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katyfayyyx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my first Holly Jackson book and I may have already ordered the whole A Goods Guide Guide To Murder series.
Overall I really enjoyed this book but there were just certain elements of this book that I just didn't really like or I just didn't really see the reason why or the point they were there in book in the first place. However, my main issue was the pacing because I will be honest I got so bored at about the 50% mark as it just felt like I was just reading the same thing for about 50 pages and there was no progression of the story and that's why I ended up rating it 4 stars because I liked most of it but there was just really small elements that I didn't really like and let the book down in a way. But god did this book really bring out some emotions in me? Yes, I did in fact cry twice while reading this book because fuck, this book goes hard and it just somehow keeps getting worst and at the end you feel little bit broken and you are not really sure how the fuck any one of these characters are ever going to be okay again. Another issue I had with this book was a kinda confused at the start because I just have no fucking idea who anyone was as they all just felt the same (however, that did change the more a read) and I thought the story took way too long to get to the point we were all reading the book in the first place. There was absolutely no reason for it to take some long to get to the point but when it did fuck, it just kept going no breaks or no nothing just pure tension and stress. There are many uncomfortable moments in this book such as the scene where Oliver makes Red take off all her clothes in front of the whole group to prove she wasn't the mole. However, I think the bit where Oliver made everyone vote of whether or not to force Red out of the van. Like what gave this man the audacity, like the way they made her wait in the front was just the cruelest part of this entire book it made me feel bit sick I can't lie because it so mean.
I do think the standout element of this book was 100% the characters, once I got over my initial confusion about who everyone was I really liked and enjoyed all the character expect from that c*nt Oliver but we will deal with Oliver late don't you worry 🙃 I think something that I really liked about this book and this set of characters is that it felt like they were all good people who have been put in an impossible situation (again, expect for Oliver because he's a awful person). Also was the thing friendship group kinda messy and toxic yeah but I don't think I would be a very good friend in this situation and I kinda lived for the drama and them all trying to blame everyone instead of just working together and trying to figure out what going on and what they can do to fix it.
I don't why but I have this feeling that people are either going to love or hate Red, I mean I for one really liked her but I also want someone to give this girl a hug and maybe some therapy? Like she already needed therapy before all this I don't know how she was doing after this. I can't lie my girl Red really went through it like every time we got more information about her and her backstory it just kept getting worst, like I have an actually physical reaction to the thought of the last words to your mum before they are brutally murder that you hate her, that just so dark sided. Also she was kinda dumb at times and a little overdramatic like girl not everything in this world is about you, like you don't control everything that happens it doesn't depend on whether you did or didn't do something. Also why was any one shocked that Red jumped out of the RV that was obviously going to happened because was going to do whatever she could to save another family from the pain she went through and to try and save her best friend who is basically her sister. Also I can't lie I was very happy that Oliver was shot dead but I was not fucking thrilled that Red has been shot when she was trying to save the police officer life and that's how she re-pays her, really queen... and this was were my next cry came from because I was actually crying like why did Miss Holly Jackson do that to me with Red dying and her playing and hearing her and releasing that she didn't hate her in last moments but she would have loved her it really had me fucked up. Another thing that I thought was well done was Red ADHD I am not 100% sure it was ever stated in the book that Red does in fact have ADHD and as someone with ADHD that how I understood it and read it and I would like to call out good representation of ADHD especially in a female character because you don't see it in a lot of book.
I also really liked Maddy and Red friendship because it was just kinda wholesome, even if Maddy kinda pisses me off but she redeemed herself later. The reason why I wasn't a big fan of Maddy was I didn't like that it took Red nearly being killed for her to start sticking up the girl who she had been best friends with her whole life like why was she giving everyone pens like I just kept thinking grow some balls and fight for your best friend like she would for you which is seen when Oliver forces his sister at of the van but still it just pissed me off because the friendship felt very one sided and then we see more of the relationship and how much they love each other with how Maddy tires to help Red since her mum was murdered and how Red you know risked her life to save Maddy. But I am going to be honest I thought is was a bit of a winey bitch and was a bit of a pussy but if I am being real I would probably be the one crying and freaking out in that situation but still it was annoying.
Oliver was annoying me form the minute that man spoke like why did he think he was the main character... like calm your tits you are not that important. I don't think I have ever read book with a character that has a larger amount of small dick energy ever know to man like Oliver and I just wanted him to stand the fuck up like Red was trying, like were all trying and he was just being unreasonable about anything and everything. I am literally messaged my friend who was also reading this book and said I don't care about the secret or who is keeping the secret at this point let's just shoot Oliver because he's pissing me off and he clearly has no critical thinking skills and I did just want someone to tell him to fuck off because he deserve it (and more). Also the whole bit when he telling everyone he has killed someone, his like it wasn't my fault are you a child because it clearly was... Also I honestly don't blame Reyna for cheating on Oliver because he and he is just some mean, mad and angry to her the whole time. However, but I did just know that some crazy shit was going to happen now that man child was hurt. The whole voting thing that I talked about earlier on in my review who gave this man the audacity to forced them to do it and also who made him god like he didn't want to leave when they thought it was him so why should Red be forced to do it if you do have the balls to do yourself. Then the bit just sent my hatred for this characters was when after they voted not to make Red go and outside and dead he fucking pushed her everyone even thought it was his idea because it was the fairest way bitch, shit is not adding up. I also just felt like at in some point in the book that he just wanted to kill Red because it was obvious she wasn't the mole because she was having a full blown meltdown and was screaming you can't fake that kind of fear and if Red was the mole she wouldn't have a that meltdown because she would have known that they wouldn't shoot her. Also Oliver just somehow got more and more fucking crazy the whole actually willing to risk his own sisters life (just to save himself) like isn't she the one person who he should be trying to save because I would never let my sister do something like that, it is a death wish and then when I thought he couldn't do anything more fucked up then he grabs the fucking knife and puts it to Red's neck and he would have used it and this is where Maddy redeemed because she was a stupid but selfless and caring person to save Red she was willing to die.
I feel nothing but pure hatred for that character, like I don't like men in general but I fucking hate rich boys like Oliver. I am not lying when I say this man was not good for my blood pressure or my overall physical and mental wellbeing and the whole bit when Red is standing there in her underwear and then he just cut his sisters hair off what the fuck was this man on because he was just so fucking wild but in all seriousness how was that whole things going to go another way then her getting shot and then he just stood there and didn't even try to save Maddy, he just watched Red and Arthur get her and he didn't even ask her if she was okay as someone with a sister it just seem a fucking wild way to behave and I know for a fact my sister would rather get herself shot than me because that how having a sibling works. Then he showed how much of a dick was truly was when everyone wanted to save Maddy except from her own fucking brother.
I kept reaching the some conclusions of the character at the same time which I think is sign of good writing because it showed that Holly Jackson never gave too much away and was in full control of the story and the information you were getting as a reader but at the same time planting the seeds for the full circle moment which comes at the end of all mystery novel. However, I did guess that Arthur was the person working with the shooter because he all seem to calm or confident in the fact that it wasn't Red and he was always acting as the voice of reason. Also wasn't shocked that there was more to Red's story it was obvious when they didn't shot her because that wasn't all the story they needed and this bit was the bit when I was sure that Arthur has a part of this because I thought he told them not to shoot her because he likes her even though I don't think that the reason now. However I thought the thing that Red was hiding was the mafia was asking her to lie (also it just felt kinda weird that mafia was even a part of this book) but it does make sense that it was Catherine because she want to be DA but the gaslighting her with the order (that she committed) was a little but fucked and my jaw dropped when it was revealed that it was Catherine who has killed her best friend and her daughter's best friend mum all to protect herself but than I guess you can see where Oliver get it from and then I didn't even have a jaw anymore when it was revealed that Maddy knew this whole which was just so fucked up like the one person Red thought she could trust has watched her whole life fall apart and had said nothing watch that event destroy her and did nothing and now she going to lose her too (but I don't think that going to be the case because it seems like Maddy still wants to be her friend and still love and cares for her because she sat with her when she was in a coma-which was one of the times I cried while reading this book I can't help it, I just have a soft spot from female friendship in books) and I know Arthur is the supposed to be the bad gay but he is also the reason that Red was able to move on and forgive her mum for dying and herself for the last call and that whole meltdown was another time I cried while reading this book)
I liked the idea of the news articles and letters because I think it was a smart way off wrapping up the story and give us the information we need but I just want/need more like does she forgive Maddy what happens to the them and the other three, does she go and see Arthur was happens, are they okay. are they going to be okay, I need answers and I am never going to get them... but also in a way it just feels kinda lazy.
6:00AM
Overall I really enjoyed this book but there were just certain elements of this book that I just didn't really like or I just didn't really see the reason why or the point they were there in book in the first place. However, my main issue was the pacing because I will be honest I got so bored at about the 50% mark as it just felt like I was just reading the same thing for about 50 pages and there was no progression of the story and that's why I ended up rating it 4 stars because I liked most of it but there was just really small elements that I didn't really like and let the book down in a way. But god did this book really bring out some emotions in me? Yes, I did in fact cry twice while reading this book because fuck, this book goes hard and it just somehow keeps getting worst and at the end you feel little bit broken and you are not really sure how the fuck any one of these characters are ever going to be okay again. Another issue I had with this book was a kinda confused at the start because I just have no fucking idea who anyone was as they all just felt the same (however, that did change the more a read) and I thought the story took way too long to get to the point we were all reading the book in the first place. There was absolutely no reason for it to take some long to get to the point but when it did fuck, it just kept going no breaks or no nothing just pure tension and stress. There are many uncomfortable moments in this book such as the scene where Oliver makes Red take off all her clothes in front of the whole group to prove she wasn't the mole. However, I think the bit where Oliver made everyone vote of whether or not to force Red out of the van. Like what gave this man the audacity, like the way they made her wait in the front was just the cruelest part of this entire book it made me feel bit sick I can't lie because it so mean.
I do think the standout element of this book was 100% the characters, once I got over my initial confusion about who everyone was I really liked and enjoyed all the character expect from that c*nt Oliver but we will deal with Oliver late don't you worry 🙃 I think something that I really liked about this book and this set of characters is that it felt like they were all good people who have been put in an impossible situation (again, expect for Oliver because he's a awful person). Also was the thing friendship group kinda messy and toxic yeah but I don't think I would be a very good friend in this situation and I kinda lived for the drama and them all trying to blame everyone instead of just working together and trying to figure out what going on and what they can do to fix it.
I don't why but I have this feeling that people are either going to love or hate Red, I mean I for one really liked her but I also want someone to give this girl a hug and maybe some therapy? Like she already needed therapy before all this I don't know how she was doing after this. I can't lie my girl Red really went through it like every time we got more information about her and her backstory it just kept getting worst, like I have an actually physical reaction to the thought of the last words to your mum before they are brutally murder that you hate her, that just so dark sided. Also she was kinda dumb at times and a little overdramatic like girl not everything in this world is about you, like you don't control everything that happens it doesn't depend on whether you did or didn't do something. Also why was any one shocked that Red jumped out of the RV that was obviously going to happened because was going to do whatever she could to save another family from the pain she went through and to try and save her best friend who is basically her sister. Also I can't lie I was very happy that Oliver was shot dead but I was not fucking thrilled that Red has been shot when she was trying to save the police officer life and that's how she re-pays her, really queen... and this was were my next cry came from because I was actually crying like why did Miss Holly Jackson do that to me with Red dying and her playing and hearing her and releasing that she didn't hate her in last moments but she would have loved her it really had me fucked up. Another thing that I thought was well done was Red ADHD I am not 100% sure it was ever stated in the book that Red does in fact have ADHD and as someone with ADHD that how I understood it and read it and I would like to call out good representation of ADHD especially in a female character because you don't see it in a lot of book.
I also really liked Maddy and Red friendship because it was just kinda wholesome, even if Maddy kinda pisses me off but she redeemed herself later. The reason why I wasn't a big fan of Maddy was I didn't like that it took Red nearly being killed for her to start sticking up the girl who she had been best friends with her whole life like why was she giving everyone pens like I just kept thinking grow some balls and fight for your best friend like she would for you which is seen when Oliver forces his sister at of the van but still it just pissed me off because the friendship felt very one sided and then we see more of the relationship and how much they love each other with how Maddy tires to help Red since her mum was murdered and how Red you know risked her life to save Maddy. But I am going to be honest I thought is was a bit of a winey bitch and was a bit of a pussy but if I am being real I would probably be the one crying and freaking out in that situation but still it was annoying.
Oliver was annoying me form the minute that man spoke like why did he think he was the main character... like calm your tits you are not that important. I don't think I have ever read book with a character that has a larger amount of small dick energy ever know to man like Oliver and I just wanted him to stand the fuck up like Red was trying, like were all trying and he was just being unreasonable about anything and everything. I am literally messaged my friend who was also reading this book and said I don't care about the secret or who is keeping the secret at this point let's just shoot Oliver because he's pissing me off and he clearly has no critical thinking skills and I did just want someone to tell him to fuck off because he deserve it (and more). Also the whole bit when he telling everyone he has killed someone, his like it wasn't my fault are you a child because it clearly was... Also I honestly don't blame Reyna for cheating on Oliver because he and he is just some mean, mad and angry to her the whole time. However, but I did just know that some crazy shit was going to happen now that man child was hurt. The whole voting thing that I talked about earlier on in my review who gave this man the audacity to forced them to do it and also who made him god like he didn't want to leave when they thought it was him so why should Red be forced to do it if you do have the balls to do yourself. Then the bit just sent my hatred for this characters was when after they voted not to make Red go and outside and dead he fucking pushed her everyone even thought it was his idea because it was the fairest way bitch, shit is not adding up. I also just felt like at in some point in the book that he just wanted to kill Red because it was obvious she wasn't the mole because she was having a full blown meltdown and was screaming you can't fake that kind of fear and if Red was the mole she wouldn't have a that meltdown because she would have known that they wouldn't shoot her. Also Oliver just somehow got more and more fucking crazy the whole actually willing to risk his own sisters life (just to save himself) like isn't she the one person who he should be trying to save because I would never let my sister do something like that, it is a death wish and then when I thought he couldn't do anything more fucked up then he grabs the fucking knife and puts it to Red's neck and he would have used it and this is where Maddy redeemed because she was a stupid but selfless and caring person to save Red she was willing to die.
