Tanya

Having never read anything by Lehane before, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, I'm afraid my expectations were too high.

The novel alternated between a psychological thriller and a detective mystery, complete with puzzles. It was a pretty quick read, with engaging dialogue, and likable characters. However, about halfway through the book, I thought I had the ending figured out. I hoped that I was wrong and that I had fallen into a trap set for readers by the author. I prayed for a red herring. Unfortunately, I guessed correctly.

My only recommendation is that, if you're interested in reading this book, don't read the synopsis, don't try to think too much about the puzzles, and read as quickly as you can. Perhaps this way you can get to the end before Lehane ruins it for you.

This book is a rough read, and (in my opinion) very little like the movie (which I preferred, oddly enough...)

Read #2: I don't know why but the second reading of this book was world's apart from the first one. Maybe it's because I realized it was a nonfiction book that just felt like a novel, but I loved the characterizations, the descriptions of Savannah, and the trial itself. Now I feel like I need to rewatch the movie to see if I like it as much as I did the first time around.

“There's nothing most of us love more than a plausible lie.”

Amber Hewerdine can't sleep. She has suffered chronic insomnia since the death of her best friend in a mysterious house fire over a year ago. As a last resort, she decides to see a hypnotherapist for treatment and leaves in a hurry, disturbed by a phrase she utters while hypnotized - a phrase she at first assumes the therapist spoke first, but later realizes she has seen before. Soon after, Amber is arrested for the murder of a woman, and cannot clear her name until she remembers where she saw those words.

As with the previous novels in this series, Hannah focuses on developing her characters, allowing the reader to get inside their minds and fully understand their motivations, which in turn drives the plot. This results in a slightly meandering plot which can sometimes be confusing, but ultimately makes for a more compelling story (and series), since the reader never feels short-changed by having unanswered questions at the end. I especially enjoyed the insights of Amber's hypnotherapist, Ginny - they provided an interesting insight into Amber's memory and sleep issues, as well as occasionally bringing up a chilling question or observation that, on more than one occasion, led to an “aha!” moment for me in terms of the “whodunit” aspect of the plot. It was an interesting twist on the “unreliable narrator” idea, since Amber's memory is frequently not trustworthy, and her understanding of her motivations are frequently muddied by her biases regarding her current situation.

The fun in reading this novel, as well as the previous installments in the series, is following Simon Waterhouse as he follows a trail of disconnected clues to put together an incredible story to explain the novels central crime. Also, we get to spend some time with other less developed characters, including his unit chief, Sam, and his coworker, Gibbs. We also see what Charlie and Simon are like as a married couple, and get a peek into Charlie's sister Oliva's life.

As with all of Hannah's novels, the plot is twisting and dark, and sometimes feels convoluted. I enjoy this aspect - I've never yet been able to predict an outcome in one of her novels, not because they're not plausible, but because - like in a real investigation - there's a tremendous amount of information evidence to sift through before reaching the truth. For readers that might find these novels confusing, I would recommend reading them in several large sittings if at all possible. These are not books to read casually over the course of several weeks. Overall, this was a great installment in the series and I highly recommend it to fans of Hannah's, and I can't wait to read the next.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.)

This book, which began as an article for Rolling Stone Magazine, is the result of a 5-year, in-depth investigation into Scientology. It's full of interviews from current and former members, information pulled from police reports, court filings, news articles, and documents released by the Church of Scientology itself.

It's a meticulously researched book, filled with information that is generally unavailable to the casual reader, and is easy to read. It details both the ups (tax exemption by the IRS) and the downs (the high-profile death of a member and the subsequent coverup and lawsuit) of the movement's history. Reitman comes across as a credible journalist, never sensationalizing what is an easily sensationalized topic, and for that reason alone it's worth the read.

This was a fun book and a really quick read. While it read a bit too YA for my personal tastes, it has a great premise and I enjoyed the story. It sounds silly to say, but one supernatural element in general had me rolling my eyes (a bit of a Salem deus ex machina at play). Had I read this as a tween or early teen, though, I think I would have adored it, so I think I'm just too old and used to scarier horror for this to have entirely worked for me.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Warfare continues as winter approaches the Seven Kingdoms. Robb Stark fights to hold together the Northern territories despite serious setbacks and Jamie Lannister has escaped from Riverrun to execute a trade for the Stark girls. Sansa finds her situation worsening, and Bran must decide to follow a path to safety or to a discovery of his true potential.

Every time I think I've got this series figured out, Martin throws me for a loop! Story lines that I thought were progressing in one direction suddenly diverge in a new direction, characters that were once beyond redemption surprise with a unexpected hidden side, and the twists get more dramatic as the novel progresses.

As the fighting intensifies, characters reveal themselves in fascinating ways. Catelyn becomes obsessed with reuniting what is left of her family, at the potential expense of her son Robb's crown. Robb must decide if he wants to continue fighting the Lannisters or see to the tragedy awaiting him at his home at Winterfell. Jon, traveling with the Wildlings beyond The Wall, sees what is truly approaching the Seven Kingdoms and must decide where his loyalties lie. Even Tyrion and Jamie must decide how loyal they are to their family - and how far they'll go to demonstrate that loyalty when called to do so.

