Tag: secrets

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Conniving social climber Amber sets her sights on Daphne Parrish. She wants Daphne’s social status, her husband, her life. Before long, she manages to insert herself into Daphne’s inner circle, becoming one of Daphne’s closest confidantes. But dark secrets threaten to disrupt Amber’s carefully laid plans.

My Impressions:

As an avid fan of Liv Constantine’s work, I was really excited to start reading this book. There was a lot of hype around it- I had it on hold from the library for quite a while before I got to read it- and it lived up to the hype. If Constantine’s other books kept me enthralled, this book held me hostage. I listened to one of the darker twists while on my afternoon bike ride and ended up riding an extra mile without noticing because I was so caught up in the excitement of the book.

If you want a book that will bother you on a psychological level and leave you feeling disturbed and strangely worried for the fates of fictional characters long after you’ve closed the book, this is the perfect read for you. Readers who enjoyed the dark and twisted inner worlds of Constantine’s other characters will be absolutely delighted to know that in my opinion, this is her most twisted book out so far. It is not for the faint of heart, it is not a cozy mystery to read by the fire. This book will make you feel upset and unsettled in the best way possible.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

A year after the death of her girlfriend, Felicity Morrow returns to the boarding school they both attended. Despite her newfound caution towards the occult, she is soon embroiled in another student’s fascination with the legends surrounding the school, and the alleged witches who died there.

My impressions:

Stylistically lush and lovely, this book was impossible to put down. Add to that the wonderful narration in the audiobook and this made for a beautiful reading experience. The characters were compelling, and following their arcs was a real pleasure.

As for the twist, which I won’t reveal, I think it will be equally enjoyable for readers who figure it out as for those who are taken by surprise. Lee does an excellent job of foreshadowing without being too obvious, allowing readers to piece things together, whether in hindsight or as the plot unfolds.

Fans of dark academia such as We Were Villains or The Secret History who perhaps long for something with a similar vibe and snappier pacing may well enjoy this book, which I feel avoids some of the pitfalls of the subgenre. Less meandering than it’s compatriots, yet still every inch as character driven, this book is a good choice for old and new fans of the genre alike.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Perfect Stranger, by Megan Miranda

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

In the wake of a career disaster, Leah runs into her old friend Emmy, and the two decide to get a place together in quiet rural Pennsylvania. Leah gets a teaching position there, hoping to hide from her past. However, when Emmy vanishes, she begins unearthing disturbing secrets about her enigmatic friend. Did she really know Emmy at all?

My impressions:

As a dedicated fan of Megan Miranda’s work, I’m surprised it took me so long to get around to reading this book. In classic Miranda fashion, the characters and audience both are confronted with clues that challenge what they think they know, and as the story unfolds, it’s clear that you can’t assume anyone is telling the truth.

I must admit, I’m a big fan of this particular brand of mystery novel. The delicate midpoint between literary mysteries like Big Little Lies and old fashioned pulp detective stories, the sub genre Miranda inhabits is one of a tightrope act, balancing fast paced thrills with character arcs that would be just as at home in a much longer book. To maintain that kind of balance between dense, meaty narratives and the rollercoaster thrill casual and dedicated readers alike seek out takes a level of skill that is impressive.

As Emmy’s secrets unspool under the persistent tugging of Leah’s curiosity, readers are bound to find themselves tangled in the story and happy to be so. Readers who enjoy Ruth Ware and Megan Collins are bound to enjoy this twisty mystery.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Ghost Tree, by Christina Henry

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Two girls are found dead in the placid town of Smith’s Hollow, and no one seems to be making much progress on solving their murders. When fourteen year old Lauren starts having visions about a monster and her four year old brother starts making strange predictions, Lauren begins to wonder if not everything in her hometown is what it seems.

My impressions:

If you want to read something that will haunt you, this book will do the trick. This was my first time reading a Christina Henry book, and I didn’t know what to expect, but having read this, I think it’s safe to say I’m adding the author’s other works to my reading list immediately.

The lore of Smith’s Hollow weaves together seamlessly with the unfolding story, with the buried secrets of the town informing the events as they happen. By turns both heartbreaking and terrifying, it’s impossible to look away as the macabre plot descends.

Fans of Rose Szabo and Silvia Moreno-Garcia are likely to enjoy this deeply creepy fantasy horror tale.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: That Weekend, by Kara Thomas

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

When Claire wakes up alone and bloody, separated from the friends she went camping with, she knows something terrible must have happened. But why can’t she remember anything?

My impressions:

Although I haven’t been reading as much YA lately, I’ve read some Kara Thomas before and I enjoyed it, so I knew I wanted to check this book out. It didn’t disappoint, delivering on the promise of Thomas’s characteristic bold twists and knife edge suspense.

