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outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
DI James Walker & wife, Annie, move to a sleepy Cumbrian village called Kirkby Abbey where Annie grew up as a child. They move there after James receives a threat from a recently released ex-con with a grudge against him. Life is quiet at first, but when James opens a Christmas present left on their doorstep, the gruesome contents & the attached card which warns of a season of ill-will with 12 murders to come. When the weather turns & cuts off the village from outside help, James has to catch a killer or has his past caught up with him?
It was ok but it all seemed kind of forced or stilted - the writing didn't flow naturally & it was awkward to read in parts. The plot was again, ok, but I found it very easy to work out who the killer was so there wasn't much suspense. As this seems like it was the author's first published book though, it's probable that their subsequent books will improve so I plan on reading the next in the series.
It was ok but it all seemed kind of forced or stilted - the writing didn't flow naturally & it was awkward to read in parts. The plot was again, ok, but I found it very easy to work out who the killer was so there wasn't much suspense. As this seems like it was the author's first published book though, it's probable that their subsequent books will improve so I plan on reading the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Pedophilia, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion
emminkirjakasa's review against another edition
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
This was a good read. Interesting characters, fun story and winter at its best (loads of snow and christmas). Would recomend to people who like crime books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Murder
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I actually read book 2 in the series first without realising it wasn’t a standalone. However, I did find this book just as enjoyable.
It’s a cosy winter murder mystery style book, which is perfect for this time of year! With it starting off with multiple suspects, I had in mind who I thought the killer was. Then as more details were revealed, my suspicions changed but I honestly didn’t guess when it came to the reveal even though it’s so obvious in hindsight.
I liked the story as a whole and i’m looking forward to reading the 3rd book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Car accident, Abortion, and Murder
hannahelizza556's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book was OK but it didn't excite me the way I wanted it too. I felt that the characters were under developed and I didn't connect with them as much as hoped I would have. The book cover says "12 murders" but there isn't 12 murders at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder
justreaditem's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
2.0
I was extremely disappointed in this book. What I expected to be somewhat obvious plot (killer doing killing at xmas time), turned out to be a slow, dull story that took me over 6 months to finish. It stared at me from the book shelf for so long. I had to eventually finish it just so I could give it to charity.
The main characters are completely boring; I don't care that she's a journalist, or that he's a bobby. I don't care about her family or past. The only interesting part was at the last quarter of the book which took so long to get through.
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1, because I liked the way that the killer communicated with people and because at some stages, I honestly didn't know who the killer was.
The ending however, was lacking.
The main characters are completely boring; I don't care that she's a journalist, or that he's a bobby. I don't care about her family or past. The only interesting part was at the last quarter of the book which took so long to get through.
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1, because I liked the way that the killer communicated with people and because at some stages, I honestly didn't know who the killer was.
The ending however, was lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
chomie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Murder
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