Tag Archives: Thriller

Review: Good Half Gone

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Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Graydon House
Pub Date: 3/19/2024

Thank you to Graydon House & Harper Audio for the free copy on NetGalley & LibroFM in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iris, having narrowly avoided the tragic fate of her kidnapped and trafficked twin sister, seeks proof of what happened to her by interning at the creepy Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane. She quickly discovers that the hospital harbors deep, sinister secrets, realizing the danger extends beyond its patients and into the very essence of the institution itself.

Tarryn Fisher’s books can be hit or miss for me, and, unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. The beginning of the book started strong, capturing my interest with its intriguing storyline. However, I guessed the major twist early on which was a disappointment. I hoped the journey towards this twist would keep me engaged, but I found Iris, especially her present-day portrayal, to be boring. The segments showing her as a teenager were more interesting to read. I felt the story lacked the suspense needed to make the predictable twist compelling. I ended up rating this three stars because even though I finished this book in a day, I found the overall story to just be okay.

Review: Murder Road

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Murder Road by Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 3/5/2024

Thank you to PRH Audio & Berkley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Newlyweds April and Eddie inadvertently become suspects in a series of unexplained murders after picking up a dying hitchhiker along Atticus Line during their honeymoon. Their efforts to clear their names uncover the town’s dark, sinister secrets, threatening to engulf them in its ominous history.

I’ve always been a fan of Simone St. James’ thrillers so I was excited to hear about her upcoming release. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me and I wish I DNF’d it. While the premise seemed intriguing at first, the story ultimately proved forgettable. The protagonists, April and Eddie, came across as both irritating and dull, with their motivation for investigating the murders in the small town feeling weak and unconvincing. Additionally, many of the plot twists were predictable. I was particularly disappointed by the paranormal elements in this book, which, unlike in St. James’ previous works, failed to add any depth or eerie atmosphere to the story. This isn’t a book I would recommend. If you decide to give it a try, I suggest keeping your expectations low.

Review: The Princess of Las Vegas

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The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian
Publisher: Doubleday
Pub Date: 3/19/2024

Thank you to Doubleday & PRH Audio for the free copies in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian, Crissy Dowling, who impersonates Princess Diana, sees her life in Las Vegas turn upside down when her sister arrives and a murder occurs, pulling her into a world of crime, secrets, and cryptocurrency.

I love Chris Bohjalian’s work so I was excited to hear that he was coming out with a new thriller. I was a bit hesitant on how I’d feel about this since I’m not a fan of the royals. I was pleasantly surprised the plot proved captivating and consistently held my attention. However, there was way too much talk about crypto currency. I liked the alternating perspectives between the sisters added depth, and their involvement in the murder mysteries kept me thoroughly engaged Setting the story against the vibrant backdrop of Las Vegas effectively turned the location into a character in its own right. Overall, I’d recommend this if you like slow burn thrillers!

Review: Almost Surely Dead

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Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar
Publisher: Mindy’s Book Studio (Amazon Publishing)
Pub Date: 2/1/2024

This was my January Amazon First Reads pick

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar tells the story of Dunia Ahmed, a New York pharmacist coping with personal tragedies, who becomes the center of a true crime podcast after her mysterious disappearance. As she deals with murder attempts on her life and police suspicion of those close to her, Dunia’s reality blurs with childhood superstitions, leading her to believe that a malevolent force is targeting her.

Having enjoyed Amina Akhtar’s previous works, #fashionvictim and Kissmet, I was thrilled to discover her latest thriller, Almost Surely Dead, released under Mindy’s Book Studios. The narrative is told through three distinct perspectives: Dunia’s experiences from a year or two prior, the podcast’s viewpoint, and Dunia’s memories from when she was five years old. A highlight of the book is its exploration of jinn and Pakistani culture, offering insightful perspectives on these beliefs. The podcast hosts, intriguingly flawed, exhibit subtle racism and a penchant for gaslighting their guests, embodying the antithesis of ideal hosts with their overt commercial focus. Dunia’s character and her interactions with those around her are fascinating along with the extremely horrifying methods at attempts on her life. Though the culprits were easily predictable which had me reduce a star, the integration of jinn into the storyline was chillingly effective which added a haunting and terrifying layer that resonated deeply. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one if you’re looking for an entertaining and spine-tingling thriller!

