Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Good Samaritan by John Marrs

35 reviews

megan_wy's review

dark tense medium-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

2.5

This was my second John Marrs novel, and I loved the first one I read by him! However, this one was a little more of a let down for me. The dark concept was really intriguing to me and started out super strong. I was fully invested in the story in the beginning, but as the novel went on, I began to lose interest. There were so many characters to keep track of that I began to confuse some of the side plots and people. I also feel parts became unrealistic when Laurel began actually killing people in real life. Her whole MO was that she encouraged people to kill themselves, not actually murder people. Also, when Tony killed Johnny at the end, it really made me annoyed. It felt out of character for both of them, like the author was reaching. I did like how Effie got revenge at the end. I really felt for Ryan and wish he got a better ending than that. I know Marrs likes an unhappy ending though after reading two of his books, so I guess this was suspected. I liked the concept for sure and parts were very interesting and kept me invested. Overall, I’d give this about 2.5 stars. I would love to read another Marrs book still and see if I feel the same way.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Pregnancy

lucykae's review

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

jhabelita's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was definitely not for the fainthearted. I'm just gonna collect my thoughts (and emotions) because this is one hella of a read!!! Demmet, this was so f*cking dark! AND I LOVED IT!!!! The plot, characters and how it unfolds in the end.

This is the second book of Marrs that I've read. The first one was Keep It in the Family. Rated that 4.5★. Same here in The Good Samaritan,it felt like it will have a sequel, but this is a standalone. The epilogue is such a jaw-dropping one. I want to read more of his works!

TW: Suic!de thoughts and the *graphic* actual way of doing it...YES there is. (oh ghaaad), emotional abuse, manipulation, child grooming

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Child abuse

killmoore_'s review

dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This may be my favorite book by John Marrs, holy cow. I have never been so ANGRY at a character in my life. My heart broke for Ryan, despite his atrocities, and I nearly cheered during the epilogue - our MC deserves every bit of undoing that is coming for her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

paigie_pie's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Kidnapping

midnightrose_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Good Samaritan is a fast paced thriller novel by John Marrs. The audiobook was narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden, Charlotte Cole, Matthew Lloyd Davies, and Tim Campbell. They were all excellent. This is my first time reading a John Marrs novel but it won’t be the last!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

cdvorak24's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder

mairi99's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Stalking, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Cancer

bbethcasas's review

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I did not like this book at all. I knew it within the first few pages. The main character, Laura, is a horrible person and has ZERO redeeming qualities. At no point in the story does she do a single selfless thing. She works at a mental health hotline where people who feel tempted to harm themselves can call and talk to someone who will be nonjudgmental and understanding. Laura instead encourages and guilts many people into following through with their plans. Nothing good about her. Of course there are so many twists and surprises, but overall, it just left a bad taste in my mouth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

megbwood's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis