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Little Deaths
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
"A phenomenal achievement."---Jeffery Deaver It's 1965 in a tight-knit working-class neighborhood in Queens, New York, and Ruth Malone--a single mother who works long hours as a cocktail waitress--wakes to discover her two small children, Frankie Jr. and Cindy, have gone missing. Later that day, Cindy's body is found in a derelict lot a half mile from her home, strangled. Ten days later, Frankie Jr.'s decomposing body is found. Immediately, all fingers point to Ruth. As police investigate the murders, the detritus of Ruth's life is exposed. Seen through the eyes of the cops, the empty bourbon bottles and provocative clothing which litter her apartment, the piles of letters from countless men and Ruth's little black book of phone numbers, make her a drunk, a loose woman--and therefore a bad mother. The lead detective, a strict Catholic who believes women belong in the home, leaps to the obvious conclusion: facing divorce and a custody battle, Malone took her children's lives. Pete Wonicke is a rookie tabloid reporter who finagles an assignment to cover the murders. Determined to make his name in the paper, he begins digging into the case. Pete's interest in the story develops into an obsession with Ruth, and he comes to believe there's something more to the woman whom prosecutors, the press, and the public have painted as a promiscuous femme fatale. Did Ruth Malone violently kill her own children, is she a victim of circumstance--or is there something more sinister at play? Inspired by a true story, Little Deaths, like celebrated novels by Sarah Waters and Megan Abbott, is compelling literary crime fiction that explores the capacity for good and evil in us all.
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jlhammar
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Read this back when it was longlisted for the 2017 Women‘s Prize. Interesting mystery that explores what it means to be a good mother in the eyes of society. Inspired by the true story of Alice Crimmins.

#Scandalous #MayMoms
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

jlhammar If you want to read about the Alice Crimmins case:
https://allthatsinteresting.com/alice-crimmins
(edited) 2y
Eggs Sounds powerful 2y
35 likes2 comments
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OutsmartYourShelf
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Panpan

Ruth is a difficult woman to like; she comes across as cold & standoffish because she represses most of her emotions & this is expressed by her extreme control over her appearance. The author illustrates how women are judged by their appearance & their actions, especially sexual habits, more harshly than men are. It's an interesting angle, but unfortunately the writing style didn't appeal to me meaning the book was a slog to get through. 2⭐

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GidgetsTreasures75
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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1-19-21: My 8th finished book of 2021! It‘s the summer of 1965 in Queens, New York. Ruth Malone, a sexy cocktail waitress, discovers her 2 small children have gone missing. The story follows Ruth‘s perspective as she goes through the process of finding her children and the perspective of Pete, a newspaper reporter trying to save Ruth from prison. This was a tough one but very well done with a solid ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍🏼📖#️⃣8️⃣

9 likes2 stack adds
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Mlfrey2
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Love this book!

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Itchyfeetreader
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Mehso-so

I found this a really disturbing read. The story is a dual timeline exploration of the disappearance murder of Ruth Malone‘s 2 children in the 60s. However it‘s really a dark story of obsession and is ripe with double standards and overtly sexism. The Ending felt rushed and I really struggled with The journalists narrative and character progression

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Another sweet surprise today!! You guys have made my day so much brighter!! Thank you Torie!! 😘❤️😘❤️

#LitsyLove

TorieStorieS You are very welcome!!! Glad it made to you safely!!❤️❤️❤️ 5y
103 likes2 comments
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Bookladylinda
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

Loved this audio so much. Ruth Malone is being investigated for the deaths of her two children. But did Ruth commit this crime??? I also didn‘t realize that this story was inspired by a true crime case.

40 likes1 stack add
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guinsgirlreads
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Decompressing 🍻 #beerandabook

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Brie
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

A more of a slow burn, this mystery delves into the character of Ruth, whose children are murdered while on her watch. Based on a true crime case from the ‘60s, this book takes a hard look at the ensuing trial and condemnation of Ruth based purely on superficial reasons like her make up and lifestyle rather than hard evidence. While the real life case isn‘t definitively solved, the book does make a strong argument for a plausible suspect.

Cinfhen Have you heard of this one @Reviewsbylola ??? 6y
MinDea Never heard of this book! Great review! Stacked. Thanks for sharing! 6y
JillR I read and really enjoyed this a couple of weeks ago :) 6y
Reviewsbylola No I have not! @Cinfhen Sounds good! 6y
61 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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JillR
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

Not overly successful as a crime/thriller novel, but more so as a look as the judgement faced by women, particularly mothers, when they don‘t fit society‘s stereotype, particularly in the 1960s. I wanted more from the main character Ruth, in order to understand her, that I wasn‘t given. But then I suspect that was the point. I don‘t get to understand her, and I don‘t get to judge her. I enjoyed this.

45 likes1 stack add
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JillR
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Taking advantage of a quiet hour in the garden and starting this. We have a group of 11 year olds arriving shortly for a sleepover (😱) and I understand there‘s a big football match on soon too (🤷‍♀️) so it‘s going to be a crazy afternoon ahead. I secretly hope they‘ll forget about me and I can stay out here...

Robothugs 😱😱 Become one with your surroundings... 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Go hide! 🙈 6y
50 likes2 comments
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introvertedbooks
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Started watching A Crime to Remember last night and after the first episode did a little research. Happen to find this book based on the Alice Crimmin's case. I want to read it now but of course I have a million other books I need to read first 😒 #tbr #thrillers #basedonatruestory

jessberk13 I bought this book last year - I can‘t even remember why - but I‘m so glad to see your blurb on it! I had no idea it was based on a true story. I think I‘ll have to move this up the TBR! 7y
introvertedbooks Happy to help @jessberk13 , just hope it's worth the bump! 7y
DanaManiac Ooh I loved this book! I couldn‘t put it down once I cracked it open 😊 7y
introvertedbooks @Dana1084 that's good to know! I may have to bump it up the #tbr now 7y
12 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Reagan
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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3 finals down, 1 to go. On track for GPA acknowledgment again. I just want to be done so I can read my book 😆

BookMaven407 Congrats 🎉 7y
Kendra.Diane I know the feeling, good luck! 7y
Laura317 Great job! Good luck on the last test. You‘ve got this. 7y
49 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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rachelwill
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
Mehso-so

Book 23: We're not breaking any boundaries here, the ending is predictable and the characters reasonably template BUT, this is an easy and engaging read that will certainly keep you entertained with whispers on terraced street corners, glamorous housewives and their twitching curtains.

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MarticaMustRead
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Panpan

😒 I feel about this book how I feel about all eggnog.😝
It just doesn't work for me.
It's categorized as a mystery/thriller yet there was no thrill, be it suspense OR much enjoyment and frankly, there wasn't even much of a mystery @ least not the way the narrative's delivered.
I found myself either bored or annoyed with the characters most of the time either as a result of the poor character development or poor execution. What a let down.

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MarticaMustRead
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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🥞🥚🥓🎧📖 #CurrentListen #Audiobook #BooksOverBreakfast #BooksNCoffee #BooksNBrunch

Breakfast, oh how I love thee!😍😋

The beau had to work today so decided to treat myself to brunch at one of my favorite breakfast spots called 'Grumps Cafe.' 😁

Listening to my audiobook for the #DyingToRead GoodReads group while I dig into these jumbo blueberry pancakes with homemade cinnamon butter!😋❤😋

Happy #SundayFunday & happy reading Littens!🤓

CathyJ That looks amazing! Also, love the name of the cafe! 7y
27 likes1 comment
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Liberlove
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

Amazing! I couldn‘t put this book down, brilliant read and very suspenseful!

8 likes1 stack add
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Laughterhp
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

This book was so good! I read 90% of it in one sitting (then I had to go to bed). Still without power, but was too busy yesterday to finish this book for my October count. 🎃 I did not see the ending coming!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/5 🌟

38 likes1 stack add
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Laughterhp
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Lost power Sunday night. Spend Monday without power devouring this book! (Also had no cell service or internet). I have 60 pages left and I can‘t wait to pick it up again. Not expecting power back until Wednesday morning!

Cinfhen Sorry about your power... 7y
Rachbb3 I guess the bright side would be uninterrupted reading. 7y
37 likes2 comments
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kdwinchester
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Just a couple days left of @thereadingwomen‘s month about #MysteriousWomen!! This month we discussed LITTLE DEATHS and THE CUTTING SEASON; both books are so, SO good. 😭😻 Have a listen to our discussion wherever you get your podcasts.
#thereadingwomen

Jess7 This is on my TBR. I purchased it awhile ago as a daily deal. Have you read this @MinDea 7y
MinDea @Jess7 nope! Man you keep telling me about all these books I don't know about! 7y
Jess7 I have a bunch of books on my TBR that I‘ve heard such good things about. A lot of them get on my radar through amazon first and then Litsy, etc. @MinDea 7y
mommyincolortv Ive added both to my TBR list! 7y
72 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Laughterhp
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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I was trying to not take books out from the library and read the books I owned. I lasted about a week, then a hold came in and I went searching for more mysteries!! #bookhaul

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erikamjurlina
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
Panpan

I couldn't really get into this one. I suffered through the boring characters and the mundane storyline. I was bored.

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Morgan7r
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

I enjoyed the different perspectives of what happened. I loved that the reader gets to actually know the outcome rather than having to guess like so many other books.

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Lakie
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

Very well written - transports you to 1960s New York and becomes an all encompassing read. Very thought provoking as it raises questions in legal systems and justice. Incredibly moving as based upon real events.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#emmaflint #littledeaths #picadorbooks #summerreads #mustread #bookstoread

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DanaManiac
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

SO GOOD. I could not put it down. Emma did a great job of making you feel each character's perspective, so your suspicion changes as you learn more and more. The ending had me biting my nails and staying up way past bedtime!

Magpiegem I went to a literary festival talk with Emma Flint about this book last summer. It was really interested to hear how she converted her research about the real case into fiction and her thoughts about what really happened 7y
DanaManiac @Magpiegem That sounds really fascinating! I did look up the case after reading it and was definitely curious about how she developed the story from the available details... 7y
1 like1 stack add2 comments
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JenP
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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I heard the author talk about this book at BEA last year and snagged a copy because it sounded interesting. I haven't read it yet because crime fiction isn't my favorite genre but I keep thinking I will get to it each month 😂

Have Amy of you read it?

#rockinmay #mysterious ways

Cinfhen Sounds terrifying 🙀 7y
JenP @Cinfhen it does. Also ever since becoming a parent, I've been reluctant to read books about the death of children - not that I enjoyed those books before but now I can't read them without becoming a hysterical mess. 7y
Cinfhen Same!!! I can't stomach that storyline 7y
See All 7 Comments
Lola I have this from last year's BEA as well and also haven't read it but I've heard good things! 7y
Lola @JenP Ah....I probably won't read it then. Bad things happening to kids/teens/young adults is something I can't do 😑 7y
JenP @Lola I think the story is centered on the aftermath of the event rather than the crime being at the center but I could be wrong. Are you going to BEA this year? 7y
Lola @JenP I might be able to handle that. No BEA for this year but I am going to the ALA summer conference here in Chicago. How about you? 7y
45 likes7 comments
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LornaDH
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Started this last night. Actually hard to put down.

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MamaGina
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

Oh, do read this one, it's excellent. As I was getting closer to the end I became concerned that I wouldn't find out the truth of what happened, but, the truth of the little deaths was completely revealed. And, by the way, loved the "take this job and shove it" final paragraph of the acknowledgements. Does anyone else read acknowledgements? I always do and this one made me LOL?

21 likes1 stack add
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kdwinchester
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick


LITTLE DEATHS made me very uncomfortable, and I realized I felt the same way watching the television series MAD MEN—the blatant sexism makes you feel physically ill. All of the men in this novel feel entitled to Ruth's body and/or want to punish her when she doesn't behave like THEY think she should. It's all very disgusting, but that's the patriarchy. Everything I didn't like about the book was the men's behavior. But that's the point, right?

TrishB Yeh, made me feel the same, sick 😔 8y
Beth.Pedota Have you read Ruby? It sounds thematically similar. So good, and so hard to get through. 8y
Laalaleighh I blame mad men for starting the misogynist pushback Men's Rights Activist culture we have to deal with now. 8y
kdwinchester @Beth.Pedota I haven't, but I have heard good things! 8y
119 likes13 stack adds4 comments
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MamaGina
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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MamaGina
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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This one is good, I was drawn in from the first sentence ...

RanaElizabeth This just popped up for me, off my hold's list on 3M. I don't remember putting it on hold but now I'm excited to read it! 8y
20 likes1 comment
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emilyjwhit9
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Getting some reading done today! One #BaileysLongList and the runner-up of #tob17 plus some poetry and some needed catch-up on the great Louise Erdrich.

KateFulfordAuthor If you need another recommendation, may I point you to my People‘s Book Prize nominated debut? Sassy female narrative, laugh out dialogue and a pacy plot. Check the link in the bio for 2 free chapters, reviews and more. (edited) 6y
emilyjwhit9 Thank you, @KateFulfordAuthor. I love book prizes! They always add great titles to my tbr. 6y
KateFulfordAuthor That‘s great to hear @emilyjwhit9 - hope you enjoy it & keep in touch, won‘t you? 6y
8 likes3 comments
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sumaiyya.books
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Pickpick

This was such a thrilling read. Based on a true story, Little Deaths follows the case where the police are hellbent on convicting a woman for her kids' murder because of their sexist beliefs. Must read!

61 likes7 stack adds
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MaryAnn1
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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I found this crime fiction story set in the mid-sixties to be just ok. I couldn't really get into this because the characters were all boring. The children were the most interesting and didn't have the opportunity to grow up. Moving on.

33 likes1 stack add
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BrainyHeroine
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Gotta love Kindle deals!!

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Hazel0303
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Bailedbailed

Just not feeling this one. I probably could have given it a longer amount of time, but I'm just not feeling it.

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sumaiyya.books
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Started this today and already loving it! Such an intimate characterization ❤️

43 likes1 stack add
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Jerdencon
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Hasn't gotten great reviews but going to give it a shot since it takes place 5 miles away from where I live..

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TrishB
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Mehso-so

I thought I was just going to read a quick and easy thriller - but I've been left annoyed by the stereotyping of the woman who must be guilty because she's good looking, likes a drink and having sex......stereotyping by media, society etc. It's set in the 60s, but still feels like we're fighting the same fight.
I've read now its based on a real case from the time, but it wasn't one I'd heard of.

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BookishTrish
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
Pickpick

I loved the audiobook narration and the depiction of antiquated gender roles. Like others, I felt the Pete section in the middle was weak - but the narrator sounded so much like the narrator in Stand By Me that I loved it anyway. And the ending broke my heart.

Joanne1 A good narrator can make such a difference. My favourite is a guy called Humfrey Bower, I'll listen to anything he narrates. 8y
49 likes1 comment
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BookishTrish
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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This photo was taken #outside earlier this week on an #audiobookwalk I love how the narrator adds to the experience by evoking the time period so clearly. #riotgram

8little_paws Pretty! 8y
66 likes1 comment
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jhod
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
Panpan

Could have been so much better -weak male characters and poor structure which didn't build tension and had more happening in last few pages than whole middle section. Disappointing

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BookishTrish
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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#May and I reach an uneasy truce: audiobooks are fine, paper not so much.

Suzze Sounds like a decent compromise. 8y
rubyslippersreads I would do whatever she says! 😾 8y
Joanne1 She's beautiful, but looks quite set on her terms! 8y
64 likes4 comments
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BookishTrish
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
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Careful walk to work and a new audiobook

Zelma Great view but that ground looks tricky. Be careful! 8y
56 likes1 comment
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maximoffs
Little Deaths | Emma Flint
Mehso-so

This book isn't bad, but this book isn't anything to write home about. I don't really get it as a thriller but I guess it works? Either way it was an easy and fast read and I'm grateful to Hatchette for the review copy!