REVIEW; Bad Mommy, by Tarryn Fisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Romance, Psychological Thriller 

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS!!! 

Summary:

Fig lost her little girl and believes that her soul is present in a girl she watches at the park. She learns where the girl lives, and conveniently moves into the house next door, befriending parents Jolene and Darius. She wants everything that Jolene has - her child, her husband, her house, her style. As the imitation reaches new levels, so does the danger. 

My Thoughts:

Well where to start with this whirlwind of a book. I think this was definitely the best book I've read this year - it has to be. I love Tarryn Fisher's books and they usually hit me pretty hard, but this was on a whole new level of crazy (or maybe on par with Marrow). 

We know Fig has lost a child, and her relationship disbanded as her partner didn't want to try again while Fig couldn't cope with the loss. She slowly becomes fixated on a little girl she sees in the park, following her therapist's advice that she would meet her child's soul again. 

But Fig is an obsessive person, and moves into the house next door to Jolene and her young daughter. Fig is envious from the start; of Jolene's life including her home, her husband and her sense of style. It starts of rather minor, with Fig buying similar home decor, or vising places that Jolene has posted on her social media. But her stalker tendencies are dismissed by Jolene, but her husband, Darius, can't let it go. 

This book is told from three different POV in three distinct parts; Fig (The Psychopath), Darius (The Sociopath) and then Jolene (The Writer). And HOLY SHIT! It's hard to know who to believe as the plot twists and totally blindsides you and makes you feel sick with worry and... it's just a book that is impossible to put down. To the reader, it appears like Jolene and Darius have a happy, tight marriage. But after Fig's meddling, is it all for appearances? Can we trust Darius? There are just so many times that I had to stop and try and piece together the puzzle and THE ENDING! 

The ending of this will never escape my memory. This wins the best ending ever and it absolutely punches you and guts you. I even ran out of the room to my mom to tell her how it ended because I was so in shock. Even now, what wonderful literary wisdom to write that way. 

As victim to emotional blackmail in a relationship with a narcissist, I feel like this is an important read. It really highlights how blind love can be when you are being lied to and how you need to be stronger to rise above it all, now matter how much it F's you up. I got chillsssss...

Overall:

Wonderfully psychotic and captivating - one of my favourite reads from 2017 with some twisted characters brought to life with magical writing skills.

Goodreads

REVIEW; Tangled Beauty, by K.L. Middleton

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Genre: New-Adult, Suspense, Romance

Recommend: No

Book 1

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Sinclair is asked by her best friend, Jesse, to pretend to be his girlfriend at a family event. He can't come out to his parents as he risks being cut off. Visiting the grand home for the weekend, Sinclair meets Jesse's attractive lawyer brother, Reed, and sparks fly. Meanwhile, Sinclair also has a secret admirer who will stop at nothing to get his girl.

My Thoughts:

All right, so this is definitely a quick read, coming in at well under two hours. As a quick read, it fills the gap nicely. 

Writing: This needs to go back to the Editor's desk for starters. Names were spelled incorrectly, punctuation missing (at the end of a chapter once). The pacing is horrendous. Set over the course of one weekend and leading up to a big party, the suspense is slowly built just for it all to go off in one big explosion and then a chapter at the end to round it all off. Totally unbalanced.

Story: What a whirlwind. I feel the thriller aspect of this should have been excluded. It read like two totally different plots; the plot with Reed/Sinclair happening with all the family drama as a romance novel. And then a chapter here and there from Michael (who we don't know anything about, other than he is watching Sinclair) to add in the suspense and create totally unnecessary drama. I feel there was a substantial plot in the romantic drama alone, without trying to just add a kidnapping/murder on top randomly. 

Characters: The only character I liked was Jesse. Sinclair is very one-dimensional, with no idiosyncrasies or personality. Reed appeared to be mature but was a character you could find in most NA books - reformed player. Throw in two characters with similar names - Sela and Sera? And then Jack! Jesse's father was an absolute slimeball. He was probably necessary for the whole romantic dealings and lying, but I didn't understand how Jesse and Reed were so accepting of his actions. Reed admitted that Jack had hit on every woman he brought home. He knew right away he couldn't trust his fiancée but yet let them just continue behind his back. Sinclair knew Sela was cheating on Reed, but yet believed her when she called Reed's name to make Sinclair jealous. Ugh - there was just no brain involved in any of this! 

They were all cliché characters. The proud, rich parents that were homophobic - and no real issue explored about how this is wrong etc. Slut-shaming. Reed is supposed to be a lawyer and busy with his clients, suggesting his is rather successful and there is reference to how he has earned his money. In parallel though he is well known for his female company - surely that's not an image that bodes well for a lawyer? 

I feel like there were some decent topics just thrown about in this novel (homophobia for one) as if that made it a good novel. It doesn't. There was no character development or issues explored in any detail to allow for reader thought or moral dilemmas. It was all just so shallow. 

Overall:

Cut out the thriller story-line and there is a premise for a great novel. Sadly, it would need to be packed out properly, with character building and development and the pacing of everything totally revised. Do not recommend. 

Goodreads

REVIEW; Luckiest Girl Alive, by Jessica Knoll

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Genre: Thriller

Recommend: No

Standalone

SPOILERS!!! 

Summary:

Ani FaNelli is engaged to a notable figure, she has a promising glamorous career, and is moving up the ranks in city's social scene. Ani is determined to keep her image prestigious and proud. She now has landed an interview/documentary series about her life. But when she was a teenager and attended Bradley School, there were some drunken nights and painful events that Ani has worked hard to bury. With the documentary looming, Ani's past threatens to come to life. 

My Thoughts:

DNF at about 60%. Up to this point there was no aspect that constitutes as psychological thriller in the slightest. In the 60% I read, all that had been covered was Ani attempting to keep her facade up in front of her fiance, and then the ordeals she endured as a teenager at school... She judged other women based on how they looked and what they wore and apparently depending how you place a clam shell down on your plate is a giveaway on how posh you are... wonderful - but still no thriller... 

Ani is reunited with her teacher, who cared for Ani when he heard she had been attacked by a student. Now older, he is taking part in the documentary about Ani's life and she is concerned about what he will disclose, whilst also fancy-ing him and being jealous of his partner, despite Ani supposedly being happily engaged. I somewhat enjoyed her vindictive side and attempts to be a socialite... but nothing happened! 

Overall:

I can't recommend this due to not being able to complete it. By 60% nothing had occurred to warrant it being a thriller, never mind a psychological one. I really don't see what has won so many high ratings and a movie deal. 

Goodreads

REVIEW; House 23, by Eli Yance

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: No

Standalone

SPOILERS!!! 

Summary:

Joseph Lee was framed for his wife's murder. She was bludgeoned to death as he was out cold on the bathroom floor. He wasn't convicted, but that doesn't stop his town from blaming him. Joseph hasn't left his house in 6 months, until a new couple move in to number 23, across the road. The wife looks the image of his dead wife, Jennifer, and Joseph feels a connection with her. Slowly, he befriends the couple and mourns his wife's death. But not everything is at is seems; especially as the real murderer has not yet been discovered.

My Thoughts:

This started off really promising. There was the initial suspense of who was the real murderer and what was with connection with Zala looking like Jennifer. 

None of the plot fitted well for me. My interest was piqued when it was clear there was something more going on with Zala and her husband, but as soon as Joseph uncovered some information it all tumbled in a downward spiral with so much excessive, unwarranted violence. 

So much of the build up to the action is also unnecessary. There is a lot that pulls you in; the desire to discover the real murderer for one, which is hardly even addressed. We do find out, but it's a totally new character that is just thrown in at the end with a typical, feeble excuse and reasoning. It all just boils down to an affair and a jealous husband. While conveniently the new neighbours are cons who are squatting in the murderer's house, so it all really comes full circle...

