REVIEW: Snatched by Stephen Edger

Snatched by Stephen Edger

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 26th September 2017

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★★★★ 4 stars

Edge of your seat thriller!

I really enjoyed this book, despite my suspicions as to the perpetrator and having guessed who was responsible very early on in the story. Like about 10% in...lol But that didn't deter me and I still enjoyed it for the thrill ride that it was. I dont want to spoil it for others so I will just say while the topic is of a sad and tragic reality in many cases, the thrill is in the chase. So enjoy the ride.

REVIEW: No Kiss Goodbye by Janelle Harris

No Kiss Goodbye by Janelle Harris

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 23rd September 2017

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★★★★★ 5 stars

Wow!

What else can I say? I know most people have begun their reviews in much the same way...and upon reading it myself I can see why not a lot was said about the book and what happened. And while things may not make a lot of sense and may seem somewhat confusing, it all begins to make sense nearer then end. I know I found myself somewhat confused many times throughout. One thing I figured out early on in the book was about Laura's best friend Ava. I won't spoil it by saying what, but just that I figured, well suspected more accurately, that piece of the jigsaw correctly early in the piece.

It is a heartbreaking story. A confusing journey filled with illusions and half truths wrapped up in heartbreak. I was in tears throughout the entire epilogue, as Laura's journey came full circle. 

A brilliant debut. It's like nothing like you would expect.

REVIEW: Kissing Games by Mark Edwards

Kissing Games by Mark Edwards

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 13th September 2017

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★★★★ 4 stars

Wow! That was just a little bit creepy! Read it on the train this morning which was perfect for my hour long journey. 

I won't say too much as it is a short story one can read in an hour themselves, but the premise sounded intriguing. However I have to say I do prefer his novels though this was a spine-tingling read none-the-less with a bit of a shock ending. You do kind of want to read of the fallout and aftermath but then I guess that takes away from the shock factor.

A nice chilling quick read.

REVIEW: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 10th September 2017

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★★★★★ 5 stars

I was actually recommended NOT to bother with this book...but I'm glad I did! Admittedly, it was slow going at first, mainly because there were so many different perspectives that it was hard to -remember who was who and where they fitted in to the story. But after about 10-15%, I got into the swing of things, despite a few more perspectives being added to the story I was still able to follow it as each chapter was cleverly woven into the next - including the excerpts from Nel's book about the Drowning Pool - they just came together to weave this thrilling, chilling and eerie tale dating back to the 1600s to the present (2015). I wasn't sure I would like it but I did. I loved it!

The story begins with a partial excerpt from Nel's book from Libby's perspective, though no date is attached at this point which probably adds to the confusion so I will say Libby is from the 1600s. It then flows into Jules who, I would say if the book were to be written in the one first person perspective, would be the main character. Like a patchwork quilt, each chapter is like a new patch which on its own can seem confusing and senseless, but once the pieces start weaving together you begin to see the final product. It really is quite clever. While there is no death within the present "live" narrative, as it tells of the aftermath of each of the deaths tying them together with those of the "suspected" witches in the early 17th and 20th centuries - all within the drowning pool and the secrets that it, and the village of Beckford, keeps. It is cleverly told and even when the "truth" comes out, you may or may not be prepared for the final reveal within the last lines. For me, while I was half expecting it and half not, it still managed to pack that thrilling punch which leaves you with that "WOW!" feeling.

REVIEW: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 7th September 2017

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★★★★★ 5 stars

You truly feel a little like a voyeur reading this book. As if you're the girl on the train, peeking into others' lives and deriving a fantasy from it. It's a sad tale in a way about a series of events told through the eyes of three women - Rachel (the girl on the train), Megan and Anna. And throughout the entire tale I shifted between liking and loathing along with sympathy and irritation for both Rachel and Megan. Anna, I just didn't like at all. Their respective husbands I had little faith in. Scott is jealous and paranoid, with a tendency toward violence. Tom, I just didn't trust at all. I mean, he cheated on Rachel with Anna - what's to say he wouldn't do it again? Then there was the therapist, Kamal Abdir, who crossed professional and ethical boundaries when he succumbed to Megan's need for sex.

As Megan's story is told in historic snippets from her perspective, while Rachel's and Anna's are in the here and now, and learn of her sad past you begin feel a sympathy for her. Why she is afraid to sleep at night, and why she can't. Her promiscuity. Her rebellion. Her losses. Her sadness. Her shame. And Rachel...you spend half the book wanting to slap her! But you also feel her pain, her confusion, her guilt, her shame.

The book really gets you in. I mean REALLY. I started it just before midnight Sunday night and finished it at 4am Tuesday morning. Read in two sittings. I did not want to put it down. I wanted to see if I was right. If my suspicions on Rachel's behalf were right. And was I?

Just as train stopped at that same signal every morning, I saw it coming. But will you? Read it and find out!

REVIEW: 99 Red Balloons by Elisabeth Carpenter

99 Red Balloons by Elisabeth Carpenter

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Read: 2 September 2017

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★★★★★ 5 stars

** spoiler alert **

I recently read a negative review about this book and upon reading it myself in just two days, I wondered if they had been reading the same book! Their biggest issue was the various perspectives each chapter was told from, finding it disjointed and the characters without substance. But I have to disagree. I have recently come to love and appreciate books written with various perspectives dedicated to every other chapter. It tells the various stories within the story of each character. And you find yourself enthralled within each story that ultimately leads to the bigger picture/story.

This book begins with a little girl outside a sweet shop talking to a man, and despite the dangers she has been warned about, even stating such to the man, she goes with him. The ensuing chapters are then narrated respectively from Stephanie's and Maggie's perspective. The untitled chapters are then from the little girl and the mystery man...blending past into present. And therein those untitled chapters lies a twist within itself....when you find out they are not two perspectives, but four! This maybe where the negative reviewer got herself lost...it's easy to if you don't notice the little differences and see the twist. As the book does tell of the disappearance of two girls decades apart, you find within those chapters you are hearing from both girls respectively. Yes, it may seem confusing, but believe me it all falls into place with a twist that leaves you on the edge of your seat! 

I loved this book! The fact it is a debut for this autbor did not deter me, as the description was enough to get me interested. I can't wait for more thrilling tales from Elisabeth Carpenter.