syellico's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a riff on an Agatha Christie type mystery - a family on a secluded island with a murderer in their midst. While I did enjoy the story and there were plenty of characters to suspect of being the murderer, it didn’t quite live up to some of the rave reviews I’ve seen. There were so many similes that were cheesy, and the detectives backstory was revealed a bit too slowly for my taste. In addition, the narrator was a miss for me. I may have liked this in print better than audio. I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series but it’s a possibility.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Mental illness, and Murder
kaylasbookgram's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
“Family’s just a collection of people who happen to be bound by blood.”
This locked door thriller definitely hit all the marks for me when looking for a good book. I especially love crime thrillers as you try to figure out who did the crime along with the detectives. This book had so many suspects and each one had a reason to do the crime and the end result was one I was leaning towards but was also shocking with a twist I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in this series I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Detective Shana.
This locked door thriller definitely hit all the marks for me when looking for a good book. I especially love crime thrillers as you try to figure out who did the crime along with the detectives. This book had so many suspects and each one had a reason to do the crime and the end result was one I was leaning towards but was also shocking with a twist I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in this series I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Detective Shana.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Alcohol, Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Grief, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
j_squaredd's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, and Drug use
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
emallovesreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Violence
soobooksalot's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It pays to listen to the hype!
I have seen Death In The Family by Tessa Wegert all over Bookstagram. I love locked-room thrillers and knew I needed to read it. I bought this one and the sequel at the same time.
So glad I did! Death In The Family was as good as I expected and more.
Senior Investigator Shana Merchant has had a traumatic year, and has been rebuilding herself after a psychological trauma.
Back to active duty, she and fellow investigator Tom Wellington are called to the remote Tern Island, barren but for a sprawling home belonging to the Sinclair family. Grandson Jasper is missing, and a large amount of blood suggests he is more than on the lam. A storm is keeping everyone in place while the investigation turns to each of those present during Jasper's final known hours.
There are some major Agatha Christie/Clue vibes here, with a dark and modern-day feel and some wonderfully flawed characters.
I read 2/3 of this book in a day. Un-putdownable, to be sure.
I haven't even read the sequel, The Dead Season, and yet can't wait for the third installment.
Recommended!
I have seen Death In The Family by Tessa Wegert all over Bookstagram. I love locked-room thrillers and knew I needed to read it. I bought this one and the sequel at the same time.
So glad I did! Death In The Family was as good as I expected and more.
Senior Investigator Shana Merchant has had a traumatic year, and has been rebuilding herself after a psychological trauma.
Back to active duty, she and fellow investigator Tom Wellington are called to the remote Tern Island, barren but for a sprawling home belonging to the Sinclair family. Grandson Jasper is missing, and a large amount of blood suggests he is more than on the lam. A storm is keeping everyone in place while the investigation turns to each of those present during Jasper's final known hours.
There are some major Agatha Christie/Clue vibes here, with a dark and modern-day feel and some wonderfully flawed characters.
I read 2/3 of this book in a day. Un-putdownable, to be sure.
I haven't even read the sequel, The Dead Season, and yet can't wait for the third installment.
Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Infidelity, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
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