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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
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
smilagros's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment
condls27'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Murder
takeaim'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
5.0
Intense and riveting. Unforgettable, and too close to today's headlines. Please check trigger warnings. Despite the despicable crimes under investigation by a Black sheriff in a small Southern town, the author does not veer into gratuitous sensationalism. Nor does he glide over raw emotions in the face of unspeakable acts.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
ford_defect'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: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, and Genocide
drsa's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
faeriegodmutha'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
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
clak5686'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Kidnapping, Grief, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Domestic abuse