Bad Day Breaking by John Galligan is a 2022 Atria publication.
Heidi Kick, besides dealing with the usual politics of Bad Axe County, must now figure Bad Day Breaking by John Galligan is a 2022 Atria publication.
Heidi Kick, besides dealing with the usual politics of Bad Axe County, must now figure out how to handle a religious cult that has moved in and are beginning to display troublesome signs akin the situation in Waco back in the early 90s. It’s a slippery slope under normal circumstances, as nobody wants history repeating itself. But for Heidi the stakes are raised even higher when a couple of people from her past seem bent on revenge....
This is a good, gritty, atmospheric thriller. Again, the Wisconsin winter backdrop helps create the dark undercurrents, punctuating the bleakness and corruption. The cult segments weren’t as cohesive as I would have liked, but their agenda is clear enough.
Heidi is a complex character. She’s vulnerable and her past is always on the periphery of her subconsciousness. She’s not perfect- and her fate is certainly precarious, but there is no doubt that she’s a survivor- she’s smart, tough, and tenacious- and I hope her story will pick back up soon… another installment is most definitely required!!
Overall, despite a few uneven segments, this is a perfect thriller for deep winter reading!
Come With Me by Ronald Malfi is a 2021 Titan Books publication.
WOW- just… WOW!
After Aaron’s wife, Allison, is murdered, he discovered she had a secrCome With Me by Ronald Malfi is a 2021 Titan Books publication.
WOW- just… WOW!
After Aaron’s wife, Allison, is murdered, he discovered she had a secret life. No, it’s not what you think. He discovered Allison was investigating the deaths of young women- all of whom favor one another in appearance. As he’s making this shocking and grim discovery, he begins to experience some strange occurrences- all associated with Allison, such as her music suddenly playing on Alexa or lights coming on by themselves. It's as though she's trying to give him direction- to pick up the investigations where she left off-
Aaron initially follows Allison's trail because he thought she might be having an affair, but once he realizes what she was really doing, he soon feels compelled to find out why she was so interested in these murders- but it takes him much further than he ever imagined…
Down a deadly rabbit hole called obsession…
It has been a very long time since I read a book that made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, but this one had my skin prickling. The atmosphere is off the charts- the foreboding, the suspense, the very effective ghostly images all work in tandem to bring together a psychological exploration of duality, a tense serial killer thriller, and a ghost story of epic proportions.
The portal that opens this hornet’s nest of grief, and the pursuit of truth and justice, is the manner in which Allison died, which casts an uneasy pall over the story right from the start. Though my timing here was pure coincidence, the topic is timely, and the truth behind the author's words on this subject are still ringing in my ears.
The author incorporated a personal experience into this novel- admitting his writing was a form of therapy for him- but it was also like therapy for the reader as well, despite the dark, brooding intensity of the novel.
Overall, I got a lot more than I bargained for with this one. While the book is listed as a ‘horror’ novel- and that does fit- it is also a top-notch mystery/thriller. I have two other books by this author on my kindle- I can’t wait to read them now!!
4.5 stars
*Content warnings- some swearing- one unnecessary objectionable word is overused by multiple characters. Violence is mild considering the genre....more
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, Caroline Waight (translator) is a 2019 Harper publication.
There’s a serial killer on the loose in Copenhagen -onThe Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, Caroline Waight (translator) is a 2019 Harper publication.
There’s a serial killer on the loose in Copenhagen -one that leaves behind a ‘chestnut man’ doll at every scene. But a shocking discovery could tie these crimes to the unsolved kidnapping of a government minister’s daughter a year ago. The two detectives working the case, Thaulin and Hess are a bit mismatched as a team, but eventually they rise to the occasion, knowing they must catch 'The Chestnut Man’ before he strikes again…
I’ve had this book on my list for a couple of years- but it popped out at me when I went looking through my list for a good thriller to fit my fall reading mood- because what’s better than a terrifying serial killer story for some good Halloween thrills and chills? To make it even more effective the story transpires over the entire month of October- so this did seem like an appropriate choice.
I have not read a ‘Nordic’ thriller is quite some time and got a reminder, right off the bat, of how graphic they can be. The story gets off to a grisly start and then never lets up from start to finish.
The writing does tend to follow an old- school thriller format and is surprisingly slick and polished for all its grittiness. Regardless, this is a violent, white-knuckle suspense ride, as well as a smart, well-planned thriller- and is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year.
Overall, not to put too fine a point on it- the 2022 thriller offerings have been lukewarm at best. I’m glad I had this ace in the hole to make up for it. The story is not supernatural, but it is super scary, nonetheless, and is a great Fall/ Halloween read!
The Dark Side by Danielle Steele is a 2019 Delacorte Press publication.
This book is a bit of a departure for Danielle Steele. The title gives readersThe Dark Side by Danielle Steele is a 2019 Delacorte Press publication.
This book is a bit of a departure for Danielle Steele. The title gives readers fair warning that this book might address some distressing subject matter, and the emotions evoked are not the same as those one might feel when reading most of her other books.
The story revolves around Zoe Morgan, a woman who endures a sad, tragic childhood, but still manages to become successful, eventually finding love and getting married. Although Zoe and her husband, Austin, had trouble conceiving, they eventually welcomed a beautiful baby girl. But, the ghost of Zoe’s past intrudes upon her intentions of being the perfect mother….
One can’t say very much about this book without revealing too much of the plot. I will say that for those who are familiar with popular crime shows, or who read crime fiction on a regular basis, nothing in this novel will come as a big shock- and you will probably catch on to where the plot is headed very early on.
Therefore, for me, the story was very predictable, the main suspense factor being the fear that the character’s slow dawning will come too late. Despite that, the book is compulsively readable and because of its brevity, I had no trouble reading it in one sitting. I did feel as though the book was rushed through, though, and the writing didn’t live up to Steele’s usual quality.
This book covers some familiar ground for me, as it was a hot topic for shows like Law & Order and thriller/ suspense novels, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, this specific topic seems to be cropping up again with ever increasing regularity. This is the third book in the past year I’ve read with a similar plot.
Still, the subject matter is absolutely riveting and is one that often leaves me feeling conflicted. I felt queasy and horrified, but also found that the circumstances in this novel made me take a harder look at the psychology surrounding the issue at hand.
Overall, this book is effective and suspenseful, thought-provoking and sad, even though I was not as shocked by it as other readers might be. The material is not new for me, but despite that, it was a compelling enough story, and I’m still glad I read it. However, it didn’t satisfy my craving for one of Steele’s traditional storylines. So, I’m off to pick another one her books- maybe an older one, this time.
**spoiler alert** My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is a 2020 William Morrow publication.
A powerful novel and one of the most disturbing boo**spoiler alert** My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is a 2020 William Morrow publication.
A powerful novel and one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read
Before reading this review, be aware I made up my mind about any gray areas concerning consent this novel addresses. For me, there are no gray areas. Fifteen year old girl- forty-two year old man- and a figure of authority? Please.
This is a strongly worded review and may step on some toes. I hope you'll stick with me, though. I understand this book has bothered some people, understandably, and some are conflicted about it. I am not conflicted AT ALL- and my review will reflect that. You'll need to take your heart off your sleeve if you wish to continue reading.
By now we’ve all heard the stories and have seen male and female teachers arrested for abusing their positions and embarking on inappropriate relationships with their students. I could tell you stories about things that happened way back when I was in high school, and things that happened at my children’s high school, where teachers crossed lines with their students. It is more widely reported now, almost to the point where it seems commonplace.
While we often get caught up in the feeling of betrayal we have, which is caused by someone we trusted to uphold our values, to be a mentor to our kids by setting an example, and of course, by obeying the law, we overlook the long lasting ramifications for those who were seduced- often with careful manipulation, by these men and women we have entrusted our children to, gradually luring in the most vulnerable with their attentiveness and flattery.
This book explores the psychological damage and the cruel emotional trauma left on one young victim, Vanessa Wye, who at fifteen, was seduced by Jacob Strane, a forty-two -year old teacher, at her school.
These emotional scars never fully healed, continuously reopened, constantly bleeding, and infecting this young woman, who simply could not move forward and live up to her full potential- nor could she maintain friendships or a normal relationship with another man, and simply could not admit to what is so obvious to others.
"Because even if I sometimes use the word abuse to describe certain things that were done to me, in someone else's mouth the word turns ugly and absolute....It swallows me and all the times I wanted it, begged for it"
Jacob Strane is vile. Period. His kind are far too common, and often infiltrate places where they have easy access to those they wish to lure into their web of seduction. What many fail to understand, is that although young people today are far more knowledgeable, mature much faster, and are exposed to erotic images and information daily, they put on a brave face, never admitting they might not have everything under control. They are perhaps much more desensitized, and jaded, seemingly confident and comfortable with the onslaught of information that surrounds them.
Don’t let them fool you. They are as vulnerable, sensitive, confused and insecure as ever. They cope with incredible pressure to conform, be accepted, and to do things they are emotionally unprepared for.
They are just as capable of falling under the spell of someone older, seemingly more sophisticated, someone they admire or look up to, whose attention is flattering and alluring, as more innocent generations before them. It can be quite heady and intense, making it hard for them to fully understand that they are indeed the victim in all this.
Vanessa, who is often paralleled with Lolita or, in some cases it might be a juxtaposition, falls straight into Jacob’s trap, as we helplessly stand by and watch.
It’s a struggle to see her life spiral out of control, and resign herself to a life of dark obsession, and living well below her intellectual means.
The psychological damage Vanessa endures is the reason I gave this book five stars. I know the book will be controversial. I know it is not for everyone. It will generate heaven only knows what kind of reaction once it hits bookstores, but I think it is an important examination, even if it is a work of fiction. It’s a portrayal we should welcome, as it proves many points women have been trying to stress for ages.
Crawling inside the mind of a predator is not easy- it’s not supposed to be. This book is not one you ‘enjoy’. It’s a book that should make one feel extremely uncomfortable, one that makes you squirm in your seat. It is supposed to have that type of deep effect on you. In fact, it took me a very long time to read this novel because I had to take frequent breaks from it.
When you enter Vanessa’s world, you will be transported into a deep, dark, twisted place and you will long to escape from it. But, remember, there are many, many, many real life ‘Vanessa’s’ out there. They, too, long to escape from it- only for them, it’s not a book they can put down at any time and simply walk away from it because it was just too upsetting...
Overall, this book is just downright chilling, and left me feeling shaken and very emotional. While it is not an easy novel, it is one I recommend reading, if you can. It is very thought-provoking, and I can see it bringing out some pretty intense discussions for book clubs.
Vanessa’s portrait is utterly heartbreaking. Her view of the situation- again, too common. She put everything on herself, and our society continues to enable that feeling of shame and guilt, and even goes so far as to threaten and warn off anyone who might think of doing otherwise. As others have pointed out, this book shows why recent movements like #MeToo, resonated with so many people and is another reason why I feel it is a worthy five -star book.
*Content warning
Shouldn’t need to even say it, but- if you have certain triggers this is NOT the book for you. I’ve written and re-written this review many times, and have toned down my frustrations, knowing my words might offend some. But, please, please, please- if you suspect a situation is not appropriate, under any circumstances, with your child, sibling, friend or colleague, don’t hesitate to listen, to hear them, to intervene or report your concerns to those who have the authority to do so- or encourage them to come forward or seek help. The details may be upsetting to hear, but your courage just might save someone you love from becoming another ‘Vanessa’....more
Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone is a 2018 Lake Union Press publication.
A dark, delectable tale of revenge!
Jane has put her high-powered career on hJane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone is a 2018 Lake Union Press publication.
A dark, delectable tale of revenge!
Jane has put her high-powered career on hold in order to insinuate herself into the life of a control -freak- religious zealot named Steven.
Jane, one of the most likeable sociopaths you are apt to meet, proceeds to lure Steven into her web, pretending to be a needy, docile woman who is so insecure she will behave just the way her new boyfriend orders her to.
The question is: Why is Jane trying to ensnare Steven into her cleverly laid trap? Will her mission succeed or will Steven turn the tables on her?
I loved this book! Jane is hilarious and had me laughing out loud as she toyed with her prey and gave us access to her dry wit and inner thoughts. Sociopath or not, Jane is assuredly more of loyal friend than most. I had to hand it to her. She’s a smart, clever anti-hero and could easily become one of my favorite characters!
I promise, this is a devilishly fun thriller with an ingenious plot and absolutely pitch perfect pacing! If you like Dexter- you are going to love Jane Doe!
4.5 stars
*Interesting aside- Romance readers who enjoy Victoria Dahl’s books will enjoy getting a glimpse of her dark alter-ego here....more
The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor is a 2018 Crown Publishing Group publication.
Nostalgic and atmospheric
In 1986 a group of twelve- year old’s- Eddie Adams,The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor is a 2018 Crown Publishing Group publication.
Nostalgic and atmospheric
In 1986 a group of twelve- year old’s- Eddie Adams, Fat Gav, Metal Mickey, Hoppo, and Nicky find themselves connected to the murder of a young girl Eddie helped to save after a horrific carnival accident.
Now, in 2016, Mickey is back in town, and decides to pay Eddie a visit, which stirs up old memories of the unresolved case, and opens a Pandora’s box of secrets- secrets that could get someone killed…
When this book was first released, thriller fans went gaga over it. Naturally, I was curious, so I added it to my reading list immediately.
However, for some reason, it just kept sliding further down the pile- despite my best intentions. Now, two years later, I finally reached for it while looking for a darker toned thriller for Halloween.
Trying to refresh my memory about the book and why it was such a runaway hit, I read a few reviews, both editorial and on Goodreads, before I got started. I have noticed the book is said to be reminiscent of Stephen King’s IT, or The Body. I also noticed many reviewers compared it to Stranger Things.
I do recall that program was super popular around the time this book was published, but as is so often the case with me, I never watched a single episode of it. I wondered if my unfamiliarity with the show would somehow affect my enjoyment of this book- which is one reason why comparisons and riding popular trends can be troublesome.
Once a super-hot show or trend starts to cool, the book may not be as effective in retrospect, or readers, like myself, who are a little late to the party, may question the hype surrounding it.
The King comparisons, however, did resonate with me to some degree, but I never felt the emotional connection to the characters as I did while reading the King novels.
The book did not quite live up to all the enthusiasm it received across the board, for me personally; however, the book is still very solid, and certainly a cut above many thrillers of this type and style.
Although the story got off to a slow start for me, and remained just a beat behind where it needed to be to maximize the suspense, it was, nonetheless, very intense, atmospheric and creepy, with a constant, palpable sense of foreboding throughout.
The mystery is more complex than I anticipated, the revelations are well timed and effective, and the conclusion is a real stunner.
Even though I was not as overwhelmed by this book as others were, I am impressed enough to acknowledge its impact, especially as a debut novel.
It’s hard to make inroads in a well- established subgenre of thrillers, but the author has quickly built a faithful following and launched a stable career in the process. So, hats off to C.J. Tudor. I’m curious and eager to check out a few of her other books some day.
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