callidoralblack's review
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Death, and Violence
Minor: Suicide, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Murder
kenzaett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
Spoiler
Oh wow. This book made me feel so much! Whilst book 4 in the series wasn't my favorite, felt too rushed and obvious - this one, with the setting in London, so many new characters, and a deep exploration into the real personalities of our favorites, was a much better "sleuths abroad" Version than A Box in the Woods (I might be biased though because I, too, studied abroad in England😅)The mystery was hard to solve, I couldn't get behind it until 80% of the book, which might have just been because we didn't know the characters as well... But I love how they were all fleshed out, had different identifications... I loved how Stevie and Izzy grew together, and I understand why people have been hating David for the past 4 books (I didn't, I just found him very... ambiguous). This book was very emotional. More so than the mystery focused, thrilling, scary triology - there was a current threat and danger, this one just explored an older case and there wasn't much danger posed to the kids. There were many more mature themes, which I liked, as the characters grew up along the readers over the course of the books. And I got annoyed by Stevie. A lot. I understand Janelle. I understand Nate. She still needs a lot of maturity, a lot of growth. She's still processing who she is and who she wants to be, and can't make peace with the idea she has to go to an actual school and not just rely on solving whatever mystery finds her during her adult years. All the other ones have something to their own, rube Goldberg machines whilst having good grades, a book out whilst still applying to 71 colleges, even David, who's doing "as little as possible" and feels inadequate next to Stevie... But she doesn't seem to want to move on from her successes, and that might just inevitably become her downfall. But I don't think there's another book planned to explore that. And that's okay. I feel like Stevie's chapter is over - I thoroughly enjoyed the series over the past few weeks, but I'm okay not continuing, and letting my own imagination run for what happens next.Â
I'm not as "trapped in this universe" as I've felt with other triologies, and I definitely find that this is also a good standalone, without having to read everything in order and beforehand. Thank you, Maureen, for this adventure.
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Minor: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Outing, Addiction, and Drug abuse
growintogardens's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The last book was so good, and then we're given this, which is the weakest of the series imo. The author does a pretty good job writing creepy mysteries (this one was ok), but honestly, the relationship between Stevie and David is almost enough for me to stop reading entirely. He's the woooorst.Â
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence
stuckinatimeloop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the thing about these books is the characters don't have a lot of depth. they're likable, sure, but you don't form a connection with them really. they're just there. they have the potential to be something more, but the author focuses more on the plot. and that's not a bad thing, it's what makes these books likable because the plot is written well.Â
to me, books that have well written characters are more impactful and stay with me for longer. like a study in charlotte. amazing detective series with amazing characters.
i do like truly devious though. overall it's a fun teen detective series. i hope in the future books the characters get more development.
also nate fisher my aroace icon.
to me, books that have well written characters are more impactful and stay with me for longer. like a study in charlotte. amazing detective series with amazing characters.
i do like truly devious though. overall it's a fun teen detective series. i hope in the future books the characters get more development.
also nate fisher my aroace icon.
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit
theespressoedition's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
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