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MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The Other Woman in Books
Sep 19, 2018
Do you hate your mother-in-law? You'll LOVE her after this.
Though this book didn't really feel like a "psychological thriller," but rather more of a drama, I definitely enjoyed it. There were several points at which I actually said out loud "oh, come on!" - so I'm going to agree with another reviewer in that it might be better if you suspend disbelief a bit before going into this.
I did NOT see that twist coming! It was worth it for that alone, in my opinion.
Thank you, Minotaur Books, for the ARE!
I did NOT see that twist coming! It was worth it for that alone, in my opinion.
Thank you, Minotaur Books, for the ARE!
Rachel Maria Berney (114 KP) rated Rage in Books
Dec 5, 2018
Keeps you on the edge of your seat
This is another one of King's great short stories, up there with The Long Walk. A very insightful psychological thriller, that has, at some points in time, been banned from book shelves. It is one of the stories in the Bachman Books, one that is always well remembered, probably because of the effect reading it has on you.
King delves into the mind of a high school shooter, it's violent and graphic, it is not tasteless. As Bachman King did some of his best writing.
King delves into the mind of a high school shooter, it's violent and graphic, it is not tasteless. As Bachman King did some of his best writing.
Midge (525 KP) rated Before She Knew Him in Books
Mar 18, 2019
An Exceptional Psychological Thriller!
This exceptional psychological thriller from Peter Swanson (author of ‘The Kind Worth Killing’), is an absolute masterpiece!
Henrietta ‘Hen’ Mazur and her husband, Lloyd Harding, have dinner one evening with their new neighbours, Matt and Mira Dolamore, at their suburban Boston home. Following dinner, on a tour of their house, Hen notices a fencing trophy in Matt’s study that she believes was won by Dustin Miller, a college student who was murdered two years previous and who attended the high school where Matt is a history Professor. Matt claims that the trophy was bought in a sale, but Hen, who is obsessed with Dustin’s case, suspects that Matt killed Dustin. However, the next day when she visits Mira, the trophy has vanished, thereby reinforcing her suspicions. But Hen gets little support from the Police or her husband because of her history of mental health problems. An unlikely bond then develops between Hen and Matt, whose traumatic childhood adds tonnes of emotional interest to Peter Swanson’s superb narrative. Lots of twists and turns and an edge-of-your-seat plot keep the suspense in “Before She Knew Him” really high until the fulfilling and dramatic conclusion.
This brilliant psychological novel is a fabulous page-turner and a definite winner.
{Thank you to Edelweiss, HarperCollins UK/William Morrow and Peter Swanson for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Henrietta ‘Hen’ Mazur and her husband, Lloyd Harding, have dinner one evening with their new neighbours, Matt and Mira Dolamore, at their suburban Boston home. Following dinner, on a tour of their house, Hen notices a fencing trophy in Matt’s study that she believes was won by Dustin Miller, a college student who was murdered two years previous and who attended the high school where Matt is a history Professor. Matt claims that the trophy was bought in a sale, but Hen, who is obsessed with Dustin’s case, suspects that Matt killed Dustin. However, the next day when she visits Mira, the trophy has vanished, thereby reinforcing her suspicions. But Hen gets little support from the Police or her husband because of her history of mental health problems. An unlikely bond then develops between Hen and Matt, whose traumatic childhood adds tonnes of emotional interest to Peter Swanson’s superb narrative. Lots of twists and turns and an edge-of-your-seat plot keep the suspense in “Before She Knew Him” really high until the fulfilling and dramatic conclusion.
This brilliant psychological novel is a fabulous page-turner and a definite winner.
{Thank you to Edelweiss, HarperCollins UK/William Morrow and Peter Swanson for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Bring Me Back in Books
Mar 2, 2018
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.
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.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Promise in Books
Dec 15, 2020
An average thriller
I havent reviewed anything in a few weeks and this is the first book I've read in a while, and to be honest despite being a thriller, it didn't really thrill me.
The problem with this book is the premise and the fact that the whole plot revolves around a huge secret that you are kept guessing about as long as possible. And whilst the secret wasn't quite what I was expecting, it wasn't particularly shocking either. That paired with a group of main characters that I found myself caring very little about didn't make this story any more enjoyable. Also the writing itself was questionable. It seemed to ramble on in sections and I've never seen any other author use "..." as much as Teresa Driscoll does.
Overall whilst this was bearable to read, I didnt find it hugely enjoyable or particularly memorable. I'm not entirely sure psychological thrillers are for me!
The problem with this book is the premise and the fact that the whole plot revolves around a huge secret that you are kept guessing about as long as possible. And whilst the secret wasn't quite what I was expecting, it wasn't particularly shocking either. That paired with a group of main characters that I found myself caring very little about didn't make this story any more enjoyable. Also the writing itself was questionable. It seemed to ramble on in sections and I've never seen any other author use "..." as much as Teresa Driscoll does.
Overall whilst this was bearable to read, I didnt find it hugely enjoyable or particularly memorable. I'm not entirely sure psychological thrillers are for me!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Nowhere Child in Books
Mar 14, 2019
Kimberley Leamy lives in Melbourne, Australia is shocked when a man approaches her while at the college where she teaches photography. He claims that she is his sister, Sammy who had been abducted when she was two years old from Manson Kentucky USA. Stuart Went gives her irrefutable evidence as to who she really is.
The Nowhere Child is the first novel by award-winning Australian author, Christian White.
This just an amazing and powerful debut novel. Such an amazing twist on the missing child genre. This is a dark, intense and somewhat chilling psychological thriller. The author has managed to weave a dark, intense and somewhat chilling psychological thriller filled with a number of different emotional themes throughout. With all of this combined it makes for an emotional, suspense filled explosive novel.
This wonderful new author cleverly weaves the past and present so clearly and has packed so much emotion into this novel. I love how the pace of the novel flows and how the characters develop throughout.
The ending of the book is just so unexpected and I can only hope we see more to come from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC copy of this book
The Nowhere Child is the first novel by award-winning Australian author, Christian White.
This just an amazing and powerful debut novel. Such an amazing twist on the missing child genre. This is a dark, intense and somewhat chilling psychological thriller. The author has managed to weave a dark, intense and somewhat chilling psychological thriller filled with a number of different emotional themes throughout. With all of this combined it makes for an emotional, suspense filled explosive novel.
This wonderful new author cleverly weaves the past and present so clearly and has packed so much emotion into this novel. I love how the pace of the novel flows and how the characters develop throughout.
The ending of the book is just so unexpected and I can only hope we see more to come from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC copy of this book
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Roanoke Girls in Books
Jul 24, 2017
A deeply disturbing psychological drama
I would not consider this a conventional thriller as it was understandable that the ending would play out in such a way. But it is a harrowing, horribly grim perspective on intergenerational sexual abuse and incest. It raises questions about how such acts can continue to happen over long periods of time, how abusers manipulate their victims to make them feel they are to blame in their trauma as well as the complicity of outside factors such as the other parent and the outside community. A horrifying look at patriarchal structures.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Watcher in Books
Jul 29, 2017
"One of the best thrillers I've read in a while"
No doubt there are clear remnants of Girl on a Train and Rear Window in this psychological thriller, and having heard a fair few, sometimes it seems obvious who the culprit is.
However - the twists and turns to get to the climax are absolutely gut wrenching, the first personal dialogue writing in a journal is engaging and the contemporary plot is interesting - so it's well worth the read. Catherine Steadman is a great performer - and it reminded me of listening to Paula Hawkin's character - there are clear similarities. Overall, definitely worth any hype.
However - the twists and turns to get to the climax are absolutely gut wrenching, the first personal dialogue writing in a journal is engaging and the contemporary plot is interesting - so it's well worth the read. Catherine Steadman is a great performer - and it reminded me of listening to Paula Hawkin's character - there are clear similarities. Overall, definitely worth any hype.
Lauren (1 KP) rated Disclaimer in Books
Jan 24, 2018
A good debut from Renee Knight
At surface level, this is a really good psychological suspense/thriller book. However, you will find flaws if you look deeper. I couldn't really relate to any characters, I didn't particularly like or become attached to any of them, but the multi-layered family conflict was good and realistic.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Then She Was Gone in Books
Mar 13, 2018
A little far-fetched but still exciting
While this thriller seems highly unlikely, it is pretty exciting with twist after twist. More than a decade after the disappearance and death of Ellie Mack, mother Laurel begins a new relationship with a family with a sinister connection.
Some aspects seem hugely unrealistic, i.e. relying on face value to make judgements, and the interconnections appear a little tenuous but this book should be enjoyed as an exhilarating read, rather than a psychological drama. There is very little character development, and sparse information regarding the wider characters such as Hannah and Paul. However, it's interesting nonetheless.
Some aspects seem hugely unrealistic, i.e. relying on face value to make judgements, and the interconnections appear a little tenuous but this book should be enjoyed as an exhilarating read, rather than a psychological drama. There is very little character development, and sparse information regarding the wider characters such as Hannah and Paul. However, it's interesting nonetheless.