Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

6 reviews

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative mysterious fast-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

4.0

Very entertaining tale of family discord when the domineering grandmother moves into the home of her daughter and granddaughter while undergoing cancer treatment. The grandmother pushed away her daughter when she was most vulnerable and desperate, and now, fifteen years later, their relationship is still prickly. 

The three main characters are distinct from one another, the mom and grandmom hiding behind facades because they’ve each been hurt so much by the other. The teenage granddaughter is smart and intrepid, passionate about nature. They live on a slough off Monterey Bay, surrounded by seals, otters, egrets, and gulls. 

The descriptions of the slough and its inhabitants are vivid. I can practically smell the salt air and the seaweed, and see the schools of sardines trying to stay out of reach of hungry pelicans. I can picture the kayakers quietly moving through the marshland, marveling at all the creatures. 

I thought the grandmother was a bit too flamboyant and unrealistic. (The first thing anyone should do when questioned by the police is get a lawyer!) But I thought the mother and granddaughter were perfect, caring for people and nature, and valuing family most of all. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

fancyjess_party's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

ksilvio's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Racism, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.75

What a good time this book was! I'm so amazed that it was a debut novel haha some people are just too talented. (And also too cool?? Ms. Simon's career history is so heckin' impressive.) I loved the relationships in this family between these very different and complex women. I also really really enjoyed having a kind of disabled sleuth! I loved Nancy Drew back in the day, but there was the running joke that she was knocked out all over the place and just totally okay an hour later. It's not very human. I can't wait to read more from this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Cancer

Moderate: Death, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

There's some cops in this book that made me reallllll mad. No police brutality, but you will want to punch one in the face : )

danielcrogers's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism and Xenophobia

beepbeep101's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail