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The Affair
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MoMo’s Book Diary recommends “The Affair” as a (better than) 5 star suspense novel.
                        
Followers of my book blog (momobookdiary) will be aware of how highly I rate the author Sheryl Browne. Whilst I have enjoyed her romance / chicklit novels, I must admit I really do prefer her gripping psychological thrillers. I love the way that Sheryl’s mind works – so much suspense and you just never know what twist is coming next.

This book fantastically hooked me from the start and I had goosebumps return again and again throughout. The characters immediately come to life and I was left thinking about those who remain long after I finished the book. There are twists and surprises throughout the book which keep you guessing until the final twist.

Thanks to Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

As soon as I received the approval email from NetGalley and Bookouture I got myself settled and started to read. It took me less than 6 hours to read cover to cover. I can’t “do” life when I have a Sheryl Browne book on my kindle to read!
  
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Aurora (9 KP) rated The Witchfinder's Sister in Books

Nov 7, 2018 (Updated Nov 7, 2018)  
The Witchfinder's Sister
The Witchfinder's Sister
Beth Underdown | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Historically-accurate setting (4 more)
Gripping
Emotional
Dramatic
Well-written characters
Emotional and Dramatic Historical Fiction
This book had me hooked from the start. I adore the amount of research done by Underdown to create the world of Alice Hopkins so artfully and accurately. Not only does the author capture the turbulence of the English civil war and the complex social systems of the time, but she also brings the reader into that world through the intensely relatable emotions felt by Alice throughout the story. Underwood expertly develops the personalities and flaws of each character in really believable ways, creating the complex relationships that we often see in real life. The story is also often pushed forward by gossip and secrets which the reader must choose whether or not to believe, adding an extra element of mystery to an already thrilling read.


After visiting many of the towns mentioned in the book (Manningtree, Mistley Wells, Colchester, Ipswich), I am in awe of the detail that Underdown used to bring these places to life. While some artistic license was taken (and described in the Author's Note), this book remains a beautiful and chilling glimpse into England's dark past.
  
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
2016 | Action, Animation, Drama
The 2016 adaptation of one of the best-known, most iconic graphic novels of all time had massive shoes to fill. For me, it fell a little short, but was saved by the voice-acting and by, largely, sticking to the storyline it had to work with.
Before we get into the Killing Joke story proper, there is an added storyline following the relationship between Batman and Batgirl. This, plus the more cartoon-y style of the animation were a definite downer for a first 20 minutes. It doesn't really add anything to the overall piece, there is no apparent impact on Batman's actions as a result of their relationship.
That aside, this is a thrilling, gripping adaptation of the book, which sticks close to it. We learn about the Joker's backstory and first interaction with Batman, and we see that he has got into Batman's head as he always wanted.
The use of Mark Hamill as Mr J is excellent, his voice totally captures the Joker's madness, softness and violence.
A great spend of an hour, but something of a let-down from the book.
  
Heart to Mouth by LP
Heart to Mouth by LP
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
LP is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a dynamic emo-alternative tune, entitled, “Shaken”, produced by Fred Gibson.

“All night, sipping on a feeling. Won’t lie, was nervous for this evening. Then you arrive. Oh god, why you gotta look so, so hot? Remembering your body on mine, I wanna cry. I, I knew that you’d be here tonight but suddenly I’m paralyzed. Who’s she by your side?” – lyrics

‘Shaken’ tells a heartbreaking tale of a young woman who sees her ex-lover at a public place.

Apparently, she is hidden in the corner, shaking, and jealously looking at her ex and the ex’s new girlfriend having a great time.

Later, when her ex gets up to leave, the woman admits that it feels like she’s watching someone else living her life.

‘Shaken’ contains a gripping storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and dynamic instrumentation flavored with musical highs and lows.

The likable tune is featured on LP’s “Heart to Mouth” album, which can be streamed online via Spotify.

LP’s “Heart to Mouth” album recently hit #1 in Italy and will continue to break charts around the world.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/lp-shaken/
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Close to Home in Books

Dec 29, 2019  
Close to Home
Close to Home
Cara Hunter | 2017 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
7.6 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Absorbing
This is the first in a series of novels starring DI Adam Fawley and his team and what a start to the series this is. I actually missed this first time round and was only reminded I had it when I was sent book 4!

Packed with fantastic characters not all of which are particularly likeable but all of whom are well developed and with interesting stories to tell in their own right. The story line is a difficult one to read being that of child abduction and exploitation however this is not written in a gratuitous way but with care and attention although not is all as it seems and so begins DI Fawley's task of unravelling just what has happened to young Daisy.

This is a fast paced, gripping and absorbing story that had me reading it in quick time in order to discover the secrets and lies contained within the twists and turns of this excellent book and I highly recommend this to those of you who love a great police procedural.

