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kappafrog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
ashleycmms's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy
phantasmaboo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I think that this is a cozy murder mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s face-paced plot also keeps you on your toes and there really isn’t a dull moment. That being said, the book fell flat to me in terms of character and plot development. The plot for the orchestra and the murder investigation fight with each other for space to the point where neither are very fully developed. It seems like the main character does little to accomplish either one and we are left to fill in the gaps ourselves. Furthermore, it seemed like everyone in this small town was involved at some point, and it quickly became hard to tell who was who and who was doing what. None of the characters were developed beyond some basic-level characteristics.
Finally, I found the ableism against people with mental illnesses to be quite alarming. Without spoiling, I can say that the author heavily stigmatizes those with mental illnesses and uses derogatory language to refer to them. While this is a trope, I believe it to be an outdated one at best, and the ending left me feeling quite disgusted for how the main character talks about those individuals. Perhaps with more character and plot development, it would have felt more purposeful, but really it just came off as cruel.
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Suicide, and Murder
le_mur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury
jacquelynjoan'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
4.5
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Racism and Sexism
shomarq's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Ableism