her to follow, friendships were left behind that could have been saved, new connections were established under false pretenses and manipulation, and any positive adult/parental interaction was uninspiring.
Yep, I said it, uninspiring... I loved the idea of Jessica having a cameo within the story, but any real charm or engagement was missing. Jessica is meant to be the inspiration behind Bea's passion for mystery. The scenes felt more like a way to bounce around ideas than a heartfelt conversation with your beloved aunt.
Sadly, since finishing the book, I've gone back and revised my recommendation to friends, I truly can't recommend the book as a must-read.
Like many of you, I grew up on Murder, She Wrote and periodically binge watch Jessica's mysterious adventures every few years, so when I first learned about the new series I couldn't wait to dig in and now I wish I hadn't.
From the start, you're plunged into a world more aligned with Netflix's Riverdale than the charming seaside village of Cabot Cove.
Within the first few chapters alone you're bombarded with an onslaught of triggers: death, death of parent (cancer), depression, anxiety, perfectionism, OCD, suicidal thoughts, emotional abuse from a parental figure, institutionalization, rasicm and bigotry.
And by the last page, you'll add: suicide, attempted suicide, murder, physical abuse from a parental figure, PTSD, bombings, political agendas, forced institutionalization, gaslighting, kidnapping, panic attack and fire.
The majority of the emotional abuse being inflicted upon the characters are by members of their own families that happen to be influential, political, or clergymen in the community.
I want to take a moment to clarify that Bea, our main character and Jessica's great-grand niece by marriage, is actually multiracial and not biracial. I don't know why this bothers me so much, other than my own personal beliefs that a connection to your history, your family and your community are important and between her parents, Bea has a genetic footprint that expands at least three indvidual cultural groups.
Shockingly, it had taken me three days to power through the first 50 pages. The amount of baggage and social hot topics being unleashed was overkill. I truly wanted to close the book and never look at it again, but I opted to continue to see how things progressed.
I can't say that my opinion changed at all. If anything, it evolved into a dissection of what not to do. If you remove the first 50 pages and any reference to Murder, She Wrote this story could have potentially, but we can't, and it now exists in the franchise.
Now I say the story could have potentially, but there'd need to be a lot of tweaking along the way. Especially considering Bea really didn't solve any "mysteries" and most of the "clues" were crumbs left by others for her to follow, friendships were left behind that could have been saved, new connections were established under false pretenses and manipulation, and any positive adult/parental interaction was uninspiring.
Yep, I said it, uninspiring... I loved the idea of Jessica having a cameo within the story, but any real charm or engagement was missing. Jessica is meant to be the inspiration behind Bea's passion for mystery. The scenes felt more like a way to bounce around ideas than a heartfelt conversation with your beloved aunt.
Sadly, since finishing the book, I've gone back and revised my recommendation to friends, I truly can't recommend the book as a must-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
More...