Thank you to Penguin Books (UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
  
Demon Road
Demon Road
Derek Landy | 2016 | Horror, Paranormal, Thriller, Travel, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A kids book we can all love (0 more)
Pre entertainment where good and evil fight
Derek Landy's 'Skullduggery Pleasant' series is great. i read them to my son, so when Demon road came out I got it for him and he recommended I read it too. I was pleasantly surprised, Landy has created a trilogy that is brilliant and very cinematic.

This takes place in our world and in our world are demons, some of whom have made deals with high demons for powers and in return has to do terrible things as payment. The lead character is the daughter of such demons but is a normal girl...until she hits puberty. But then she finds out her parents don't quite have her best interests at heart.

I don't read many teen books unless sent for me to review or because i am reading to my kids but this is a gripping brilliant read. it is so cinematic it deserves to become a movie.

Characters are very strong, the adventure is adrenaline fuelled and its done in a completely non cheesy way. Its brilliant and I went straight to book two afterwards.
  
Ready Player One
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.9 (161 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pop culture (2 more)
Nostalgia drips from the page
Future true story
Modern retro
Coming to this book from the movie was a mistake but not a bigger one than reading this then watching the movie.

In a strangely possible future that sees the real world being second to virtual world of the Oasis, Wade Watts finds himself orphaned and obsessed with the 80s and all levels of geek and pop trivia. This obsession grows as he along with millions of others are undertaking a quest to control the virtual world and basically be the king of both worlds. Many movies, computer games, songs and even breakfast cereals are dissected in great detail and this attention to detail makes the book for me and is where it had me hooked. If you love nostalgia then this book will be a dream of not then it could be too much.

The story is packed with twists and turns with the obligatory love interest make this book fun, interesting and gripping in equal measure.

Book then movie, I need to learn to remember that one of these days
  
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JT (287 KP) rated My Lovely Wife in Books

Mar 11, 2020  
My Lovely Wife
My Lovely Wife
Samantha Downing | 2019 | Thriller
9
8.2 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gripping unique thriller (0 more)
Early Twist Will Leave You Wanting More
I told myself this year that I would read more. I'm trying to write my own thriller so thought it would be good to get some tips from a few unknown authors to get a bit of inspiration - so far I haven't been disappointed.

My Lovely Wife does something that I haven't come across yet - it drops the twist within the first chapter. It's a bold move but certainly, a clever one as it leaves the reader wondering what the rest of the story is going to entail. In this one a married couple is a pair of serial killers working together, while at the same time trying to live a normal family life, raising their two kids and going to work.

Things go a bit pear-shaped when they try to resurrect someone from the past that the town they are living in know all too well. Throw in a few more late twists and you have a cracking thriller which I guarantee you won't put down. I would love to see a film made of this.
  
Taking Root (The Eros Tales #1)
Taking Root (The Eros Tales #1)
Katherine McIntyre | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Taking Root (Eros Tales #1) by Katherine McIntyre
TAKING ROOT is the first book in the Eros Tales, and this promises to be a fantastic new series.

Danny's life was turned upside down when she was seventeen. Since then, she has travelled the States, never setting down roots, and never knowing when she will be moving on. She is sent to a town so very close to where she grew up, knowing the risks she will have to take if she meets anyone she once knew. She wasn't counting on the steadfast stubbornness of one Adrian Dukas though.

This was brilliantly written, showing Danny's loneliness and the trials and tribulations she has lived through, without it detracting from the current set up. Also, you get enough details about her father to make it horrific, without it going into information overload. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading, and I found the pacing to be very smooth. With no plot holes I fell through, this was a gripping story from start to finish.

I loved the Dukas family, and I sincerely hope we will be seeing more of them. Absolutely recommended by me.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Parasite (2019) in Movies

Feb 14, 2020  
Parasite (2019)
Parasite (2019)
2019 | Drama
Dazzling Korean jet-black comedy-thriller lives up to the hype. A clan of Seoul low-lives insert themselves with ruthless ingenuity into the comfortable lives of a wealthy family. Soon they are living much larger than they could ever have dreamt - what could possibly go wrong? (Well, plenty, of course.)

Obviously this is a film about issues of wealth and class and all the tensions and resentments that come with them, and as such it has a universal resonance regardless of whether or not it has those little words at the bottom of the screen. However, it is also an exhilarating piece of pure cinema, written and directed with great skill and creativity and well-played by the ensemble cast. At first you are drawn into rooting for the hangers-on despite their dubious enterprises, but slowly the story becomes more and more ambiguous and fraught. (Possibly the only Oscar and Palme D'Or winning film where body odour is a key plot point.) Gripping, symbolically powerful (the invisibility of the poor to their wealthier compatriots is another central theme), tremendously entertaining: pretty much everything you want from a movie.