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thayerbowen's review against another edition
4.5
Not an easy read but engrossing. I haven’t read Robotham in 10 years or more, I think I found him when we lived in Sydney, so THAT long ago. Very good psychological mysteries. That said, this one centers on domestic abuse and toxic friendships so take all the warnings from that and proceed as appropriate for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Toxic friendship
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
Too stressful with the domestic abuse and framing the victim.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse
mandib's review against another edition
the moment the jack russell terrier went missing and it was inferred something bad might have happened, I ran to check the content warnings and found one person list graphic descriptions of both animal cruelty and animal death, and I don’t want to hear that. Sure, I wouldn’t mind knowing what happened in the book, but maybe I’ll just read reviews with spoilers. The story wasn’t gripping enough for me to persevere. Also - at the beginning, her ovaries were “jiggling” after seeing a man she was attracted to with children. No thanks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
sarahna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Car accident, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
aridd1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Philomena 'Phil' McCarthy is a police officer working for the London Metropolitan police when she is called to a domestic assault incident. At the scene Phil removes the victim of the assault, Tempe Brown, from the flat and when Tempe's boyfriend, Darren Goodall, strikes out at Phil she defends herself. After accompanying Tempe to a shelter, Phil returns to work and is stunned to be called into her superior's office, where she is told to drop the case. It turns out that Tempe's boyfriend is not only married but a decorated police officer, but Phil knows there is something darker about Goodall's behaviour, but her official investigative attempts are blocked and she is ultimately suspended from duty. Meanwhile Tempe has befriended Phil and wants to show her gratitude by helping Phil and her fiance, Henry, organise their wedding. What starts off as innocent help though starts to turn into an intense friendship, and Phil catches Tempe in several lies, and alongside the harassment from former colleagues and her criminal family past, Phil is unsure who she can trust.
This is a great suspense thriller with lots of twists and turns, which certainly kept me reading. I thought Phil was a fairly sympathetic main character, although she does make some strange decisions as a police officer, but I suppose these are to keep the plot moving. The plot itself has several angles; the police and crime angle, domestic assault and abuse and the way that the system can traumatise victims, toxic friendships, plus how Phil and Henry's relationship is affected by everything. I thought it was a very good read which kept up a fast pace, but the pace meant that when logical thinking was required from the main character, it was cast aside for emotional reactions instead. Overall I liked it and would recommend to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers.
TW: domestic abuse/assault, sexual assault, child abuse (violence).
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group/Sphere, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
This is a great suspense thriller with lots of twists and turns, which certainly kept me reading. I thought Phil was a fairly sympathetic main character, although she does make some strange decisions as a police officer, but I suppose these are to keep the plot moving. The plot itself has several angles; the police and crime angle, domestic assault and abuse and the way that the system can traumatise victims, toxic friendships, plus how Phil and Henry's relationship is affected by everything. I thought it was a very good read which kept up a fast pace, but the pace meant that when logical thinking was required from the main character, it was cast aside for emotional reactions instead. Overall I liked it and would recommend to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers.
TW: domestic abuse/assault, sexual assault, child abuse (violence).
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group/Sphere, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault