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prose_and_peonies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
The premise was good and I didn’t guess the ending, which I liked. I had a hard time caring about what happened to any of the characters, especially the teens.
Slight spoiler below:
I don’t understand why one of the main characters remained silent at the end, it made no sense for the story or her character.
Graphic: Sexual assault
katiejohns's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
ncoletti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty
courtthebookgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amidon expertly crafts a mystery surrounding the death of a young newcomer, Eden, who has befriended some local wealthy teenagers. The air of suspicion follows main players Christopher, Jake, and Hannah who were the last to see Eden alive.
Simultaneously, we are embroiled in the drama of the neighborhood adults, including the parents of the accused teenagers. And no one is quite who they seem.
From the very first chapter, the reader is propelled into the lives of the townsfolk of Emerson Heights and left to wonder: who really killed Eden?
This book warrants content warnings: sexual assault, BDSM, pornography, infidelity, racism, sexism, drugs, and more. I’m a pretty sensitive reader and I didn’t have any trouble with this book, but I’d advise others to read up a bit to be sure it’s your speed.
I was drawn in by the excellent writing and stayed for the captivating storytelling. The ending was perfection. 5 stars.
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
kayla_hehe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Classism
jamiesbookstack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Drug use and Sexual assault
tea_jambi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
noladawnreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nine Adults. Four teens. One unsolved murder. And one of the best prologues I’ve ever read. Stephen Amidon’s novel is a slow burn thriller/domestic suspense.
Eden Perry is found dead in a house on Locust Lane in the small New England town of Emerson, Massachusetts. She’s been a drifter but seems to have found her way into the lives of Hannah, Jack, and Christopher. After one tragic night Eden is dead and the three of them are implicated in her death. Their parents become the catalysts in the drama to come.
The audio was narrated by Cassandra Campbell and with such a huge roster of characters she did an impeccable job.
I was on the edge of my seat from the prologue!! Never have I been so gripped with anticipation. I wanted to know everything about Patrick immediately.
I’m a note taker so that helped me a TON with a book like this with so many characters and storylines happening. The long chapters were a tad stressful for a chapter reader but I adapted fine.
I look forward to Stephen Amidon’s next book.
Thank you to Netgalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies!
Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug use
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Sexual assault
emmas_bookshelf'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
amobrien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Locust Lane is a domestic mystery about privilege and power surrounding the murder of a young woman in an affluent suburb. Throughout, the story touched on social status, parenthood/family drama, racism and more. I enjoyed the use of multiple POVs to show how truth means different things to these different characters. That being said, you definitely need to focus in order to keep track of everything. It seems everyone may be guilty of something.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Classism