booksinkandpaper2's reviews
561 reviews

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel by Emma C. Wells about a serial killer who has a code. Cordelia only kills men who violate women and children in some way. She has a legitimate profession as a pharmaceutical rep by day and a method to rid the world of bad men by night. Quietly and carefully, Cordelia knows she's saving women and children from abuse.

She's closely watching a new guy who comes into her best friend's life. He seems to her friend like a great guy. But, Cordelia and her goddaughter Sugar aren't so sure.

The pace of this one is pretty fast and I generally felt as though this novel was relevant and well developed. The writing is really solid. I almost immediately felt as though Cordelia was a female Dexter, ridding the world of terrible people. But the novel stands on its own apart from that show, and I enjoyed it very much. I can say that the ending blew me away as it was surprising and very well done.

This novel has strong content warnings for sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, and some pretty gruesome scenes sprinkled throughout. For myself as a victim of child sexual abuse, I was not affected or triggered. However, that will not be the case for everyone, so Reader, take good care. And let me just say I think Emma Wells created a piece of work that surprised me very much. That ending was mighty clever and shows the world just how brave this author truly is.

Content Warnings

Again and Again by Jonathan Evison

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

This book was complicated for me. I wonder if my experience would have been different had I read the physical copy rather than listening. The main character was complicated for me as well. At times, I was bored by the story of his life and, at times, I was rooting for him and feeling all the pain and suffering and yearning inside of him.

Can’t wait to talk about it with my bookclub. I do recommend if you like literary fiction, ambiguousness and storytelling.

Content Warnings