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Black-Eyed Susans
8.6
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**THE TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'My book of the year so far. Breathtakingly, heart-stoppingly...
Excellent psychological thriller
Excellent from start to finish!
A topical and relevant storyline told in a very sensitive but authentic way. There are sections that I found difficult to read due to the subject matter but they were all necessary and although I don't have any experience in this area (thank goodness), it came across as being an accurate reflection on just how easy it can be for some despicable people to seek out, manipulate and take advantage of the most vulnerable children in our society.
There are characters that you'll love and characters that you'll love to hate but all believable; my personal favourite was Wendy which might seem a little strange given how she is introduced to us but give her time, she will definitely grow on you! The setting felt right for the story and I was pleased that it didn't take place in a city; it helped to add an even more sinister feel as it felt more "normal" somehow.
There are twists and turns that had me on edge and I went through all manner of emotions during the course of this book ... sadness, disgust, anger, frustration, anticipation ... that I didn't want to stop reading.
Overall, a disturbing and chilling read but thrilling and gripping and although the subject matter is distasteful and difficult to stomach at times, this book certainly isn't and I highly recommend it to any psychological thriller fans.
My thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, via NetGalley, for my copy in return for an honest review.
A topical and relevant storyline told in a very sensitive but authentic way. There are sections that I found difficult to read due to the subject matter but they were all necessary and although I don't have any experience in this area (thank goodness), it came across as being an accurate reflection on just how easy it can be for some despicable people to seek out, manipulate and take advantage of the most vulnerable children in our society.
There are characters that you'll love and characters that you'll love to hate but all believable; my personal favourite was Wendy which might seem a little strange given how she is introduced to us but give her time, she will definitely grow on you! The setting felt right for the story and I was pleased that it didn't take place in a city; it helped to add an even more sinister feel as it felt more "normal" somehow.
There are twists and turns that had me on edge and I went through all manner of emotions during the course of this book ... sadness, disgust, anger, frustration, anticipation ... that I didn't want to stop reading.
Overall, a disturbing and chilling read but thrilling and gripping and although the subject matter is distasteful and difficult to stomach at times, this book certainly isn't and I highly recommend it to any psychological thriller fans.
My thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, via NetGalley, for my copy in return for an honest review.
Our Little Lies
9.3
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How far would you go to protect your perfect life? Marianne has a life others dream of. A...
Psychological Thriller Fiction Mystery Suspense stand alone novel female lead
The Next to Die
8.5
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The New York Times bestselling author of The Monogram Murders and Woman with a Secret returns with a...
Fiction Mystery Thriller Psychological
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I really wish I read this when I was in high school. This book really would have been right up my alley. The story was so complex that I would have devoured it within days. This would have been one of those books that I stayed up late reading under my covers. However, reading this book showed me how much I have changed & how my tastes in books have changed as well. Personally I am not a huge fan of mysteries. I find them dull, and typically I avoid them. The weird thing is that I love mystery thrillers. I have always found them fascinating especially if it is a psychological thriller.
Red Dragon is that psychological thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat once you get passed the half way mark. The beginning of the book dragged for me. I would have loved more of an action packed thriller vs. a mystery turned thriller. Though the first half was essential for establishing characters I truly felt that it dragged. I'm typically used to a book that jolts you into the action instead of taking a lazy river ride to a waterfall. I want the rapids. So, due to the first half, it took me forever to finish. One thing that I really liked about the first half was how much it messed with my mind. Honestly I had trouble reading it before I went to bed simply because of the dreams it created at night. I had to make sure every door and window was locked before I went to bed simply to help sooth my mind so that I could get some sleep.
Though the story dragged for the first half, the second half made up for it. I found myself entranced by the thriller aspect of the writing & loved how complex the story truly was. It has been years since I last watched Red Dragon (the movie) so at times the story felt fresh and new. It was weird, sexual in strange spots, and honestly something that I have never read before. Thomas Harris was able to create a serial killer that will make you cringe, sympathize with, and wish they were dead all at different moments. It was fascinating to read.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. It isn't my favorite book but it was an interesting read that makes me yearn to watch the movies again. I probably will not continue on in the series but I'm happy that I did take the time to read it.
Red Dragon is that psychological thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat once you get passed the half way mark. The beginning of the book dragged for me. I would have loved more of an action packed thriller vs. a mystery turned thriller. Though the first half was essential for establishing characters I truly felt that it dragged. I'm typically used to a book that jolts you into the action instead of taking a lazy river ride to a waterfall. I want the rapids. So, due to the first half, it took me forever to finish. One thing that I really liked about the first half was how much it messed with my mind. Honestly I had trouble reading it before I went to bed simply because of the dreams it created at night. I had to make sure every door and window was locked before I went to bed simply to help sooth my mind so that I could get some sleep.
Though the story dragged for the first half, the second half made up for it. I found myself entranced by the thriller aspect of the writing & loved how complex the story truly was. It has been years since I last watched Red Dragon (the movie) so at times the story felt fresh and new. It was weird, sexual in strange spots, and honestly something that I have never read before. Thomas Harris was able to create a serial killer that will make you cringe, sympathize with, and wish they were dead all at different moments. It was fascinating to read.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. It isn't my favorite book but it was an interesting read that makes me yearn to watch the movies again. I probably will not continue on in the series but I'm happy that I did take the time to read it.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated 1922 (2017) in Movies
Oct 22, 2017
Not Stephen King's best
Either this wasn't directed very well or it isn't Stephen King's best novella. There seemed to be something lacking to make it a true psychological thriller. It consists of a man who manipulates his son into killing his mother in order to stay on the land and live life as farmers. And as expected things go horribly wrong from there.
But the thing is, most of the things that go wrong are expected if you're watching this kind of film. You know from the outset that the husband and son won't live merrily if they've committed this sort of crime so it's a total anti-climax. After watching King's other adapted film @Gerald's Game (2017), this felt like a let down.
But the thing is, most of the things that go wrong are expected if you're watching this kind of film. You know from the outset that the husband and son won't live merrily if they've committed this sort of crime so it's a total anti-climax. After watching King's other adapted film @Gerald's Game (2017), this felt like a let down.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Behind Her Eyes in Books
Jul 27, 2017
That ending...wait until the last chapter
I spent about 90% of the time umming and ah-ing about whether to finish this book or not. Most of the time I felt irritated bordering on bored, or brushing certain elements of it as downright ridiculous. So here's how you should listen to it. It is not a psychological thriller in the conventional sense, parts of it requires suspending all disbelief and just accepting for what it is.
But wait until the last chapter.
And your head will spin 180 degrees to make you realise the past 290 pages was all a fabrication of some sort.
Not a perfect book, could have been a lot shorter, but a very good climax.
But wait until the last chapter.
And your head will spin 180 degrees to make you realise the past 290 pages was all a fabrication of some sort.
Not a perfect book, could have been a lot shorter, but a very good climax.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Woman in the Window in Books
Mar 2, 2018
Interesting but familiar
While there were familiar elements to this psychological thriller with the unreliable narrator and presence of male violence, there were some good twists to make it equally listenable.
Following the story of psychologist Dr Anna Fox, it shows how agoraphobia has taken over her life, not before she witnesses something horrific in pure Hitchcock fashion. Her new neighbours, the Russells, appear to be hiding a secret which she catches while spying with her camera from across the window.
With that said, there are some classic thrillers built into the book such as Vertigo, Rear Window, and Wait Until Dark. And the main character happens to be a fan of these films as well. Good, but nothing completely new.
Following the story of psychologist Dr Anna Fox, it shows how agoraphobia has taken over her life, not before she witnesses something horrific in pure Hitchcock fashion. Her new neighbours, the Russells, appear to be hiding a secret which she catches while spying with her camera from across the window.
With that said, there are some classic thrillers built into the book such as Vertigo, Rear Window, and Wait Until Dark. And the main character happens to be a fan of these films as well. Good, but nothing completely new.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Tangerine: A Novel in Books
Apr 1, 2018
Plain cruel
Call me a wimp, but I don't tend to enjoy books where terrible things happen to the protagonist without any proper resolution.
Alice Shipley, a rather meek woman, lives with her cocky husband in Tangiers, when one day a face from the past comes back to haunt her. Lucy Mason, her former roommate turns up at her doorstep with hidden motives.
This book has been described as similar to The Talented Mr Ripley, and in some ways, we can see how they converge. It is a psychological thriller including aspects of whether Alice can trust her mind, and if Lucy is just a bunny boiler - bringing together all the usual plots. I personally didn't relish this, because the conclusion fizzled out.
Alice Shipley, a rather meek woman, lives with her cocky husband in Tangiers, when one day a face from the past comes back to haunt her. Lucy Mason, her former roommate turns up at her doorstep with hidden motives.
This book has been described as similar to The Talented Mr Ripley, and in some ways, we can see how they converge. It is a psychological thriller including aspects of whether Alice can trust her mind, and if Lucy is just a bunny boiler - bringing together all the usual plots. I personally didn't relish this, because the conclusion fizzled out.
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Wife Between Us in Books
Nov 14, 2018
A young woman about to marry her lover, an ex-wife obsessed by her successor, or is everything not quite as it seems? The blurb does warn readers not to make assumptions and it also does a clever job of not giving anything away. This collaboration has produced a taught psychological thriller that has already seen the film rights being snapped up by Steven Spielberg. It’s a slow, absorbing read for the first part but then it turns like a tornado. You will get drawn into a marriage, the compromises, the cover ups and the condescension that can evolve over time. Don’t try to assume anything. Just read and enjoy this (in your own head) before you see the movie.