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A review by sabry90
Cruel and Bitter Things by Joseph Souza
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Some thrillers keep you guessing. Cruel and Bitter Things keeps you second-guessing—who to trust, who to root for, and what justice even means.
I loved this story. The characters are complex, flawed, and deeply human—no one is purely good or evil. We follow Gwynn, a murderer seeking redemption, constantly faced with new challenges that force her in unexpected directions. Opposing her is Detective Peters, tasked with investigating the murder she committed. Both characters have their own strengths and weaknesses, making them relatable. So much so that, at times, it’s hard to decide who you want to win in this gripping cat-and-mouse game between cop and killer.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is the chapters narrated by Dr. Kaufman, Gwynn’s psychologist. He acts as a voice of reason, offering deeper insight into the characters and adding another layer to the story.
While the book weaves together multiple subplots, they all connect seamlessly, creating a rich and layered tale of love and justice—without applying a clear-cut "right" or "wrong" label to anything. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions, but I suspect many will ultimately make the socially expected choice.
The only part that didn’t quite work for me was the investigation itself. Maybe I’ve watched too many crime dramas, but I couldn’t help but notice that a crucial clue—one that should have been easily discovered—was seemingly overlooked. A victim’s phone contained a photo that should have raised questions, yet no one ever checked it. I kept waiting for the police to find it, but that moment never came. While this didn’t ruin the story, it did pull me out of the experience at times.
If you love a good murder mystery told from both the killer’s and the detective’s perspectives, this book is definitely for you. But be warned—just when you think you know where it’s going, Souza pulls the rug out from under you. You won’t see that ending coming.
I loved this story. The characters are complex, flawed, and deeply human—no one is purely good or evil. We follow Gwynn, a murderer seeking redemption, constantly faced with new challenges that force her in unexpected directions. Opposing her is Detective Peters, tasked with investigating the murder she committed. Both characters have their own strengths and weaknesses, making them relatable. So much so that, at times, it’s hard to decide who you want to win in this gripping cat-and-mouse game between cop and killer.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is the chapters narrated by Dr. Kaufman, Gwynn’s psychologist. He acts as a voice of reason, offering deeper insight into the characters and adding another layer to the story.
While the book weaves together multiple subplots, they all connect seamlessly, creating a rich and layered tale of love and justice—without applying a clear-cut "right" or "wrong" label to anything. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions, but I suspect many will ultimately make the socially expected choice.
The only part that didn’t quite work for me was the investigation itself. Maybe I’ve watched too many crime dramas, but I couldn’t help but notice that a crucial clue—one that should have been easily discovered—was seemingly overlooked. A victim’s phone contained a photo that should have raised questions, yet no one ever checked it. I kept waiting for the police to find it, but that moment never came. While this didn’t ruin the story, it did pull me out of the experience at times.
If you love a good murder mystery told from both the killer’s and the detective’s perspectives, this book is definitely for you. But be warned—just when you think you know where it’s going, Souza pulls the rug out from under you. You won’t see that ending coming.