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books_hay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Murder
anniup's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Sexual content, and Drug use
geen_22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
dazzle_spider_reader_1212's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Death
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Gun violence
magellen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It is an easy, horror-lite read with a slow pace and clear character trajectories.
It is enjoyable but unexceptional. I do want to see if one of the author's other novels leans more horror than cozy mystery.
Olive is a sturdy, well built character. Most well rounded and human. Hattie and the generational trauma is well built.
But good god the book is slow. There are no scares to it, no heart pounding moments, because every moment drags on with interiority that tips the scales of a person's patience. I think developing characters and slow pacing to build dread are both underutilized in a lot of horror. But there's no dread. Just pages filled up with words that neither titillate nor advance the plot. Watch this out of towner drag a bunch of haunted stuff in her house on purpose! Keeeep watching! Something will happen eventually!
The dual pov with interspersed informing povs is a method I love in books and is well utilized as the mystery unfolds. If you enjoy dual POV I think it's a great example of how to do so successfully. Books succeeds there well.
If you're a fan of the author, maybe you'll love it? But the voice is too plain for me so it won't be in my reread pile.
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Murder
ohhthehorrors's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
kathkas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Death, Violence, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent