Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Missing from the Village: The Story of Serial Killer Bruce McArthur, the Search for Justice, and the System That Failed Toronto's Queer Community by Justin Ling

8 reviews

annamercado19's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Ling masterfully balances giving an honest, open account of what truly happened during these gruesome events while also honoring every victim and loved one he speaks about. Ling remains empathetic and genuine throughout the entire book, which is refreshing considering today's dark fascination with true crime. He cares passionately and openly. Ling rightfully calls for us to do better in the future: to work towards a true queer community, for the reform of law enforcement and the righting of systemic wrongs, and to build a bridge between us together.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Murder, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Stalking, and Deportation

kmsander4's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Murder

ruthlessreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad medium-paced

5.0

This is one of the best, most thoughtfully done true crime books I've ever read. Ling takes great care to represent the victims honestly and to include interviews and permissions from family members. He also discusses the exploitative nature of true crime, as a genre, and the ways in which telling the stories of crimes against & within marginalized communities is valuable. 

Using over 5 years of research, the author outlines how a serial killer hunted & killed members of Toronto's queer community, how that community responded, and the egregious mismanagement of these cases by local police. He also humanizes the victims, providing a window into their lives through the interviews of their family & friends. This account of loss, grief, and systemic discrimination against race, gender, and sexuality speaks to current societal issues while also highlighting the real human cost of failed policing & marginalization of personal identities.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Alcohol, Classism, and Deportation

alanna17's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia

paronomaniac's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Murder

notthatlibrarian's review against another edition

dark emotional informative slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, and Stalking

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, Pedophilia, and Forced institutionalization

Some of the victims were not out as queer at the time of their death and were outed during the investigation. Although many details of their lives are public record, it is still uncomfortable at times to read about, knowing they cannot give consent. Although the information related to the victims is handled sensitively, and the case is not sensationalized, it is difficult to read about certain events and details regarding the case without major discomfort.

clem's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Homophobia, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual assault, and Grief

rigormorphis's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual violence, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse