kyrstin_p1989'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
leahjanespeare's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's very atmospheric and eerie, and you know any haunted house type thing reminds me of the Haunting of Hill House (though there's no comparison for that brilliance) so that was fun and different since there are not a lot of characters present that are suspects. I liked the integration of the creepy-ass smart house, I really hope that never exists. I don't even like talking to my phone and have Siri turned off. Make that house a refurbished Victorian on the gloomy lonesome moors of Scotland and well, you got a good setup for a mystery book.
I also love a good unreliable narrator, especially when the story is her telling her side of what happened through letters to her solicitor while she sits in jail for the murder of a child.
My only issue is the ending/explanation, which isn't to say it was bad, but not at all what I was expecting or where I was expecting it would go. But I won't say more than that because that'll go straight into spoiler territory.
I'll definitely be reading more of her books!
Moderate: Violence and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death
mallory10100's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Infidelity
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual violence, Self harm, Police brutality, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Bullying, Dementia, Excrement, Gore, Infidelity, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
i loved this book homophobia TW is there bc the author uses the F slur for cigarettes because she’s british