Review: The Fury

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The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Publisher: Celadon Books
Pub Date: 1/16/2024

Thank you to Celadon Books & Macmillan Audio for the free copies in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In The Fury, Lana Farrah, a ex-movie star, invites her closest friends to her private Greek island for Easter, leading to a a fateful night of revenge, a game of cat and mouse, and murder. The story is told through the unreliable narrator, Elliot Chase, who reveals secrets, unexpected twists, and betrayal.

I was super excited to hear that Alex Michaelides was coming out with a new book since I enjoyed The Silent Patient. The Fury was an entertaining read that I was able to finish in less than two days. The beginning is intriguing and sets the stage of the murder. Throughout the story, Elliot explains all the backstories of all the suspects and how they are related to each other. I also like that the book is broken out in acts like a play. The way the twists and secrets are revealed kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a couple of twists that I predicted but the way it was written kept me engaged. I found the middle to be a bit slower, but the last act made up for it. As for the audiobook, Alex Jennings did a great job bringing the story to life and had the perfect voice for Elliot. I recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a lighthearted, slow burn entertaining thriller.

Review: Starling House

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Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Publisher: Tor
Pub Date: 10/3/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Starling House was my October @bookofthemonth pick and is also #reesesbookclub October pick.

In the dying town of Eden, there’s a spooky house known for a vanished author, E. Starling, and his heir, Arthur. Opal takes a job there to help her brother, but the house starts feeling like home. As dark forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur must decide whether to unearth long-buried secrets or let Eden succumb to literal nightmares if they want to secure their newfound home.

I was initially drawn in by the intriguing premise of the book. I liked the illustrations scattered throughout the book and wished there were more of them. I found the choice to use first person for Opal and third person for Arthur to be a bit odd. Opal and Arthur came across as more juvenile than I expected for characters in their 20s, and their development felt somewhat flat. The footnotes in the story didn’t seem to have a clear purpose especially since they were abundant at the beginning but disappeared as the story progressed. The pacing was also off, with a very slow start, and it took a while to learn about the history of the house, which was a bit frustrating. Additionally, the book’s genre was a bit confusing—it didn’t fit neatly into a thriller or horror category, but I suppose it falls under contemporary fiction with elements of magical realism. Overall, this book wasn’t for me.

Review: Happiness Falls

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Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Pub Date: 8/29/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim begins with a family’s calm response to their father’s disappearance, gradually revealing their intricate dynamics and deep secrets. As the investigation unfolds and family bonds are tested, the story becomes a gripping mystery intertwined with themes of love, race, and human connection.

Happiness Falls was my August @bookofthemonthpick and it’s #OCBooksandBrunch September pick! I was really excited to dive into Happiness Falls especially since Miracle Creek had been one of my favorite reads. While I found the book to be fascinating, it didn’t capture my heart in the same way as Miracle Creek did. The seemingly simple premise turned out to be much more complex and I enjoyed the character-driven, slow-burning nature of the story. I was particularly intrigued by the author’s sensitive portrayal of nonverbal conditions and learning disabilities which was both caring and easy to grasp. The story is told through Mia, a 20-year-old, which didn’t quite work for me. I found Mia’s behavior to be somewhat juvenile for her age which distracted me from fully engaging with the story. I think I was also anticipating multiple points of view like in Miracle Creek. I thought it would have been interesting to delve into the perspectives of Mia’s mom or the deceive to add more depth into the narrative for Happiness Falls. Overall, I gave the book a solid 4 stars. If you’re a fan of family sagas or literary thrillers, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Review: Dark Corners

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Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 8/8/2023

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the free audiobook copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she’s been kidnapped—or worse. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him in the first place?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel Krall goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal.

