Dickens & Rumi

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Motive

Jonathan Kellerman · 2015

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Motive by Jonathan Kellerman. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Graphic injury; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Graphic injury3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Murder and death are central to the mystery, with investigation and emotional consequences surrounding the victims.

Graphic injury3/5
Why this rating?

Includes forensic descriptions of crime scenes and bodily injuries consistent with the crime thriller genre.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Contains moderate profanity consistent with contemporary crime fiction set in police settings.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

A major recurring character is openly gay, but the story is primarily a crime investigation and his LGBTQIA+ identity is treated as one aspect of his life.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion is not a significant theme in this specific investigation.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Romantic relationships are peripheral to the main crime plot.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Psychological suspense, stalking or danger, disturbing crimes, and an atmosphere of menace create sustained tension.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional passing references to adult relationships, but no explicit sexual content.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Adult characters occasionally consume alcohol in social or investigative contexts.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Features crime-related violence, including descriptions of murder scenes and investigative aftermath.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront dangerous and emotionally difficult circumstances through persistence and investigative resolve.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The mystery encourages deduction and interpretation of motives, though imaginative invention is not a central theme.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse range of characters in terms of backgrounds and orientations.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides minor insights into forensic procedures and psychological profiling.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists show care and empathy for victims and their families.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes accountability, truth-seeking, professional responsibility, and the lasting effects of violence and trauma.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Investigators show persistence and professional skill, though the adult characters and bleak subject matter are not intended as simple models for children.

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Motive would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Motive, and what caused that change?
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