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Ice Station Zebra (1968)
Ice Station Zebra (1968)
1968 | Action, Classics, Drama
4
6.3 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
1960s Cold War submarine based thriller, based on the novel by Scottish author Alistair MacLean, with this movie - I have heard - being so beloved of Howard Hughes that it aired on a Las Vega station he owned over 100 times during his lifetime.

The plot? Basically, a satellite containing stolen equipment has crashed in the arctic. The race is on to retrieve said equipment.

But who can be trusted?
  
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Merissa (12919 KP) created a post

Jan 27, 2025  
"When Tommy returns to Britain, he soon discovers that not only is his own life in danger but also those of his nearest and dearest who become pawns in a savage game of revenge."

Excerpt: The Perfume of War (The Seventh of December #4) by Garrick Jones - #Historical, #Crime, #Thriller, #WWII,

https://archaeolibrarian.wixsite.com/website/post/excerpt-the-perfume-of-war-the-seventh-of-december-4-by-garrick-jones
     
The Hiding Place / The Taking of Annie Thorne
The Hiding Place / The Taking of Annie Thorne
C.J. Tudor | 2019 | Mystery, Thriller
9
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Excellent audio edition narrated by Richard Armitage available (0 more)
One book two names: The Hiding Place (US) The Taking of Annie Thorne (UK) - Very Odd (0 more)
Supernatural small town horror meets twisty thriller
I listened to this book on an audio edition narrated by Richard Armitage who did a superb job of bringing the protagonist Joe Thorne to life. There is much of the dialog in this book that is interspersed with Joe’s own contradictory thoughts but I found it all so well narrated it flowed very enjoyably. Based in a part of the world I’m very familiar with the accent and attitudes (well written) all fitted perfectly.

Returning to his childhood home; the former mining town of Arnhill has few attractive qualities; and some very upsetting memories for Joe. As we learn about Joe’s past; which is still very present in Arnhill we get a cross between a creepy mystery horror story and flat out crime thriller. Annie Thorne was Joe’s sister, she disappeared at age eight and reappeared 48 hours later but was somehow different….. When he receives a mysterious note suggesting that history is repeating itself in Arnhill he is drawn back.

It’s dark and twisty tale full of easily pictured characters. Joe himself is far from a reliable narrator and even his true motives are less than clear. The story is well written with some very high standard dialogue that really pulls you into the setting. I can imagine the supernatural nature may be a put off to those just out for a solid mystery thriller but I don’t think it’s too in your face creepy horror. In fact I could have gone for more delving into the history and supernatural origins side of things. The more standard mystery and thriller side of the book has some interesting twists and turns and I give the book a general bump for the high quality audio adaptation I experienced.
  
The Last Mrs. Parrish
The Last Mrs. Parrish
Liv Constantine | 2017 | Thriller
10
9.6 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
Just when you think you've got it figured out, PLOT TWIST! (0 more)
Thriller That Will Keep You Guessing
Don't you love a good ol' fashioned "Who's the real bad guy" thriller? Well, in this case, it's rather "who is the bad woman?" because even though Amber, our first narrator, would like you to think she's the alpha-female who deserves what everyone else has, there are more sinister plans going on in the minds of the other characters.

The first Mrs. Parrish, Daphne, is impeccably dressed, refined and living in the lap of luxury. Amber nestled herself next to her, under the pretense of friendship, all the while planning to rip the Parrish thrown right out from underneath her.

But beyond the mansions, the cars, the luxurious vacations, Mr. & Mrs. Parrish have secrets of their own and Amber may find out too late that their facade is anything but grand.

There is a major plot twist and a shift of power in this thriller that will make you start reading with a quicker pace because you won't be able to put it down until you figure it all out.

Amber's plan to mimic Daphne and steal her husband may come with a much higher price that she bargained for. Who's the real loser in this game? Lovers of grit lit, you will hate to love this book.

For more books like this one, check out my "Grit Lit" reading list on Goodreads!
  
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
2021 | Action, Drama, Thriller
7
6.4 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Those Who Wish Me Dead is a pretty solid, if straightforward thriller that hugely benefits from it's top class cast.
Angelina Jolie is always a pleasure, whether she's starring in big dumb action movies, or award baiting material. Her character is someone we've seen countless times before - a no nonsense badass with a tragic backstory who gets a shot at redemption - but she does it predictably well.
Jon Bernthal is great as usual, as is Nicholas Hoult. Aidan Gillen also stars, and makes for a suitably nasty piece of shit. Medina Senghore gets my vote for best "pregnant lady you absolutely wouldn't fuck with". This ensemble cast elevates TWWMD above it's standard thriller trappings, with an excellent Finn Little at the centre of it all.
The firewatch/smoke jumper setting is also a huge positive. It makes for some hugely entertaining set pieces, and a plethora of gorgeous vista shots.
My main criticism is the pacing. When things finally kick off, it's pretty unrelenting, but it takes a while to get there, forcing us to spend a little too much time with unlikable douchey side characters, and the climactic scene almost feels like a mid-runtime moment. It definitely felt like there should have been more.

Overall though, TWWMD is a competent and easily watchable thriller from the unquestionably talented Taylor Sheridan, and was a great choice for my first cinema trip of 2021 (so good to be back!)