Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

62 reviews

craigpwmoroney's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting

Minor: Rape

bookphiend712's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Lisa Jewell has a knack for writing characters that are so twisted, you are either pitying them, disgusted by them or both.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Gaslighting

m_moon's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

Trigger warning r*** + victim blaming+ revenge p***; detailed and brought up continuously through second half of book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse and Death

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

shamaramill's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting

Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Drug use, and Gun violence

maisiealice's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

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

heather_harrison's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

A slow and confusing start with Henry’s POVs after having a five month gap between the first novel and this. It did end up kicking into gear, and once it did it became mental. I also have mixed feelings about the ending. 

Granted I wasn’t a huge fan of Fake Fin. Or backstory with Michael. 


Overall this story seemed a bit unnecessary. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Child abuse