The pacing is a little off. As said, the first part is good as the drama and suspense steadily increases, pulling you in. But as soon as one thread of info is discovered, it all becomes unraveled in one breath. 

Overall:

I wouldn't recommend this novel, unfortunately. It didn't flow well and the whole plot was haphazard and alien. 

Goodreads

REVIEW; Girl Undone (TJ Peacock and Lisa Rayburn Mysteries #3), by Marla Madison

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Recommend: Yes

Book 3

NO SPOILERS

Summary:

Private Investigator TJ Peacock, and psychiatrist Lisa Rayburn, are hired by Ms Petretti to solve the mystery surrounding her niece’s disappearance. Kelsey Blasko went missing on Tuesday, and turned up in the mall on Friday with no memory of her abduction or what happened.

Meanwhile, criminal blogger Bart Kosick, is being harassed by a persona Headliner. Leaving threats and breaking in, Bart realises the danger when a young girl’s dead body is placed on his property. Both crimes soon interlink as the danger increases and creeps closer to home.

My Thoughts:

Story: Breaking it down simply, this was a good story. I read it within 24 hours so there was definitely an element that drew me in and kept my attention. There were good plot twists and often parallel story lines were interlinked, making a few pieces fall into place. However, at times, some plot holes were answered but I was left unsure of what this meant for the parallel story line. I like in a series when there is a bigger plot going on across the books with an individual “front plot” per book, and I am presuming that was the case for this – Kelsey’s disappearance was the front plot and Bart being harassed the bigger plot. I’m still uncertain how these two plots truly interlinked at the end though due to the sort of cliffhanger ending…

There was multi POV, the reader seeing events unfold from numerous persona’s which kept the pace of the novel alive and moving appropriately.

There were a few typos which broke up the pace here and there, mostly grammar ones that could’ve been noticed with perhaps another read through?

Characters: A negative in this were the quantity of characters. This is book 3 in the series so I assume the rash introduction and background of a few characters was for a speedy introduction to get the reader up to date. But it did become a little confusing. Halfway through the book a girl called “Shannon” was present and I’d to search back to recall who she was by re-reading her introduction at the beginning. 

Overall:

I would recommend this book for anyone requiring a quirky mystery read that isn’t too heavy. If you can get to grips with who is who early on, it’s an extremely easy read! 

Goodreads

REVIEW; I Am Not A Serial Killer (John Cleaver #1), by Dan Wells

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Supernatural

Recommend: Yes!

Book 1

NO SPOILERS!!! 

Summary:

John Cleaver is 15 and helps his mother in the morgue. With a penchant for serial killers, he feels alive when there is a monster active in his neighbourhood. He's aware he isn't like the other kids; he has a list of rules to make sure he doesn't let the monster within him to take over. But as the serial killer becomes more active, John can't help but hunt him, allowing his own demons to come to life. 

My Thoughts:

John: I think he is one of my favourite characters from any book. He was absolutely fascinating and the story is told from his POV and we get an insight into the mind and thought process of someone strongly resisting what he believes to be an internal demon. John is convinced it is his destiny to be a serial killer and so has a list of serious rules he sticks to in attempts to remain "normal" and not become the heinous monster he believes resides deep within. This includes not focusing on anyone doing anything for any length of time to avoid noticing any detail about them and prevent becoming obsessed. If someone makes him angry he will compliment them to remain positive. The main hook for me was definitely exploring John's psyche over the actual plot. 

Writing: This was written fantastically. The whole pacing of every snippet of information and plot twist worked so well. I've been in such a reading slump lately due to life events and this book hooked me in, I was back to sacrificing sleep to read. 

Story: The premise of this novel was brilliant. It was a thriller wrapped up in focusing on the internal battle of John as he yearns to solve the crime and work out who's responsible for the killings, while attempting to manage his own instincts. However, the big plot twist is the supernatural twist in this novel. I am undecided as to if it works or not. In one way, the supernatural theme ran deep enough to be able to wrap up the story well, but it sort of came out of nowhere at the same time. 

