obxhokie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Murder, Child abuse, Suicide, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
ohyeahshebomb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Violence, Drug use, Misogyny, Suicide, Blood, Bullying, Physical abuse, Infidelity, and Murder
astoriareader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Sadie, a physician, and her husband, Will, have two sons, Tate & Otto. They have relocated from Chicago to Maine. Will’s sister, Alice, recently passed away, and they inherited Alice’s home & have become the guardian of Alice’s teenage daughter, Imogen.
- Shortly after the family moves in, there was a murder next door.
- We are also introduced to two other narrators/characters in the story: Camille, who had an affair with Will, and Mouse, a young girl that has an evil stepmother.
- Multiple POVs (Sadie, Camille, Mouse, and at the end, Will has a few chapters too)
- Lots of twists. Although for seasoned readers of the genre, some are a bit predictable.
- I am a big fan of Kubica’s writing, and I enjoy her writing style. This is the third book I’ve read by her.
- Excellent pacing. I got through this one in about a day & a half. Satisfying ending.
- Atmospheric setting. Secluded island off Maine, and Kubica deftly illustrates the old, dreary, musty house to give the house a creepy personality of its own.
- The adult characters aren’t very likable in this one.
- Without giving away more, my one gripe is Kubica’s use of mental illness as plot device. Although handled better than most authors, it’s still a personal pet peeve of mine.
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Confinement
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Drug abuse
Minor: Bullying, Self harm, Car accident, Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, and Cursing
carissa230's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
While hearing Sadie's story we hear the story of Camille. Camille is obsessed with Will. They were having an affair before moving away and she's not willing to let him go.
The third perspective is a young girl. Her father has just remarried and the step mother is mean to her.
I am not sure if the identity of the women was supposed to be obvious, but it was very obvious. The revelation was not surprising. I feel like this is kind of underwhelming.
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Blood, and Infidelity
lottipop_105's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Death, Infidelity, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal death and Self harm
nkg202's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Self harm, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
karahoff97's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, and Panic attacks/disorders
c100's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, and Sexual content
brookey8888's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit