Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

14 reviews

jazhandz's review

mysterious medium-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? No

3.25

A decent mystery and easily Hallett’s weakest book. Two standout thoughts about why this didn’t work for me:
1) the ending, and [thematic spoilers]

the question of what to do if the justice system would actually harm victims,

is a little heavy handed and unsuccessful, particularly compared to Alperton Angels, which handles that better, and;
2) the framing device of “Charlotte and Femi sum up what’s going on every so often” feels significantly more grating in a 200-page book than a 400-page book. I am not a mystery aficionado, I have trouble tracking clued and I don’t mind Hallett’s penchant for periodically repeating and emphasizing key details, but it is not done well here.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder

A weird amount of asbestos discussion

rmkg's review

Not as convincing as The Appeal (a little more over-the-top), but still fun to read. The lead-up to the night of the pantomime is painful—so much dread.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

hmetwade's review

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

jennyoli96's review

mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol

lydiagibbs's review

funny mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Fun. Story through text messages and email exchanges. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse and Murder

lawebz's review

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Murder

aileron's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement and Death

Moderate: Murder and Classism

Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse

bessadams's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism

gwen87's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

kstericker's review

funny mysterious 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Minor: Confinement