Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Good Samaritan by John Marrs

38 reviews

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

klpage's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense 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

4.0

Listened via Audible. 

This was very dark to the point of did I want to continue due to the main topic of the book… 

However, the story itself was narrated amazingly by the two narrators. Especially Laura, she made her feel so realistic and just how like a sociopath would potentially sound like? 

Can’t knock John Marrs, he’s the king of thrillers. 

Just please check TW as there is a lot of talk about suicide and death.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

meg_pethxx's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Did really enjoy this book, and deffo would’ve read quicker if life didn’t get in the way! 
Amazing plot twists, was kinda giving Freida vibes! Deffo gonna give some of his other books a go!
Couldn’t have guessed what was going on, although had a slight feeling she was a lot more crazy than we thought. 
Extremely dark, but kinda loved it, very much intriguing!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Alcohol

tspice24's review

dark 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

nurse_travels's review

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

timidizzy's review against another edition

dark 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

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

keriseabby's review

dark emotional 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

4.75

 Though it is a different book from my usual reading preferences, I was pleasantly surprised by this book, which marked my first experience with this author. It reveals an entire genre of literature that I have been missing out on. The story revolves around Laura, a woman who works as a suicide helpline operator, but instead of providing assistance, she manipulates and convinces callers that suicide is the only solution. The novel is a thriller, evoking feelings of anger, frustration, and intense emotion. The plotline is captivating and engrossing, making it a perfect pick for those who enjoy the genre. I read it in a short span of time and cannot wait to explore more of John Marrs's work, as this book was exceptional. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

eveling_99's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Grief, and Gaslighting