Maria

Hmmmmm.....I really enjoyed this book, I really did. Is it a new favorite? Definitely not. I just don't think that the pacing of this book was as fast as I would have liked it to be. I really prefer thrillers that reveal concrete things all throughout the book, like little nuggets of information that give you another puzzle piece as to who the killer is and what happened. I feel like it did that a little bit but it was few and far in between. I am happy that I didn't guess the ending and all the different povs were easy to follow but this book just didn't give me the five star feeling. Also, the way it was written took me out of the story a bit too and I couldn't connect fully to the characters for this reason. Overall it was a very enjoyable thriller but nothing special or mind blowing.

This book took me a bit to get into but once I was in it I couldn't put it down. I realize that I have to be in the mood for a police procedural. But so glad I decided to continue the series, really like this writer and her characters.

I reallyyyy liked this book. It was gripping, exhilarating and even had some meaningful commentary on certain aspects of life. It wasn't the most twisty thriller I've ever read and it took a while to get to the exciting parts but the ending definitely made up for that. The only reason I took a star off is because I had a feeling who the bad guy was from very early on and that NEVER happens to me. Even with that though, this book was truly special and I would recommend to people who don't mind a bit of a slower pace in the middle.

This book definitely redeemed itself a little in the very end but it took way too long to get there. I'm glad I didn't DNF but it didn't need to be this dang long! Also, it was a bit repetitive in the first 70% of it. Enjoyable when I got to the end but mediocre at best.

Loved this book! First five star of the year! I was crying!

I originally brought this book because I was Hailey Hughes' Booktube religiously and she raved about this book and also ended up giving it five stars. I take a lot of her recommendations, so I jumped at the chance to give this one a try. Even though I didn't love it as much as Hailey did, I very munch enjoyed it and read it in a record three days, which I haven't done in a very long time. It is very reminiscent of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, although it didn't quite reach that same level for me as A Good Girl's Guide to Murder did.

To begin with, 14 Ways to Die is about a girl who's mother was murdered when she was a child by a serial killed known as The Magpie Man. Ten years later she applies to be on a Youtube reality show with the goal of catching The Magpie Man once and for all. I have read quite a few serial killer books but the reality show aspect is definitely new for me and I liked the uniqueness that that added to a pretty typical trope. I also loved the super short chapters because they got to the point and kept the pace of the story really well. I had a hard time putting this book down and the pages flipped themselves it seemed like.

Further on, the characterization was great overall in this book. I most of all liked how deeply we got to know the heroine's father and his grief really transcended the pages and made me sympathize with him. The main heroine goes through a character arc and I loved seeing her change and mature, even if some of the choices she made were pretty questionable to me. Hey, she's her own person and it made sense in the context of the book why she would do the things she did. The only reason I gave this book four stars and not five, is because I wanted the book to go a bit darker. I understand that it's a Young Adult novel but I feel like it just lightly brushed the dark potential that this book could have delivered. But hey, I really can't say enough good things about this novel, especially it being a YA one.

Finally, the writing style was a little over simplistic in my opinion but I still loved every second of it. I think it would be just as easy for a younger reader to comprehend and get into the story as it was for me. I will definitely be reading Ralph's other books because this book definitely helped get me out of a reading slump and it was a breath of fresh air.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys serial killer thrillers and even though it wasn't the most amazing serial killer thriller I've ever read, I still immensely enjoyed it. It could have had a bit more twists and turns but because the chapters were so short and the pace of the book was so fast, I didn't mind that as much as I usually would.

It took me a long time to jump on the Shalini Boland train but I totally understand the hype now! My dear friend Niki, from bookstagram recommended her to me and mentioned that her books are addicting and quick because they are short and very quick paced. I totally agree with that sentiment. Not only did I get through the book quicker than most other books lately, but I stayed up until four in the morning finishing it last night. I am grateful to my friend for recommending this new to me author and I can't wait to dive into her extensive backlist, considering I already have a few on my shelves waiting for me to get to them.

To begin with, The Silent Sister is about a woman named Lizzy, who starts getting creepy letters addressed to her and as the letters get progressively more threatening and she is put in danger multiple times, she has to figure out what is going on before she completely lets fear overtake her life. I thought the premise of this book wasn't the most unique one but it was done very well. The book moved at a very swift pace and considering this book was on the shorter side, it was done to perfection. There was not a moment in this book when I was bored and the short chapters made it completely impossible to put down. The only reason I rated it four stars, was because I felt the book shied away from completely going to that dark place that I enjoy in my thrillers so much. That's not to say that it wasn't dark, it just wasn't quite as dark as I wanted it to be.

Further on, the characterization in this book was great. We got to know the main characters well, however, what I enjoyed the most was the sister relationship and complex dynamic between Lizzy and Emma. There were just so many layers to their relationship, which is how family relationships are in real life as well. I loved figuring out little by little what really happened to their friendship and why things took a turn for the worst. I thought the individual characterization could have been a little better but since the book was so short I thought she did beautifully with the space that she had.

Finally, the writing style was superb. This is my favorite kind of writing, concise and to the point because it makes it impossible for me to stop reading. When the writing is too elongated and beautiful, I often find myself getting lost and not quite understanding what is going on at the moment in the book. This book is what I would call a popcorn read, quick and easy to get through with twists and turns that will make your jaw drop.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to any thriller lover who lives for the fast paced thrillers. I usually don't read thrillers that are this short but I will be picking up the rest of Boland's books, especially if I am in a reading slump because I have no doubt they would pull you right out of that. I wouldn't say that this is a masterpiece or the most creative thriller but it definitely managed to take my breath away and keep me on the edge of my seat.

Even though the first Karin Slaughter book I ever read, Pretty Girls, was life changing for me and it still remains one of my all time favorite thrillers of all time, lately I have been less confident with her and her books. I read Pieces of Her and just really felt “meh” about it. However, I have been hearing very good things about her newest thriller, False Witness, so I decided to give it a shot and am so glad that I did! Although, it didn't surpass Pretty Girls for me, I still very much enjoyed it and it restored my fate in Karin Slaughter for sure. I will definitely be picking up her other books in the future.

To begin with, False Witness, is about a lawyer, who has a very messed up relationship with her past and her drug addicted sister. Then, she is forced to represent a part of her childhood that she had meant to stay hidden forever and face all her demons. I liked this plot, I thought that even though it wasn't the most original one, I thought that it was still done beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed this book for that reason. I thought that the book dragged in the middle for a bit, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down. It's the only reason I took of one star. I am coming to find that legal thrillers aren't my most favorite but I do enjoy the ones that are done right and this one was really good.

Further on, the characterization in this novel was supreme, as it almost always is in Karin Slaughter's novels. I really enjoyed experiencing the complicated sister dynamic of Leigh and Callie, especially since I am an only child and this was able to touch me in ways that I didn't think was possible to get from a book. I thought all the characters' development was superb and I really got a good picture and look into almost all of them. I was able to understand what drives them and we got to see into their soul. They are also all very imperfect and messed up and that made them that much more human to me.

Finally, the writing style was pretty good. I don't think Karin Slaughter's writing is my all-time favorite but it definitely made me care about the characters deeply so it must have done a good job. I really loved the deep look we got into all of the different characters and how vulnerable and deep their souls really went. It was a smooth read, even when it wasn't the fastest paced.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to thriller lovers who don't mind a legal thriller. I am not the biggest fan of them and even I was able to enjoy it and learn something from it. I also loved the representation of drug addicts and their struggles in this book, especially considering I have no experience or real knowledge of that aspect of real life. I think this book was very deep and meaningful, even if it dragged at times.

I remember jumping at the chance to get this book in my Book of the Month box because I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a long time ago and loved it. Well, I'm not quite sure if my preferences have changed since then or if this book just doesn't hit as hard as Evelyn Hugo did but I came out of this one a bit underwhelmed. I knew that it wasn't a thriller going into it but I have heard beforehand that there's a mystery aspect to it and that's all I needed to know before picking it up. Maybe I should just stop trying to read historical fiction all together, since it does not seem to be the genre for me.

To begin with, Malibu Rising is about the lives and histories of the Riva family. We follow the family from it's beginning to where their lives consequently take them. We also follow Nina Riva and her party guests as she hosts the extravagant yearly party at her huge house. I thought the premise of this book was okay but I am starting to realize that I really don't enjoy reading about fictional characters' histories and lives, especially when it follows a long timeline. I'd rather follow what the character is doing at the present moment, with brief mentions of what they went through in the past. I was more excited to read about what was happening in the present day, at the party, and even then I didn't feel like there was nearly enough there. I usually love dual timelines but not when it's in a historical fiction novel apparently. It's good I finally learned this about myself. Also, the ending was a bit of a let down for me because I was hoping for more to the mystery of who set the house on fire.

Further on, the characterization was okay in this book, in my opinion. I felt that because there were so many characters, especially in the present day, at the party, we only got to see a very small snapshot of most of them and for this reason the characters really didn't grow on me and I didn't feel attachment to any of them. Don't get me wrong, I was still rooting for them and wanted to see where life would take them but it didn't illicit any real emotions out of me. I wish we could have seen more into the soul of the main characters, as opposed to reading very brief chapters about very minor ones. Also, for this reason I don't think this book should have been as long as it was, it would have packed a greater punch with less. In this case, less is more, at least in my opinion.

Finally, the writing style is classic Taylor Jenkins Reid, which is beautiful and flowing without being overly complicated and hard to follow. I love how she is able to make beautiful writing accessible and very easy to understand for everybody. I think that if she would have focused on less amount of characters, we would have really gotten to see into their souls and her writing would have evoked all the feelings and emotions within me that seemed to have been missing for me this time around. The beauty is apparent, there's just not enough of its focus in certain areas.

In conclusion, I thought this book was a good historical fiction novel about the ties of family and escaping your family lineage or what you're more prone to or is expected of you in the family dynamic. I think it would be good for historical fiction fans but I found it to be too much, with not enough depth and focus on the stars of the show. Overall it wasn't a bad book, just not the most memorable.

Hmmmm......this is my second Karin Slaughter book and after Pretty Girls, which is one of my favorite thrillers of all time, I was severely disappointed. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but what I got was and action movie in book form, not the exciting thriller I was hoping for. Also, there were so many political aspects to this book and all those details made the book drag on forever, at least that's what it felt like and the reason this book put me in a severe reading slump and I only ended up reading two books in the month of March.

To begin with, Pieces of Her centers around a mother and daughter relationship that gets complicated when the daughter, Andrea, starts to find out that she doesn't know her mom as well as she thought she did. Things escalate quickly and Andrea has to go on a dangerous journey to find out the truth about her mother's past and to guarantee them a safe future. I thought this plot was okay. I haven't read that many books with a plot like this but it honestly felt more like an action book, then a thriller. It was mediocre but the whole time I was reading it, I saw the book as a movie in my head so I will definitely be watching the series adaptation. Also, the book was so unnecessarily long and it really dragged on, having a lot of political aspect talk and explanation, which made it very difficult for me to keep reading since I didn't really care what would happen. Also, what was up with those long chapters? They were almost unbearable to get through. I really hope Karin Slaughter's other books will be more to my liking.

Further on, the characterization was okay. I generally really enjoy mother/daughter relationship dynamics in books, since my own relationship with my mother has always been very complicated, but in this instance I really didn't feel invested whatsoever. I just didn't feel the essence of the closeness between them and a lot of the things that the mother did and what actions she took really made me question the depth of her love for her daughter. Or maybe the writing just wasn't transcendent enough for me to really feel the mother/daughter bond that is supposed to run so very deep.

Finally, the writing style was good since it is a Karin Slaughter book and I find I enjoy her writing for the most part. The only thing is that for some reason this time, it didn't quite move me or evoke any emotion in me like Pretty Girls did. Pretty Girls made me sob like a baby but this book didn't even drive me to get to the ending in order to find out the fates of the main characters. Overall, I think it was just okay, as is everything else about this book.

In conclusion, I would say that this is one book that I should have dnfed and just watched the show instead. Not only did it put me in a severe reading slump but nothing was really that thrilling about it. It felt more like an action genre than anything else but the length of it really made the book drag on for ages and it took me weeks to read. I really think that this book could be skipped and you wouldn't be missing out on anything at all.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book because it has very mixed opinions and reviews but in all honesty- I really loved it! I have been legit in a reading slump since my kids started school last year and this is the first book in a long time that I couldn't put down. I read this book in a record time for me and had already ordered the second book in the series, when I was only halfway done with the first one. It will definitely not be everyone's cup of tea but it's important to keep an open mind when going into this book.

To begin with, The Girl in 6E is about a woman named Deanna, who keeps herself locked inside her apartment because of her strong urge to kill. This urge developed in her childhood and in order to support herself she works as a cam girl, working remotely from home. When she suspects that one of her clients might commit a crime, she has to decide if she will risk everything in order to save an innocent. I thought this was one of the most unique premises I have ever seen in a book and even though it contains a lot of sexual talk and topics, I found it didn't take away from the main storyline and I didn't mind it one bit. I thought the plot moved at a pretty fast pace and the chapters were short and to the point and I couldn't get enough. I would say that the first half of this book is mainly character driven and the last half is plot driven but I really liked the main heroine so I didn't mind that first half one bit.

Further on, the characterization in this book was superb. We really got to see into Deanna's psyche and I was able to fully understand why she is the complicated individual that she is. I was afraid I wouldn't buy the psychological reason for why she keeps herself locked in her apartment and never comes out but I really found the reason believable and it made me feel sympathy for her that much more. I also loved the character development that Deanna undergoes through the whole book and the romance in this book I couldn't get enough of, even though romance isn't a favorite genre of mine by any means. I loved how many layers the main character had and I can't wait to dive back into her story really soon!

Finally, the writing style contributed greatly to the reason why this book was so hard for me to put down. Even with a really early wakeup time, I found I couldn't stop reading the book and even though it's on the bigger side, the pages flipped by. I love when the author is able to affect me so deeply with precise sentences to the point writing style. I am not obsessed with her as an author and she is definitely now an auto buy author for me.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to thriller/suspense lovers that are open to cringy topics such as weird sexual premises and sexual cam girl stuff. It didn't bother me but it's definitely not for the faint of heart, so look up the trigger warnings before diving into this novel. It will not be everyone's cup of tea but I think that the right audience will really enjoy it and take away a lot of good things from it as well.

This book is on the smaller side but it packs quite a punch! I picked it up initially because I was looking for a smaller book to read and it happened to blow me away completely! There is nothing about this book that I don't love- from the twisty plot to the very dark and morally gray characters, I just couldn't get enough of this book and this story. I would have gladly read another hundred pages of it because I couldn't get enough.

To begin with, The Good Lie is about a psychiatrist who treats killers. When she suspects that one of her clients has committed a crime that she should have seen coming, she gets entwined with a defense attorney who hires her to write a profile of the most notorious serial killer- the Bloody Heart Killer, who also happened to have killed his own son. I honestly loved this plot and ate it right up! I haven't read a thriller with such a creative plot in a very long time and this book surpassed all of my expectations and desires that I have ever looked for or wanted in a thriller. It was pretty fast paced and I didn't find that I was bored at all, each chapter gave us a little nugget of information that was important and it really drove me to hurry up and finish the book, which has been a struggle for me lately with books. I guess you can say I've been in a bit of a reading slump or maybe it's just life. Either way, this book was fantastic.

Further on, the characterization is brilliant, that's the only way I can think of to describe the depth and flaws of these very morally gray characters. I was able to relate to all of them, even the very worst ones, because of the simple fact that they were human and flawed humanity was forever a part of them, no matter how much they might want to deny that. They have all made many mistakes in their lives but they were still living and trying to do what they could to help repent or find some kind of peace, so that they could actually learn to live with those mistakes. I can't wait to read this authors other books, I am actually starting a buddy read by this author right after I finish up this review. That's how amazing this book really was! I just can't get enough!

Finally, the writing style was top notch, at least as far as thrillers go. It wasn't too wordy or descriptive and yet it illustrated what was going on beautifully. It was also precise but not too overly simplified and was intelligently able to get to the point pretty quickly. The book wasn't big but the writing was on the smaller side and even with that, I was still able to get through the book relatively quickly, especially for me.

In conclusion, I absolutely loved this book and it's the first five star thriller that I have read so far this year. I would recommend it to anyone who likes twisty and fast-paced thrillers with morally gray characters, whom you can't help but root for. I am obsessed with this book and can't wait to pick up The Girl in 6E next!

I read this as a buddy read with my friend Tierney over on bookstagram and even though I didn't love it, I am glad I read it. This is my first Young Adult thriller/mystery in a long time and if I was the targeted audience, I would have loved this book through and through. However, since I am a mother, in my thirties, this book just didn't quite do it for me and left a lot to be desired in my opinion. With that being said, it's a great book and touches on important topics.

