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Rika, a journalist, wants to interview female serial killer Manako Kajii, but Kajii doesn’t want to talk to anyone, least of all another woman. So Rita appeals to her love of cooking, and asks her for a recipe.
Initially I thought this would be a thriller, and whilst it has elements of that, its so much more. Butter looks at how women are regarded in society - how “thin is King (or Queen?)”, particularly in Japan. Kajii sets Rika tasks, one being to learn to cook and actually enjoy her food (that’s two tasks) - less of the “food is fuel” school of thought.
Rika learns that she’s lonely, her life is centred around her work. She wants independence, but she also wants connection. As Rita gains weight she feels happier in herself, but she’s judged by those around her of being slovenly. I mean, the work she puts in to learning to cook and actually cooking would say otherwise, but then that’s society for you.
I will say not to read this whilst you’re hungry. The descriptions of the food, it’s smell, texture, flavours - I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
I’m glad I read this. It was a really interesting insight into Japanese culture, more so than ‘just’ a thriller. There were more food descriptions than murders, that’s for certain!!
Initially I thought this would be a thriller, and whilst it has elements of that, its so much more. Butter looks at how women are regarded in society - how “thin is King (or Queen?)”, particularly in Japan. Kajii sets Rika tasks, one being to learn to cook and actually enjoy her food (that’s two tasks) - less of the “food is fuel” school of thought.
Rika learns that she’s lonely, her life is centred around her work. She wants independence, but she also wants connection. As Rita gains weight she feels happier in herself, but she’s judged by those around her of being slovenly. I mean, the work she puts in to learning to cook and actually cooking would say otherwise, but then that’s society for you.
I will say not to read this whilst you’re hungry. The descriptions of the food, it’s smell, texture, flavours - I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
I’m glad I read this. It was a really interesting insight into Japanese culture, more so than ‘just’ a thriller. There were more food descriptions than murders, that’s for certain!!
Knife River (The Ty Dawson Mysteries)
Book
A sheriff fighting to keep the peace in 1970s Oregon faces a shocking secret from his town’s past,...
Crime Thriller Series Mystery 1970s Historical
Domonique (0 KP) rated In a Dark, Dark Wood in Books
May 12, 2018
This was so good! I still can't believe who the killer turned out to be, it was truly unexpected, which is what makes a good thriller. And the fact that she went so far to get what she wants only to not get it at all, that just goes to show you that some people really don't deserve happiness. I loved the character of Nora because she was so relatable and likable, some of the insecurities and doubts that she had I've experienced at one time myself. I'm glad the truth came out in the end and I would read another book by this author in a heartbeat!!
Sue (5 KP) rated Winter's Destiny in Books
Apr 23, 2018
Alone, with a fall gale howling around the rafters, Amy Johnstone turns to see a woman’s rain-streaked face staring back at her through the dark window.
The face is...identical to her own!
Instantly, Amy's life crumbles. Something sinister surrounds her and those she loves. She is catapulted into a world she knows nothing about--a place where a killer rules, where her life is in constant peril, and where her child has been taken.
WINTER’S DESTINY is an edge-of-the-seat thriller - love story set on the rugged Pacific Coast of Oregon. Here, the story reaches its unique and spectacular conclusion.
The face is...identical to her own!
Instantly, Amy's life crumbles. Something sinister surrounds her and those she loves. She is catapulted into a world she knows nothing about--a place where a killer rules, where her life is in constant peril, and where her child has been taken.
WINTER’S DESTINY is an edge-of-the-seat thriller - love story set on the rugged Pacific Coast of Oregon. Here, the story reaches its unique and spectacular conclusion.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Mystic River (2003) in Movies
Feb 11, 2019
Great performances
This is yet another award nominated film that I've never seen, and this is definitely one that I'm ashamed of.
This film has some terrific performances from a stellar cast - Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon especially - and a brilliant supporting cast as well. The plot itself sounds like it could be a by the numbers predictable thriller, but in fact it turns out to have some good twists and is rather dark and suspenseful. It hasn't aged the best (or it just looks horrendous on Netflix), but as crime thrillers go this is probably one of the best out there.
This film has some terrific performances from a stellar cast - Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon especially - and a brilliant supporting cast as well. The plot itself sounds like it could be a by the numbers predictable thriller, but in fact it turns out to have some good twists and is rather dark and suspenseful. It hasn't aged the best (or it just looks horrendous on Netflix), but as crime thrillers go this is probably one of the best out there.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Everything is Lies in Books
Mar 9, 2019 (Updated Mar 9, 2019)
Unremarkable
This is one of those books that I can’t really say much about, other than it was fairly unremarkable. It’s a typical thriller, that throws a number of twists and turns in but most are predictable or just a little dull. Concentrating on a cult is a smart move as this part is fairly interesting, it’s just a shame the rest isn’t. It isn’t helped by the fact that the majority of the characters are either very unlikeable or just under developed. Even the main character Sophia switches between very irritating to very boring. It’s a fairly quick read at least, but sadly one that’s immediately forgettable.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated The Prodigy (2019) in Movies
May 12, 2019
Great
Finally! A really good supernatural thriller/ horror film. The cinematography was on par. The acting was great(the little boy was quite impressive!). The story unfolded really well with a few jump scares and an interesting take on certain ideologies. Very well written. A little predictable in a couple parts, but not enough to ruin the movie. The only thing that disappointed me was that, as always seems to be the case anymore, it left itself open for a sequel. Hollywood can't resist itself, I guess(always looking to "piggyback" on a potential hit)but other than that I highly recommend this film. REALLY worth a watch!
Paul (106 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
May 21, 2019
Exceptionally interesting, shockingly horrific and really good watch
Excellent script and performances which are done with great respect. The film doesn't linger on the horrors of the actions of Bundy but rather concentrates on the working of him and his relationship with the family that he connects himself with. This combining with the slow burning crime running parallel lifts it from being a generic retelling of the Bundy story. It's great that it doesn't use gore to tell the story which makes the court scenes more horrific in the reveal of the murders.
An all round classy, respectful thriller.
An all round classy, respectful thriller.
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Cold Pursuit (2019) in Movies
May 27, 2019
Fargo for the 21st Century
Was expecting this to be the usual type of revenge thriller that neeson seems to do on a regular basis nowadays but this particular movie came with some very dark comedy moments that made it sort of feel like a fargo for the 21st century.
An ok film mostly but the story itself does tend to drift away from it's original opening event midway through the film and it seems the local cops are always 2 steps behind the villains.
The way the film let's the viewer know who was just killed off was pretty inventive i thought.
An ok film mostly but the story itself does tend to drift away from it's original opening event midway through the film and it seems the local cops are always 2 steps behind the villains.
The way the film let's the viewer know who was just killed off was pretty inventive i thought.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Fight Club in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Well, I have finally read a Chuck Palahniuk book and I definitely enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed the movie so naturally I decided to read the book. I wish that I would have read the book first though. I would have loved to experience the twist as a reader and not just a film watcher.
The characters are very interesting and the writing was solid. This isn't my normal type of book but I did enjoy it. Chuck Palahniuk has a way of messing with your head and it shows in this book. It was a fun psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more of his novels.
I really enjoyed the movie so naturally I decided to read the book. I wish that I would have read the book first though. I would have loved to experience the twist as a reader and not just a film watcher.
The characters are very interesting and the writing was solid. This isn't my normal type of book but I did enjoy it. Chuck Palahniuk has a way of messing with your head and it shows in this book. It was a fun psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more of his novels.