I feel nothing but pure hatred for that character, like I don't like men in general but I fucking hate rich boys like Oliver. I am not lying when I say this man was not good for my blood pressure or my overall physical and mental wellbeing and the whole bit when Red is standing there in her underwear and then he just cut his sisters hair off what the fuck was this man on because he was just so fucking wild but in all seriousness how was that whole things going to go another way then her getting shot and then he just stood there and didn't even try to save Maddy, he just watched Red and Arthur get her and he didn't even ask her if she was okay as someone with a sister it just seem a fucking wild way to behave and I know for a fact my sister would rather get herself shot than me because that how having a sibling works. Then he showed how much of a dick was truly was when everyone wanted to save Maddy except from her own fucking brother.
I kept reaching the some conclusions of the character at the same time which I think is sign of good writing because it showed that Holly Jackson never gave too much away and was in full control of the story and the information you were getting as a reader but at the same time planting the seeds for the full circle moment which comes at the end of all mystery novel. However, I did guess that Arthur was the person working with the shooter because he all seem to calm or confident in the fact that it wasn't Red and he was always acting as the voice of reason. Also wasn't shocked that there was more to Red's story it was obvious when they didn't shot her because that wasn't all the story they needed and this bit was the bit when I was sure that Arthur has a part of this because I thought he told them not to shoot her because he likes her even though I don't think that the reason now. However I thought the thing that Red was hiding was the mafia was asking her to lie (also it just felt kinda weird that mafia was even a part of this book) but it does make sense that it was Catherine because she want to be DA but the gaslighting her with the order (that she committed) was a little but fucked and my jaw dropped when it was revealed that it was Catherine who has killed her best friend and her daughter's best friend mum all to protect herself but than I guess you can see where Oliver get it from and then I didn't even have a jaw anymore when it was revealed that Maddy knew this whole which was just so fucked up like the one person Red thought she could trust has watched her whole life fall apart and had said nothing watch that event destroy her and did nothing and now she going to lose her too (but I don't think that going to be the case because it seems like Maddy still wants to be her friend and still love and cares for her because she sat with her when she was in a coma-which was one of the times I cried while reading this book I can't help it, I just have a soft spot from female friendship in books) and I know Arthur is the supposed to be the bad gay but he is also the reason that Red was able to move on and forgive her mum for dying and herself for the last call and that whole meltdown was another time I cried while reading this book)
I liked the idea of the news articles and letters because I think it was a smart way off wrapping up the story and give us the information we need but I just want/need more like does she forgive Maddy what happens to the them and the other three, does she go and see Arthur was happens, are they okay. are they going to be okay, I need answers and I am never going to get them... but also in a way it just feels kinda lazy.
6:00AM
'That's up to you. It's your choice, Red. But I'll be there, I promise. Will you? Yes. No. Yours, Arthur'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Gore, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
miss_granger07's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
tahliaa's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
izzie_r's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this book, liked the plot, currently in love with Arthur thought Simon was funny at first but then barely heard from the guy in 2nd half he deserved more screen time. Reyna was okay, like red, love Arthur, and omds maddy has my heart she is exactly how I would act in the situation and bless her having to cope with that fucking dickhead of a brother oliver, I was going to give the book 4 stars instead cuz he was so goddamn irritating but then he was killed so I was very happy and his and his mothers death was worth the annoyance the old couple broke my heart 💔 and again, oliver is to fucking blame. Also the cop was an idiot like girl how does a walkie talkie look like a gun and you literally SAW that red didn’t kill oliver finally, can Arthur please write me a letter that was so sweet, I’m going to live my life as if red says yes 🙌
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
schadenfreudian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Death
sj_croft's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol
emmajh91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bookwormnici's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
emmieanna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.25
I really thought I wasn’t going to enjoy this book right at the start but I persevered and wow I’m so glad I did. The pacing and style is the complete opposite of what I usually opt for, with heaps of inner monologuing and unresolved trauma carrying through the actions of the leading cast. The further I got through, however, the more invested I became. It was very excited to watch the clues slowly being dropped into my lap without a clear way to piece them together. I became suspicious of everyone and everything, as if I were with them in that RV. The amount of times Holly Jackson made me doubt my intuition proves the calibre of her writing.
Up until the last five minutes of this audio book, I thought I was going to hate the conclusion. I had been so invested and I could see how it was going to end. Until the massive U-turn. I thought everyone got what they deserved in the end except Don and Joyce :( the only reason this wasn’t higher rated was because I would have loved to see Catherine and Oliver have to face their crimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Torture, and Alcohol
kencil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma and Alcohol
Minor: Police brutality