A really good YA mystery/thriller, set in Iceland and has a lot of take on social media.
The story is told between view points of two young gi3.5 stars
A really good YA mystery/thriller, set in Iceland and has a lot of take on social media.
The story is told between view points of two young girls, Imogen and Hannah.
Hannah is a teenager that's recently left London to move in with his dad in Iceland, but his dad has another family, and she struggles to fit in to both Iceland and the family- although she's been there a lot through out the years she feels homesick.
Imogen is an Instagram celebrity, she has the perfect life on her feed, but in reality she's constantly miserable and have her own demons hiding in closet.
A man is found dead, and this murder crosses the paths of these two girls!
This was an enjoyable read, not an action-packed but a well written psychological thriller. I especially enjoyed the Instagram parts where Sigmarsdottir told the real and the optional captions!...more
Reminded me a lot of Before I Go to Sleep, Call Me Evie is a mystery/thriller about a young girl, who's seemingly captive with an older man- but is shReminded me a lot of Before I Go to Sleep, Call Me Evie is a mystery/thriller about a young girl, who's seemingly captive with an older man- but is she really? With fragmented memories, not knowing who to trust, Evie (now named Kate) is living in an isolated part of New Zealand with the man who she prefers to call as Jim. The story goes back and forth in time and we know something happened in the past- but just don't know what until the end. A good, slow burning, tense thriller without any gross, disturbing content, I really enjoyed this and would definitely read from Pomare again....more
OMG!! This book was such an undroppable thriller. It's a bit on the "unrealistic" side but it's so much good fun and in mystery/thriller genre it's thOMG!! This book was such an undroppable thriller. It's a bit on the "unrealistic" side but it's so much good fun and in mystery/thriller genre it's the perfect book. Aimee's husband is missing, and things are off between them. Then bang! Someone emptied Aimee's bank account- but the bank says it's her. She's sure she didn't do that! Then the story starts to develop and we get to know Aimee, she is a recently famed actress; she had a woman stalking her and she have a few "bitchy" connections. It goes between past and present, we see how Aimee lived as a child (not giving details for the sake of not spilling spoilers but believe me she had a hell of a childhood) As we reach the truth step by step the story does accelerate, I read that in holiday and although I was dead tired I stayed up late to finish! That says all I think.. Recommended for thriller fans!...more
I think the premise of the book is brilliant- a former slave girl, educated, brought to London, more intellectual than the "free white folk", determinI think the premise of the book is brilliant- a former slave girl, educated, brought to London, more intellectual than the "free white folk", determined, not bent, headstrong. And I was so excited when I read in the beginning of the novel, that this will not be a slave's story, which we have read many more times, but it will be a black Jane Eyre, a Jamaican girl's own gothic romance. I was a bit disappointed that it took 15% of the book to go to London, and it did take long to open up the plot, but I loved the ending. I was in between 3 and 4 but settling in 4 stars!
This wasn't a bad book, I really enjoyed it up to the point Emmeline grow up. The first 40% of the book could have done an awesome novella, it has theThis wasn't a bad book, I really enjoyed it up to the point Emmeline grow up. The first 40% of the book could have done an awesome novella, it has the troubled man trying to end a divorce, a young girl with ambition, and a young art dealer with secret ambitions. I loved that story. Then it changes a direction. Suddenly it drops the main character, several new ones pop along. I couldn't get focused to the plot after it steered into Emmeline's adulthood. Berlin and the love of art gave such a good background and atmosphere to the book but my problems with the plot sadly makes this an average read- 3 stars.
Thanks to Little Brown for a copy of this book....more
A resolution for me this year was not to finish the books I didn't enjoy. I've only read 20% so it's not fair to give a star rating, just not the righA resolution for me this year was not to finish the books I didn't enjoy. I've only read 20% so it's not fair to give a star rating, just not the right book for me....more
This book started so good, one of the best starts I've seen lately and I must confess it wasn't bad. However the "twists" was a bit predictable. PartsThis book started so good, one of the best starts I've seen lately and I must confess it wasn't bad. However the "twists" was a bit predictable. Parts in the middle of the book, until the events "took a different turn" the story stalled a bit, but I think overall this was a good thriller and I am glad I read it. It would have been excellent, 5 stars if Millicent was explored and developed a bit more.
3.5 stars rounded to 4 (GR, when are you going to give us the option to give this scores)...more
I won't lie, I found this book a bit baffling in the start but then when the events picked up, and I got what was going on it became so anti-climatic I won't lie, I found this book a bit baffling in the start but then when the events picked up, and I got what was going on it became so anti-climatic and interesting.
