3.0 Stars I'm always looking to try more translated thrillers so I was intrigued by this one. The story introduces a messed up serial killer that grabb3.0 Stars I'm always looking to try more translated thrillers so I was intrigued by this one. The story introduces a messed up serial killer that grabbed my attention at the start. Unfortunately I found the narrative style to be quite cumbersome which ended up diminishing my enjoyment. It ended up being an average serial killer mystery that was ultimately forgettable....more
3.5 Stars This is my first time reading Agatha Christie and perhaps not the best place to start. I enjoyed the Halloween setting but I did not find the3.5 Stars This is my first time reading Agatha Christie and perhaps not the best place to start. I enjoyed the Halloween setting but I did not find the mystery to be quite as compelling as the setting itself. I really enjoyed the coziness of this mystery novel....more
4.0 Stars I have been a huge fan of the long running Kate Burkholder mystery series so I was dying to read this latest volume. Thankfully this latest b4.0 Stars I have been a huge fan of the long running Kate Burkholder mystery series so I was dying to read this latest volume. Thankfully this latest book completely lived up to my expectations.
Technically readers could start here but they will get so much more out of the character interactions if they follow them back from the beginning. It is great to see how far they have come.
As for the mystery, I thought it was solid. I really liked how dark the setup was, which felt more reminiscent of the earlier books. Parts of the plot were guessable but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars This is an exciting pageturner that kicks off from the first chapter and doesn't stop. It was an easy thriller but I didn't find it particula3.0 Stars This is an exciting pageturner that kicks off from the first chapter and doesn't stop. It was an easy thriller but I didn't find it particularly memorable. It's the kind of book I would recommend for a slumpy mood....more
3.0 Stars This is one of those action packed thriller that would make a good pageturner when you are in a reading slump. It was an easy read but the ki3.0 Stars This is one of those action packed thriller that would make a good pageturner when you are in a reading slump. It was an easy read but the kind I couldn't analyze too closely without seeing the glaring plot holes and problematic elements. It's kinda fun if you don't take it too seriously. I will note that it deals with dark subject matter so this one won't be for everyone....more
This book is compared to the works of Bret Easton Ellis, who has become one of my favourite authors. I can certainly see why. This novel captures a particular time period through the lense of privileged characters.
On a surface level, the comparison is there, but this novel falls short in terms of its execution. My biggest issue was the writing. I was hoping for a biting tight narrative and instead found weaker prose, filled with amatuer dialog.
Also I found the characters to be flat. I was fully expecting unlikeable characters so that was no issue, but I wanted them to be interesting.
The premise had so much potential but unfortunately I had a rough time with this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
2.5 Stars I find the topic of when “falling in love” with incarcerated serial killers to be mind boggling and thus fascinating. However I realized that2.5 Stars I find the topic of when “falling in love” with incarcerated serial killers to be mind boggling and thus fascinating. However I realized that this book is not dealing with those psychological aspects. Which is fine.
My challenge is that this book is all build with a punchline that deflates the hold build. I don't want to spoil the ending but I would argue that the ending spoils the book. It was a letdown which made this cutting topic, flat and soft.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was such an enjoyable thriller. I loved that it played with themes of body positivity and toxic diet/fitness culture. I am already passi4.0 Stars This was such an enjoyable thriller. I loved that it played with themes of body positivity and toxic diet/fitness culture. I am already passionate about these topics but I loved how the author played with these ideas, weaving them brilliantly into a smart, twisty novel.
I would highly recommend this novel to people who are interested in these themes or are simply looking for a fun new novel.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher of the story....more
As someone who loves morally gray characters who make decisions based off their own personal codes.
This was an enjoyable if not familiar twist on the female serial character. As someone who only targeted ‘bad men” she was quite easy to like and cheer for. This story perhaps felt a bit longer than necessary given the simplicity of the plot but overall I had a good time with it.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as the first book in this companion series but I found it more compelling than the second book. It's ju3.5 Stars
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as the first book in this companion series but I found it more compelling than the second book. It's just so easy to understand the fear and worry of a mother....more
This was such an engrossing coming of age horror thriller novel.
It's such a wonderful experience when I get to pick up a book blind. The setup was compelling and immediately hooked me in.
The best aspect of the story is the character work. I found myself completely invested in this young man. I thought the author did a great job depicting the challenges of growing up. In fact, this book felt reminiscent of the work of Stephen King.
I would highly recommend this one to readers who want an emotional coming of age story filled with the heartfelt pain of growing up....more
3.0 Stars I loved the first book but struggled with this follow up novel. I found the premise objectively interesting but somehow the actual narrative 3.0 Stars I loved the first book but struggled with this follow up novel. I found the premise objectively interesting but somehow the actual narrative wasn't as compelling as I wanted it to be....more
2.5 Stars This was a pretty standard action packed thriller. It was an easy pageturner but it didn't provide much new or interesting twists. I would on2.5 Stars This was a pretty standard action packed thriller. It was an easy pageturner but it didn't provide much new or interesting twists. I would only recommend to readers looking for this kind of tropey narrative.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
I adored Ace of Spades by the same author so I was eager to read this new release. The premise was arguably quite similar but I didn't mind. I was fine to read more of the same.
However this one started awfully slow and took a long time to get going. Unlike the author's debut, this one lacked the early juicy hook. Instead I had to push through for the sake of this review.
Thankfully the story ended really strong and I was ultimately glad I waited it out. The story had some more serious subject matter than Ace of Spades which landed to a more serious tone and less juicy.
I would definitely read whatever the author writes next and will likely reread Ace of Spades in the meantime.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
3.0 Stars As someone fascinated by the infamous cases of Ted Bundy's crimes, I was immediately interested when I learned about this thriller. In concep3.0 Stars As someone fascinated by the infamous cases of Ted Bundy's crimes, I was immediately interested when I learned about this thriller. In concept, I thought the focus on the victim, versus the villain, was a good choice.
In execution, I regrettably found this narrative so dry. The characters all felt incredibly flat. They experience horrible tragedy but the narrative did not evoke enough emotion.
I am disappointed because this story should have been so easy for me to love....more
3.5 Stars This is the kind of young adult mystery that I would have absolutely loved as a teenager. Even though I was reading it for the first time, I 3.5 Stars This is the kind of young adult mystery that I would have absolutely loved as a teenager. Even though I was reading it for the first time, I felt nostalgic for this story as I was reading.
I love mysteries centered around a kidnapping and this one very much captured my attention. I was very invested and wanted to know what happened to this young woman.
As for the Investigators, I really liked them. They were the kind of gumshoe amatuer detectives that I love in these novels. I physically read the books but I suspect the podcast parts would be really fun to listen to via the audiobook version.
I would recommend this YA Mystery for anyone who loves these kinds of stories.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
2.5 Stars After enjoying the first book in this series, I was excited to continue onto the newest release. I enjoyed being back with the same detective2.5 Stars After enjoying the first book in this series, I was excited to continue onto the newest release. I enjoyed being back with the same detective pair.
However, I found the particular plot choice to be a limited one. Either it's the sister, or it's not. I've seen the setup many times and it always seems predictable because the plot can only go in two directions.
I would still recommend the first book in this mystery series. Missing Clarissa was much more compelling.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This was such an engaging start to a thriller series. I have read this author several times before and find Armstrong to be such a good story4.0 Stars This was such an engaging start to a thriller series. I have read this author several times before and find Armstrong to be such a good storyteller. I loved the premise and really enjoyed the Yukon setting. I will definitely continue with this series....more
I enjoyed this author's previous novels but I was pleased to find that the author deviated from the usual formula to write something new.
However, given the title and synopsis, I expected a punchier novel with more action. The story was more character focused, revolving around the relationship between these newlyweds.
I liked this story, but it wasn't the exciting pageturner I was craving.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)
>
Books:
mystery-thriller
(359)
Loading...