Overall, this was the best yet in the series. As usual, the writing is superb, painting a picture of a land so believable you'd swear it wasn't fantasy you were reading, but a finely crafted political thriller...with dragons. The good guys don't always win and the bad guys don't always lose...and aren't always bad. The plot almost reads like a mystery, full of twists and turns, so much that it's difficult to know what to expect when you turn the page.

I'm trying to pace myself to not get too far ahead of the show, but after reading this installment, I might just have to move on to Book #4.

This was a fun horror debut from an author best known for her comtemporary YA. This book read like a teen-focused slasher film and reminded me of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream. There's a biracial black/Hawaiian female protagonist (our “final girl”) and good sex representation in which teens have responsible sex and feel good about it afterwards. There was some really heavy-handed foreshadowing about the protagonists “mysterious past” that turned out to not be as big a deal as it was built up to be. It was a fun, fast-paced read that I enjoyed more than I expected to.

This book was really disappointing for me. It draws the reader in quickly, following the life of a young, first-generation Korean woman after her graduation from Princeton in the mid-90's. She is ambivalent about everything, from her job, graduate school, and her love life, and seems to wander from place to place without really finding what she's searching for. This novel had such potential with captivating characters and an engrossing story line, but the ending left so much unexplained and at loose ends, that I felt let down by the author. A good read, but don't expect a great finish.

While this book had interesting information about the history of lobotomy and mental health treatment over the past 150 years, it jumped around quite a bit and felt a bit jumbled. The attempts to weave together Henry M.'s story and the history of the surgeon who performed his lobotomy was not entirely successful. There were too many other patients and other surgeons muddled the story and made it hard to follow.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

This book was a disappointment. I liked the first 100 pages or so and it started out with an interesting premise. A couple move into a house they bought for a steal with the condition that they have to clear out the previous owners belongings. As they do this, a “disturbing discovery” in made in the attic by Jack (the boyfriend) who decides to not tell his girlfriend for no apparent reason. Meanwhile, Syd (the girlfriend) befriends in a very odd way the little girl that lives in the house behind theirs who seems to be hiding something. As the book progresses the perspective shifts from Jack to Syd as you discover they're writing their “versions” of what happens (you find out why later) and that's where the story fell apart for me. The synopsis gave me a strong suspense vibe, maybe even horror, but turned out to be more sad than anything else. There was a “who dun it” (sorta) but the twist was predictable and underwhelming by the time it finally came around. The only real positive I can give this book is that it's a fast read, so at least you won't waste too much time on it if you're as disappointed as I was with the plot.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Madeline is a fixture at Pirriwee Public School, having sent her 14-year-old daughter Abigail through already. Now, on her daughter Chloe's kindergarten orientation day, she is confident that the day will be business as usual. It is, until a stumble in the street brings her into contact with Jane, a new mom in town. Madeline introduces Jane to her friend Celeste and the three are fast friends. By the time orientation is over Jane's son has been accused of hurting a young girl in his class, Jane defends her son when he says he didn't do it, Madeline defends Jane from the girl's angry mother, and battle lines have been drawn. The book takes off from there, touching on school bullying, helicopter parenting, sexual violence, domestic abuse, self-confidence, single parenting, money, blended families, the pressure of keeping up appearances, and the dangers of gossip until racing toward a final stunning murder during the school's Trivia Night fundraiser.

Sending your children to school is not unlike going back to school yourself and Moriarty captures that with biting accuracy. The “Blonde Bobs” (known for their similar fashionable haircuts) are the Type-A moms of Pirriwee Public, running committees and signing petitions. Moriarty perfectly captures these women and the children they pass off as trophies. One parent quips that a Blonde Bob is lucky that her child is both gifted and has a mild peanut allergy, proving that motherhood is often viewed as a competition and to have more of a struggle is seen as a badge of honor and a sign of dedication. There's also a quiet rivalry brewing between the “career moms” and the “stay at homes” that any mother would probably recognize on some level. As a mother with a child in elementary school, I do not find these characterizations to hit far from their mark.

Moriarty peppers the novel with police interview tidbits from the other parents at the school that serve as a Greek chorus, commenting (usually with a delicious bit of snark) about the goings-on at the school. Their insight into the dynamics of the school community were a great insight into how much gossip and social alliances can color the reputations of others. They were often some of the funniest, laugh-out-loud moments in the book.

“Mrs. Lipmann: Look, I'd rather not say anything further. We deserve to be left in peace. A parent is dead. The whole school community is grieving. Gabrielle: Hmmm, I wouldn't say the entire school community is grieving. That might be a stretch. “

The characterization was perfect, with each woman, husband, and child having a unique voice and well-developed persona. The infuriating voice of Madeline's teen daughter was even spot-on, projecting just the right balance of self-absorption, self-righteousness, and naiveté all at once. When you can accurately capture how infuriating and adorable a 14 year old girl can be, you know you've done something right.

