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alexisgarcia's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the only other peter swanson book i’ve read, i dnf’d (despite doing that like twice a year) but i wanted to read something for the holiday. i honestly thought this was simple but pretty good and definitely full of the christmas spirit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
minimicropup's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
🏴 Set in a quaint Cotswolds village in England.
POV: We follow the tale through diary entries from the 1980s and a first person perspective from the diary reader in a Manhattan apartment present day.
Mood Reading Match Up:
-Diary within a novel
-Not-all-is-as-it-seems twists
-New adult and college life murder mystery
-Village Christmas energy
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🐺 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags 🐕
✏️ Writing: I loved the weaving of a diary narrative with character reflections. The diary entries, detailed and authentic, captured the essence of a dedicated journal writer, avoiding clichéd suspense tricks. The narrative switched to a character kind of speaking directly to us in the latter half, revealing deeper layers of the story.
🫥 Characters: The diary writer’s portrayal was spot-on, reflecting their social anxiety and overthinking tendencies. This introspective style gave depth to the character but might be draining for those who find such self-analysis tiresome.
🗺️ Worldbuilding: I really enjoyed the atmospheric setting. The aging country house and village pub were vividly depicted, imbuing the story with a cozy, wintry charm and the Christmas vibes were maintained throughout.
🔥 Fuel: The unfolding events in the diary kept the suspense high, with mysteries woven seamlessly into the narrative. The second half of the book brought surprising revelations, maintaining a gripping “wait, what?!” feeling.
🐇 Pacing: I felt the story moved swiftly, engaging me throughout. It’s the kind of book that was hard to put down, and I was eager to return to its world.
🎧 Audio narration: The audiobook version adds another layer of enjoyment. The narration captures the youthfulness of the journal writer, and the sound effects, like page turning, enrich the diary-reading experience.
🤔 Random Thoughts: I thought the story was a compelling, diary-driven mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Its vivid setting and well-crafted narrative makes it a great read (or listen) for those who love a good twist and a dash of dark Christmas spirit.
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Content Heads-Up: Social anxiety. Loneliness. Murder. Betrayal. Psychopathies.
Rep: The characters are primarily White British and American
Format: Audible
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Murder
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