To begin with, Ace of Spades follows two students who go to a prestigious high school and in their senior year someone under the name Ace of Spades starts spreading their secrets and other personal stuff for the whole school to see. They have to figure out what's going on before time runs out and their futures hang in the balance. I liked this plot, even though I haven't been in high school in a long time and it wasn't the best novel I read that takes place in a high school. I thought that the first half of the book dragged somewhat and the ending felt a bit anticlimactic for me. Everything was wrapped up too perfectly and there was no place for pondering anything further. Some things I saw coming and others I did not but since I wasn't extremely invested in the story or the characters, they didn't have much of an impact on me either way.

Further on, the characterization was above average for me in this book. I thought that the two main characters we were following had somewhat of deep backgrounds and we got to know them pretty well. However, this being a Young Adult novel, the character depth just wasn't quite there for me, not like it is in a well-written adult novel. Also, I had a hard time relating to the characters, since they were in high school and going to a prestigious one at that. The book was interesting enough but it didn't keep me hooked all the way through.

Finally, the writing style was a very popular one for Young Adult books. I thought that it was simple and to the point but didn't add anything more to the novel. It got the story across but that's all it really did, nothing that made me ponder anything further.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to young adults, around high school age who will be able to relate to the characters more than I did. It's also good for people who want a more in-depth look into some of the issues surrounding African Americans in today's world. Overall, it wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't great. Teenagers and younger individuals will be able to appreciate it more I think.

Wow! Finally, I read this book! I have been hearing people talk about this book for the longest time and about this crazy ending and now I am psyched to be in the loop, to know what everyone is talking about! I am actually watching the show now with my husband and really enjoying it but I am glad that I read the book first because I was entertained to say the least. I wouldn't say that it's my favorite domestic thriller of all time but it definitely delivers on the mindfuck aspect! That is for sure! This twist was something akin to the twist in The Silent Patient but even crazier and more out there! Definitely will be reading more from this new to me author in the future.

To begin with, Behind Her Eyes is about a single mom, named Louise, who has a passionate night with a stranger at a bar and then realizes the next day that this stranger is her new boss and is also married to a beautiful woman named Adele. Their lives intertwine and head in a direction that almost no-one can possibly see coming. I have never read a domestic thriller quite like this and was definitely intrigued from the very beginning. There is a trope in this book that is very new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I have no other previous books to compare it to and see if it was done well. I thought the book started off very strong and it got my attention but the middle dragged a bit for me and that's where I started losing interest and hoping to get to the mind blowing ending soon, that everyone kept talking about. Unfortunately, it took until the very end to get to that mind-blowing ending and all the action was saved for the very conclusion as well. For this reason, I gave this book four stars and not five.

Further on, the characterization in this book was pretty good, nothing I can complain about. I liked getting to know all the characters and their complicated backgrounds and figuring out what made them the way that they are and the way that they relate to one another. I just wish we could have gotten to the very dark, sinful stuff a little earlier because it felt like it took forever to really show us who these people really were, at their very rotten cores and souls. I do applaud the author for not being afraid to go there though and to show us how humans really are, without sugarcoating or hiding anything.

Finally, the writing style is one that I had no problem with. It wasn't the most intricate or beautiful writing I've ever read but it got the story across without a hitch and the pages didn't stop turning until the very last page. There were a few awkward thoughts and sentences but those were very few and didn't take away from the overall story and reading experience.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this domestic thriller very much and would recommend it to anyone that wants to have their mind blown by a twist or twists that they didn't see coming. I wouldn't say it's rooted in reality but if you're willing to suspend your reality for a bit, this book could really wow you in many ways. It could have definitely been shortened a bit in order to pack more of a punch throughout the whole book itself, nonetheless, it's a book I will probably think about for years to come. Definitely recommend but with a grain of salt because it might not be for absolutely everyone.

I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I went into this book but I really want to watch the show, so I made it a priority to read the book first and am so glad I did! I immensely enjoyed almost everything from the flawless writing to the deep look into the strangers' psyches and it just goes to show- Liane Moriarty doesn't disappoint. And I am thrilled for it! I have a few more of her books on my shelf and am almost certain that I will really enjoy them as well.

To begin with, Nine Perfect Strangers is about nine individuals who go on a transformative retreat at Tranquillum House and get a bit more than they bargained for. This is my first retreat thriller but I loved it as the basis for a “locked-in” thriller, that felt more suspense than thriller at times. I didn't mind that though because even though the plot is definitely a lot more character driven then plot driven, which I usually am not the biggest fan of, in this book I couldn't get enough of it. The only thing that I had to bump a star down for is the pacing, which at times felt a little unnecessarily long and stretched out. This book is on the thick side, but could have easily been cut down by 50 pages, in my opinion. That's really the only issue I had with the book though.

Further on, the characterization in this book was absolutely astounding. I grew to like and relate to all of the nine imperfect strangers, even though they had a lot of really bad qualities and were extremely flawed in every way. That's actually what I look for most in my characters, the more real and raw- the better. As I have stated previously in this review, this book is extremely character driven and not a lot happens for a good majority of it, however, because the characters were so genuinely raw and because we got to see very deep into their innermost psyches, I really didn't mind at all- I actually loved to read from all their different perspectives. Bravo!

Finally, the writing style is so masterful, that Liane Moriarty is definitely one of my favorite authors of all time- hands down. The way that she can weave words together so intelligently and beautifully, and yet also make everything so comprehensive that I didn't have to go back and reread any parts more than once, that is truly a gift to behold for a reader. It was a chunkier book and the writing was kind of small and yet, I didn't mind in the least. Really need to get to her backlist soon!

In conclusion, I recommend this novel to fans of suspense and maybe thriller lovers who can stand a little bit of a slow burn and a character-driven plot. It's not a book that's for everyone but the right readers will really enjoy it, I believe. Now, I am beyond excited to watch the show because tv shows are my other favorite things besides books. Give it a shot, I'm so glad I did!

