Melody's Reading Corner: Domestic Suspense

Showing posts with label Domestic Suspense. Show all posts

Melody

Atria Books | 4 May 2021 | 384 pgs

Source: Library

48-year-old Jennifer Barnes receives the most shocking news when she goes for her doctor’s appointment after a series of symptoms that's plagued her for months. She has glioblastoma - a brain cancer and that she has only six weeks left to live. The test result reported that there's a high dose of lead in her blood and that this may have already started a year ago as the tumor started to spread gradually.

While Jennifer is reeling from the news, she's also curious about how the lead got into her body in the first place. She knew that plumbing that contains lead can contaminate water, or they could be leached into food or drinks as well. Jennifer could only suspect her husband because he's been pestering her for a divorce for a while and she didn't give in to his request. It isn't that she still has feelings for him, she's just angry that he has had an affair and he's leaving her for a much younger woman.

Her adult triplets, on the other hand, took the news differently. Emily is the eldest and a fraternal triplet unlike Aline and Miranda. Emily has her own family and issues but she's willing to stand by her mother's side physically and emotionally. Aline and Miranda aren't close with their mother, but Aline agrees to look into the lead issue (she's in bio research field) and even the imprudent Miranda moves into Jennifer's house although one might wonder about her reason and think of her financial difficulties. But despite everything, the daughters feel that Jennifer is being paranoid in doubting their father, and this leads Jennifer wondering if her condition has worsened as she starts imagining things. Or is it not?

I've read and enjoyed a few of Catherine McKenzie's previous novels so I was excited to read this latest book but regrettably I didn't feel the same thrill and excitement I'd had with her other books. To begin with, I didn't feel any connection with the characters. Perhaps they're all unlikeable characters, but still Jennifer's sensitive role didn't allow me to fully empathise with her either and I think it might be more or less to do with her voice in this story. While I understand this is more of a domestic drama than a psychological thriller, I was fazed as well as saddened by the dynamics of this (dysfunctional) family. Unfortunately, I couldn't discuss the issue without spoiling the story but nevertheless, this still made an interesting read based on the identities and characteristics of the characters. Although this book isn't a favourite, I'd still look out for McKenzie's future releases.

© 2021 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Labels: 3 stars, Book Review, Domestic Suspense 12 comments |

The Housewarming by S. E. Lynes

Melody

Bookouture | 21 October 2020 | 326 pgs

Source: NetGalley

It's been a year since young Abi was missing from the neighbourhood in Teddington. Ava only left her young daughter in the pushchair for five minutes to check on her phone and by the time she returned, she found the door of their house opened and Abi was nowhere to be seen. No one had seen her on that fateful day and till present, her body is never found, leaving Ava and her husband, Matt, in unresolved grief and the difficulty of not knowing.

When their neighbour, the Lovegoods family, decided to throw a housewarming party after their renovation project, Ava doesn't want to go as she doesn't know the Lovegoods well on top of her grieving. Matt eventually managed to get her to go; plus their good friends, Bella and Neil, are invited too. And little do they know that the party would be the beginning of a catastrophe as no one would imagine a little throwaway comment could lead to distrust and suspicion among the couples. Is it really Ava's negligence that is the cause of Abi's disappearance? Or did someone know more than that but is not telling?

I've to say The Housewarming is a combination of mystery and domestic drama more than a psychological thriller as it focus more on the dynamics between Ava and Matt, as well as their good friends, Bella and Neil. We also read about Ava's emotional behaviours and how her life has been ever since Abi went missing. It's a nightmare for every parents, and Ava's fear and anxiety was palpable throughout the book though it could be seen as slow pace and repetitive to some. The tension was then raised towards the middle as suspicion started to pile up, and this is where things started to get a bit exciting and there are moments that will make you reflect and think about how one's decision made under a circumstances might change the course of events thereafter. While the story isn't what I expected, it was an emotional-gripping book that made me feel for the characters.

© 2020 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Labels: 3.5 stars, Book Review, Domestic Suspense, Mystery 6 comments |

The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson

Melody

G.P. Putnam's Sons | July 2019 | 352 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Phoebe Miller may be a heiress but she's living an unhappy and an isolated life in her exclusive house in a suburban neighborhood in Chicago. Her late father, Daniel Miller, was quite a character and had left a bad name to the Millers. Phoebe hates to be associated with him, and this explains why she keeps to herself and drowns her sorrow in alcohol and ice cream. It doesn't help that she and her husband, Wyatt, have different views when it comes to the baby issue and as a result their relationship is strained.

It is at this time that she begins to notice a blue car that always park by her driveway and it seems like whoever in the car is watching her. Whether she's being paranoid or not, Phoebe doesn't like the feeling of being watched and it's only when the Napiers family move in across the street that her attention starts to shift. Dr. Ron Napier has an intimidating demeanor while his wife, Vicki, appears friendly. But Phoebe's attention is on their handsome college-bound son, Jake, and it didn't take long that the two began to get close to each other. Phoebe does feel a bit guilty towards Vicki; after all they've become good friends and will confide with each other regarding their marriage woes. Just when she thought she has all the things balanced and work out her way, she receives an anonymous threatening note stating her secrets.

Now where shall I even begin? There was a lot of things happening in this story; not to mention it was filled with red herrings and all the twists and turns. The characters are not likeable but they do make you wonder about their characteristics and their motives. There are two parts in this story and I've to say the first part was the most intriguing. The second part felt a bit disjointed, though, and I think it's due to the shift of characters and the change of direction (and of course the big surprise reveal). As much as it was all very compelling, I felt the reader has to suspend some belief to fully appreciate the story. Overall it has a catching plot and as this is the author's debut, I'm curious to see what she'll have in store next.

© 2019 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.