There were no wasted scenes and no points at which the book dragged. All of the subplots converged and were resolved at just the right time and the ending was satisfyingly believable, despite being (at least for me) a possibility I never once considered. In the end, Big Little Lies showcased just what kind of lies we tell ourselves and other and the disastrous consequences those lies can have.

As Paul and Mia are driving out of town toward their lake house, having left their boys behind with their sitter, there's obvious tension between them. Paul notices but is determined that they will have the best day ever, no matter what.

This story takes place over the course of a little more than 24 hours and should be gone into with as little background information as possible. It has a slow start but Rouda begins to drop hints almost from the start. This is surely intentional because, as a reader, you can't help but realize that something isn't right almost from the get-go. The tension continues to build slowly but steadily until the end, leaving you on edge as you wait to see what will happen next. The story is told from Paul's perspective and will give Joe Goldberg (from YOU by Caroline Kepnes) a run for his money as the worst guy around. Despite being a bit predictable and playing with a very familiar theme in the suspense thriller genre, Rouda's expert build-up of tension pulls you in and doesn't let go. This is a book that must be read in one sitting. (4.5 stars)

(Thank you to Graydon House and Harlequin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

This was a solid debut from a new Australian crime writer. The Dark Lake is a police procedural with a complex plot. I occasionally found it difficult to accept all of the professional screw-ups by our characters but it wasn't enough to warrant more than an eyeroll from me. The character development was superb though, to be honest, the “emotionally damaged detective” trope isn't my favorite. Gemma as a character is rather unlikable and I soon grew tired of hearing about her dumpster fire of a personal life. That being said, the fact that I had such a strong reaction to her says something, even if it wasn't a strong positive reaction. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next from Sarah Bailey.

Brian Freeman's horror anthology contains five short stories, written by Stephen King, Kelly Armstrong, Bill Pronzini, Simon Clark, and Ramsey Campbell. This is to be the first of several and, if this is the case, he's off to a strong start.

This book was incredibly short - less than 100 pages - and was a very quick read. I easily clocked less than an hour of reading time with this one. The Stephen King story “Weeds” (also known as “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill”) was one he wrote in the 70s and was featured in the second Creepshow film. It tells the tale of Jordy, a farmer who believes the meteor that lands in his backyard will bring him some fast cash, but sadly causes him more trouble than he anticipates. It was an almost humorous story, as Jordy continues to make things worse for himself until the sad end.

Most of the stories were good, but I have to confess that I believed the story by King to be the best (no surprise to me there). I was actually disappointed that Bill Pronzini's story, Magic Eyes, was a short story. After reading it, I wished it had been a whole novel, it was so enjoyable. The fourth story, Murder in Chains, felt as though it were a scene from the middle of a story and was a little too scattered in terms of plot for my liking, though it was more action-packed than the others. The fifth story, The Watched, was my least favorite. It had a good premise, but the execution just wasn't there.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of the genre, people who enjoy short story collections, or anyone interested in giving these authors a try for the first time without the commitment of reading a novel.

The book-within-a-book format of this novel was a fresh take on a familiar suspense genre trope - the unreliable husband. The added complication of memory loss in Liza's narration added an additional layer of unreliability, creating a book full of fairly well-developed characters that couldn't be trusted. Rather than feel too tropey, Holahan found the right mix of believable and unnerving. This was a great book by a young author and I can't wait to see what Holahan writes next.

“Assume nothing, believe nobody, check everything.”

Thirty-one-year-old Felicity Benson is an insecure television producer who is surprised when her boss, film-maker legend Laurie Nattrass, hands her his pet project, a documentary detailing the stories of women who were falsely accused of murdering their children, and announces his retirement. As Felicity begins interviewing these mothers, she receives a strange item in the mail - a card containing 16 numbers, arranged in a tidy grid. Soon she discovers the police are investigating crimes related to two women featured in the film who also received a card from the mysterious sender. One, assaulted on the street, the other, murdered in her own home.

This latest novel in the Spilling CID series by Sophie Hannah is my favorite so far. Hannah constructs a well-honed mystery with distinctive characters and sophisticated writing. DC Simon Waterhouse is once again pitted against his boss, “The Snowman”, who was the arresting officer in the case involving the murdered mother, and we get to watch their relationship deteriorate even further. This plot was an extremely straight forward murder mystery, avoiding some of the confusing twists present in her previous novels. However, in true form, Hannah keeps the reader guessing until the shocking and unforgettable ending.

I don't quite know how to categorize this book. I have been “currently reading” this book for over a year (I only have about 20 pages to go). It's odd, to say the least, and I can't quite figure out whether I want to finish it. It's part mystery, part horror, part science fiction, and part “non-fiction” (through an odd internal story). Give it a try if you're looking for something WAY off the beaten track.