Dark subject matter is explored in this novel so I'll include a content warning at the end of my review for readers who may experience triggers. Skip Dark subject matter is explored in this novel so I'll include a content warning at the end of my review for readers who may experience triggers. Skip it to avoid possible spoilers.
Gripping to the point that I read it in a day, but as with most thrillers there are some areas that require suspending belief. I know that some are labeling this as romantic suspense, and I get why BUT for my two cents it read more like a mystery/thriller with eroticism. The erotic scenes were like building blocks to understand the psychology of the main character. They had a greater function than the gratuitous sex scenes that are a dime a dozen in romance novels.
Elizabeth is an English professor who is chilled to her core when she receives the first chapter of a creative writing assignment from a student impossibly detailing events from Elizabeth's teen years. The writing tells of her best friend Jocelyn's affair with their high school English teacher and Elizabeth knows the story ends with his death at her own hands.
Who knows the secret she's spent her entire adult life keeping?
And why now, more than twenty years later?
Ellizabeth travels from New York back home to Louisiana to try and uncover who has been taunting her.
From the brief description it has kind of a mic drop sound to it making you wonder what's happening. What really drew me in though beyond curiosity was the generational trauma that's touched on which I always find interesting because I've seen so much of it unfortunately and the psychological aspects.
The chapters that discuss Jocelyn's affair with their teacher are added in as part of the narrative and getting to read those as they appear on the page instead of just hearing about them worked well. It was like a time capsule and there was incredible attention to detail in these sections. I liked never knowing when another was about to drop.
I found this to be riveting and disturbing.
Content Warning Below . . . . . . . . Contains: Alcoholism Child Neglect Child Abuse Spousal Abuse Miscarriage Assault Sadism Grooming Sex with Minor Cancer Murder Religious Zealotry (this may not be a complete list)
Thank You to NetGalley and Atria|Emily Bestler Books for providing a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. ...more
A slow burn mystery that investigates crumbs of truth from various points of view and moments in time, it takes a little patience to appreciate the waA slow burn mystery that investigates crumbs of truth from various points of view and moments in time, it takes a little patience to appreciate the way the narrative unfurls itself, but I was intrigued from beginning to end. I'll be clear and say if you're looking for a pulse pounding thrill a minute read you will likely be disappointed. This is a mystery with finely woven together intricacies where the past and present collide.
In 2003 a group of high school seniors were given an assignment to pen letters to their future selves. Twenty years later their teacher mails each student their letter. These letters function as a catalyst getting the ball rolling on a collision course to raise questions and unbury long held secrets. Upon receiving her letter, Miranda, a young mother drives to a rocky outcropping still in her pajamas and jumps to her death. Her best friend Audrey just can't accept this tragedy at face value. She can't help wondering what was in that letter. She begins to interview their other classmates and talk turns to the classmate who froze to death on one of their overnight school trips.
Was his death an accident?
One thing is for sure nothing in the past or the present is what it seems.
Everyone is guarding their secrets.
There are a lot of POVs and a dual timeline. However, it wasn't difficult to keep track of the facts or characters. The straightforward style of writing served the content well. The complete picture emerges bit by bit. Getting to know these characters in such detail was an unexpected surprise. The pacing is solid, and the ending has enough punch to up the suspense. The small seaside town provided a familiar atmosphere. It became second nature to imagine this little town with its secrets swirling about.
This was my first time reading a Deborah O'Connor novel, but it won't be my last.
If you enjoy assembling the pieces of a mystery this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press|Sourcebooks for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own....more
I experience an intangible pull towards mountainous, desolate, snowy settings in novels. Whether it鈥檚 a chilling thriller, creepy horror, or a survivaI experience an intangible pull towards mountainous, desolate, snowy settings in novels. Whether it鈥檚 a chilling thriller, creepy horror, or a survival story there鈥檚 just something about it that stands out to me. Maybe it鈥檚 the extra quiet insulated feeling that accompanies a snowfall. Or how something lovely can turn deadly if circumstances deem it so. Whatever the reason I am fascinated by these stories of survival and I鈥檒l probably always reach for another be it fiction or nonfiction.
20 years ago Livy鈥檚 best friend Mo died on a trail in Nepal. Upon receiving her friend鈥檚 ashes and her journal all these years later she decides to get their former team together and head to Annapurna鈥檚 base camp to find the perfect final resting place for Mo. The team finds the mountains more harrowing this time around the threats of avalanches, blinding snow, and injuries are pushing each one to their limit.
There are two stories here one of coming to terms with drama that was left to fester, the other is trekking through beautiful areas and the danger when nature turns deadly. Livy was in need of a wake up call. Sometimes characters cut from that cloth become a nuisance to me. However, in her case I wanted to see her learn to prioritize and start being honest especially with herself.
