Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Good Samaritan by John Marrs

21 reviews

kim_reads22's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is the second or third book I have read by John Marrs, and all I can say is WHAT?!? 

We follow a few characters in this one, Laura, is a wife, and mother to three children who volunteers at “End of the Line” a charity that runs a phone service for people to call if they are thinking of dying by suicide. The phone line gives them someone to talk to when they are at the end of their line..however when some people get Laura, they get more than that, they get someone who is willing to talk them into it, just for kicks. Then there is Ryan, whose wife was one of these individuals who had spoken to Laura, and he was determined to make her pay. 

What followed were twists and turns and literally a fight to the death. I could not stop listening to this, even though the characters drove me crazy at more than one point. Laura is absolutely bat-shit crazy (mind my French), and as the story unfolds there is a lot that is revealed about her and her past, small things clicking into place. Overall, this was a great read, and I have given it 5 stars! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Violence

readingwithpriscilla's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Minor: Pedophilia

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

You know after reading "Keep It In The Family" (my official favorite J.M. book) a few months ago, I knew I needed a new one of his soon. This is my fifth book by him that I've read and although his books aren't my ideal thriller style I know I can always count on him to deliver an interesting and entertaining thriller. 

Now when starting this, it was slow but I ran along with it. The first third I'd say is a lot of setup from what I recall. So we're in Laura's head and reading about her day-to-day life as well as her working at End of the Line and her state of mind and whatnot. So as we're reading in her POV, we can already tell that Laura not gonna be an empathetic character by any means. Now during this part of the story, although I was intrigued I didn't find the plot too interesting. I'm not sure how to explain it, like the plot wasn't boring; I actually admired how unique it was cuz I'm a sucker for a unique plot, but I didn't feel like anything exciting was happening. 

And when we switched POVs, I still wasn't at the edge of my seat or anything. And about maybe halfway or over halfway an event happens that's pretty coincidental so I had to suspend my disbelief for that. And then afterwards it was just a cat-and-mouse situation which is fine, like it was entertaining. But I don't think this was the type of thriller I was in the mood for. I was hoping it was more adrenaline-pumping and more action. I was hoping more crazy things would happen. And I DID get that in the last 25%. Ooooooofffffff! The last 25% was crazy. Lots of vindictive and heinous things going on to the point where certain moments made me mildly uncomfy (which is rare for me when it comes to thrillers).

Brooooooo! Laura! Laura is INSANE! Like I knew she was ill in the brain considering she literally gets a kick out of people dying. However, my goodness! Bro, she's the devil in a dress (love the country reference); like oh my gosh! I've read about some nefarious people in books, but she takes the cake for being one of the most psychologically unhinged people I've ever read about. I saw a comment that said she'd put Joe Goldberg to shame and they are absolutely correct. Aint anybody stepping up to Laura. Like she was twisted in the worst and yet best way cuz I was lowkey rooting for her as well as synonymously wanting her to go down. Cuz at some point, it got too much, I'm like GIRL, you didn't learn your lesson!

You know as I was reading, I honestly was wondering about the mind of author cuz I find it mildly perplexing how John Marrs can create such a character and then go about his day like he didn't just write about one of the most abhorrent human beings to deface a page (I'm so dramatic, but she really was that bad). And speaking of Laura her whole "condition" wish we got more clarity on it, not necessarily a diagnosis but more so on what events she was talking about were real or not. Again, this thriller is more suspenseful, mysterious, and dark rather one that gets your adrenaline pumping. So, if you're an avid thriller reader this may not deliver on the "thrilling" factor, but if you're into DARK thrillers, this most definitely is that. 

Because I was in the mood for a more adrenaline-pumping thriller and not more mysterious one where we're just following these people be unhinged, this book was a 3.75 for me for the longest time, but the last 25% did give me what I wanted so I'll give it that. Overall, I like this thriller. I appreciate how intricate John Marrs was with the details, the twists, and the characters' state of mind. I also appreciate that this was a subtle commentary on mental health and how one could be driven to suicide. As I mentioned before, this book is very dark, so I do think this book could be pretty triggering for people that deal with the themes associated with this book so before if you have underlying mental health issues especially if they're associated with depression and suicidal thoughts or idealations; beware when picking up this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

reeharp's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Torture, and Stalking

Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

megan_wy's review against another edition

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

cierajb97's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction

Minor: Sexual content

killmoore_'s review against another edition

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

lthurman29's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Violence

Minor: Sexual harassment

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

gnarlykaitlyn's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• 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: Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail