thriller reads – Hey Candi! What are you reading???

Book Review: THE MAIDENS by Alex Michaelides

Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for gifting me a copy for review

Synopsis

ST CHRISTOPHER’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IS A CLOSED WORLD TO MOST.

For Mariana Andros – a group therapist struggling through her private grief – it’s where she met her late husband. For her niece, Zoe, it’s the tragic scene of her best friend’s murder.

As memory and mystery entangle Mariana, she finds a society full of secrets, which has been shocked to its core by the murder of one of its own.

Because behind its idyllic beauty is a web of jealousy and rage which emanates from an exclusive set of students known only as The Maidens. A group under the sinister influence of the enigmatic professor Edward Fosca.

A man who seems to know more than anyone about the murders – and the victims. And the man who will become the prime suspect in Mariana’s investigation – an obsession which will unravel everything…

My thoughts

I have questions. I’m still thinking about that plot twist in the end. I had a suspicion but then dismissed it.

The author had me going in circles figuring out this plot.

A page turner and twisted. It’s dark and brutal. A little Greek Mythology added to the mix.

‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all…
Alfred Tennyson

I enjoyed it. But I didn’t get into it like I did with The Silent Patient.

Book Review: THE BONE CODE by Kathy Reichs

Synopsis

When a hurricane hits the Carolinas it uncovers two bodies sharing uncanny similarities with a cold case that has haunted Temperance Brennan for fifteen years.

The bodies that washed ashore in Charleston were put in a container, wrapped in plastic sheeting and bound with electrical wire, looking almost identical to those from fifteen years ago. With a growing sense of foreboding, Temperance flies to Montreal to convince her boss to reopen the case.

Meanwhile, a rare bacterium that can eat human flesh is discovered. Panic erupts as people rush to test themselves for a genetic mutation that leaves them vulnerable.

With support from her long-time partner Andrew Ryan, in a search that soon proves dangerous, Temperance discovers the startling connection between the murder cases – and that both the murders and the disease outbreak have a common cause…

Review:

Gets your attention from chapter one. But…

Temperance Brennan is a strong female character, but she’s arrogant and cold. I did not connect with her very well. I found her clinical towards other people. The only time she really seemed more “normal” was when she was working with her bones.

I enjoyed the book, but got a bit bored in the middle and I think it’s because I did not connect to the lead character.

This was my first read from this author and the title caught me. I enjoyed the first few chapters and was eager to see where things went, but I had to put it down because I had to get Temperance out of my head for a while.

I gave this book 3 stars.

Book Review: JUDAS HORSE by Lynda La Plante

Synopsis

A violent murder

A community living in fear

A detective with everything to lose

Violent burglars have been terrorising residents across the English countryside. But when a mutilated body is discovered in a Cotswolds house, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary group of opportunist thieves.

As Detective Jack aware investigates, he discovers locals with dark secrets, hidden crimes – and hits countless dead ends. With few leads and the violent attacks escalating, he will have to act audaciously as the criminals if he hopes to stop them.

When aware meets Charlotte Miles, a terrified woman with links to the group, he must use her to lure the unsuspecting killers into one last job, and into his trap. But with the law already stretched to breaking point, any failure will be on Warr’s head – and any more blood spilled, on his hands…

Review

This book is so good! It was a page turner for me.

DS Warr is meticulous in his job. He has no time for mistakes.

“Charlotte Miles, for three years you’ve been De Voe’s Judas Horse, now you’re mine.” – DS Jack Warr

Loved the insight into Jack’s personal life. We got to know him as a family man and not only as a cop chasing burglars.

Beautifully written, entertaining and keeps the attention of the reader.

Lynda La Plante has always been a favourite of mine and this book has proved why once again. She doesn’t disappoint.

I may have wanted some more damage to be done to the one character, but he got what was coming to him.

An entertaining read.

Thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for gifting me a copy of this book.

Book Review: THE WHISPER MAN by Alex North

“If you leave a door half open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken.
If you play outside alone, soon you won’t be going home.
If your window’s left unlatched, you’ll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you’re lonely, sad and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you.”

Synopsis:

When Tom and his son Jake move to Featherbank, they’re looking for a fresh start.

But this sleepy village has a dark past – fifteen years earlier a serial killer haunted it’s streets. In the days before he struck, his young victims claimed to hear whispers in the night.

Of course, an old crime need not trouble Tom and Jake.

Until another boy goes missing.

And then Jake says he hears a whispering at his window…

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn’t read it in one sitting was because it creeped me out at night and I love to read at night. So I opted to read it during the day, which helped a little bit.

It’s a story of a boy who is different. A policeman needing to close a 20 yr old case. A dad trying desperately to understand his son.

I loved the characters. I enjoyed the different POVs we got read. Well written.

Definitely on my recommend list.

The Whisper Man received 4.5 stars from me!