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laurelconover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really did like this book, the author has a great ability to craft a world and depth, and I think the choice of making this in 1920s Harlem offered an element of mystery and newness that wouldn't have been able to have been betrayed if it had been set in modern-day. The characters were interesting, and the main character was enjoyable and likable without being too much, her flaws are evident but they are what make her a person and don't feel like something added to make her imperfect after the fact, which sometimes it feels like the characters are. At times she aggravated me with her short-sightedness and brash actions, but not in a bad way, it was just one of her flaws and was implemented into the story well.
This is not a book I think I will re-read read, although I can understand if someone else would, I felt like the mystery was a little bit too straightforward for my preferences, there was a bit of... foreshadowing? Omnipotent narration? whatever it is called, that basically *possible spoilers* kinda told us who the killer is somewhat early on, and the mystery is to figure out why. I felt this clash slightly with the narrative structure because the main character does not know who the killer is, but the readers do which offers a strange dissonance to the overall plot that personally didn't work for me.
There is a SA scene involving the main character, although it is stopped, it is still mentioned and described in moderate to somewhat graphic details in real-time as it is happening, so please be cautious if this is something you are sensitive to.
There have been comments about sudden chapter endings, and choppy sentences, but I listened to this on audiobook and none of this sort of thing stuck out to me, so take that as you will.
I felt the *slight spoiler* death in the middle of the third act came out of nowhere and didn't add much to the story, and it felt like it was included to add drama and higher stakes and it didn't work for me.
One thing that I truly enjoyed and would love to see more of in any other book was how the LGBTQ+ characters were written. It wasn't the main focus of the book, and that was a very good thing. These were people first and foremost and your sexuality was only an aspect of who they were, not their entire person and I REALLY like how it was done.
Overall I would recommend this but I think this does read like a debut novel, there are a lot of good things in it but it does suffer from some major structural issues that, I hope, with time, the author will be able to work on and improve upon. I am definitely looking forward to her future work and how she will evolve and grow as a writer.
This is not a book I think I will re-read read, although I can understand if someone else would, I felt like the mystery was a little bit too straightforward for my preferences, there was a bit of... foreshadowing? Omnipotent narration? whatever it is called, that basically *possible spoilers*
There is a SA scene involving the main character, although it is stopped, it is still mentioned and described in moderate to somewhat graphic details in real-time as it is happening, so please be cautious if this is something you are sensitive to.
There have been comments about sudden chapter endings, and choppy sentences, but I listened to this on audiobook and none of this sort of thing stuck out to me, so take that as you will.
I felt the *slight spoiler*
One thing that I truly enjoyed and would love to see more of in any other book was how the LGBTQ+ characters were written. It wasn't the main focus of the book, and that was a very good thing. These were people first and foremost and your sexuality was only an aspect of who they were, not their entire person and I REALLY like how it was done.
Overall I would recommend this but I think this does read like a debut novel, there are a lot of good things in it but it does suffer from some major structural issues that, I hope, with time, the author will be able to work on and improve upon. I am definitely looking forward to her future work and how she will evolve and grow as a writer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Murder
whitneyonline's review against another edition
So borrring. Tried to be ominous and forwshadow-y but ended up just spoiling the book. The pacing was absolutely in the gutter and there was no tension or suspense or mystery at all. I tried really hard to power through but at 40% of the way I'm letting myself throw in the towel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Police brutality, and Murder
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dead Dead Girls is a 1920s historical mystery set on the streets of Harlem. Louise Lloyd earned local fame as a teenager when she freed herself from a kidnapper, rescuing her fellow prisoners in the process. A decade later, she does her best to sink into anonymity. She loves working in a cafe during the day, dancing the night away with her friends, and living in a boarding house where she can maximize time with her girlfriend, Rosa Maria. Louise's existence is thrown into disarray when she is conscripted by the police to help interview friends and family of victims in a recent spree of serial murders targeting Black girls in Harlem. Her role gets deeper and messier as Louise desperately tries to piece together the girls' lives and deaths. Although she gains a sense of purpose in trying to catch a murderer who is targeting girls much like her younger sisters or even herself, she regrets the loss of her carefree evenings as her sleuthing becomes all-consuming.
What I loved best about the story were the characters and the setting. The characters are intriguing and vivacious, Louise chief among them. Her found family is supportive and caring where her biological family has fraying bonds and animosities to contend with. She only retains a largely uncomplicated love for her younger twin sisters. Lou's romance is established, warm, and hopeful, even as the two women must consider how they can build a future together. The settings sparkle with clear detail and a sense of lived-in reality, from clubs to homes, cafes to crime scenes.
My only complaint has to do with the mystery pacing and explanation. I was fully invested for the first portion of the book, maybe even two-thirds of the story. The danger is always lurking, and Lou's twisty investigation turns up more questions than answers. In the latter part, there's a bit of waiting and then an abrupt final showdown. I don't feel like all the clues were rounded up or connected in a narrative to give things a sense of closure. False trails were left dangling rather than showing where they led if not to murder.
I am interested to see where the story goes next and find out how Louise's life adjusts in the aftermath of her second brush with celebrity. I would love to see how the characters continue to grow and peek into history yet again.
What I loved best about the story were the characters and the setting. The characters are intriguing and vivacious, Louise chief among them. Her found family is supportive and caring where her biological family has fraying bonds and animosities to contend with. She only retains a largely uncomplicated love for her younger twin sisters. Lou's romance is established, warm, and hopeful, even as the two women must consider how they can build a future together. The settings sparkle with clear detail and a sense of lived-in reality, from clubs to homes, cafes to crime scenes.
My only complaint has to do with the mystery pacing and explanation. I was fully invested for the first portion of the book, maybe even two-thirds of the story. The danger is always lurking, and Lou's twisty investigation turns up more questions than answers. In the latter part, there's a bit of waiting and then an abrupt final showdown. I don't feel like all the clues were rounded up or connected in a narrative to give things a sense of closure. False trails were left dangling rather than showing where they led if not to murder.
I am interested to see where the story goes next and find out how Louise's life adjusts in the aftermath of her second brush with celebrity. I would love to see how the characters continue to grow and peek into history yet again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
i_am_selinam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
jenkneebee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Alcohol