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beepbeep101's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Murder, Medical trauma, Death, Toxic friendship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
agathajanemaud1908's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Looks like this is book one of a series, so I’m looking forward to more mysteries involving Great Aunt Frances’ files! There’s a lot of potential for a great series involving the village of Castle Knoll.
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Drug use, Pregnancy, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Murder, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Gun violence, Infertility, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment
chelbelle122's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Bullying, Death, and Violence
goldenlake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Murder, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Death of parent, Gore, Blood, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Dementia, Infertility, Vomit, Grief, and Infidelity
m_a_j's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I had a good time reading this one. Having both Annie’s present perspective and Frances’s past perspectives (via diary) was a great way to keep me invested in the story. The few twists and turns that happened were interesting but not earth-shattering: I definitely think the story felt rushed in some areas making it difficult for me to connect certain characters with others. However, I did read it fairly quickly and it wasn’t difficult to read at all. I liked the conclusion and how everything was wrapped up and solved.
CW: murder, death, toxic friendships, infidelity, alcohol consumption
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Death, Murder, and Alcohol
ms_elchert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, Child death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Classism, Pregnancy, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Car accident, Outing, and Vomit
purplepenning's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Gaslighting, Murder, Death, Drug abuse, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Violence, Car accident, Pregnancy, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Death of parent, Infertility, and Sexual content
needles, includingeperetz's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Grief, Pregnancy, Body horror, Car accident, Gun violence, Alcohol, Classism, Sexual content, and Vomit
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Annie, our main character, finds herself in a race against the clock to solve her superstitious Great Aunt Frances’ murder. Along the way, she runs into fantastically written characters, stumbles into danger, and uncovers a story that leaves the reader invested chapter after chapter.
The story was laid out very well. It is told between alternating chapters of Annie’s investigation and Frances’ diary entries from the 1960s. The pacing is fantastic. And truths are revealed in a way that gives the reader a good balance of being unsure who the killer is, but also feeling like they are keeping up with the main character.
I loved this book. It was so much fun! The characters were entertaining, the setting came to life in my mind easily, and I felt invested in the story. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book!
*Huge thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Group Dutton, and Kristen Perrin for granting me access to the advanced copy of this book in e-book format*
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy