NetGalley Review: These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall

These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: September 1st 2021

Rating:   ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This book was solidly OK.  I enjoyed reading it, once you are in it you do want to see how it resolves.  For me however, it has some issues that meant it wasn't a great read. 

The good stuff: 

• Interesting premise for getting involved in a murder mystery.
• Quick moving plot, there is a lot of it, but it doesn't drag.
• An interesting, but solvable mystery where you as the reader have all the needed information.
• Realistic resolution that doesn't require any great suspension of disbelief.

The not so good stuff:

• Protagonist never really develops, she feels like a foil for the story instead of being the star of said story.
• Protagonist is also super clueless despite having a job that should very specifically make her able to collect the information she needs and connect the dots.
• Lots of “very convenient” situations and supporting characters that further the story without having to do heavy lifting.

As mysteries/thrillers go, it was a decent read.  Altogether though, only a three-star mystery for me. 

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