Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

70 reviews

just_mrs_w's review against another edition

mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Minor: Suicide and Murder

kecasey's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

alexandra_helen's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

asourceoffiction's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

4.0

When I finished The Family Upstairs I knew there were some unanswered questions, but I wasn't sure if I'd be bothered about revisiting the story. Turns out I'm glad I did, this fills in the gaps and adds a whole new layer to some of my favourite parts of the first book. Although I think I'd have really struggled if I hadn't looked up a recap before starting The Family Remains!

I loved Rachel's story and giving more context to what happened to Michael. But it was also good to have some of the characters from Cheyne Walk take centre stage and really piece things together (Libby is still very much around but she's more a side character in this book). I'm glad we still had Henry's delightfully unhinged narrative, and I loved the introduction of Samuel. He was a fantastic character to follow, with his almost obsessive dedication to his investigation.

I wasn't sure what I wanted from the end, but I think I was happy with how it brought everything to a decent conclusion. Especially Henry's story which, without giving anything away, was just a little juicier in keeping with his character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Suicide

daisymoffit's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.25

Solid mystery novel- I really enjoyed reading this and it kept me wanting to keep going back to it. Definitely an adult book as far as some of the darker themes and the types of violence it describes, but overall a good read. My only criticism is that its a tiny bit convoluted, but I enjoy the writing style where every chapter is a new character's inner monologue- it almost makes you feel like you're solving the mystery alongside the detective.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation

ninalita's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Murder

Moderate: Suicide

cnannery19's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

meghanmccall's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

annie_brewer's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Read via audiobook (Penguin Audio)

This follow up was a slower pace and had less intrigue, but a nice easy read with good writing.

There does seem to be a few too many plot points for the novel to have gripped me, and the main quest to find out what happened to Birdy was buried amongst Lucy's backstory. I think I was mostly engaged to see how Phinn had grown up and the impact his childhood had on him and was dissappointed that when he was found any tension was automatically resolved. A lot of conveniences for all characters.

Mostly an unnecessary sequel, with the new character additions not adding much. Enjoyable as a cozy mystery rather than a thriller.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Murder

eloisetaylor's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Rape, and Gaslighting

Minor: Suicide