Between this and Bunny, Mona Awad is one of my new favorite writers. Her books have a surreal, dreamlike quality to them that's intoxicating. Did the Between this and Bunny, Mona Awad is one of my new favorite writers. Her books have a surreal, dreamlike quality to them that's intoxicating. Did the events of this story actually happen or are they all just in Miranda's mind? Maybe a little of both? Who knows, but that's half the fun....more
The Graveyard Apartment is a creepy and unsettling exploration of the consequences of disrespecting the dead. This is a slow burn that explores the muThe Graveyard Apartment is a creepy and unsettling exploration of the consequences of disrespecting the dead. This is a slow burn that explores the mundane lives of the Kano family and the gradually unfolding nightmare that encompasses them. Did they deserve their fates? Based on their blatant disregard for the dead, I'd say they did.
This book has low rating, however, it could be because it deals with Japanese views of death, which vary from those of Western culture. In Japan, death is considered "unclean" and pollutes the living. Therefore, living near a graveyard or a home in which someone has died would invite in negative energy. Knowing that going in helps to understand the relevancy of the tabooed graveyard apartment. Additionally, honoring the deceased is a large part of Japanese culture. The land of the dead in Japanese culture is another realm not far from our own and, according to traditional Japanese beliefs, the spirits of the dead are always nearby. Understanding Japanese culture going in helps the reader understand why this book is such effective horror.
If you're into J-horror, this is a gem. If you're into haunted houses/ghosts/other culture's view on death, then I suggest this book. ...more
A deserted island, a vicious storm, a murderer amongst friends. That sounds like a book right up my alley! I love locked-room style mysteries, and thiA deserted island, a vicious storm, a murderer amongst friends. That sounds like a book right up my alley! I love locked-room style mysteries, and this one did not disappoint.
Six friends reunite for a fun weekend of abseiling and rock climbing on Shell Island. Unfortunately for them, things start to go wrong from the beginning when one friend gets hurt in a fall. Things go from bad to worse when they realize the radio is broken and a storm is threatening to cut them off from the mainland. Is someone intentionally sabotaging their trip? The higher the stakes, the more the friends start to turn on each other and reveal their real reasons for escaping to this island. A lot of secrets-and blood-will be spilled before this weekend is over.
This book was so much fun to read! There are six characters, which can get confusing, but they all had distinctive personalities and agendas that made them easy to distinguish. And they all had motive, which made it interesting in trying to determine which one was the murderer. There was also some really funny one-liners throughout the book that added some comic relieve. For example: "I'm pretty sure this is a hospital. I mean, if it's not, I've got queries...about the catheter, in particular." Maybe it's just my weird sense of humor, but this book had me cracking up a few times. Additionally, I enjoyed the ending. It was a bit ambiguous, which left me thinking about this book long after I had finished it.
If your a fan of locked-room mysteries, definitely give this one a read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
What did I just read?! I don't even know how to properly process all of this.
Alice Feeney just keeps proving herself to be the master of the twist. TWhat did I just read?! I don't even know how to properly process all of this.
Alice Feeney just keeps proving herself to be the master of the twist. The misdirection, unreliability of the narrative and ending just blew my mind. I don't even know what else to say other than: Read. This. Book. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, you won't be disappointed. ...more
I was browsing the bookshelves at Walmart when I happened upon this book. I liked the cover art and the premise sounded intriguing so I decided to givI was browsing the bookshelves at Walmart when I happened upon this book. I liked the cover art and the premise sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did! I really enjoyed this one. It was an interesting and suspense YA novel that was fast to get through and had an ending that left me satisfied. There were several pretty cool twists. One was kind of outside of the realm of believability, but it was fun and I enjoyed it.
This was reminiscent of some of the Lois Duncan books I used to enjoy as a teenage. I'd definitely be interested in reading more by this writer. ...more
I'm a sucker for a good haunted house story, and this is a GOOD haunted house story! The all-consuming nature of the sand, the shapeshifting elementalI'm a sucker for a good haunted house story, and this is a GOOD haunted house story! The all-consuming nature of the sand, the shapeshifting elementals, the deeply-rooted Southern superstitions, the interesting (to say the least) family dynamic. It's all so creepy and unsettling. It's ambiguous and weird. It's highly original.
I recommend giving this a read if you're a fan of Southern Gothic literature, the haunted house troupe or just a horror fan in general. ...more
Right from the beginning, the synopsis of this novel had me super intrigued. It reminded of a horror movie trilogy- Playing With Dolls-where a killer iRight from the beginning, the synopsis of this novel had me super intrigued. It reminded of a horror movie trilogy- Playing With Dolls-where a killer is intentionally released I'm order to wreak havoc and murder unsuspecting victims while the director sits back and watches it all unfold. (These movies are very low budget horror trash, so of course I love them lol).
While Shutter isn't completely like that, it's also not completely unlike that. Betty Roux is thrust into a situation where she will be in a movie, but can't know anything about the plot. Super sketchy! But the director is extremely charismatic, and she's soon seduced by his charms and by the chance to reinvent herself after a tragic loss.
While this book isn't something that everyone will love (just like my questionable taste in movies), I loved it! The grief, unease and sense of terror is palpable throughout. And it raises some interesting questions regarding identity.
If you're interested in unconventional storylines, horror, and/or the creative process of movie making I say give this a read....more
Historical gothic literature meets psychological thriller in this beautifully written novel. Both the past and present narratives are intricately writHistorical gothic literature meets psychological thriller in this beautifully written novel. Both the past and present narratives are intricately written and intriguing. The characters are complex, sympathetic and realistic in their flaws and regrets. They are people haunted-not by a house- but by the ghosts of their mistakes.
This is the first book I've read by Eliza Maxwell, but I'm certainly going to check out her other work....more
Ivy Hill is hellbent on ruining the life of the woman who ruined hers. The problem is, she's not the only one who's hungry for revenge, and her plan fIvy Hill is hellbent on ruining the life of the woman who ruined hers. The problem is, she's not the only one who's hungry for revenge, and her plan for vengeance may be her ultimate undoing.
This is a twisted revenge tale that kept me captivated from beginning to end. The characters were fascinating and, the more the story progressed, the more invested and interested in them I became. The conclusion was also unexpected, twisted and just so perfect!
I really did enjoy this book so much and highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers and stories of revenge gone wrong....more
This is a juicy tale full of scandalizing behavior, hotties with guns and more alcohol than an ABC store. But make no mistake, this is also a smartly This is a juicy tale full of scandalizing behavior, hotties with guns and more alcohol than an ABC store. But make no mistake, this is also a smartly written thrill ride with characters that are complex, damaged and uncomfortably relatable in their self sabotage.
I recommend this book for fans of domestic thrillers, Desperate Housewives and/or salacious narratives.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I finished reading this book a week ago, but just now found the time to do a book review :P So here it goes....
This is the obsessive stalker story I wI finished reading this book a week ago, but just now found the time to do a book review :P So here it goes....
This is the obsessive stalker story I was looking for! Sera is obsessed with true crime podcast. Which is why she makes it her personal mission to find out what happened when her favorite podcaster, Rachel, mysteriously disappears. Sera is an unstable, desperate and determined character that was so well developed and kept me intrigued from start to finish.
There are a lot of low ratings for this book and it does have an overall low score. I love this book! But I get the rating. This isn't a book for everyone, much like David Lynch isn't for everyone (despite him being one of my favorite directors). Why did I bring up David Lynch? Because this book gave me some major 'Twin Peaks' vibes. Did anyone else feel that way or is it just me? Either way, this was one heck of a ride, and I loved every minute of it! There are so many suspicious and interesting characters. The isolated ranch and backwoods town created a great atmosphere. The ending was super unconventional (which I love but others might hate). ...more
I love a good villain, and Teddy Crutcher is a GOOD villain! He's despicable, intelligent, capable and able to easily justify everything he's doing. II love a good villain, and Teddy Crutcher is a GOOD villain! He's despicable, intelligent, capable and able to easily justify everything he's doing. In short, Ms. Downing knows how to perfectly craft a psychopath.
This is one of those book that was so good, I didn't want it to end because I never wanted to stop reading about these characters. This is a top tier psychological thriller, and I highly recommend....more
As a true crime fan, I've long been fascinated and intrigued with the mysterious Belle Gunness. Despite her dark legacy, not much is known about BelleAs a true crime fan, I've long been fascinated and intrigued with the mysterious Belle Gunness. Despite her dark legacy, not much is known about Belle's early years, suspicious death and motivation for murder. Camilla Bruce takes what we do known and weaves a chilling and realistic fictionalized account of the Widow of La Porte.
Equally chilling and realistic is Bruce's portrayal of the treatment of women in the 19th century. Belle's disdain for men, love of money and desire for independence no doubt lead to her crimes. Was it the time in which Belle was born where women had few rights and were shown little respect that provoked her to do the things she did? If Belle was a woman in today's society, I wonder how much different her path would have been.
This is an incredible, intricately crafted and thought provoking book. I love a book that makes me think long after I'm finished, and this one has my mind reeling. There is one main question at the forefront of my mind: Was Belle truly evil or was she a product of her time?
Highly recommend for fans of true crime and/or historical fiction. ...more
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