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hadleyc22's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
bringmybooks's review
- 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? Yes
2.5
Didn’t realize this was #7 in a series so there’s a lot of past references that didn’t make a lot of sense - but even if that wasn’t the case, this one really wasn’t for me. Gruesome for gruesome’s sake, needed a big palate cleanser after this one.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Murder
coreylanesmith's review
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
whimsicalish's review
2.0
When I read this on my library app, I wasn't aware this book was part of a series. That's the fault of my app, not the book. But the book itself, doesn't make the character or situation clear right away to ease you into it. It was confusing keeping full names of characters that are never mentioned again, and separating the active characters. It felt like work to understand the setting and people in the first couple chapters.
After that though, it was an interesting premise. Plus I'm not familiar with the location. I wanted to continue reading until about the halfway point in the book.
Once I realized, the main character and her work partner were just running in circles for the investigation and strangely, the MC kept running personal errands. It's not even the MC that finds a crucial point to discover the identity of the killer. (She would have an attitude against her friend which made her so unfriendly at times.) By this point, you already know the killer's identity even though you deeply wished it weren't so.
This is when the book really falls apart. I have to agree with other low reviews. They find the missing woman, MC decides to call the father first, instead of gee, IDK PROFESSIONALS? When would that be allowed? Then somehow she's left alone at the CRIME SCENE to get attacked, even though moments ago it was crawling with police to gather evidence. How in the world did this happen? Everyone just left at the same time?
She's "saved" by the creepy, abusive husband to give her an elusive clue about the fate of her past boyfriend. It's not cleared up in this book and since it's a series, I assume I would have to read more to find out. But honestly, I'm not that curious.
Can we talk about the overuse of tough acting, gonna-be-independent police investigators in media? I don't read that many but it's enough to be a cliche. The main character here isn't any different. She makes it very clear in the beginning of the book that she's not looking for another romantic relationship. Fine, that's perfectly fair. But it's because she's trapped in memories of her dead boyfriend that happened, I think 21 years ago. I understand there's pain that will never fully leave you. I get that. But it stills deeply affects her. It visibly upsets her at multiple times in the investigation. She has to leave her work partner to finish up, since she's completely distraught. But then has the gall to act she's so tough and knock down therapy. Girl, YOU need therapy. Something that happened more than twenty years ago, makes her actively avoid people that live in the area! It stands in front of her professional job.
Lastly, let's discuss the killer. I have read research that states injuries to the frontal lobe can affect behavior and make the sufferer become abnormally violent. I don't know if I ever heard someone with that damaged frontal lobe will only become violent when they're....horny for a lack of term. But let's give the book a benefit of doubt. I find it absurd that this guy somehow alludes police for this long. It doesn't sound like he plans anything, just hunts and somehow no one sees him. Ever. A big hulking dude leaves no witnesses or evidence. How? Like honestly, how? Everything is just perfect that he never leaves anyone thought that it's him. It doesn't sound like he hides evidence, just never leaves any. Other than footprints that lead nowhere. I'm so baffled that it completely ruins the books. And of course, it has to be someone "damaged."
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
elizabethpero's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Incest, Rape, and Sexual assault
gabbo's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy