abbysue3's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Self harm, Mental illness, Suicide, Alcohol, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
siobhanward's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I saw the twist coming halfway through the book, the rest was still interesting enough that it didn't ruin things. I thought Murray in particular was great - normally I don't love when the detective and their personal life are their own plotline, since it often takes away from the rest of the book, but this one was well-done and heartbreaking. Honestly, I'm surprised that it wasn't a set up for his own series - the amount of time spent with him and character development, I thought that there would be a series of books with him.
Anyway, that side plot was good. The main plot was kind of mid, though.
Anyway, that side plot was good. The main plot was kind of mid, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Mental illness
goodgollymissmollee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
The first half was a 2 star. The ending was a 4 star. I found the beginning kind of boring, I felt like nothing was happening. Once it picked up though it was twist after twist that I did NOT expect. That ending stuck with me for DAYS after I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Animal death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
prashiie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Mental illness isn't always obvious."
Another amazing Clare Mackintosh book! The story is about Anna who lost both her parents due to suicide. Now she is a mother herself and misses her own mother a lot. She finds out that there is more to her parents' death than she was led to believe. Nobody writes a twist like Mackintosh! When it is finally revealed, you look back at all the clues that she had elegantly woven into the story. It all comes together. Again you have multiple POVs, so you can also read the story from the killer's perspective.
Another amazing Clare Mackintosh book! The story is about Anna who lost both her parents due to suicide. Now she is a mother herself and misses her own mother a lot. She finds out that there is more to her parents' death than she was led to believe. Nobody writes a twist like Mackintosh! When it is finally revealed, you look back at all the clues that she had elegantly woven into the story. It all comes together. Again you have multiple POVs, so you can also read the story from the killer's perspective.
Spoiler
We are led to believe that it was the father who was very abusive and violent. But it turns out to be the mother. This also reminded me that not only women are victims of domestic abuse, it can happen to men as well. Domestic violence against men is usually dismissed. It's a sad, but very much needed, realisation. So kudos for Mackintosh for writing about this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
mbjrose99's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Twists!! Turns!!! Unexpected happenings!!
This book is a page turner and I read it in the space of a day on two train journeys. It will have you gasping and grinning and sending quotes to your friends but it will have you wide eyed and staring and sobbing on public transport.
And as with all Clare Makintosh books, the last page leaves you wanting more.
This book is a page turner and I read it in the space of a day on two train journeys. It will have you gasping and grinning and sending quotes to your friends but it will have you wide eyed and staring and sobbing on public transport.
And as with all Clare Makintosh books, the last page leaves you wanting more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Mental illness
beckyremillard's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.75
Anna’s father killed himself. Seven months later, so did her mother. Now, on the anniversary of her mother’s death, Anna receives a note implying that it might not have been suicide.
The book shifts between several perspectives. Anna and retired police officer, Murray, are the main ones. It also varies between present time and flashbacks. There is minimal indication when they are discussing the past. There were a couple times I had to reread what was going on because the flashback confused me a bit.
Overall, I liked the story. I think it is well written and everything ties together nicely.
Overall, I liked the story. I think it is well written and everything ties together nicely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, Murder, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
ronnieb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Trigger Warning: Suicide, Alcohol Abuse, Death of parents/family members, Mental Illness
This was really great with some genuinely surprising twists. The pace is fast and exciting and does not leave a dull moment for the reader to get bored. The story is also emotional and allows you to connect and sympathize with our main characters of Anna and Murray. The story being in dual POV I do not think was entirely necessary as they felt pretty disconnected other than a few key scenes but both were enjoyable characters that had a full story so it did not take away from my enjoyment at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Mental illness
emmaclaire_z's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Suicide
kiikaridino's review against another edition
mysterious
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? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
chloejb89's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Started off a bit slow. It seemed to be setting up for obvious endings. Then a plot twist. And another one. And one or two more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
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