Fans of Karen McManus and Stephanie Perkins should definitely consider checking out this book, as well as Thomas’s other works. It has the perfect balance of suspense and interpersonal drama, weaving the two together to keep the audience invested in all the characters. I definitely recommend this one for a quick thriller fix.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Lies You Told, by Harriet Tyce

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

When Sadie Roper moves back into her childhood home and enrolls her daughter in the same school she herself once attended, she has plenty of misgivings. Her memories of school are not happy ones, nor are her memories of the home she once shared with her cold mother.

My impressions:

This book was a proper thriller, with plenty of tense moments and discoveries that will keep both you and the characters on the edge of your seats. I actually caught myself gasping out loud and clapping a hand to my chest in shock at one point.

If you’re looking for a good suspenseful domestic thriller, this book is a good choice. Fans of Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere will probably enjoy the fascinating ensemble of characters in this book.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

What do a reclusive man, a Bible reading cat, and a teenage girl who isn’t allowed to leave the house have in common? Needless Street. Something is off about Needless Street, though, and it will take all of these peculiar characters and more to suss out the truth.

My impressions:

It’s difficult to properly explain the things I loved most about this book without entirely spoiling the ending, so I’ll just say this: question every assumption you have while reading it. This is not your average thriller, rather, it has layers upon layers of tightly woven together clues.

Personally, I couldn’t help being intrigued by this book from the moment I saw the cover. It looked spooky and whimsical, the cat catching my attention before my eyes drifted up to the review quoted at the top of the book, wherein Stephen King referred to the book as a “nerve-shredder.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but that got my attention. Something that visually reminded me of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s middle grade novels was clearly more than met the eye- and clearly much scarier than the whimsical cover implied. I knew immediately that I had to read it.

The novel itself is just as full of contrasts as the cover. By turns both whimsical (I know I know I keep using this word) and disturbing, this book demanded to be read in one sitting, and I was powerless to resist. Do yourself a favor and read this one ASAP!

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: Don’t Tell a Soul, by Kirsten Miller

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Described as Rebecca meets Truly Devious, this gothic mystery features a tenacious protagonist named Bram and a possibly cursed, possibly haunted house. Bram goes to live with her uncle in his infamously creepy house, determined to unearth the truth of what really happened there.

My impressions:

Absolutely one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, this one really captured my imagination. Without spoiling too much, I want to say there was at least one twist so beautifully done that I found myself grinning ear to ear at the reveal, feeling clever for suspecting it and gratified that the story took such a satisfying turn.

If you love classic gothic authors like Daphne DuMaurier and Shirley Jackson, you’ll want to give this book a read. It’s a true love letter to the greats of the genre, and while it takes a modern spin on things, it still feels like a satisfyingly classic story. After all, it’s a tale as old as time: a girl in a spooky old house, a mystery to solve, and things that go bump in the night.

I highly recommend this book, which pairs well with a big cozy blanket and a dark night. If you’re reading on a phone or ereader, feel free to turn off all the lights and get swept away.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: What Big Teeth, by Rose Szabo

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Eleanor Zarrin’s family is not normal. Estranged from them for years, she returns home after an incident at boarding school. While trying to come to grips with how she fits into her strange and spooky family, she uncovers secrets that reveal more darkness than she expected.

My impressions:

This book honestly blew me away. I loved every minute of it, from the luxuriously gothic setting to the Addams Family-esque characters. Eleanor was impossible not to root for, and I felt pulled along into her world as she settled into it herself.

If you enjoy whimsical gothics, you will almost certainly adore this book as much as I have. I get most of my books from the library, and I loved this one so much that upon finishing it, I bought myself a copy to keep forever so that I can read it as often as I want. The writing style is lush, sometimes bordering on almost purple prose, but to such magnificent effect you’ll want to keep a little notepad to write quotes down in while you read. It’s not often that I gush so unabashedly about something, but this is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in years.

Perfect for curling up with this fall, you’ll want to drink this book in with a strong cup of tea and a plate of cookies. Let yourself be chilled and enthralled by Eleanor’s spooky family, you won’t regret being along for the ride.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

A young woman is ensnared by the secrets of the
mysterious Sundown Motel While Working there as
the night clerk. Thirty years ago, her aunt worked
the same night shift -until the night she
mysteriously disappeared from work, never to
be found.

My Impressions:

Simone St. James is masterful at creating
gothic atmosphere, and The Sun Down Motel
is no exception. Every character – alive or
dead – is memorable and fits perfectly in the
spooky setting.

If you’re looking for a great chilly read
to curl Up with during the spookiest time
of year, this is the perfect book for you.
The thrills and chills of the Sun Down Motel
are bound to keep you on the edge of your
seat, reading long past dark to see what
happens next.

Sometimes you just need a good ghost
story, and this is one of the best.
It also has a bit of a detective noir
vibe, which makes for a thoroughly
enjoyable read.

Happy Reading!