The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ashleycmms's review
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, Death, Blood, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Ableism, Infidelity, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy
kwaeisig's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Suicide, Stalking, Self harm, Murder, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Infidelity
phantasmaboo's review
- 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.Â
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 While this is a trope, I believe it to be an outdated one at best, and the ending left me feeling quite disgusted for how the main character talks about those individuals.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.Â
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Ableism, and Mental illness
henrismum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I found this on a list of recommended mysteries. I put it on my TBR pile in summer and its number finally came up.
Will I read more of the series / author?  Â
The narrator was Jessica Carroll. Her voice was a little baby-ish in some points. I hope she gets better.
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
leanne_miron'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: Mental illness, Ableism, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Murder, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide
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, Grief, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Racism and Sexism
fourfootedbeasts's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Suicide, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, and Gun violence
thelizzielibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, and Suicide attempt
karcitis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death
Moderate: Violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Infidelity, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Extensive use of slurs/derogatory terms for people with mental illness.