Would it be awkward if I define it as "Tarantino meets David Lynch"? The whole story, characters, events are bizarre and different, but not in a bad way. There is violence, sadness, a well-painted atmosphere, solid characters. If you're into cat/mouse game type of crime novels and fancy a quirk don't give this a miss. Second Korean crime fiction I have read this year and would love to read a third one. ...more
I must say it was difficult to read from time to time, as there is a lot of upsetting content in it, but it's not done in a vulgar way and put togetheI must say it was difficult to read from time to time, as there is a lot of upsetting content in it, but it's not done in a vulgar way and put together very powerfully.
I loved Hess, and Thurin, both strong characters with their flaws. Hess specifically fits quickly into the very likeable anti-hero space in the eyes of the reader. I wish there wasn't the classic 'encounter with the villain and action' section in the end, this book really didn't needed it. But the ending was beautiful. I can't say too much about the plot to not to reveal but I can say Chestnut Mans will haunt you forever after reading this book.
Gritty, disturbing, dark Scandi-crime, there are trigger warnings but pick it up if you have the stomach, you won't be disappointed. ...more
This was pretty good considering it's almost a retelling of Rebecca, a story every book or movie lover knows of. I can't help to think it could have bThis was pretty good considering it's almost a retelling of Rebecca, a story every book or movie lover knows of. I can't help to think it could have been a tiny bit shorter but the ending was perfect.
I really loved this modern, twisted Rebecca retelling. Full review soon!...more
Did you like the Walking Dead? I can describe this book a Walking Dead without Zombies!
This was such a different read.
The world comes to an end after Did you like the Walking Dead? I can describe this book a Walking Dead without Zombies!
This was such a different read.
The world comes to an end after the 'stupid' politicians turn each other's countries to nuclear playgrounds. Attacks on everywhere, cuts the communication, transport and destroys the order of the world as we know it. In a massive hotel building in Europe, far far away from every form of civilisation is the American lecturer Jon, stuck with some 20 strangers.
[image]
The story is told via Jon's diary, he writes to keep the journal of what happened in hopes of her wife Nadia might read it one day. Obvious and inevitable socialisation with other 'strangers' he is trapped with, will be a curse and gift for Jon at the same time. Not long after the end of world they discover a young girl's body in a water tank. She doesn't look like she's been attacked or anything but it's clear she's been murdered. Jon starts to investigate. Who is this girl? Who killed him and why? This is a fab social dystopia with a mystery element. Full review closer to publication date :)
Thanks to Penguin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
Junior and Henrietta (Hen) live in the middle of nowhere...One day a Full review here on my blog "We don’t get visitors. Not out here. We never have."
Junior and Henrietta (Hen) live in the middle of nowhere...One day a man called Terrence arrives. He's from a company working with the government. He declares himself as the bringer of good news. Oh, annoying he seems, he speaks professionally. He knows the best.
Junior has been selected/long listed as a possible candidate to go to space to start installation of a new settlement. This will take a long time, if he actually gets selected. So he will need to leave Hen alone. But they've thought everything. They have a solution for Hen, so that she doesn't feel lonely.
Oh, god this was such a good read. Spot on to say it's for fans of Black Mirror, so true. Even the names of the characters are beautifully put, Hen(!) and Junior.
It's not an eventful book, but a psychological and philosophical story set between 3 characters, a touch of science fiction but not heavy on sci-fi side at all. Could easily be adapted to a theatre play. There are a few surprises in the end, which you can actually guess if you read really carefully.
I love it when a writer captures a situation in 250-ish pages, not using one unnecessary word. This is one of the short and powerful books.
I am happy to discover Iain Reid, will be reading more from him in the future.
Thanks for the publisher, and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Now there's a guarantee I am giving to you: If you liked Station Eleven you will love this book.
I have never heard of Karen Thompson Walker before, bNow there's a guarantee I am giving to you: If you liked Station Eleven you will love this book.
I have never heard of Karen Thompson Walker before, but felt intrigued by the book description on NetGalley. I am so glad I have read this book. It is one of the fabulous finds, a book you pick by instinct and left you amazed.
I can summarise this as a borderline science fiction character drama- just like Station Eleven it swirls around lives of a bunch of people after a catastrophe- although in this book it's not a world-wide event, but a small town disaster, Walker masterfully delivering the intense feel of a lock down. There is sadness in this book but it's not cringe, beautiful as if a form of art.
Set in fictional university town Santa Lora in California, the book starts when some college girls fall asleep and fail to wake up. They dream. But no one knows what's causing this. Story moves between different point of views, Sara and Libby with their paranoid dad, a young married couple, Ben and Annie with their new born baby girl Grace, two castaway college students, Mei and Matthew, and a man named Nathaniel. I found almost all character's point of views really enjoyable and loved the way the story was delivered. The last chapter is one to remember.
