Sunday, October 29, 2023

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin

 I'm pretty sure I've read another Rachel Krall novel before, but I can't remember.  There wasn't any in my blog, so if I did it was a while ago.

Anyway, this book was great.  I enjoyed how the author led us on from the beginning, leaving us guessing until the very end who the real murderer was.  I mean, she definitely gave it away, but it plays out so expertly you would have thought someone else was involved, when they weren't.  

The love story was given or take, but it was a nice added touch, as well.

What I didn't love but was apparently essential to the story plot and elements, were the social influencers.  It is a very contemporary plot line, though.  If anyone is going to understand that world it would be the new millennials.  Way to appeal to the times!

Psychological Elements

This one was a bit tricky.  There is definitely the psychopath element for the serial killer.  His problems were brought on by his poor upbringing and bad parenting.  Unfortunately, he had an incurable disease that made him unapproachable; however, for some reason he chose a profession where his appearance and odor would be judged.  That was an interesting choice.

Terence Bailey's and Maddison's characters were interesting too.  They chose to change their personas in different ways to hide from this killer and blend into their new environments.  One of them was prison, the other was hiding in plain sight on Instagram.  I also found it strange that Maddison chose to put her image out there when she was trying to hide.  Both killer and would be victim were "hiding in plain sight."



She Started It by Sian Gilbert

 Not my favorite.  Point Blank.  It takes place on a deserted island where a begrudged bride to be knocks off her past bullies.  It was so unnerving to even think about doing something that ridiculous as going to a deserted island without cell phone service with someone who essentially blames you for ruining her life.  Needless to say, many end up dead.  

Until the last few chapters, there is very little thriller components to it.  You spend most of the book hating the characters for what they did to this poor girl.  But, you sort of feel like it didn't matter because she became a rich, fancy doctor who can afford a private island retreat for 5.  Until the twist ...

Psychological Elements

Depression, suicide, self-mutilation, bullying, and more...

The high school girls were definitely mean and belittled the main character for seemingly no reason.  Much like many other young girls in high school, she was just trying to find herself.  All these girls did was ruin everything she held close to her.  Everything but her sister ...

Did I like the ending?  Not really.  But, come to think of it, I don't think I liked the beginning or middle either. 

This one was just not for me.  What are your thoughts?



Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The Last Word by Taylor Adams

 Not my favorite.

Well, the literary quality was there.  Lots of suspenseful elements and twists and turns.  But, my level of anxiety was elevated throughout every page of this book and nothing brought it down.  That's why it wasn't my favorite.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good suspenseful thriller, but holy, moly work up to it!  From the second I started reading until the very end, it was hard to catch my breath.  If that was what the author was going for, then kudos!  If not, then, well, it didn't work.

I will say this:  Great job putting it altogether in the end!  I didn't feel like there were any missing pieces and even the dog makes out ok!

Psychological Elements

Many different elements were brought into play, such as social isolation, anxiety, depression, suicidality, and psychopathy.  You get the sense that the main character is hiding something or that something terrible happened for her to retreat into isolation, but it is not what you think.  I did feel a connection to all the characters, even the aggressor.  The situation was believable, yet unbelievable.

Anyway, read it yourself and tell me what you think.


The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

 For some reason, I tend to like books that are written from various perspectives.  I like how the author outlined the events in a certain order and described how each character saw the day/events differently.  I realize that the title is The Only Survivors, so perhaps Megan Miranda was not looking to include any of the perspectives of the non-survivors in the narrative by design, but it would have been interesting to get the point of view of maybe someone that did not survive or even who later became a victim.  When you read the story, you know what I'm talking about.

Psychological Elements

Survivor Guilt - by far this is the underlying theme of the book.  Each character had a different way of dealing with how they felt to be the only survivors of a traumatic event.  In the end, the main character appears to have a different reason to feel even guiltier, but that was a "pleasant" twist or good distraction.  I'm not certain if getting together every year on the anniversary is smart, as it drudged up many feelings, but research always seems to note that having a group of people with same experiences is always helpful to work through things.



Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter

 I love the way this author writes.  I get totally engrossed and wrapped up in the characters and she always provides a before an after time/sequence, at least in the books I've read by her.

Pieces of Her follows a mother and daughter through their young adult lives.  The adventures they both take are very different, but strangely intertwined.  These two ladies are the focus of the events, but mostly the mother and what she did to alter her circumstances in the future.  That being said, I'm not certain all the events are believable or possible.  I'll let you be the judge when you read it.

Psychological Elements

Stockholm Syndrome - I honestly believe that the mother suffered from this when it came to the relationship with Nick and her father.  They were definitely overbearing and abusive characters and she fell further in love with Nick to get away from her father.  Eventually this lead to one of their demise.  I'll let you read to find out who.

Psychopathology - definitely Nick.  He is so charismatic and able to captivate his audience.  He can convince them of just about anything, including internal and mass destruction.  Eventually everything catches up to him and people start to see through him, but it should have happened well before it actually did (in my opinion).

Social Anxiety - Definitely a concern for the daughter.  She has difficulty getting out into the world and making connections with others.  That is changed drastically throughout the book as she is forced into change.

By the way, the Series on Netflix is NOTHING like the book - read it and watch it, you'll love them both.



Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

 Finally, a book with a male lead.  Many of our recent thrillers centered on a female protagonist that gets in to all sorts of mischief, tro...