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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Jar of Hearts in Books

Mar 6, 2019

Jar of Hearts

Jennifer Hillier | 2018 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller

8.3

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

Compelling, twisted story

Fourteen years ago, Georgina "Geo" Shaw's best friend, Angela Wong, disappeared without a trace. The girls were only sixteen years old. Now Geo is a successful executive--and it comes to a surprise to everyone (except Geo) when she's arrested at her pharmaceutical firm for her role in Angela's murder. It turns out, fourteen years ago, Geo was involved while her older boyfriend, Calvin James, killed Angela and buried her remains in the woods behind Geo's childhood home. Calvin has gone on to become a serial killer known as the Sweetbay Strangler. But to Geo, he's Calvin, her first love, despite their abusive and turbulent relationship. For all these years, Geo carried the secret of what happened that fateful night with Calvin and Angela. She told no one, not even the girls' best friend, Kaiser Brody, who is now a detective with the Seattle PD and working on Angela and Calvin's cases. Geo is sentenced to prison and all her secrets appear to be out in the open. But are they truly? And what does it mean when more bodies start appearing, killed in the same manner as Angela?

This was just a great thriller. It alternates its viewpoints, with pieces of the novel told from Geo and Kai and changing between the past and the present. The result is completely captivating. I was mesmerized by this compelling and well-executed novel, which draws you in from the start. The characters in this one are excellent; rarely do you get two such strong vivid main characters, but I felt drawn to both Kai and Geo.

The story slowly works its way back to that fateful night. Hillier unravels things so adeptly that I was kept guessing for quite some time, meticulously starting to work out pieces of the plot, feeling quite triumphant when I was proved right. This novel is just so intricately plotted and incredibly creepy at times--it's simply a pleasure to read. It's deep and dark, propelled by its wonderfully written characters. Honestly, I can't rave enough about both the plot and the characters.

Overall, you can't go wrong with this one. It features compelling characters and a twisted, dark story that will keep you reading until the very end. I need to track down more of Ms. Hillier's books and soon! Highly recommend.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).

Kudos

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Dry in Books

Oct 31, 2017 (Updated Oct 31, 2017)

The Dry

Jane Harper | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

8.4

(10 Ratings)

Book Rating

Vividly realistic, a real page-turner

This is unlike most thrillers, which seems to become hyperbolic by the end of the book. Set in the outback of Australia, the novel focuses on a small rural community where a family have been murdered.

A detective is forced to go back to his roots in this town, and confront his own demons which appears to have a connection to the murder in some shape or form. Here we see farmers reeling from drought and bush fires, making them distraught and antsy by his presence. We see increasing tension and violence as he continues to wade through all of the mysteries, overturning all of their stories, culminating in possible ex-communication.

It is an intriguing tale with the denouement well hidden until the end. The harsh surroundings and the unforgiving characters in the township are well explored and the descriptions are vivid. I read this in two days, as it is an easy page-turner, gradually revealing dark secrets, uncovering the truth through past conversations and events which leave you fairly surprised. Looking forward to watching the film.