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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Pretty Baby in Books

Feb 8, 2018  
PB
Pretty Baby
8
9.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Heidi lives a busy life, trying to keep up with a busy job in public service, her role as a mom to her distant 12-year-old daughter Zoe, and juggling marriage to her husband Chris, a corporate lawyer. One day on the way to work, Heidi spots a young teen holding a baby-- the two are waiting for the train in the pouring rain. Heidi is haunted by the image and when she spots them again, she reaches out and makes contact with the teen, Willow. Eventually, Heidi's life becomes embroiled with that of Willow's and the baby, Ruby.

This book certainly lives up to its psychological thriller billing. It's a page-turner, even as it gets slightly more bizarre as the plot thickens. It captivated my attention and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The plot is definitely a little "out there," and I'd probably rate it as 3.5 stars overall, but still a fun and intriguing read.
  
Bring Me Back
Bring Me Back
B.A. Paris | 2018 | Thriller
8
7.9 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unnerving with lots of twists
B. A. Paris returns once again with a deeply troubling psychological thriller following a couple and a woman, who disappeared 12 years ago.

Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?

The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.

While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.
  
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
1999 | Mystery
One for the Must-See List
I remember when I first saw this film how completely shocked I was with the twist at the end. I'm not one for trying to guess what the ending is, whodunnit, etc. so it was a big surprise for me.

It's not a film I would class as a horror; although there are some moments that might make you jump, it's not scary in a traditional sense. The scares are more psychological (although there is some gore), and the story is actually quite moving in some ways; I found myself quite upset at the stories of some of the ghosts, and when reflecting after the "twist in the tale".


I think this is certainly a film that everyone should watch at least once. On a second watching, even though you are aware of the 'surprise' you are able to look out for more clues and hints as to what is to come, so it definitely stands up to repeated viewings.
  
The Good Liar (2019)
The Good Liar (2019)
2019 | Drama
Roaringly bonkers British movie probably thinks that it's a dark and convoluted psychological thriller but is undone by a couple of overcooked lead performances and a frankly ludicrous script. Career con man Roy Courtnay (McKellen) sets his sights on rich widow Betty (Mirren). But as his activities draw near to their climax, could it be that the old rogue is suffering from pangs of conscience? Can he bring himself to go through with it?

Sounds fairly ordinary, but this does not take into account quite how nutty the various twists in the tale turn out to be, nor the sheer relish with which the stars attack their roles: to say that McKellen, in particular, carves himself off a thick slice of ham is probably to understate things considerably. Still, very easy to watch (though it has an unexpectedly hard and vicious edge to it in places), and a lot of fun, provided you don't take it too seriously.
  
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Vegas (725 KP) rated The Guest House in Books

Jan 24, 2020  
The Guest House
The Guest House
Abbie Frost | 2020 | Mystery, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Keeps you guessing (2 more)
Atmospheric
Great setting
Can picture this as a good film
7 people in a remote house in Ireland, booked as a B&B through an online app. A family of 3, A man and his father and 2 young ladies, both on their own.

The weather sets in and strange things start happening, from food and drink going missing to sounds of a child crying and power cuts, but when a body is found, things can only get worse...

You learn a lot obout the history of the house, the back ground of the guests, with some of the story told in flashback form, and it is difficult to try and second guess what is going to happen.

The author manages to make the setting very atmospheric and you can almost feel the tension and pressure they are suffering through the narrative...

If you are a fan of psychological thrillers either as a book or film you should enjoy this.
  
Bad Samaritan (2018)
Bad Samaritan (2018)
2018 | Horror, Thriller
Samaritan
I wish this movie was better, it had potential with a intresting plot, and David Tennant as a creepy psychopath villian but the two main charcters i didnt like at all. Their were boring, annoying and overall annoying and i could care less about. If it wasnt for those annoying main charcters than this movie would of been better. The psychological espect of this movie was good, but it could of done so much better, like it was setting up something but it didnt achieve what it was setting up. So overall this movie was disappointing.

The Plot: A young valet breaks into a man's home and discovers a terrified woman who's chained and gagged. After notifying the police, he soon becomes the target of the psychopath's wrath as he tries to rescue the victim that he left behind.

This movie had potential but it failed to live up its expectations. Overall a disappointing movie.
  
Saw II (2005)
Saw II (2005)
2005 | Horror, Mystery
Against The Clock
Saw II- continues off of the first one. More games, more victims and more torture. I like the story, I like donnie Walhburg, I like tobin Bell and I like Shawnee Smith. I like the twist and turns thoughout the movie. I like the psychological espect of the film. So much of the first film is in this film which is good.

The Plot: On the hunt for the twisted vigilante and serial killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) and his team must apprehend the elusive murderer to rescue eight people trapped in an abandoned house, before they succumb to his torturous and murderous games. One twist to this task is that Matthews' own son, Daniel (Erik Knudsen), is among the eight people Jigsaw has chosen to test for their lack of morality. With nerve gas pumping through the house, every second counts.

A good sequel to a fantastic first film.
  
The Perfect Wife
The Perfect Wife
J.P. Delaney | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
9
8.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Tim, an COE for an AI company,idea his wife he starts a controversial project - he creates a robot of his wife. Abbie-bot has all the memories and feelings that Abbie had, but she can tell that something isn't right with Abbie's disappearance.

This book had me from the go! After two pages I could tell it was going to be a "Black Mirror" sort of thing. And I'm going to be honest, Black Mirror freaked me out. This book however was amazing! So many twists and turns. A real psychological ride! The character development of robot Abbie was brilliant. I loved going through her thoughts with her. The aspects of this novel are well researched, coding and autism. I cannot fault it. The ending took my breath away, three times in fact. Just as I was getting over the first "no way!" moment I was hit with another and then another. This is definitely going on my to read pile to read again!
  
Show all 3 comments.
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Sara Cox (1845 KP) Aug 2, 2019

@AJaneClark I've never read a previous novel, but I feel like I should start adding this author to my must read lists!

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AJaneClark (3975 KP) Aug 2, 2019

Check out The Girl Before, I read it last year! It’s a very good read x