When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krell herself. Suddenly a target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

Review: Terence Bailey, a soon-to-be-released convict suspected of multiple murders, receives a surprise visit from influential social media star Maddison Logan. After Maddison vanishes, the FBI turns to journalist Rachel Krall for help, leading her to delve into a perilous world of online rivalry and the dark secrets of an obsessed killer lurking on the internet. Dark Corners is the second book in the Rachel Krall series and this can be read as a stand-alone. I loved The Night Swim so I was excited that we get to follow Rachel on a new investigation. Surprisingly, Dark Corners took a slower pace than I had anticipated. Nevertheless, I found the different perspectives captivating. Rachel, her podcast, and Thomas all had their distinct voices and the audiobook’s use of multiple narrators was well executed. The were a couple of parts that threw me off. First, the pacing felt off and the timeline of the crimes committed seemed excessively prolonged. I think the book could have been shortened as certain sections felt more like fillers rather than integral parts of the storyline. I found myself more drawn to the murder, suspects, and victims’ characters than in Rachel and the FBI agent she worked with. Rachel and Joe felt somewhat stilted and lacked depth which deterred my interest in them. On a positive note, the ending was unexpected and there were few of the twists I didn’t see coming. Overall, this was 3.5 stars, but I rounded to 4 stars on GoodReads.

Review: None Of This Is True

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None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Publisher: Atria
Pub Date: 8/8/2023

Thank you to Atria for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.

Review: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell follows Alix, a popular podcaster, who becomes entangled with Josie, a mysterious woman celebrating the same birthday. As Alix delves deeper into Josie’s dark secrets for her podcast, she unknowingly puts her own life and her family’s at risk, discovering the terrifying legacy Josie has left behind. I liked None of This Is True. The alternating chapters from Josie, Alix, and Alix’s podcast created an engaging narrative. I particularly found Josie’s perspective and Alix’s podcast episodes to be the most captivating. While I found Alix’s character and her family a bit dull, I understood their purpose in the story. The book tackles heavy subjects like domestic abuse, emotional abuse, gaslighting, and pedophilia, which made it a dark and intense read. I was able to anticipate most of the major twists, but the pacing felt a bit inconsistent at times. Nevertheless, I appreciated the way the story concluded. Overall, I would give this book a solid four stars. I recommend this book if you’re a fan of Lisa Jewell’s work.

Review: Gone Tonight

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Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 8/1/2023

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the free copy on NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it’s been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, would never question anything about her mother’s past or background. But when Ruth’s desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth’s carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception.

Review: Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen explores the intricate dynamics between Catherine Sterling and her mother, Ruth. With Catherine’s aspirations for independence conflicting with Ruth’s desire to keep her close, their relationship is tested as a web of deception begins to expose long-held secrets and vulnerabilities.I found the premise of Gone Tonight intriguing, but it turned out to be a slow burn without much mystery, leaning more towards suspense. I found the pacing of the book to be extremely slow. The dual perspectives of Ruth and Catherine added depth, but I was more captivated by Ruth’s narrative and the flashbacks to her high school days. Unfortunately, Catherine’s perspective felt lacking and didn’t contribute much to the overall story. I was disappointed that the author didn’t delve deeper into a particular relationship in the flashbacks as it left some confusion regarding what goes in the present towards the end of the book. One of the characters felt severely underdeveloped and should have been explored further considering their importance in the book. Regarding the format, I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook due to the single narrator reading both perspectives. It became confusing and distinct voices for each character would have been preferable. The narrator’s voice was also monotonous which caused me to zone out from time to time so I ending up switching to the ebook. Reading the ebook enhanced the experience as the alternating chapters were clearly distinguished, making it easier to spot the clues leading to the conclusion. Considering my mixed feelings about this book and giving it three stars, this isn’t one I would recommend. However, if it’s on your TBR, you may still give it a try.