brookey8888's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was fine. The first 90% was honestly so boring and I felt like there was POVs that were unnecessary. It made sense in the end but I felt like it wasn’t needed. The ending was actually really good and kind of creepy but like that’s what made it a three star instead of a two. Nothing was really shocking or anything. I would recommend to probably skip this unless it sounds interesting. Also no games were played.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship
laceystairs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was fast paced and exciting. I was racing to the end to see all the pieces slide into place.
The main character is not your typical "unreliable" witness to a crime. I really enjoyed the strong character development and the setting of a rainy cold English coastal town in the off season lent an atmosphere of bleak, damp suspense.
I totally loved this novel. It's my favorite thriller of the year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, and Trafficking
bookedbymadeline's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
It took me about 50 pages to get into it due to the slow start but after the 50 page mark I was completely immersed! I finished in two days, staying up late and not wanting to put it down.
It took me about 50 pages to get into it due to the slow start but after the 50 page mark I was completely immersed! I finished in two days, staying up late and not wanting to put it down.
I enjoyed the multiple timelines and switching POVs. I also loved the unreliable narrator, one of my fave tropes in horror/mystery novels! The characters were complex and well developed as well. The setting and writing was atmospheric and creepy; I always enjoy a good ghost story or local legend. I did predict one of the major plot twists very early on but one or two of the twists managed to shock me!
Overall a captivating and fantastic horror/mystery novel which I really enjoyed! The story kind of gave me the vibes of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn so I’d recommend if you enjoy her work or you enjoy reading about ghost stories/urban legends 👻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Child death, and Body horror
Moderate: Blood and Bullying
Minor: Kidnapping
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