Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

It took me many months to read this. It didn’t captivate me till around pages 80-90; it took me months to get to that point. Once it captivated me, I finished it in about 3 days. It was very thrilling and full of twists and turns. The storyline was similar to Pretty Little Liars (the show; I haven’t read the book), I couldn’t help but notice the similarities as I was reading. Overall, it was a cute, fun read.

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rmagika's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Characters - 1
Plot - .75
Writing - .75
Message - .5
Vibes - .75

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hannah_99's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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kneginja's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Ate this up in a single night, immediately after buying it. And I really, really enjoyed it. The plot was excellent, kept me invested and guessing the entire time. I had come up with a different ending in my head which I preferred to the actual one, which is often the case with me and mystery media.

My only issue in this book were the characters. They ranged from plain and bland and predictable to insufferable or annoying to completely vile. It wasn't a dealbreaker for me, but the characters were definitely my least favourite part. Overall, I'm looking forward to both the TV show and the two other books in the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up)

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pam_'s review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Worth the hype. I cried multiple times. The final 70 pages or so were a WILD ride. The writing style was beautiful. I loved how fast-paced and unpredictable this was. I did not see the ending coming at all.

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ballousclues's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

“You go around asking dangerous questions, girl, you’re going to find some dangerous answers.”

"A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" strongly reminded me of "Pretty Little Liars." While I never finished the show, the book's suspenseful atmosphere and intricate web of secrets evoked a similar feeling. It also shares some thematic similarities with "13 Reasons Why," as we gradually uncover the hidden roles of various characters. Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars for me.

I recommend reading the book before watching the show. The show, unfortunately, doesn't do the book justice. Had I watched the show first, I doubt I would have picked up the book.

The writing style is decent, and the plot, though somewhat predictable, remains engaging. However, I found the characters to be a bit one-dimensional. Despite these minor shortcomings, I enjoyed the classic whodunit aspect of the story.

I would recommend this book to those who ask, but I wouldn't actively tell others to read it. It's a solid, enjoyable read, but not a groundbreaking masterpiece.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = This book was phenomenal and very difficult to put down. The characters were lovable, the plot was great, and the writing was strong. Definitely have a book hangover. I know this will be a story I think about for a long time. Highly recommend to everyone!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = This book was very good but I was able to put it down for the night. The characters were good, the plot was fine, and the writing was good. I’ll recommend this book to others. There were definitely moments from the book I really liked, maybe even loved, and there were some parts that may have some room for improvement. I definitely recommend giving this book a try!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ = This book was fine. The characters, plot, and writing were all okay, but nothing extraordinary. I may have had an issue with some pieces in the plot or the writing. I may recommend this book to some people but not everyone I run into. It was a good book - it just wasn’t a favorite of mine.

⭐️⭐️ = This book was okay but far from a favorite. There may have been some moments that I liked, but overall, I may have had a bigger issue with the characters, plot, or the writing. I don’t plan on recommending this book to most people, or anyone at all. Just wasn’t for me.

⭐️ = This book I actually disliked. Definitely wasn’t my cup of tea and there wasn’t anything I enjoyed about it. I actually had a tough time getting through this book and may have not even finished it. I may have had major issues with the character, plot, or the writing. I do not recommend.

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lisa_m's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was an amazing read! The characters are fun, funny and loveable. The writing is captivating with loads of different elements like interview transcripts and text messages that make it feel unlike any other book I've read. I'm not a thriller person but this one was really well done. I really enjoyed Holly Jacksons writing and I already know I want to read more by her.

Now on to the plot and characters. I loved the banter between Ravi and Pippa. They are the heart of this story. I also enjoyed her friendship with Cara. The whole story was very thrilling and exciting to read. I read this book in one afternoon and I just could not put it down.

My main issue is with the reveal at the end. I do think it was well done but I just do not have it in me to believe someone who is a good father, kind and smart man and beloved teacher is also a pedophile, abuser, psychopathic murderer and kidnapper. Idk it just does not add up to me. Why would he sleep with a girl the same age as his daughter? Why would he threaten and blackmail his own daughter? Why would he lure a student who looks up to him and who he likes to his house to drug and murder him, stage it as a suicide and set him up as a murderer thus destroying this kind smart boys family and legacy all just so no-one would suspect him of accidentally killing someone he isn't even sure is dead!!? That's psychopathic! And I just cannot believe it. Also you cannot tell me this mans reaction to being confronted with what he did would be along the lines of 'it's finally over'. He is delusional! He would not see himself as a bad guy!

But it definitely was a shocking reveal I did not see coming at all. Beccas involvememt was figured out a bit too quickly for my liking. It's all just because she saw it in her eyes? While driving past her in a car?

Also this book is absolutely NOT YA!! I would never let my child read this. I think I would have been properly traumatised if I read this at 14.

Discussions of rape and date rape drugs are central to the plot as well as drug dealing, bullying, catfishing & sharing nude pictures online without consent, threatening messages, kidnapping & subsequent murder of a beloved dog, inappropriate relationship with a minor (with someone who is in a position of power over them), kidnapping of a minor and keeping them locked up in the attic for 5 years with only their kidnapper as a human contact who so thoroughly brainwashed them that they believe they are a completely different person now)

... I feel like there is more but those are the main things that stood out to me. This book is definitely not an 'easy read' is what I'm trying to say I guess.

But still I was very entertained and I really liked this book. I enjoyed that the story is finished and the big mystery has been solved. I definitely am going to keep reading this series though and I can't wait to read what happens next!

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welfin's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Half of the conclusion of the mystery I guessed correctly within the first third of the book, I am no Fan of animal death, the writing style tends to be aimed at a younger audience, once I got over it it was a suspenseful read.
I really liked the portrayal of the relationships (family and friends).

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