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andersonstovall's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Racism, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Chronic illness, and Drug abuse
sberry225's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WOW. I will be checking out his other books. A crime thriller from a black sheriff’s perspective in the South…amazing writing and a really unique and captivating plot. I wish I could read this again for the first time already
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Blood, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Animal death, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
danniknowsbest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Murder
rwilhoyte's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol
nahret'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
3.5
And then there's religion. Charon has an abundance of churches (which, again, I hear is normal in the South), and religion might as well be the protagonist of this novel. It permeates every aspect of life in this town, from intimate familial relationships all the way up to politics and administration. Consider this, if you will, a content warning in case of religious trauma; this book will probably cause a reaction.
This story hits all the important notes of a crime novel:
- the sense of danger is constant
- the resolution of the case proceeds at a steady pace
- the characters behave in a consistent manner
- all ends are tied up in a satisfying conclusion
My only quibble with the book was the sheriff's inner monologue. I mostly liked the prose, but sometimes the bible quotes, idioms, similes, and metaphors became a bit much. They certainly helped with the whole Southern vibe, but they don't need to pop up every other sentence.
However, solid read, with as happy an ending as possible under the circumstances.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
sweaterdad'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
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
charlottedante's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Murder
fabacious'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
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Colonisation
jill_holly's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
The plot was harrowing. The crimes Titus is investigating are brutal, especially against the backdrop of racial tensions in a fictional small county in Virginia. The story had lots of tension with bursts of action. And, the narration was absolute perfection by Adam Lazarre-White. I felt like I was watching a movie!
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
cammyvee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
But you won’t sleep well after reading this book.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Antisemitism, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, and Murder