Overall:

I loved this so much. Would definitely recommend to anyone who lives a thriller but with a twist. The insight into a teenager's mind who is convinced he is destined to be a serial killer is enthralling and the overall story is brilliant. 

Goodreads

REVIEW; Killing Cupid, by Louise Voss & Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS !!!

Summary:

Alex signs up for a creative writing class and instantly falls for the tutor, Siobhan. Fixated on her, he reads her novel and reviews it highly. He finds out where she lives and leaves secret expensive gifts for her, using her own credit card, and even initiating the death of a suspected love rival. 

Siobhan discovers Alex is behind everything and warns him off. But when Alex moves on with another woman to embark on a healthy relationship, Siobhan is adamant on seeking revenge and gaining Alex's attention again. How far will the two of them go for "love"?

My Thoughts:

Alex: Alex was quite interesting but creepy. As soon as meeting Siobhan he decides he loves her and convinces himself she feels the same way. He went too extreme with the stalker acts, even resulting in the death of, most likely, an innocent person. Unusually, he gave up on Siobhan quite soon after realising she didn't feel the same way. It adds to the idea that his feelings weren't genuine to behind with, leading to a little confusion as to how the novel ended...

Siobhan: I didn't like her. She appeared to be the crazier of the two and yet she hadn't committed murder! After Alex moved on with his new girlfriend, Siobhan becomes fixated on becoming the stalker, watching his new girlfriend and even arranging for Alex to be beaten up as revenge for moving on from her! What the hell?! And she didn't care too much that Alex had been in her house a number of times without her knowledge and had been a full on creep. 

Ending: So, this culminates in Alex and Siobhan ending up togther, with Alex in prison for murder. I don't really comprehend how the two were meant for each other. Alex was able to move on rather quickly and then didn't KNOW each other either. It was all information by observation.

Overall: 

This was really creepy but just didn't seem real for me. It was too out there and weird for my liking. I don't believe their love was real and whilst the stalker becoming the stalked was an interesting twist, it all seemed too dramatic and over the top... Bit of a let down after the brilliant reads from Mark Edwards. 

Goodreads

REVIEW; Because She Loves Me, by Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

When Andrew meets Charlie he instantly falls for her. She is beautiful and funny and loves him just as much. Before he knows it, he's asking her to move in with him - everything is perfect. 

But is everything as it seems? Andrew notices some things have gone missing, he's losing friends on Facebook, his pretty young cleaner is replaced with an older woman, an ex-girlfriend winds up dead. Charlie has shown she has issues with jealousy... but how far will she go to ensure she keeps Andrew for herself? Is she capable of murder? Or is it just a chain of coincidences... ?

My Thoughts:

Story/ Paranoia: Similar to The Magpies, the cause of torment and menace is a simple one. Supposedly all down to the jealousy of a girlfriend, which adds to the creepiness as it's something that could easily happen to anyone. I love how Mark Edwards can take a simple concept and make it grow to create such horror stories. Towards the end I was nearly shouting at people to listen to Andrew and stop the deaths we were expecting to occur as it all got heated. The one thing this does is get inside your head. Is Charlie who she says she is? Who is she? Is she lying? Is she responsible for strange things occurring? Is she mentally unstable? Is she just insecure? WHAT IS GOING ON?! It drives you crazy. 

Twist: There is a twist in this and it is the reason why this isn't a 5 star rating... I didn't HATE the twist, which I won't mention as it is a huge spoiler. I just don't think it was necessary too much. It wasn't too awful; just before the twist occurred it was hinted at and I had a moment of calculating the possible plausible conclusions before the truth was revealed. I can see why people are annoyed at it - a solid story was built for everything that the reader knew to just be thrown to one side and BAM! something else with no warning... but a part of me liked it also. I liked it wasn't a complete predictable outcome and the reader was blind-sided by the events. I think my main issue is who was involved with the twist seemed off and it would have worked better if a different character was involved with a better reason... 

Ending: I think the hardest part about psychological thrillers is constructing the ending. Do you end it on a high of the shock? Or finish off the stories of the characters? And to what extent do you follow their aftermath? Endings are delicate aspects of every story and I have to applaud this one. There was a suitable epilogue to the events and a nice ending that still leaves the reader wondering what truly occurs in the future. 

Overall: 

I think this is my favourite Mark Edwards read so far. Possibly because I can relate to knowing jealous people and having been jealous myself at times, it's nearly more scary as you realise "this could be me", be it for either Andrew or Charlie's position! Recommend this for anyone looking for something unnerving and different to your regular reads.

Goodreads 
Amazon

REVIEW; Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2), by Pepper Winters

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Adult, Romance, Abuse

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Tess has returned willingly to her master, her lover, Q Mercer. Both must learn the rules of engaging in a relationship, and the boundaries they must set to make it work. 

But as they jump into their new life, tragedy strikes resulting in Tess and Q being apart. Tess finds herself back in the hands of those who originally sold her on, and this time they are ensuring to break her beyond repair. 

Trauma and death ensues, in a dark and bloody battle in the name of love and revenge. Can Tess and Q's love conquer? Or were they doomed from the beginning?

My Thoughts:

***Tears of Tess Review***

I was really apprehensive reading this as I loved Tears of Tess and was worried this would ruin the high from the first book. I'm really torn as to whether I loved this or whether it strongly aggravated me. 

Writing: The writing in this is still exquisite. The changes of POV from Tess to Q as we unravel their story and battle, really draws you in. This worked so well from Tess' POV when she is kidnapped and how what she witnesses is presented to the reader is executed so clever, it makes the reader feel they are Tess. I really love Winter's writing style and how far she can get into a character's mind to be able to write so well from their eyes. 

Story: I think what put me off with this, was how hard it was to get into. Tears of Tess gripped me from the get go, but it took three attempts to get into this one... I started it almost 6 months before I actually got settled to properly read it. Just for me, it took a little too long for the drama to occur. I had enough of reading about Tess and Q proving they belonged to each other and maybe this was why it seemed a bit dull following the whirlwind of the first novel. But, once the twist happened and things got a bit more serious, I was properly hooked. This is even darker than before and so much more ominous. There is so much torment and pain and I really couldn't predict how it would all turn out and end.

Q: He is a lot more attractive in this one. We know about his past and his desires and how much he loves Tess, but in this we see him truly lose everything and put his heart on the line, but yet remain so dominating. It's a great contrast to how he is presented in Tears of Tess, as the reader gets a further insight into how Tess has affected him and how much she means to him. 

Overall: 

Although it took some time, I loved this almost as much as the first one. It has just as much darkness and terror, but has some beautiful heart-wrenching moments. Can't wait to read the end to their story in the final book! 

Goodreads   

Amazon

REVIEW; A Game For All The Family, by Sophie Hannah

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Justine Merrison has left her London life behind as she moves to Devon with her husband, Alex, and their daughter Ellen. 
Finally, she gets the peaceful life she wanted. But after reading the beginning of a story Ellen is writing for school, Justine can't rid the feeling of something being wrong. 
When Ellen's best friend George gets expelled from school, she spirals into despair. But when Justine goes to discuss George's expulsion with the school, George's existence is denied. 
Being plagued with anonymous phone-calls from a woman who promises to kill Justine and her family if they don't leave, Justine's world is thrown upside down. 
Who is the caller?
Does George really exist? And if so, why is the school lying about him? 
And where did Ellen get the material for her murder mystery story? 
Can Justine get to the bottom of things before she and her family come face to face with the real danger?

My Thoughts:

This is the second novel by Sophie Hannah that I've read, so I did have relatively high hopes. Ultimately, I felt let down though. I kept waiting for everything to fall into place and click and just make sense, but it never did. It all read like one crazy train and never really making much sense for the reader... 

Characters: I didn't really like or connect with any of the characters in this. Justine was just crazy from the start and a little neurotic. Ellen was a brat. Alex was dull. George was an oddball and to me, didn't fit the personality of a child in his position. School teachers were not at all authoritative. Just completely all over the place! Justine was so easily spooked and it didn't seem like she had a back-bone at all in regards to dealing with her family, but this was the same person who forced her way into a school and spoke down to the principal? And this same person was later capable of murder without a shadow of guilt or shame? None of it fits! 

Mystery: This is meant to be a story of suspense, to keep the reader on the edge of their seats and be scared, like the main character. But it was dull. My attention wasn't held to want to get to the bottom of Perrine's murder, the anonymous calls, the truth about George, the alleged unhinged Anne. I didn't feel the threat behind the calls either and the reader should've been scared for Justine- especially after she falls into a grave that has been dug! But nope, I didn't care. I ended up just skim reading just to be able to finish the book. 

Story: All over the place. From the start... As they're driving to Devon the story is all haphazard. They're arguing in the car and Justine is overwhelmed after seeing a particular house. Then dealing with a crazy stalker and everything being intertwined with the story Ellen was writing -more interesting than Justine's story but equally as ridiculous - it was like the reader was meant to be sent on a mind f*ck journey but truth being told, the train never even left the station. Things did pick up pace towards the end, but I felt like we were still left without answers. The conclusion was so far-fetched and out there, I was left wondering "did I really just read what I think I read?" Hrm...

Overall: 

I'm quite undecided with this book. I really enjoyed the other book by Sophie Hannah and this sounded equally as mysterious - but I guess the story just wasn't for me. I did keep going and read through the whole thing, so it can't have been so bad! 

Goodreads 
Amazon

REVIEW; Follow You Home, by Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Daniel and girlfriend Laura are on their Grand Tour, travelling around Europe before they return to London and settle down. But on a midnight train, they find themselves thrown off at an abandoned station in a forest in Romania, after having their phones and passports stolen as they slept. 
There, they hike to civilisation but not without trauma. Out in the forest, Daniel and Laura witness horrific events that haunt them.
Back in London, Daniel and Laura are no longer together - both suffering and damaged from what happened in Romania. Something they vow not to speak of. 
But when Laura feels someone is out to get her, and Daniel gathers proof someone is after them, they have to face what happened in that forest, and wonder if someone has followed them home...

My Thoughts:

This was so spine-chilling and daunting and really draws the reader in and wondering what happened in Romania?! 

Pace: The pacing in this is spot on - enough is revealed leading up to the big Romania incident reveal to keep the reader interested and not just feel like the story was dragging. The ominous tone was set from early on, especially upon the return to London where more strange and unnerving events start to occur. Even after the big plot twist occurs, there's still some crumbs of twists to still devour and it even ends on a big punch! It's unbelievable. 

Writing: The story is mostly from Daniel's POV with some insights into various other characters, which builds the suspense as the reader gets to uncover more of the plot before the character does. It's fairly standard, basic writing but I wouldn't say it's bad like other reviews. The timing of everything was well judged and there was great technique in uncovering some information, thinking it's the truth, and then the full story being revealed a while later.

Story: This is a great story. It's extremely dark and disturbing and so evil! I wasn't totally on board with how Laura and Daniel reacted back in London, vowing to keep it all such a harbored secret. I could understand Laura's shut down coping method, but ultimately, it felt a little off in their reactions. 

Overall: 

This was a whirlwind of a read that will leave you feeling like you've been punched in the gut. It's scary and so unnerving, but captivating and addictive as it lures you into their paranoia and wanting to uncover what they saw in Romania. Definitely recommend for any mystery or suspense lover!

Goodreads 

Amazon

REVIEW; The Mapgies, by Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Jamie and Kirsty have found the perfect flat to start their family and new life. The neighbours all seem friendly... or at least at first. 
Dead rats turn up on their doorstep, hoax calls to the fire station, recordings of them having sex are sent to them and one of their close friends is left severely injured and in hospital. 
They believe the issues are stemming from the Newtons, a couple living downstairs. But when they try to reason with them, it only heightens the attack. 
Jamie vows not to be driven out of their home, but as the danger increases, does he really know what he's trying to fight against? Can they make it out alive? 

My Thoughts:

Story/ Paranoia: This was so creepy but worked due to the simplicity of the plot. Jamie and Kirsty have the neighbours from hell, but the subtle extremes of their actions makes the reader doubt if they too are going insane and if the Newtons really are to blame. I found myself doubting everyone they met as possible culprits. The torment is executed so perfectly, it sets paranoia even in the reader and the twists and turns the story takes at random moments sucks the reader into the nightmare with the young couple. Even the tormenting acts change in seriousness and method to really instill how sinister and menacing it all is. After all, how does an infestation of spiders correspond to a virus sent from Jamie's email account? 


Writing: There are a some mistakes in this (although don't know if have been corrected since the version I had) which upsets the flow. "I don't meant to be horrible". Incorrect names were used at times, explaining the actions/speech of Mike and it had "Chris rolled his eyes". I also felt the time jumped a bit oddly within one scene... "He wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his t-shirt before making his way back out to the car and bringing in another box. Kirsty had fallen asleep on the sofa, and he woke her with a kiss." Seconds previously Kirsty had been talking to Jamie as he brought in boxes and it jumped to later in the day in the same paragraph. It can just cause a little confusion as the time jumps a few times without a break and certain scenes don't make sense as there's been a sudden setting change etc.

Ending: I'm really undecided with the ending. I don't want to give anything away but I was a little disappointed with where all the characters ended up and the relationships between them. The final ending also seemed too sudden and rushed after the climax, as if a quick explanation was thrown in after a whole story of horror. 

Overall: 

I loved this. It got a lot darker and serious than I had initially expected and I am glad that it did. It's absolutely harrowing and unnerving reading about the power neighbours can have over your life. It's crazy. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a psychological thriller or something a little bit different. 

Goodreads 

Amazon

REVIEW; I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS

Summary:

Pilgrim is a top secret agent, set out for retirement to lead a normal life, under the radar. Brought along to comment on a murder scene, he sees more than anyone else, and finds himself swept up into the investigative world again. 
Meanwhile, a Saudi-Arabian man is plotting against the world and fabricated an expert plan to eradicate America.
Can Pilgrim solve the crimes and stop him? Or will the hunter become the hunted?

My Thoughts:

This book!!
Firstly- it's extremely hard to write anything about this without giving things away, but with how sparse the blurb of the book is, it leads you nearly blindfolded into the depth of the story so I really don't want to spoil it for others.

I'm at a total loss as to where to even start with this one. At being 889 pages long in the paperback version, it's definitely a wrist-ache but totally worth it - it was a story to get utterly lost in. 

Pilgrim: Code-name for our main character, Pilgrim. He is a legendary secret agent in the top levels of security, with intelligence and skill like no other. Assuming different identities throughout his life, no one is really certain of who he really is. I loved how the story was told through his eyes; getting inside the mind of a natural investigator as he picks up minor details of the state of a room to conclude to momentous reasoning. 

Pace: This book is long but just right. There are four parts to it: 

1. Introduction to Pilgrim- the story opens in a murder scene in a hotel room with an unidentifiable victim
2. Introduction to The Saracen/main plot - the Saudi-Arabian who grows up to mastermind the plan to bring America to its knees
3. Pilgrim is sent on his mission - Their paths intertwine and the present time thriller unfolds
4. Attack/ End.

The pacing in this is executed brilliantly. The reader gets an insight into the past of both crucial characters and witnesses pivotal scenes that shape their character to lead them to their current choices and decisions. The breakdown of the story into 4 sections helps the intake of the story- the huge quantity of information is put forward in a more enticing way that enables the past/present flow naturally together in a seamless progression of events. Even though the setting/time often changed from chapter to chapter, it was simple still to follow what was going on. 

Writing: Hayes' writing is captivating. Every word appears to be chosen carefully as the passages are succinct and have punch. There is no stream of consciousness or meaningless chatter/waffle that plagues so many stories. There are also subtle hints intertwined that help the reader follow along the path of Pilgrim's mind, without any neon flashing signs pointing to evidence - there's no insult to the intelligence of the reader needing everything explained. In saying that, yeah, there were some repeated phrases here and there or similar descriptions for things - but in 900 pages of course there'll be some repetition!  

Story: Again, I don't want to give much away - half of the success of this novel for me was not knowing where it was going to lead me. But this was one hell of a story. It was so well thought out and constructed, with back stories and thought processes and intertwining plots and conclusions that all fitted together like a jigsaw when moments before things seemed totally irrelevant or unrelated. Hayes' doesn't hold back with the imagery either- warning, not a book to be read when eating!!! But it's all effective, it's a scary book in one way as it's so easy to see (and even understand possibly) how one can come to the mind-frame of seeking revenge and how a plan so huge and detrimental can be orchestrated by an individual. 

Overall: 

I can't remember when I last read a book this good. So many lately have been 5 star reads and this just supersedes them completely. I'm in such book-mourning and urge everyone and anyone to try read this. The second half is definitely a lot more exciting than the first- down to the story developing compared to more of a background lesson - but definitely worth the time to read. 

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REVIEW; The Experiment of Dreams, by Brandon Zenner

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILER-FREE

Summary:

Ben Walker's life ended with the death of his wife. Passing his days with alcohol, he earns extra money by being test subject to new drugs and sleep related studies due to his migraines and ability to lucid dream. 

When offered a new job to be a part of a highly paid, top secret experiment, to test a machine that can record and playback dreams, Ben can't resist the financial benefit. 

With the added perk of being able to travel the world with his job, Ben soon meets Sophia, the first woman that has caught his eye since his wife's passing. But not all is what it seems. Ben is being watched and kept in the dark about a lot of things. When one of Ben's dreams sparks panic and outrage, the truth begins to unravel, and Ben is put right in the path of danger.

My Thoughts:

Woooooooooooooooow!!!!!!!

I downloaded this book from BookBub as I love psychological thrillers or novels surrounding dreams and experiments. After falling into a lull of reading NA Romance, I chose this to break up the cycle and WOW! It reminded me why I love these type of books so much. 

Story: The plot in this is so original and fascinating. The idea of Lucy - the dream recording machine - is amazing and the amount of scientific explanations for everything in this make it so believable and plausible. From the start the reader is thrown into a whirlwind of drama and suspense, not knowing when the dangers will present themselves. I love anything to do with how the mind works and this novel really explores the nitty gritty about dreams and the states of mind. It's actually unsettling to read about how easily one can fall victim to their own mind. 

Ben: Immediately I felt for Ben; his tragic past and his lethargic and vulnerable state made me care and worry for his safety. With the added uncertainty and untrustworthy vibe from the Dr, Iain etc, I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what they'd do. Zenner has gone into such great but precise detail with describing the tortured and depressed mind of Ben, suffering still with the loss of his wife and how he coped, or failed to cope, with her death. 

Writing: I'm a big fan of the writing in this. I really got the sense every single word was chosen specifically, like in poetry, rather than just in a haphazard method of writing in a stream of consciousness. The level of description, even in basic passages is astounding and so emotive, but it doesn't lull. I was never tempted to skip a paragraph like I normally would. The story often jumps back in time as more is revealed to the reader and I liked how this was displayed subtly; 

"A younger Iain Marcus and Michael Bennet approached Drapery Falls in the dead of night..."

 Rather than stating "X years ago...". Great examples permeated the novel of perfect "show not tell" execution.

Ending: The last 30% of this flew by and was filled with shocking twists. I don't know many times I shouted "Oh. My. God!" when finishing this. Not only was there a surprising ending, it was wrapped up so well that it didn't feel like the story just ended. 

Overall: 

The Experiment of Dreams has made it onto my favourites list. From the beginning to the end it's a complete rollercoaster of suspense. There's so many little twists incorporated and it's not a predictable read in the slightest!! Definitely a stand out novel. 

Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon