Hello! So I'd had a wonderful vacation with my family last week. In case you're wondering, we went to South Korea for the vacation (my Instagram followers should've seen some of my pictures there). It was our third trip to Korea and I can tell you we never got tired of it because each trip is special and there are so many places to explore and so many things to eat. I've to say our tour guide played an important role too since he is witty and had shared many medical knowledge with us since he used to be a doctor (it's a long story why he changed his profession) and anyway it was a fun, fun trip. I might share those fun experiences if I've the time to write them and sort out the pictures (well it might be a challenge considering this month is school holidays so we shall see). And of course, I want to thank you again for helping me in selecting two books to read during my trip. I'd only managed to read the top choice (The Breakdown by B A Paris) and what a thrilling read! And I promise to read Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney (second choice) once I'm done with my two library books which I just realised are due soon. Meanwhile I also have three book reviews scheduled for posting so they will be up in the following days.
HQ | February 2017 | 384 pgs
Source: Purchased
It was the storm that started everything. Cass Anderson knew she shouldn't have taken the deserted road in the woods back home but there was a jam at the dual carriageway and she wanted to get home fast under that dreadful weather. But she had and she saw a car was parked awkwardly in a small lay-by. As she drove past she saw a woman in it but her features were blurred by the teeming rain. With the bad weather and the thoughts that the woman might have an accomplice nearby waiting to rob or attack her, she decided it was wise to just drive off quickly instead of checking her out. The next morning, there was news that a woman was found dead at Blackwater Lane; it was the short cut which Cass had taken the previous night.
Consumed by guilt for not checking out the woman, Cass's emotional state took a plunge further after she realised she has been forgetting little things. And then there were the frequent silent calls she had been receiving after that woman's passing. Did the killer see her on that fateful night and was threatened by her existence? Or was her mind playing tricks on her? After all, her late mother had dementia in her forties; did that mean she had early onset dementia as well?
The Breakdown had an intriguing opening and the suspense never let go until the end. The author has done a great job in developing her characters and building the suspense and right from the start I could already sense the heavy foreboding and whether or not if I should trust Cass, given her forgetfulness condition and her unreliable narrator account as well. Here, we also understand how dementia is a devastating brain disease and Cass's fear and doubts are palpable as the story progresses and the suspense began to intensify. While the motives might seem a bit overboard to me, overall it was a well crafted story and a compelling read.
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I'm so glad your trip was such fun! Do share some pictures!
I'm glad you liked The Breakdown. I agree with you about the motives, and what I found most interesting was the confusion and doubt Cass dealt with.
Your letter arrived, but I haven't yet answered it! Soon, though. :)
I liked her last book a lot and I just received a review copy of The Breakdown so I'm glad you had good things to say about it. So many good books out right now. I say that all the time but this summer is jam packed with good reads.
So glad to hear you guys had a fun vacation and I would love to see pictures from your adventures! I read B.A. Paris's debut book last year and I'm really excited to read this one.
Welcome back! I'm glad you had such a great trip. My nephew would be totally jealous; he loves South Korea. I hope you post some pics! :)
I am glad you had a nice vacation, Melody. South Korea sounds like a great place to visit.
And it sounds like The Breakdown was a great choice for a vacation read! I am glad you liked it!
Thanks, everyone! I'm still having a vacation hangover, lol. Such wonderful memories and I hope there'll be a next visit in the near future.
The Breakdown was a very intriguing read; it kept me on edge at most times. I hope you all will enjoy reading it if you do read it. :)
Hi Melody, sounds like a great trip. I just reviewed this one also, loved it, great review.
I couldn't wait to come over to your blog and check out your reviews. Hope you are well.
What has been your favourite book this year? This one would be mine so far.
Marce - It was indeed a wonderful trip, Marce. I just wished the trip was longer, oh well.
One of my favourite books is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. Loved it! I hope you'll read it. :) I enjoyed reading this book as well; and I can't wait to see what B A Paris has in store next.
This book is up next for me.
Thanks for your review.