Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

97 reviews

theninth's review

dark hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Police brutality, Outing, and Animal death

Moderate: Murder, Suicide, Child abuse, and Hate crime

Minor: Sexual violence and Rape

fionamclary's review

3.25

Overall I liked it. I always enjoy queer historical fiction, and the concept was unique and intriguing. However, it didn't always feel like it was set in the 50s in terms of the narration and dialogue. Also, I got the sense that Rosen was afraid of making any of the queer characters too villainous or even too flawed. I wish in particular that the moral conflict of Andy being a gay cop had been further explored and been a more consistently incorporated thread throughout the book. Instead, it got some occasional mentions and slightly awkward, start-and-stop moments of reflection. Maybe I shouldn't expect more from a murder mystery though. I might read the second book, mostly because I want to see

Spoiler

Andy get a chance at romance with the hot bartender

.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Homophobia, Confinement, Outing, and Violence

Moderate: Suicide

becandbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

Lavender House is the first book in a new detective series that is steeped in 1950s atmosphere with strong queer conversations. Andy is a gay man in a time that is not kind to him. While at his absolute breaking point, he becomes swept into a household incredibly unique for its time. It is also a place in turmoil, following the death of their matriarch. They want Andy to use his detective roots to discover the truth of what happened.

Rosen has created not only a solid and engaging mystery but also incredible historical world-building from a perspective often missed. The characters are incredibly individual and wonderfully fleshed out, with their backstories only adding to the tangible world created. A great recommendation for readers that enjoyed Razorblade Tears but are looking for a lighter read. With a sequel expected to publish later this year, it is absolutely a series worth following.
 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Police brutality

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Murder

Minor: Alcohol and Animal death

→ trigger warnings: homophobia including slurs, gay bashing, outing themes, suicidal ideation specifically drowning, alcohol consumption, murder, police brutality, hunting

onemamareads's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Read my full review here:  https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/lavender-house

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcoholism, Police brutality, Homophobia, Animal death, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts

goolaina's review

dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content

radler's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, Police brutality, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Homophobia

Moderate: Alcohol

alexg52's review

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime and Homophobia

Moderate: Death and Murder

Minor: Police brutality

itsapaxycab's review

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Beautiful writing, queer history, and a mystery? What a treat. This was an amazing story that really grabbed me and kept pulling me in. Untangling this family’s messy threads, the struggles of being queer in the 1950’s, all with a intriguing mystery underneath (on on top, depending on how you look at it) this is definitely a must read! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Murder, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Police brutality

Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent

katanai's review

dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

i mean. wow. a page turner. a heart tugger. loved it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Outing, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Alcohol

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

cyndi1966's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Police brutality, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Murder and Death

Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Animal death