Melody's Reading Corner: October 2022

Melody

Bantam Press | 21 July 2022 | 368 pgs

Source: Library

We're first introduced to Detective Elin Warner in Sarah Pearse's The Sanatorium and learnt that Elin was taking leave from her job due to PTSD issue. Although she's back in this book to investigate for a new case set at an eco-wellness retreat on an island off the English coast, she's still shaken by the memories at times though she's getting better as the time goes by.

Known locally as Reaper’s Rock, the island has its fair share of horror stories due to a murder which took place years back and the curse surrounding the place. Elin is called to the retreat because a woman's body was found on the rocks below the yoga pavilion. Initial speculation is the woman fell off the pavilion due to a mishap, but she wasn't a guest and wasn't meant to be on the island at all, in which was later rectified that her visit was a surprise by a few guests who knew her. Thereafter, there's another death in the following day when a man drowned in a diving incident. It is probably not a coincidence, considering both victims come from the same circle of family and friends who stay there for some relaxation. As Elin and her partner, DC Steed, begin their investigation around the retreat, they will soon find out the complicated relationship and dynamics within the group of family/friends and also, what really happened on the island years back.

First off, the atmospheric setting was a draw and the author knows how to capture her readers' attention through this setup as a locked-room mystery, just like the same as The Sanatorium. Her cast of characters are usually intriguing though not all are likeable, but I'm fine with this as this bring out the characteristics in them. However, it took this reader a while to get familiarise with the characters in the beginning and the pace was slow, with nothing much going on except reading about the bickering and gossips among the characters. It's clear that some of them have secrets and are not honest with one another. As the story progresses, it was interesting to learn that the past murder was connected to the present so that leave readers the questions why and how?

Overall I found it to be an average read but I've to say I enjoyed reading about Elin more in this book as compared to the previous book. She's shown resilience and put aside her insecurities at times in dealing with some tough situations, though not all are wise move and could be considered reckless sometimes but it's a start away from her old self. After the sanatorium and the retreat, I wonder what setup the author has in mind for her next book.

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Labels: 3.5 stars, Book Review, Psychological Suspense 6 comments |

Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson

Melody

Raven Books | 4 August 2022 (Reprint) | 336 pgs

Source: Library

At its core, this is a story about power, deceptions, revenge and how far a mother would go to protect her child.

Bree Cabbat has everything what a woman would wish for: a loving husband with a successful career, two lovely young girls and an adorable baby boy. Until the day she wakes up and finds a witch peering into her bedroom window. Convinced that it might be a trick of the light, she dismiss the bad feeling and go on with her day. Everything seems normal until she spies the witch again at her daughter's school's parking lot. Turns out that she's an old woman who kidnapped her baby thereafter. Bree is then instructed to fulfill a few tasks with no questions asked in order to get her baby back, but alongside the tasks she'd soon find out a few things that will tear her family apart.

I've mixed feelings about this book but I'd start off with the things I liked. The beginning was intriguing and compelling; the characters are flesh-out and the author has done a great job in portraying Bree's emotions and her role as a mother. Onto the parts which gave me mixed feelings are the surrealism of the tasks Bree had to accomplish and the motives behind the kidnapping. I get it that the kidnapper wanted justice on her end, but I didn't agree with her acts and her choice of victim(s) considering she herself as a mother, too. The pacing was great in the beginning, but it was slowed down by another character's POV and some flashbacks, thus leading to the inconsistency of narratives and the intensity momentum. Overall it was a decent read but it wasn't enough for me in the thriller aspect.

Labels: 3 stars, Book Review, Psychological Thriller 7 comments |

The Heights by Louise Candlish

Melody

Simon & Schuster UK | 5 August 2021 | 448 pgs

Source: Library

Ellen Saint is meeting a client at her house in an apartment building, The Heights, when she sees Kieran Watts standing on the rooftop terrace. Seeing Kieran has sent a wave of shock and rage in her; afterall he was dead and she's responsible in his death.

Two years ago, Ellen was living a peaceful life until Kieran waltzed into her son's life and thereafter, there was nothing but troubles and frustrations as she sees Kieran was a bad influence to her son, Lucas. Considering him a catalyst that leads to the family's misery, Ellen decided to take matters into her own hands with some help from her ex-husband, Vic. We all know from the start that things didn't go as planned, and this is where I should refrain from saying more as the highlight of the story is finding out the dynamics between Ellen and Kieran, her interactions with Vic and where the direction will go after Ellen learnt about Kieran's existence and his whereabouts.

As the title suggests, it is about the apartment building where Kieran resides but it is also about Ellen's acrophobia and her other weakness - 'The call of the void' (also known as 'high place phenomenon' characterised by a sudden compulsion to jump). Ellen wasn't a character whom you'd like or read easily; she's flawed and full of hatred and vengeance that would lead the reader wondering if her actions are justified or is she just being obsessive and vengeful. Yet, from another perspective, her role and her emotions as a mother feel real and raw and I couldn't help but to feel sorry for her during those moments. The pace wasn't fast for a thriller, though it did pick up towards the last quarter but it's readable for the character developments and not to mention the explosive ending which would surprise the reader. Overall, I think this book was good but not my favourite. I'd recommend Our House, though, if you want to give this author a try.