I was glued to this story of life threatening situations and the treacherous landscape.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regalo Press for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own. ...more
I actually finished listening to this a few days ago, but being slammed with migraines has put me behind on reviewing. I plan to properly review this I actually finished listening to this a few days ago, but being slammed with migraines has put me behind on reviewing. I plan to properly review this masterpiece soon,but for now if you鈥檙e wondering if this if worth your time I鈥檒l say that it is a piece of timeless southern fiction that I would reread at the drop of a hat. Simply one of the best coming of age stories I鈥檝e ever read. As someone who has called the south home my entire life the narrative spotlights our penchant for colorful stories, people, music, and animals. Everything is a little larger than life down here and this novel sparkles with every ounce of the magic I hold so dear. 鉁� I loved every single moment!!鉁� All. The. Stars. 猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍...more
With a forbidden attraction in the midst of an unpredictable deadly competition it's no wonder so many are singing the praises of the Wicked Games serWith a forbidden attraction in the midst of an unpredictable deadly competition it's no wonder so many are singing the praises of the Wicked Games series. It has a little something to satiate of variety of tastes.
Upon pushing play on this audiobook I found myself disChilling, smart, and thought provoking!!
4.5 猸愨瓙猸愨瓙鉁�
Some choose darkness, others are chosen by it.
Upon pushing play on this audiobook I found myself disappearing into this dark thriller; I did not want to hit pause, nor did I want to come up for air. I was drawn into this brilliant web of intricacies and undeniably happy to soak it all in. There is a dual timeline split between 1979 which tells Angela Mitchell's troubling story and 2019 where we meet Rory Moore. I almost always have a preferred timeline in stories that contain more than one, but I found both of these to be compelling.
Angela is an autistic woman suffering from this condition at a time when it was misunderstood. However, her weakness became a strength when noting a pattern of a serial killer that has eluded authorities. The killer known as 'The Thief' was believed to be responsible for a rash of disappearances. With no bodies and a lack of evidence there seemed to be little hope of ever capturing this fiend, until Angela began unraveling the threads in these cases.
Rory Moore is a gifted forensic reconstructionist who solves cold cases with her uncanny attention to detail. Her father's unexpected death puts a decades old case on her radar and the details begin to niggle at her brain. Forty years after 'The Thief' was convicted of killing a single victim, but suspected of being responsible for many more deaths, he's being released. The Thief has a single goal to find and punish the woman who put him away.
The plot and character development were outstanding. I did piece together the case and twists early, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment. Plus, I was curious if I was guessing correct because my brain was also turning over alternate possibilities. I hope to read the second installment soon. I found Rory to be a fascinating character.
Absolutely riveting!!
*Be aware this novel is filled with dark violent content.*...more
A departure from Barclay's usual style had this horror fan grinning with appreciation. I've enjoyed previous titles from his backlist, but one of the A departure from Barclay's usual style had this horror fan grinning with appreciation. I've enjoyed previous titles from his backlist, but one of the advantages of loving many genres is being able to enjoy the surprise of an author changing lanes. As horror goes this is the sort that takes an ordinary situation and introduces a supernatural element to give readers a front row seat to watch all hell break loose. It's my favorite kind because by grounding the setting and characters it makes it easy to envision the big scares. Not to mention experience the spook factor when the atmosphere jumps from business as usual to chilling.
Famed children's author Annie moves out of the city with her son Charlie following professional woes and the death of her husband. Their new existence is more isolated and what begins as an opportunity for a much-needed reset becomes marred by strange occurrences. Charlie begins to have vivid dreams and sleepwalking. He feels a pull to investigate an old shed on the property where he finds an old train set. Annie keeps hearing unexplained sounds and drawing a character that has no place in children's books.
Why are they hearing a train whistle when the local railroad is defunct?
The skillful foreshadowing, solid plot, swift pace and fleshed out characters made for a page turning read. Creepy vibes saturate this story in a most thrilling way. Fans of Stephen King are going to want to grab this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions. ...more
What do you do when the husband that disappeared a decade ago shows up on your doorstep?
Freddie is Alex's first husband; she woke up one morning and fWhat do you do when the husband that disappeared a decade ago shows up on your doorstep?
Freddie is Alex's first husband; she woke up one morning and found him gone without a trace. Carter is her new husband and wait for iiiitttt Freddie's best friend. When Freddie returns he tells her Don't Trust Carter.
The first half of this novel was a four-star read, but it took one of those turns. I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and exploring the bubble of their little world. And the dog,...more
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