Holy crap! Now that's the way to start off the new year! I picked up this book because it was short and because I heard that there was a mind-blowing twist in it and I was not disappointed! This twist is something akin to Shutter Island and The Silent Patient- it just blew my mind! I also feel like this book is deeper in meaning than your average romance thriller/mystery and I loved the whimsical way that the author brought the story to life since it wasn't written in the most simple way. I'm just ecstatic that I started my reading year off this way!

To begin with, We Were Liars is about four kids from a privileged family who spend summers together on a private island. One summer things get a bit out of hand and repercussions follow not long after. I haven't read many plots like these but this one takes the cake. I loved the way we saw the world through Cadence's eyes and really felt like we were in her mind, even the book was written through a teenagers outlook on life. There were definitely plenty of twists but that last turn at the end, had me gasping out loud in disbelief. I usually don't particularly like books that skip around so much and have lots of flashbacks but in this case it didn't take way from me understanding the gist of the story. Masterfully done.

Further on, the characterization of the main character especially was otherworldly. I loved how we got to see her authentic self, without any airs or falsehoods. Also, the way she saw all her other best friends on the island, it really made me feel like I got to know them really personally as well. Lockhart wasn't afraid to go there, to the very disgusting and miraculous depth of the human soul and it made the main character so relatable, even though I am twice her age and things that concern her aren't really a concern at this stage of my life.

Finally, the writing style, as I have already mentioned above is so unique and yet packs quite the punch. The sentences are written in a whimsical style, at least in some parts and there are even creative renderings written from the heroine's point of view, which are not necessarily always woven in concrete reality and yet never fail to hold a truth to them either. I haven't read a book quite like this one before and will continue to pick up E. Lockhart's works in the future because that choice was absolutely mesmerizing and so unique/different- just a breath of fresh air!

In conclusion, even though this book is considered Young Adult and is written from the perspective of a teen, I think this book could positively affect any adult. There is romance, mystery and thrills in this novel and even though romance isn't a favorite genre of mine, I ate it all up in this one. The author was just able to deliver a story that was so authentically full of truth and hard life facts, that it was heartbreakingly impossible to put down. For such a small book, this sure packs quite a punch! A must read!

Yes! Finally, we got a five star read! I have been meaning to read this book for so long but it was so long and that intimidates me, mostly because I am not a fast reader by any means. I really don't know what I was worried about, the writing was so easy to follow and the chapters were super short, just how I prefer them. If anyone is intimidated by this fat book, don't be, it is very reader-friendly. I am really happy to close out 2021 with a five-star book.

To begin with, The Chestnut Man is a story about a serial killer, who leaves chestnut men wherever he commits a gruesome crime. The two detectives on this case quickly realize that they're not dealing with just your average psychopath. I loved this whole storyline and even though sometimes I don't enjoy detective procedurals, in this instance I was hooked from the start and pulled into their world. The chapters were the perfect short length and almost all of them ended in a cliffhanger, which made it almost impossible to put the book down. If I didn't have responsibilities, I would have binged the book in one day, without question. This is one of the most exhilarating serial killer stories I have probably ever read in my life.

Further on, the characterization in this book is superb. The characters are very complex and imperfect, which makes them jump off the page. As I was reading this book, I was able to perfectly picture these intricate and complicated characters and I grew very attached to them. I was actually really sad when the book ended and hope that there will be more adventures to come for the two main detectives who were in charge of the case in this story. I just love how all the characters have in-depth backgrounds, helping us to understand why they are the way that they are. And I also love how they stay true to themselves, even whilst changing and growing as individuals, it makes them that much more believable.

Finally, the writing style was my favorite kind. I know this story is translated from another language but it seemed that nothing was lost in the translation because it's an absolutely amazing read through and through. The sentences were short and to the point without being choppy or confusing. I was able to picture things in my head as they were happening, even though I am not a very visual person whatsoever. I am really excited to watch the show now because I can compare what I was actually picturing and how they brought the story to life in the show.

In conclusion, this book helped me finish out 2021 with a bang and I am obsessed with the story, the characters and this talented writer. I hope they translate more of his work into English and that he keeps writing a continuation to this story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a unique serial killer stories full of twists and turns and doesn't dislike detective procedural type of stories either, because that's what this story is at the root of it. I say it's a must read for thriller lovers alike!

I remember running to Amazon and purchasing this second book in The Collector series right after I finished the first one because it was fantastic and totally messed up and I felt like the author really could do no wrong in my eyes. Well, almost a year later, I finally got to The Roses of May and let me just tell you, I have never been more disappointed in my life probably. Not only was the plot totally predictable but the writing really did not vibe well with me this time around. I might pick up the next book just because it has better reviews then this one but I am in no hurry to do so.

To begin with, The Roses of May picks up where the first book in the series ended and our favorite detectives are not investigating a serial killer who leaves flowers on his victims' doorstep and they realize that the clock is ticking and that it's almost time for him to kill again. I thought that the plot was interesting enough when I read the excerpt on the back of the book but in execution it was mediocre at best. For one, I was able to guess the killer correctly a few chapters in and that NEVER happens to me. On the contrary, I am usually the last one who can ever get that stuff right. I thought the pacing was also kind of slow and tedious in most parts and it took until the end of the book to get into some real action and the build up to that was not worth it in my opinion. After the first book was so unique and took my breath away, this one was a huge let down.

Further on, the characterization was probably the strongest point in this book and even that was just okay. The characters kind of let us see into their psyches but they still felt a bit standoffish and for this reason I just couldn't get to know them well enough to really care about what their fates would ultimately be. I feel like the author was keeping us at a distance and I don't think the writing helped either. The new characters definitely didn't stand out like the ones in the previous book did.

Finally, the writing was extremely problematic to me in this one. I don't remember how it was in the previous book but in this one it was choppy and didn't flow whatsoever. There were times when I had a hard time understanding what was happening or what the characters were talking about because phrases that I am not familiar with were used often. I had to reread quite a few paragraphs and for that reason couldn't finish this book as quickly as I really wanted to. It was on the shorter side for a novel and yet it stretched on endlessly because the writing style really did not do it any favors.

In conclusion, while the first book in this series was a home-run, the continuation was severely lacking and was not a joy to read. I thought that not only was the plot and murder rather predictable, but the characters and the writing style left much to be desired. I actually went to see what the next book was about and because the next one has much better ratings on Goodreads, I might pick it up just for that reason. However, this will not be happening anytime soon. While I recommend you read the first book ASAP, I would not recommend you pick up this second one in the series. What a major let down.

I have been meaning to read a Megan Goldin book for a while, especially because I have two, and I am really glad I finally got to this one! It was definitely exactly what I needed after last month's reading slump, where it took me over ten days to read Lie To Me. I chose this book off my shelf because I was hoping it would be fast paced and exciting and it delivered on both of those premises. The only thing I had a problem with was the ending, it just wrapped everything up way too fast and felt a little unbelievable, especially because the whole book prior felt somewhat plausible. Overall, I had a really good time with this and will be reading Megan Goldin's other books soon.

To begin with, The Escape Room is about these four workers, who work in one of the most prestigious finance firms on Wall Street. They get called to do an escape room challenge in order to bond more as co-workers and soon realize that the elevator they all got on is indeed the escape room. But who is behind this cryptic activity and what can possibly transpire in such tight confines? I thought that this plot was unique enough. The only other book I read that was similar to this one in terms of plot was The Firm and I didn't like that one much. I thought the pacing was a lot better in this one and I was hooked from the very first page. I liked how it went between the four co-workers being stuck in the elevator in the present day and then an ex-coworker's perspective of how she ended up where she did, I thought that was really well done. However, the ending felt completely rushed and whereas the pacing was on point up until the end, the conclusion completely flew off the handle and gave me a bit of a whiplash. I just thought that it was somewhat unbelievable and I felt really unsatisfied, especially because there weren't any huge revelations, only maybe one.

Further on, the characterization definitely stands out to me in this novel. Everyone who works in this firm is messed-up, to the very core- complicated and I was here for it. I loved just how despicable these people were and how far they were willing to go to ultimately get what they wanted. I feel like many authors shy away from really going there and committing but not in this case. For this reason alone, I will be checking out the other novels by this author and I can't wait. I felt like I got a look into their souls and there's not much more than I can ask for in that aspect.

Finally, the writing was my favorite kind. The thing I look for most in my writing style, when I am reading my favorite thrillers, is that the writing flow and it definitely did in this book. I raced through this book because the pages basically flipped themselves and I found myself not being able to put the book down. Also, the chapters were really short and that also helped tremendously in keeping my attention and interest as I rushed to get to the ending and the conclusion of this creative plot.

In conclusion, even though this book isn't a favorite thriller of all time for me, it did pull me out of my reading slump and I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a really fast-paced thriller, where you don't really find out what's going on until the very end. It gave me the same vibe as No Exit did, although in this case you don't find out who the bad guy is early on in the book, which was my issue with No Exit. If you're looking for an exciting read, I'd say give this one a try!

I honestly don't even know where to start with this book. The premise was so promising, right up my alley, seemingly my particular cup of tea....but unfortunately that was not the case with this book. I feel like at this point I've read so many thriller/mysteries, that I am getting a lot more critical of them and when a book does exactly what all the other ones do and even not as well, I just can't give it four or five stars. I actually debated the whole time I was reading this novel whether to give it four or five stars but ultimately I couldn't lie to myself, this book just didn't do it for me. In my opinion it was a mess, and not even a hot mess at that.

To begin with, Lie to Me is about a husband, named Ethan Montclair, who wakes up one day to find that his wife Sutton has disappeared, leaving nothing but a cryptic note saying not to look for her. As more time passes, Ethan begins to question whether Sutton left of her own accord or if she was forced in some way and is in trouble. I thought this plot was okay, it's nothing I haven't seen before in terms of the trope but the execution was just not to my standards. Even the most overdone tropes, if done right, can be extraordinary and this one certainly wasn't. I also thought that the pacing in this book was horrendous, I've never had such issue with that before in a thriller, it's the main reason it took me so long to finish it. The first 65% of the book stretched on endlessly and we didn't get anything really concrete to point us in the right direction and give us any idea of what might have happened to her and the last 35% gave me whiplash because things started happening every other page and I couldn't keep up with all the reveals. I also think this book could have been a lot shorter for that reason as well.

Further on, the characterization was above average in this story. I thought that the characters had good, solid backgrounds and I enjoyed finding out why they were the way that they were but since most of that was revealed at the very end of the book, I was already too frustrated and bored with the majority of the book to really care and it didn't make much of an impact on me in terms of raising my interest levels. I did enjoy the darkness of these characters and appreciated being able to peal back the layers, one at a time, because these people were complicated as heck. I'd say this is where the book shines the most.

Finally, Ellison's writing style is mediocre at best. I found that I didn't quite vibe with it and it felt choppy and confusing at times. That doesn't mean that I won't give any other one of her books a chance, I'm just not really in a hurry to do so at the moment.

In conclusion, this book was okay. If you're a newbie to the thriller genre and want to start nice and slow and not get overly flabbergasted right off the bat, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, I'd say steer clear because there are tons of other domestic thrillers out there, that are done a lot better.

Yes! That is what I'm talking about! I feel like I've been stuck in mediocre thrillers lately and I am so ecstatic that this one totally blew me away! The only reason it took me longer to read this book is because I wanted to savor it, I wanted to fully feel every single page deep in my soul. Also, this is the only book in a school setting that left me feeling somewhat anxious and a bit nostalgic for my own school days, that's something I've never gotten from a book before this. I just think this is as close to perfect as a thriller can get for me- from the atmosphere to the pace of the plot and the twists and turns, I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone that will give me the time of day!

To begin with, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife is about a girl, Jessica, who is going back to her college homecoming reunion, 10 years later, and she is desperate to prove herself as a woman who got it all, even though ten years prior a lot of messed up things happened on campus and her roommate was killed. Things take quite a turn, when her old roommate's brother corners Jessica and her old college friends, desperate to find answers about who really killed his sister all those years ago. I freaking loved this plot! School settings tend to not be my favorite tropes in thrillers and yet this one proved just how good that trope could be if done right. I thought the pacing was masterfully done and I was literally anxious to find out what actually happened all those years ago, and yet I also couldn't stop reading the book. The dual timelines are also masterfully crafted and I loved going between the now and then skipping around between all their four years in college. We also got a few chapters from the other friends' perspectives and I really appreciated that, since I grew attached to every single one of them. I will definitely be reading all her future works, she has instantly become an auto-buy author for me, that is for sure.

Further on, the characterization in this book was beyond superb. All the friends from the friend group had complicated backgrounds and I loved seeing how these backgrounds were able to come together into a rather messed up friend group and the dynamics that formed as a result. We are really able to dive deep into the psyches of these complex individuals and understand why they acted the way that they acted at certain times and what really drove them to end up in the place where they were now, in the present moment, at the reunion homecoming. There were so many layers to each of them and quite frankly, I would have been ecstatic if this book would have been made into a series or if we even got books from any of the other characters that we have read about in here.

Finally, the writing style was top notch, at least in my opinion. It was a bit sophisticated but not overly complex and definitely gave of a rather charming and dramatic vibe, but that's what I find I love in my thrillers. Each and every chapter flowed so smoothly and even though the chapters weren't the shortest I've ever read, the pages felt as if they were flipping themselves, effortlessly. Also, the end of every chapter left with a bit of a cliffhanger and I was hooked! There were also so many deep thoughts and pondering in this book that it's one I would like to reread in the future, to catch what I didn't catch the first time and I NEVER reread books. This book literally moved me that much!

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to EVERYONE! I think that thriller lovers would love it but so would most other readers as well because it left a lasting impression on me and moved me to the point of tears. I believe that anybody can benefit from delving into this story because at the root of it, there are tons of psychological aspects and life truths all throughout it. This is the kind of book that could really make for some profound discussions and conversations. If you haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for?!!

I have been meaning to read an Alafair Burke novel for quite some time, since I have seen my favorite YouTuber (Audrey from Chapters and Converse) talk about her, and I am so glad that I finally did! I chose this book at random through my books-that-I-already-own-on-my-shelf wheel and am so glad that I did! It didn't completely blow me away but it was a very strong and solid court procedural type of thriller, where we try to figure out the truth amidst “he-said, she-said”. I haven't read that many court type of novels and they're definitely not my favorite but I really enjoyed this book and was pretty invested in the story.

To begin with, The Wife is about this woman, Angela, who's famous husband gets accused of sexual assault by a young intern. When he gets accused of something even more sinister, Angela has to chose whether to stand behind her man or put herself and her son first and keep her own secrets safe. I haven't read that many law procedural novels and wasn't sure how I was going to feel going into this but I definitely liked it. I would say that this particular trope in thrillers and mysteries isn't my absolute favorite but I still had a fun time reading it. I thought the pacing could've been a little faster to add a little more shock value to the story but it wasn't bad by any means. I prefer my novels to have a lot more twists and turns than this one had but I thought it was very well written and even though I was able to guess the ending halfway through the book, there were minor twists that I didn't guess or see coming whatsoever. In all, it wasn't bad.

Further on, the characterization was okay. It wasn't particularly memorable and the characters didn't resonate with me all that much but it was fun to be shocked by the actions of this woman who made absolutely no sense to me and whom is still a mystery because of the actions that she took and the way that she chose to act in particular situations. I thought that we could have gone more in depth into her psyche, especially given her tragic background but even so, I enjoyed getting to know this complicated woman and peeling the layers, one at a time. Nothing extraordinary but enjoyable nonetheless.

Finally, the writing style is what resonated with me the most in this novel. It propelled me forward and made me keep reading, even when I wasn't the most intrigued as to what was happening in the book. As I have stated multiple times, I love writing that is precise and to the point, without being choppy, and that is what I found to be the case in this book. I could picture things as they were happening and the author didn't go into too much description, for which I am grateful because that can to be a little too much in my opinion.

In conclusion, even though this book isn't one of my favorite court procedural mysteries of all time, it's not a bad one, especially for beginners to the genre, who are still trying to see if that whole trope is for them or not. Also, it's a relatively quick read so I would give it a try if you're curious and the synopsis catches your interest.

As much as this pains me to say and this is definitely a first for me, I seem to be in the minority when it comes to my feelings towards this book. I remember feeling compelled to purchase this book because EVERYONE and their mother were raving about it and I had to find out what all the hype was about. And since I usually love books that the majority of thriller readers love, I thought this one would be a given. Well, I was damn wrong in this instance. It actually took me a few days to write a review for it because this book put me in a reading slump and I didn't even feel like putting my thoughts about it on paper. But finally, here we are.....

To begin with, Verity is about a writer, who is in a desperate need of money, so she takes a job writing the remaining books in a famous author's series because the writer had been in a car accident and can't move, let alone write more books. I thought that the plot in this novel was intriguing enough, especially since I've never come across this kind of story setup before. However, I found the pacing to be rather too slow and tedious for my liking. The majority of the book felt really repetitive and just documented Lowen going through Verity's writing office and dealing with Verity's husband, Jeremy and son Crew. I liked that the chapters switched of between what was happening in the actual story and also Verity's autobiography as Lowen was getting through it, that definitely helped me get through the story a little bit. I guess I was just expecting a lot more intensity and excitement going into this novel so that already was a big letdown. Also, can we talk about how this book felt more like a romance novel then a thriller in any way? I am not a fan of romance and when I got into this book I was not prepared for all the smut and cheesiness whatsoever. I understand this new-to-me genre is called romantic suspense and I am just glad I have figured out well in advance that this genre is just not for me.

Further on, the characterization in this book was okay. It wasn't bad by any means but it was hard to garner the real authenticity of these characters because there were contradicting pieces of evidence, pulling me in both directions. I thought that the characters were definitely dark and messed up but I found none of them to be reliable so it's hard for me to make a final judgement about who they really are. Ultimately, I felt like I didn't really get to know them at all. I like an unreliable narrator or character here and there but in this instance it was just overkill.

Finally, the writing style in this book is your typical Collen Hoover style and I can definitely appreciate its simplicity and how to-the-point it all is. This is probably my favorite aspect of the whole book and made getting through this book enjoyable, even if I didn't really enjoy or relate to the story or any of its characters. Overall I just found the whole thing to be unfittingly odd in its final execution.

In conclusion, as much as I was certain I would love this book because so many before me have loved it, I did not really enjoy it at all. If you're like me and not a big fan of romance or smut in your thrillers or even suspense novels, I would steer clear of this one. Otherwise, you should still give it a chance and ignore me because there is a reason this book is so wildly beloved. Definitely wasn't a home-run for me but it might be for you.

Since this is my third Lisa Jewell book, I have to say she is an author that delivers good quality novels constantly, at least in my opinion. This is her most recent release and even though I liked Then She Was Gone the most out of the ones I have read, I really enjoyed this story about a couple that goes missing, leaving their infant son behind and a mother determined to find out what happened to them. I had no problem getting through this book and I thought the story was really captivating and even made me tear up a few times.

To begin with, The Night She Disappeared is about a young couple that goes missing, leaving their infant son at home with the grandmother, who is determined to find out what happened to them at all cost. I really enjoyed this plot and even though I have read some stories about missing people, this one didn't feel too similar to any I have read before. The only reason this book is a four star for me and not a five star was because the pacing was just a little too slow in my opinion. The book itself was almost 400 pages and I feel that it could have been condensed a little and would have packed more of a punch that way. Otherwise, I have no complaints on that front.

Further on, the characterization in this story was good. It wasn't the most in-depth look into the characters' psyches and yet it definitely explored who they were on the inside somewhat. I really enjoyed the short chapters and the different perspectives and had no problems deciphering between whom I was reading about at the moment. The characters' definitely had some flaws to them but those weren't really discussed at length, we were only able to see them from the context of what was happening in the story. I thought that the ending was pretty satisfactory, even though I would have liked it to have been a little darker and more intense. And no, I definitely did not guess the ending, I wasn't even close.

Finally, the writing style was typical Lisa Jewell. It's easy to read and comprehend and it helped the story move right along. Some words were used that aren't quite used in the US, where I live, but those were easy to decipher what they meant in the context of the sentence they were in. I really don't have any complaints about Lisa Jewell's writing style and will continue to pick up all her future books for this reason and some others. It definitely doesn't blow me away but it gets the job done in an enjoyable way.

In conclusion, this mystery was well-written and I would recommend it to fans of the slower-burn stories, because the pacing was a little on the slower side. Otherwise, it was extremely captivating and the story sucked me right in and I had to find out what happened to the missing couple no matter what. Lisa Jewell delivers once again!

After forgetting my current read “The Night She Disappeared” at my mom's I was looking through my Scribd app on my E-Reader to find a short novella I had been wanting to read, until I can go get my book from my mom's. Well, this one definitely fit the short novella requirement, being only one hundred-something pages. It was also my first novella ever, most books I read are in the three-hundred range and up. Even though it was okay, ultimately this book was just not for me. It was not a genre I really enjoy but I am glad that I found out for myself and gave it a shot.

To begin with, The Patient is about a psychiatrist, who sets out to cure a very problematic patient, who has been in an insane asylum since he was six. However, he soon realizes that he is in way over his head and that there might be a reason why he incurable. I thought the premise was interesting enough and I really enjoy patient/psychiatrist type stories, so in the beginning I was loving every second of it. I just had to keep reading to see what was wrong with this patient. The pacing was done really well and I really liked that it was written through a blog type thing, a long time after the events actually happened. However, I was hoping it would be more psychological thriller and less horror but that's not what it ultimately was. I don't enjoy horror in general in movies or books because I like there to be a more psychological explanation for things, rather than just gory monster-type things that don't offer much in the way of explanation. This was probably my first true horror novel and I am happy to have ventured into that genre, however, it was just not my cup of tea and I will gladly stick to my psychological thrillers, mysteries and detective type stories from now on.

Further on, the characterization was okay but with it being a novella, I didn't get as in-depth of a look into the characters' psyches as I would have liked. It was nice to get through a book so quickly but it felt rushed and left me wanting more. I thought that we just skimmed the surface of Joe and even Parker, the psychiatrist and there could have been more to find out about them. Overall, this was just okay for me.

Finally, the writing style was precise and to the point and helped me to get through this book in a matter of days. With the story being written a long time after the events already happened, that made it a little less “in-the-moment” for me and took away from the excitement but ultimately I don't have a lot of bad things to say about the writing style. It got the story across and got the job done.

In conclusion, I would recommend this to horror lovers only. I am a psychological thriller lover and this book didn't have enough psychological aspects for me. From now on, I will be sticking to my usual genre but I am very proud of myself for trying something new that I have never tried before.