I personally think the situation of a virus spread was handled excellently- no exaggeration, o unnecessary drama, as if a dish with all proper ingredients and a spot on pinch of spices. If you like psychological books with touch of sci-fi I will highly recommend. 5 stars and will definitely read Walker again. ...more
This book could have been much shorter. There are bits that could be shorter. (See what I did here? :p)
I liked the plot idea, all of 2.5 rounded to 3.
This book could have been much shorter. There are bits that could be shorter. (See what I did here? :p)
I liked the plot idea, all of us know really book smart people with strong careers falling for absolutely unworthy people. The heroine, Caroline has a PHD and rock solid career, knows psychology but still gets abused by her manipulative husband, and these things do happen in real life. I loved the tension and her careful planning, but I feel the plot was a bit over the top after 70% - too much going on!
Not bad for a holiday read but I wish it was less repetitive....more
I found it difficult to give a rating to this book. Especially because I am limited with 5 scores. This book for me is a 7/10 or 3.5/5, I must say thiI found it difficult to give a rating to this book. Especially because I am limited with 5 scores. This book for me is a 7/10 or 3.5/5, I must say this first.
Cloke's writing is definitely enjoyable, this is not one of that disposable young adult novels, there's something to take away and remember about this story. However I think it could have been better. The book is a timeline of events, divided in 3 chapters. Told first from Hope's perspective, then her ex-boyfriend Logan's, and finally Logan's new girlfriend Daisy's.
I absolutely enjoyed the Hope's section, which was nearly half of the book, and I wish this book was just told from her POV or at least was switching through them one by one continuously, rather than giving them a whole slice of chapter. Because Hope is the most well built character in this story, the reader can't help to feel disappointed about not going back to Hope's feelings and her view point.
The story is not only about toxic friendships, it's also about the toxicity in the community we live in, which pushes the young people to behave in certain ways. From depression to binge drinking, consent to rape, the books talks about a lot of things. I wasn't crazy about the ending, it became a bit too didactic after one point. That's why I cut it down to 3.5 and rounding up in 3.
This is so far the most Agatha Christie flavoured book Hannah have penned!
The start of the book reminded me of "A murder is announced"- 4 people get This is so far the most Agatha Christie flavoured book Hannah have penned!
The start of the book reminded me of "A murder is announced"- 4 people get letters accusing them of murdering a man called 'Barnabas Pandy'- and the letters are signed by Hercules Poirot! Who is Barnabas Pandy and did one of these people: Slyvia Rule, John McCrodden, Hugo Dockerill and Annabel Treadway, really killed Mr Pandy?
Loved this book and so glad to be reading the world's best detective again. Full review soon!...more
This was a very intense book- and the most confusing novels I have ever read this year.
The start of it made me feel like I am reading about being damaThis was a very intense book- and the most confusing novels I have ever read this year.
The start of it made me feel like I am reading about being damaged by a man, being left, loveless. You know when you get heart ache you feel your family is the one and only place you can get unconditional love, no matter what you are. Then it started getting confusing altogether.
My first issue with the novel was the point of view. It was multiple, but after one point it fixed on Lia for ages. I felt the need to switch between Lia and Grace rather than getting stuck in Lia -which felt needy and teenager-like, but I guess that was the intention. And Sky: why was she in this book. Just another girl? What was her role.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. It was an eerie-tale. Dark, obsessive. Mackintosh's imagination blew me away. The practices of 'water cure' are so similar with things happening to girls all around the world. In some countries girls get slapped when they get their first period bleeding. This is to ensure they become obeying, dutiful wives. Some people banish women from their houses during menstrual bleeding. So I totally get the point in Mackintosh's dystopian world. And I was ready to give a fat 4 stars but then things got confusing. I was lost after 80% of the book. Sudden, action packed ending with a few flashbacks that weren't enough for my thirst of knowing. I would have preferred a more vague ending- because what has been revealed isn't and won't be satisfying to a tale like that. The dreaminess of the first half was clouded by the end-reveal for me.
I agree that it is Virgin Suicides meets Handmaid's Tale- and in some bits I swear I could see Mackintosh winking to Angela Carter- the red velvet and wolf etc. (Highlighted on my kindle!)...more
Did you like Ten Little Indians from Agatha Christie? Then you'll love this book. OK- it doesn't have a dazzlingly brilliant ending like T.L.I but stiDid you like Ten Little Indians from Agatha Christie? Then you'll love this book. OK- it doesn't have a dazzlingly brilliant ending like T.L.I but still a pretty enjoyable, tense, atmospheric read.
Some strangers come to a hotel for a weekend break. Snow and ice gets roads blocked. People start dying. Eeek! I was curling my toes to find out who the killer was. [image] I've read Lapena before and definitely will read her again! ...more
Loading...
