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jeanpear's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very, very tense, with one of the most intentionally dislikeable characters I have ever read. Well written as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, and Stalking
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
libhollywood's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Busted out the notes app for this one!! Such an interesting read: so bouncy, bright and readable but also BEYOND tense and emotional. I loved the beginning a bit more than the ending (when Roach as a more sinister character was still unfurling/still more sympathetic, though I think the transition to full villain was well done ) but the whole thing was fascinating. Raised heaps of interesting discussion about the ethics of true crime, including thoughts I’ve considered many times before and ideas that were completely new. Especially fun to reflect on my years as a bookseller/the industry as a whole. Feels like I could read this book and follow these characters forever. 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Mass/school shootings, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ieemee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Dual P.O.V. Laura & Roach
FMC Roach - Norman Bates Vibe & True Crime Fanatic
Laura- Daughter of a Serial killer victim & Poet
Set in a Bookshop filled with book enthusiasts. The story weaves between the feeling of being watched and being the one who is watching.
Roach quote- “I travelled the world with serial killers … imagined washing my skin with the soap of women”
This read was perfect for spooky season- The book looks at True Crime as a genre and how different people interact with it. I personally think Roach is one of the characters that gives me the biggest - Ick!!! Alarm Bells ! I’ve never been as repulsed by a character & the times you view the world from her perspective is truly unsettling. The novel is thoughtful constructed and has strong character development for each of the characters followed.
The book reminds me of You by Caroline Kepnes but with a female mc instead of a male one. If you enjoyed Netflix season of You with Love Quinn season 3 you will most likely enjoy this book.
Content warnings:
Stalking ; Home invasion ; Alcholism ; Assault ; Serial Killer praise
FMC Roach - Norman Bates Vibe & True Crime Fanatic
Laura- Daughter of a Serial killer victim & Poet
Set in a Bookshop filled with book enthusiasts. The story weaves between the feeling of being watched and being the one who is watching.
Roach quote- “I travelled the world with serial killers … imagined washing my skin with the soap of women”
This read was perfect for spooky season- The book looks at True Crime as a genre and how different people interact with it. I personally think Roach is one of the characters that gives me the biggest - Ick!!! Alarm Bells ! I’ve never been as repulsed by a character & the times you view the world from her perspective is truly unsettling. The novel is thoughtful constructed and has strong character development for each of the characters followed.
The book reminds me of You by Caroline Kepnes but with a female mc instead of a male one. If you enjoyed Netflix season of You with Love Quinn season 3 you will most likely enjoy this book.
Content warnings:
Stalking ; Home invasion ; Alcholism ; Assault ; Serial Killer praise
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, and Stalking
amystainton's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m struggling to actually pick what to rate this book.
On one hand I loved the different views of the true crime genre from the main characters. Their perspectives felt quite unique and genuine. Before I really grasped the idea of the book I wasn’t so enthralled.
On the other hand, in my copy the end showed some deleted chapters that I think added real depth to the characters and their stories. I think there was a bit of a lack of character depth through the book as a whole. Roach and Laura alike quite often felt one dimensional and stubborn, quite unnatural and a tad boring. I don’t think much need to be added to make them more interesting and multidimensional. It’s a shame that wasn’t the case.
The book was an enjoyable read tho so 3.5⭐️
On one hand I loved the different views of the true crime genre from the main characters. Their perspectives felt quite unique and genuine. Before I really grasped the idea of the book I wasn’t so enthralled.
On the other hand, in my copy the end showed some deleted chapters that I think added real depth to the characters and their stories. I think there was a bit of a lack of character depth through the book as a whole. Roach and Laura alike quite often felt one dimensional and stubborn, quite unnatural and a tad boring. I don’t think much need to be added to make them more interesting and multidimensional. It’s a shame that wasn’t the case.
The book was an enjoyable read tho so 3.5⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
story_of_kim's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
heather_a_thomas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol
melusinedln's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.25
I loved the setting of this thriller : most of the novel takes place in a bookshop. The first 100 pages were fun to read, but the book became boring, slow-paced and repetitive until around page 330, right before the end. The end also feels slightly disappointing, as it feels like nothing has really evolved for the characters since the beginning. However, the writing style was pleasing to read and I liked the themes and the criticism of true crime and its community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty
addie's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
bonkyboot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
pil4r's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Un thriller que no termina de serlo.
Death of a Bookseller ofrece una historia que intenta esgrimir el misterio sobre la muerte anunciada de una vendedora de libros, de alguna de nuestra dos opuestas protagonistas.
Slater construye personajes muy caricaturescos, humanos y, por ende, frecuentemente insoportables. Laura y Roach son dos mujeres completamente distintas pero igualmente desesperadas e intensas. Esta desesperación se vincula con la vacancia de cierto amor, de cierta falta del lugar propio que late y duele en ambas.
Las perspectivas son interesantes, entretenidas y dan lugar a efectos emocionales -muy bien logrados- del orden del asco, la verguenza ajena pero también la empatía.
Otros aspectos que disfruté mucho de esta historia son: la verosimilitud de las conversaciones que la autora propone, la atinada discusión en torno a lo problemático y lo atractivo del true crime y lo bien escrita que esta la obsesión que se desenvuelve a lo largo de la trama.
Más allá de todo esto, la novela dejó de ser entretenida e intrigante para mí para resultar larga-de-más a partir de su segundo tercio.
Recomiendo para feministas amantes del true crime y el misterio que estén dispuestas a enfrentarse a perspectivas que incomodan porque nos hacen ver, en los personajes, lo que a veces no queremos ver de nosotras mismas. Siempre y cuando estén también abiertas a encontrarse con una historia a la que le sobran un par de páginas.
Death of a Bookseller ofrece una historia que intenta esgrimir el misterio sobre la muerte anunciada de una vendedora de libros, de alguna de nuestra dos opuestas protagonistas.
Slater construye personajes muy caricaturescos, humanos y, por ende, frecuentemente insoportables. Laura y Roach son dos mujeres completamente distintas pero igualmente desesperadas e intensas. Esta desesperación se vincula con la vacancia de cierto amor, de cierta falta del lugar propio que late y duele en ambas.
Las perspectivas son interesantes, entretenidas y dan lugar a efectos emocionales -muy bien logrados- del orden del asco, la verguenza ajena pero también la empatía.
Otros aspectos que disfruté mucho de esta historia son: la verosimilitud de las conversaciones que la autora propone, la atinada discusión en torno a lo problemático y lo atractivo del true crime y lo bien escrita que esta la obsesión que se desenvuelve a lo largo de la trama.
Más allá de todo esto, la novela dejó de ser entretenida e intrigante para mí para resultar larga-de-más a partir de su segundo tercio.
Recomiendo para feministas amantes del true crime y el misterio que estén dispuestas a enfrentarse a perspectivas que incomodan porque nos hacen ver, en los personajes, lo que a veces no queremos ver de nosotras mismas. Siempre y cuando estén también abiertas a encontrarse con una historia a la que le sobran un par de páginas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail