2 and a half stars, rounded up to 3. I'm very torn on this book.
What I liked: - Finn's writing style (he has a unique voice that I enjoy) - The characte2 and a half stars, rounded up to 3. I'm very torn on this book.
What I liked: - Finn's writing style (he has a unique voice that I enjoy) - The characters (the main character, Nicky, especially) - The twists I didn't see coming
What I disliked: - The unnecessarily unreliable narrators (yes, two of them, and it took away from the story to know the reader is essentially being lied to the whole time by both people who are telling the story) - The length of the book (I feel about 100 pages could have been cut and it would have been more enjoyable, which is ironic, since there is a line in the book about making sure novels don't go on too long)
I don't know what to tell you. If you've exhausted the rest of the thrillers on your TBR, then sure, give this a go. If not, it isn't anything particularly special, but it did surprise me (if you don't mind being lied to for 350+ pages first).
At any rate, I'll stick to enjoying The Woman in the Window and ignoring this one's existence.
Pre-story thoughts:
I had no idea A.J. Finn had a new book coming out?? Hello?? I truly couldn't care less about the hate The Woman in the Window got. Some people just haven't the same exquisite taste as the rest of us, and for that, I am so, so sorry.
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Friendly reminder that this is not an open forum to discuss your distaste for Finn. I rate a book on how well I enjoy the book, not the person behind it. Most of the time, I do not know a thing about the writer besides the short bio inserted in the back of a story. I guarantee every one of you has read (and perhaps even enjoyed) a book by a person who has done horrible things in their personal life. Not all of us are as obsessed with researching real humans and cancelling them as some of you are. You are not a savior for personally attacking me for liking his book. Please find a book and an author you enjoy and put your energy toward that instead. I hope you find peace and happiness....more
Plot: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★☆ Writing: ★★★★★ Concept: ★★★★★ Vibes (can't explain this one, you just feel it): ★★★"The curtain rises. And so it begins."
Plot: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★☆ Writing: ★★★★★ Concept: ★★★★★ Vibes (can't explain this one, you just feel it): ★★★★☆
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of The Fury.
I am so impressed by Mr. Michaelides. But what's new?
If you're a thriller fan, or a Michaelides fan, this is unequivocally the book for you. Do not be fooled by the synopsis of it being about an ex-movie star. In the end, it truly does not matter one little tiny bit that anybody in the story is famous. It is not romanticizing fame and stardom. If anything, it makes me feel quite grateful to be an average, unknown individual.
The Fury is, at its core, a modern-day, wildly convoluted, slightly perverse, Agatha Christie mystery, with more twists and turns than you can ever guess. And I don't say that lightly. I have read so many thrillers that very little surprises me anymore. Well, this surprised the pants right off of me. (Yes, I did guess Major Plot Twist #1, but that matters little when Michaelides included a handful more that I never could have gotten.)
Did I like this book as much as his first two? Now, that is a fantastic question I do not have an answer to. I like them all in their own way. I think that is the best way to describe his stories. Each has their own wit, charm, and set of dynamic (often crazy) characters, and therefore, it is very difficult to compare them.
That being said, I cannot recommend this book enough. It is everything I hoped for and more. That's why I read it in about two days, as a super slow reader. I am so excited for Michaelides' next story, and I really hope he continues to put out these absolutely wonderful, meaningful thrillers.
I have no idea why I never reviewed this book on Goodreads. It's such a cute story, and I love Molly with my whole heart, even if she frustrates me atI have no idea why I never reviewed this book on Goodreads. It's such a cute story, and I love Molly with my whole heart, even if she frustrates me at times. But that's all the fun of the story! I will most definitely be tuned in to book 2 as soon as my hold comes in at the library....more
Well, that was the least mysterious mystery I've read in a while.
I can truly say there were only two characters I liked by the end: Mr. Preston and DeWell, that was the least mysterious mystery I've read in a while.
I can truly say there were only two characters I liked by the end: Mr. Preston and Detective Stark. And seeing as neither was the main character, this made for a loooooong book.
*Content Warning: Rape, described in full, from the rapist's point of view.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I could say I don't k*Content Warning: Rape, described in full, from the rapist's point of view.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I could say I don't know what it is about this book that rubs me the wrong way, but that would be a lie. And it all starts with that content warning.
As a woman, maybe that makes me a little more sensitive to how the issue of rape is depicted and described. Maybe it makes me a lot more sensitive. Regardless, the way that sexual assault was depicted in this book gave me a very icky feeling inside.
Rape is obviously a very sensitive topic and should be approached as such, and I don't at all enjoy the way that the very first rape in the book was graphically described from the perpetrator's point of view. I have no doubt that the author thought this would be a creative way to go. I personally found it gross, and it made it difficult for me to get motivated to read past the first chapter.
Beyond this issue, the writing style is very utilitarian, very straightforward, and very much like a typical crime novel. I guess this just didn't do much for me, since I think a story that focuses on rape should focus more on the victim's emotions rather than just the male policeman and how the victim loves her new boyfriend. There is more to women than the men they know!
If the author was a man, maybe I would understand this odd approach to the story, but as a fellow woman, I'm a little disappointed. Sadly, this was just not the book for me.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.
Let me begin by telling you: it reallThank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.
Let me begin by telling you: it really is a lovely book. This is a great story for anyone looking for a fairly lighthearted mystery. As a thriller reader myself, I typically look for grittier, more intense stories, but it turns out this was the perfect change of pace for me after a long line of high-anxiety reads.
One of the aspects of Penryth Hall that I particularly enjoy is the simple writing style. It makes for very easy reading, which matches the genre of--dare I say--a cozy mystery very nicely. Now, perhaps that is an incorrect genre for this story: a cozy mystery. (I wouldn't know. I don't read them.) But that is what it feels like. A fun little fall/winter mystery book you won't want to put down.
Ruby Vaughn is very much the stereotypical "quirky, not-like-the-other-girls" main character, but those traits are not played up enough for it to be a bother. She is very run of the mill, but that also means she fits into the plot seamlessly.
Also, for my fellow readers who do not like overly/plentiful/gratuitous sexual content, I am pleased to announce that there is none. Hoorah! We win!
There is just so much to enjoy here if you're looking for a light read. I would definitely recommend it. Just don't be expecting something too serious. (Might I also add, it was a delight to read a story with a cat who is always just hanging around. I find very few stories, outside of my own, where that is the case, and it honestly adds a whole start on to my review. Thank you, Jess Armstrong, for the feline rep!)
Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well, honestly, that was underwhelming.
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While I don't hate this bThank you, NetGalley, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well, honestly, that was underwhelming.
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While I don't hate this book, I don't have much good to say about it either. I am a big fan of thrillers and crime novels, which meant requesting this ARC was a no-brainer.
If you are someone who likes a cut-and-dry crime novel with very little mystery, then this may be the book for you. Unfortunately, it was a little disappointing for my taste.
Most of the story comprised of speculation by the main character about who may have committed the crime, but without any real evidence. Full chapters are filled with speculation based on imagined situations between the characters, rather than on what the MC, a cop, actually can deduce from the facts.
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My second problem with this book is the fact that the male-written female MC is so obsessed with thinking about sex (e.g. "sex is always the motive," "i don't have real relationships, just random sex," "this person's sexuality must have something to do with the murders"). And this stuff is mentioned over and over and over.
Then, there is the (also female) best friend whose only personality traits are physically clinging to her husband and making crude sexual jokes. Are there women like this out there? Of course! But certainly not every one. And the fact that a man is portraying the only important women in the story in this fashion gives me an indescribable amount of ick.
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Finally, and most upsetting for me, is the lackluster ending. We find out the killer way too early, and then there is no twist, just a painfully long chase and an explanation that I don't really care about at all.
I really wanted to like this. I really want to like every book I read. I don't read to hate, but this was not at all my cup of tea. I wish better luck upon my fellow readers.
What does Riley Sager lace his books with? Because I am addicted.
This is easily my most entrancing, unputdownable read of 2023. I simply cannot geWhat does Riley Sager lace his books with? Because I am addicted.
This is easily my most entrancing, unputdownable read of 2023. I simply cannot get enough.
I am a thriller girl, through and through, and even more than that, I am a Riley Sager girl. When I saw he had a new book on the way, I put myself on the library hold list (poor person problems). And I was very first in line.
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As it turns out, the library created a new listing for it and didn't move my name to the new listing so here I am, reading this book a wee bit (over three months) late. That being said, the library confusion was well worth it. The Only One Left exceeded my expectations in so many ways.
First, there is the crafting of the female MC, often a struggle, even more often a struggle for male authors. This is one of the areas where I am most impressed with Sager's handiwork. Not only does he write a believable woman, a realistic woman...
He writes a compelling one. I found myself rooting for Kit even when I didn't agree with her, even when I thought she was a little stupid, even when she was frustrating me. I still rooted for her, because she felt so real and possessed that oft-missed quality in main character's that makes me want them to win their battles. That is pure genius-level writing.
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Next is the juicy part of the story--the plot, the action, and the mystery. Which in this particular book was absolutely mind-boggling. To say my jaw is on the floor would be an understatement. I began this book expecting to be surprised. After I guessed two of the smaller twists, I felt briefly disappointed. After I guessed a third, this one being a major twist, I entered a low level of despair, fearing this may be the end of the Riley Sager I've come to know and love, the one who writes plot twists that send me reeling.
Fortunately, the next twist, and the one after that, and the one after that, were absolute shocks to the system. Like totally unguessable. By the end, I had to shut the book, stare at the ceiling, and process everything I had just (mentally) witnessed. What a wild ride.
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Needless to say, this is very easily my favorite Riley Sager book, and one of the absolute best thrillers I have ever read. I am so impressed by Sager's story-writing and his seemingly endless imagination, with twists and turns galore. He keeps my thriller girl heart so happy.
It's been a little while since I've read a thriller I like this much. From the charismatic MC, to the twists, to the ending of the story, I was enthraIt's been a little while since I've read a thriller I like this much. From the charismatic MC, to the twists, to the ending of the story, I was enthralled.
I am a thriller lover, through and through, and though I am not very particular about which thrillers I will pick up, I am very particular about which ones I rate five stars. From the very first page, Willingham had my attention and never lost it. She represented physical and mental issues in a respectful and meaningful way. This book is more than just a mystery and a sequence of crazy twists, though it included all of that and more. It is also a think piece on motherhood, the good and the bad.
As I mentioned in (I believe) my Circe review, there are very few characters that I enjoy more than well-written, compelling mothers. They are not always included in fiction, especially in thrillers, unless they are only there to serve as a one-dimensional villain. Without spoiling anything, I can say that I loved the way the mothers were portrayed in All the Dangerous Things. I think it brings a new light to women who have never had children of their own, and overall, I just think it's a brilliantly executed story.
Let me put this simply: it is even better than The Silent Patient.
Michaelides' debut novel was not perfect but a good read for me, until the very endiLet me put this simply: it is even better than The Silent Patient.
Michaelides' debut novel was not perfect but a good read for me, until the very ending, where I was absolutely stunned and impressed and decided I must give him a second chance. Thank goodness for that!
The Maidens is the perfect story for your average thriller fan, but it offers so much more than the average thriller book. With a suspicious cast of characters, an even cleverer ending than I expected, and a trail of confusing clues throughout, I can easily say this is my favorite of Michaelides' works thus far.
There is something so disturbingly, satisfyingly, horribly, beautifully wrong about this whole book, and I adored it. What an actual thrilling story. There is something so disturbingly, satisfyingly, horribly, beautifully wrong about this whole book, and I adored it. What an actual thrilling story. This is what the thriller genre should be all about.
The combination of multiple POVs and writing styles (first person and diary entries) kept the pace flowing, even though it wasn't a particularly short read. Amy's character drew me in instantly and kept my attention throughout. (I am an avid Nick Anti. What an icky guy.)
Gillian Flynn is truly a literary genius. She writes (or at least wrote, at the time) without an outline. She says it is messier and takes longer, but in the end, it lets the characters grow into themselves and lets the plot flow where it should. Genius, I tell you. I've never heard any renowned author say that their style does not include an outline, so that alone is impressive. But to not outline and then produce something this good? I am floored. (I am also biased because this is how I write my own stories.)
Please, please give me more Amy Dunne content. She is toxic and scary and brilliant and a masterpiece of modern literature.
With a large cast of fascinating characters and an equally intriguing plot to match, Death on the Nile is the perfect mystery. I am a longtime fan of With a large cast of fascinating characters and an equally intriguing plot to match, Death on the Nile is the perfect mystery. I am a longtime fan of Agatha Christie, particularly her Hercule Poirot series, and she truly outdid herself with this one.
It is a rare moment as of late that I enjoy all the female characters in a book, but this book did it for me. From Jackie to Cornelia to Rosalie, I adored the women of Death on the Nile. That's not to say the men were disappointing. In fact, they (nearly) lived up to the women, every one of them. I'm just a bit surprised sometimes to see fictional men and women written so well. It's refreshing!
On to the story, and mystery, itself, I absolutely loved it. I had my mind entirely made up on who it was about 5 times, one of which was actually correct but I had no idea at the time. Instead, I kept guessing, sure I was wrong. But that's the norm with me. On the rare occasion I figure out a mystery for myself, I second guess it, and then choose the wrong person. A very, very wrong person.
For fans of mysteries that are nearly impossible to put down, this is the book for you.
(Also, complete side note, but I'm pretty sure I read this when I was younger and totally forgot I had. It seemed a tad bit familiar to me at times, but I truly remember nothing else of my middle school experience, so who knows?)
Note: Save your money and do not buy the pretty copy below. It is riddled with errors that didn't exist in earlier editions of the book.
As in many, many instances of misspelled words, no spaces where there should be spaces, and quotation marks missing in almost every chapter.
I don't know how this happened, but please do not spend money on an attractive edition of the book when the publishing company utterly butchered Agatha Christie's work.
The offender:
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If you're looking for a correct copy, I know the one below is good. Honestly, I would venture to assume most older editions stick to the original source material. I'll choose ugly covers and accurate material any day.
With a thrilling plot and a compelling cast of characters, The New Neighbor earns an easy five stars from me.
What is it that I love so much about it? With a thrilling plot and a compelling cast of characters, The New Neighbor earns an easy five stars from me.
What is it that I love so much about it? Um, everything, I think, but let's get a little more specific.
The writing is wonderful, not fanciful. The language isn't showy and over the top. It is written in the exact way a thriller should be written: straightforward but with emotion, compelling but with pauses in the action to help us understand our characters. It gives me somewhat the same feel as Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's joint writing style, though that may just be because I adore all of their writing so fully.
Beyond strictly the writing, I enjoyed the way the characters were crafted. Suspicion fell on almost everyone without the author being too blunt and obvious about who should or shouldn't be branded a villain until nearer the end. I also cared deeply for the main character, and found myself rooting for her throughout her every move. I really connected with her in a way that isn't always easy for me to do.
Though there are elements of The New Neighbor that are very much CIA- and FBI-based, I wasn't confused at all. Cleveland made it all easy to understand, without feeling as though she was talking down to me (a mere mortal who doesn't understand governmental agency procedures).
I also have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by the pro-America theme to this story. There was much talk, and thought, regarding the importance of people in these high-level government positions being unwavering in their faith to their country, and how disastrous things can get when there are traitors among them. The main character also swore allegiance to her country, first and foremost, her friendships coming second to her most important task: keeping America and Americans safe. I absolutely love this, because it's something I rarely see in books lately, so it adds a whole new depth to the story that most today simply do not possess. Yay for innovative ideas!
Bravo, Karen Cleveland. You've written a lovely novel. Please don't ever stop writing.
After reading this masterful thriller, it's hard for me to believe I ever assigned a Ruth Ware book to my DNF pile. The Turn of the Key is nothing lesAfter reading this masterful thriller, it's hard for me to believe I ever assigned a Ruth Ware book to my DNF pile. The Turn of the Key is nothing less than an exhilarating mystery wrapped up in a unique form of storytelling I don't believe I've ever seen done exactly like this before.
The characters are well crafted, particularly the main character, and I enjoyed the way each of them wove together. I even found the little girls' personalities and actions to ring true to their ages, which was a pleasant touch, though I had a difficult time connecting with any of the children.
The plot itself is, in a word, spectacular. There is nothing I love more than a truly creepy thriller, and this one had me huddled under more covers than I needed, hoping to keep the ceiling monsters at bay. One of my only real complaints is that I saw part of the conclusion coming from a mile away. I suspect this is only because I read too many of this type of thriller, so I'm bound to get smart at some point, right?
However, I have to be fair and note that I did not at all see a second part of the end coming. Meaning the end end. The final few pages threw me for a loop when I realized not what happened at Heatherbrae, but what happened to the main character by the end of the story. I had to just sit there and think for a while. I adore stories that make me sit and think after I'm done.
All in all, I'm a big fan, and it's definitely a good one for all my ladies (and gents) out there who enjoy thrillers starring a 30-something woman as its MC. This is another superb book made for us, and let me tell you, it deserves our appreciation!
I listened to the You Are Not Alone audiobook, and wow, am I impressed. A couple months back, I happened to pick up a copy of The W5 stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to the You Are Not Alone audiobook, and wow, am I impressed. A couple months back, I happened to pick up a copy of The Wife Between Us, penned by the same two women, and absolutely adored it. Truthfully, this one is even better.
I am generally a big fan of the gigantic sector of thrillers surrounding thirty-something-year-old women getting caught up in creepy situations they have to dig their way out of. I used to read them a lot, but I took a break and now I’m back. Though it’s a huge segment of the genre, I tend to shy away from the books that follow the story of an eternally drunk MC. Barf. That might be one of the reasons why I like this story so much. Shay, our rather delightful MC, goes through this entirely crazy storyline without being bombed at all times.
Which leads me into something else I adored about our MC. She actually made me like her, right off the bat. I genuinely cared for Shay and her well being, and as you may know if you have read my reviews in the past, developing feelings for at least some of the characters in the story is vital to my enjoyment of a book. But nothing compares to having a well-written main character. That is almost an instant good rating from me, and this story is no exception.
I sympathized with Shay on so many levels: her quest to fill her life with trustworthy people; her happiness after meeting her new friends, the Moore sisters; her digging just a tiny bit too deep into a person’s story that interests her. But let’s be honest… We’ve all engaged in a bit of social media stalking at one point or another. Hopefully not to the level the You Are Not Alone characters did. Not scary level. Just a bit.
Then, there is the lack of romance in the plot, a massive win for me. Couples are cute and all, but every once in a while what I can really use is a convoluted stalker-murder mystery. Which brings me to my next point: everybody’s least favorite book boyfriend. Joe Goldberg.
Deep down, You Are Not Alone certainly has a bit of You vibe, what with all the over-the-top following, stalking, and intermittent deaths. If you want to see those aspects of You played out with a female-filled cast, then definitely go for this book. But please be advised, you’re not going to get any romantic side of the story like with You.
It’s every bit as creepy though, just in a different way. I had chills until the very end and then some. The resolution is truly something to behold. I never would have guessed it, yet it’s not an absolutely crazy leap in logic. It makes perfect sense, and it blew my mind.
Soooo close to being a 5/5. Just a centimeter away, so since we can't do half stars here, it gets the full honor. I also read You Are Not Alone bySoooo close to being a 5/5. Just a centimeter away, so since we can't do half stars here, it gets the full honor. I also read You Are Not Alone by the same authors. That's an easy 5/5....more
Update #2:Better Luck This Time is officially available in paperback and Kindle today!
Thank you for the support. I love you guys!
Update #1: I can't bUpdate #2:Better Luck This Time is officially available in paperback and Kindle today!
Thank you for the support. I love you guys!
Update #1: I can't believe it's already coming tomorrow.
I am so excited to announce the (near) arrival of my new book, and sequel to The Half Theft. The second installation to The Half Theft duology premieres on October 1st. Be the first to experience the epic conclusion to the fight for Collinswood.
Preorder the Kindle edition of Better Luck This Time on Amazon today, or order your paperback copy on October 1st.
If you're asking yourself the logical question right now--why did Brooke rate her own book five stars?-- you are more than valid for that.
The reason iIf you're asking yourself the logical question right now--why did Brooke rate her own book five stars?-- you are more than valid for that.
The reason is not because I think it is the best book ever written, without any errors or pieces that could be improved. There are very few books in the world that I would consider "perfect," and mine is definitely not one of those.
However, with that being said, I poured my entire heart and soul into this story. I created a world that helped me find happiness and peace when I needed it most in my own life. I crafted characters that I hope will bring even just one of you the same kind of joy they have brought me with their goofy, occasionally life-threatening shenanigans.
And I think, at their core, every story that is built on love and commitment, and years of energy and dedication, is a five-star story in its own right. (Or at least I think it should be.)
(There is also just no way I would publish anything for the whole world to see that I didn't think was some of my very finest work.)
I love each and every one of you who has reviewed my book on here or on Amazon, and even those who may not have left a review but who have messaged me about The Half Theft. Your messages, no matter how small, no matter how simple, mean a lot more to me than you know. Thank you for giving me the confidence to continue my writing endeavors. There just might be another story coming from me in the near future... and it's a very different type of book than you've seen from me before.
Thank you for everything. Truly. Many virtual hugs and kisses to each of you.
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