Melody's Reading Corner: Thriller

Showing posts with label Thriller. Show all posts

Melody

Doubleday | 10 May 2022 | 336 pgs

Source: Library

This story was set in Tanzania in 1964 surrounding an A-list actress, Katie Barstow, and her entourage visiting the Serengeti for her honeymoon. The cast of characters was huge and consisted of thirteen members, including Katie's brother and his pregnant wife, a few of Katie's working colleagues and the local Tanzanian guides.

The lush setting of the wilderness and the plains of Serengeti National Park was a great armchair experience as the reader followed the group of their safari adventure; from watching the giraffes eating leaves from the acacia trees to seeing great swarms of wildebeests crossing the Mara River. It was a joy ride until the group encountered a team of Russian mercenaries midway through their adventure and held them hostage. In the mid of chaos, a few of the guides died under their gunshots and the rest of the entourage was separated and kidnapped by their respective captors. Katie may have the world at her feet, but at that moment she wished for nothing but she and her entourage would come out of the Serengeti alive.

Chris Bohjalian is a good storyteller. He managed to capture the scenes vividly and his characters are flesh-out and well-developed. However, with a huge cast and the introduction and the flashbacks of some of these characters, I found it was a slowburn and the flow of the story didn't go quite as smoothly as I expected. The thrill and the excitement of the present time was often paused at the end of a chapter and begins with the introductions of a character and/or his or her backstory before it switched back to the present time, again. I understand this was a style intentionally written by the author, but it disrupted the flow especially when the reader expected something to happen at the present time.

Also, there are too many topics addressed here - fame, race, cultural differences, some politics in general as well as the main story. While I enjoyed reading them at some point, I felt the story got convoluted and it didn't help with the multiple narratives and the switching of the present and the past as well. Don't get me wrong, the author writing was great but I felt the execution could've been better for a smoother read (or perhaps it's only me). Nevertheless, The Lioness was very much a good character-driven story and I'd recommend it if you like reading a safari adventure.

© 2022 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, Thriller 10 comments |

Falling by T.J. Newman | Happy 2022!

Melody

Simon & Schuster UK | 1 January 2021 | 304 pgs

Source: Library

This was the last second book I read in 2021. I'm late in posting my "favourite books of the year list" so I'll probably do this in the next few days, my apologies to my dear book friends. Now onto the book review.

To begin with, this book was action-packed. A plane with one hundred and forty-three other passengers on board bound for New York. What they and the crew didn't know is that tragedy would strike soon except their pilot, Bill Hoffman, who's received a threat after the plane is in midair that his family is held hostage at their own house. Bill's choice is simple, according to the (Middle Eastern) kidnapper named Sam that all he has to do is to crash his plane or his family will die. Bill not only has to make this tough choice but he's also not allowed to tell anyone including the crew. On top of it, he may have to kill his co-pilot as instructed. However, Bill does has one reliable crew member in his team and she's none other than Jo, a long-time flight attendant who has a nephew working in the FBI. What will be their plan and would they be able to save everyone and not crash the plane in the end?

The story, though not new, was quite an engaging read but unfortunately I found it rather cliché and unbelievable at times. The characters, though interesting, were often stereotyped and are one-dimensional. However, I did like Jo and find some of her actions brave and commendable. Despite my lukewarm reaction to the book I still find it an entertaining read. I think I'd probably enjoy this a bit more if it was put onscreen and it seems like my wishes are answered according to this source.

It's Year 2022 while writing this and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and may the new year brings you and your family happiness and good health.

© 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, Thriller 6 comments |

A Fire in the Night by Christopher Swann

Melody

Crooked Lane Books | 7 September 2021 | 288 pgs

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

I enjoyed Christopher Swann's previous novel (Never Turn Back) so much so that I requested this book after seeing that it's his latest release.

Part suspense and part spy thriller, this story revolves around a retired history professor finding retreat in an isolated North Carolina mountains after the death of his wife and how his quiet life is turned upside down when a teenage girl barges into his life one day and claims that she is his niece.

Nick Anthony has not been in contact with his younger brother for years and their relationship is gradually explained as the story progresses. Despite the distance, he is still shocked when he learns that his estranged brother and sister-in-law died in a house fire and that he has a niece who's managed to find him amid everything else. Annalise couldn't trust anyone, but she knew that she should seek her uncle's help especially learning that her parents' death wasn't an accident and the mysterious information she was told to pass on to her uncle before their death. And on top of it, she's being pursued by a bunch of hired private military contractors for the piece of information she's carrying. Nick doesn't know what kind of business and who his late brother had been dealing with, but he's adamant to find out about his hidden past as well as to protect Annalise from any harm. But what the reader didn't know is, Nick has his own hidden past, too.

While the plot isn't new, I've to say I enjoyed reading about Nick as the main character and his relationship with Annalise. There are, of course, some intense moments and the cat-and-mouse chase but surprisingly, I was more focused on the interactions between uncle and niece; and Annalise for her courage and her fighting spirit. I liked this book but not as much as Never Turn Back but overall it was still a satisfying read.

Labels: 3.5 stars, Book Review, Suspense, Thriller 10 comments |

The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben

Melody

Century | 19 March 2020 | 384 pgs

Source: Library

Decades ago, a boy was found living alone in the woods. He had no recollection of his past, who his parents were, or how he ended up in the woods. His only friend was David, who's about his age and lived nearby the woods. After the police found him and with no one to come forward to claim him, this boy who is then named Wilde, was turned over to the foster system and later becomes a private investigator after spending some years with the military taking part in secret missions. Despite having a normal life now like the others, Wilde still prefers to live alone in his Ecocapsule house in the woods (which is fully high-tech and reminds me so much of a setting in a sci-fi movie) and has issues with intimacy and connecting with others. He still misses David, who died in a car accident years ago, though he's in touch with David's mother, Hester Crimstein. Hester may be a widow in her seventies, but she is a famed defense lawyer and a TV personality on cable news, Crimstein on Crime.

Naomi Pine, a high school girl, often gets bullied in school until she goes missing one day. Matthew, who's Hester's grandson, approaches Hester for help, who in turn seek for Wilde's expertise. But before they have any findings, Naomi is found hiding at her home basement a few days later. No one knew her reason for doing so, though they all point to peer pressure in school or being abused at home. Everything seems back to normal for a while until she disappears again. It may seem like "the boy who cried wolf" fables, but when another of her classmate, Crash Maynard, is missing, things become complicated as Crash's family belongs to the rich and the privileged and they have a vast connection behind them, including a politician campaigning to become president. Now Wilde has to find the two missing teenagers but what he unravels later would go far beyond the missing cases.

To begin with, the blurb is a little misleading as it had me thinking that the plot would revolve around Wilde. After all, as the title suggests, he's the boy from the woods. Now that I'd this issue put behind me, I thought I could focus on the missing cases but well, it seemed there's a much bigger picture behind the missing persons mystery and this took a while for the reader to finally work out where the direction goes because there are threads and layers surrounding the core of the story, alongside the various issues of today's society (such as the influence of social media, school bullying, the difference among social class and even political play). Back to the characters, while Wilde is the lead character, the superstar of this book was Hester in my opinion. She's feisty and kickass but yet behind that strong personality, she's actually a sentimental person who still mourns for David and is drawn to police chief, Oren Carmichael. There are a few other interesting characters too, such as Naomi and Ava (the school's art teacher), which I felt their roles are underrated. And then, there's Wilde's past which was never fully explained (perhaps there's plans for Wilde in Coben's future books? I can only hope.) In a nutshell, this was a compelling page-turner with some twists that I didn't see coming.

Last but not least, I'd like to thank Lark for this buddy read. Please do visit her blog for her review and our Q&As. Here's my answers to her questions:

1. If you could change anything about this book, what would it be?

I'd like to have a more detailed feature on Wilde and Naomi. I'm curious about Wilde's past and would love to learn more about that missing part. As for Naomi, she entered the scene first but yet there's actually very little focus about her. I get it that she was a missing person, but then it'd be good to know her more in-depth as a person rather than a missing high school girl.

2. Coben focuses a lot on the powerful influence social media can have on society in this book. Do you agree with him, and do you think that influence is mostly positive or negative?

With social media platforms everywhere in our world today, it's hard not to take notice or to be swept away by the flow. I think there are both good and bad sides of social media influence, depending on the context and motive and how they're portrayed (positively or negatively). The social media could bring people together, but they could also be seen as a malicious tool to destroy given a purpose. There are certainly both sides of influences and it all depends on one's mindset and how strongly one believe or disbelieve.

© 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: 4 stars, Book Review, Buddy Read, Thriller 10 comments |

Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay

Melody

William Morrow | July 2020 | 320 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Having read three of Paul Tremblay's books and enjoyed them, I figured I couldn't turn down this latest release by him, especially since the theme hit a little too close to reality in a way.

Massachusetts residents are living in worrying and fear. In just a matter of weeks, they've been overrun by a mysterious, insidious rabies-like virus that is spread by saliva. But unlike rabies, this disease has a short incubation period of an hour or so and once the person is infected, he'll quickly lose his mind and is driven to bite and infect others (which reminds me a bit like zombies but well, they aren't walking deads). With the hospitals being inundated with the sick and dying, the commonwealth has no other option but to have the state quarantined and under curfew.

Natalie, who's eight months pregnant, is waiting for her husband's return from his grocery trip when horror strikes. In an attempt to save her husband who's being bitten by their infected neighbour, Natalie suffers the same fate as she, too, is bitten. Unlike her husband who is viciously attacked, Natalie's condition isn't considered fatal but she has to get to a hospital within an hour to receive a rabies vaccine, although it isn't a cure but it might buy her some time. Dr. Ramola "Rams" Sherman is a pediatrician and she happens to be a friend of Natalie. She agrees to bring Natalie to the hospital, knowing that she'll be breaking some safety protocols but aside from racing against the time, their biggest challenge would be the journey itself as they'd be faced with various kinds of dangers and most of all, how far would one go for survival, and for a friend?

If you're familiar with Paul Tremblay's works, you should be aware of his creativity and his taut writing style when it comes to constructing a dark, horrifying story like this one. His characters are fleshed out and intriguing; the topics may be gruesome or unthinkable but in this case he also adds the humanity issue for the reader to ponder about -- to save or not to save under dire circumstances? And what would one do to survive? This was one fast and a compelling read (and such a timely one given the current pandemic situation) as the story took place over the course of a few hours so the reader could feel the sense of horror and urgency in parallel with the two characters.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Horror, Thriller 10 comments |

Righteous by Joe Ide

Melody

Little, Brown and Company | September 2018 (Reprint) | 352 pgs

Source: Library

This second installment of Joe Ide's IQ series was packed with more actions and intensity as we follow Isaiah Quintabe's investigation of a new case as well as unraveling the mystery of his older brother's death.

For ten years, Isaiah still hasn't really let go of the news of Marcus's death. How could he when Marcus was a perfect role model and the only family he had had? He's never stopped his search for the driver who was responsible for Marcus's death; and the feelings of rage and despair nearly drove him to an edge until he received a call from Sarita. Isaiah has had a crush on Marcus's girlfriend since he was a teenager. But knowing that she's out of bounds and their expectations differ, Isaiah could only admire her from afar. She has not contacted him since Marcus's death until now and it seems she needs his help.

Janine is Sarita's half sister and they aren't really close. Partly due to physical distance and the difference of mindset, Janine is often portrayed as the "wild" girl of the family. She's given up her studies to become a DJ, but given it's more of a gig so she's been running around clubs and having the best of her time. Her boyfriend, Benny, is a gambling addict and he has owed the loan sharks a number of debts and it seems Janine is in trouble too since she's also into it. There's a saying that love is blind, and this describes Janine's current relationship perfectly as she'd go along with Benny despite the dangers, even if it means going against the gangsters and blackmailing them.

Once again, Isaiah finds himself partnering with Dodson, who is now into food truck business and a father-to-be. Isaiah and Dodson have come a long way and while Dodson has some reservations, he gave in eventually. So their search for Janine lead them to Vegas where they'll deal with various mobs and amid the mayhem Isaiah will unravel the mystery surrounding Marcus's death.

I read the first book and find it enjoyable. This second installment was a lot more fast paced and there were more actions given the plot and the mob theme. While they were entertaining to read, I was more intrigued by the diverse cast of characters and their interactions which made this book such an interesting read. Isaiah continues to intrigue me; and I'm glad to see there's closure and justice pertaining to his older brother's death as this is what troubled Isaiah the most since the first book. I'll continue to follow this series with anticipation.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Mystery, Thriller 8 comments |

IQ by Joe Ide

Melody

Little, Brown and Company | October 2016 | 336 pgs

Source: Library

Isaiah Quintabe a.k.a. IQ, is an intelligent young black man who wouldn't mind helping his neighbourhood at East Long Beach in solving cases which the police wouldn't take for a small token of gifts, or whatever his "clients" could offer him. He lives with his older brother, Marcus, and their relationship is close considering they only have each other. But that bond is shattered after Marcus passed due to a hit-and-run and his death leave Isaiah devastated and determined in finding the driver. With this mindset, Isaiah drop out of high school and continues with his investigation gig despite he is good in his studies.

His sidekick, Dodson, is on another different league and it is through chance that bring them together. Their characteristic or moral standards may differ, but funnily they complement each other in a way that makes their so-called investigations work. It is also through Dodson that Isaiah is given his latest case -- a rap mogul who is being targeted and someone wants him assassinated. This won't be an easy case for both Isaiah and Dodson, especially if it involves the hit man's monstrous attack dog alongside with other suspects like a vengeful ex-wife and a few other notorious characters.

Isaiah is an interesting character and he's dependable and straightforward, the boy next door. He's proficient in observing people and things, and together with his logical reasoning he's the remake of the modern Sherlock Holmes, but of course Isaiah is very much on his own and though he's not perfect, he still easily catches a reader's attention through his demeanour and his perspective of seeing things differently. There are two timelines in this story -- 2005 and 2013 in which we'll learn about Isaiah's younger past and his encounter with Dodson while the later year will portray more of his investigations into the rap mogul case. Both timelines are equally satisfying to read and the language used fits the authentic mood amid the tough neighbourhood. This is Joe Ide's debut novel and I'll be sure to check out the rest of this series.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Mystery, Thriller 6 comments |

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

Melody

Orion | July 2019 | 368 pgs

Source: Library

Have you ever received a chain letter before? I did during my primary school days. Someone snail mailed it to me, with the message telling me to follow the same and send it to (10?) other people or otherwise something bad would happen (something like that as I couldn't remember the specifics). I didn't do anything, afterall I didn't want to waste my school allowance on postage stamps on something which seems absurd (truth be told, I was doubtful but I didn't succumb to following it). Reading this book had brought me back to that time as I remember this saga had many of us in school feeling intrigued and fearful at the same time. Is it a curse? Should we carry on the task so we can be free of any bad vibes? So many questions yet no reassuring and affirmative answers. But now we all know that they are basically emotionally manipulative messages, some pyramid schemes or superstitions as a threat to the recipient. Well, this book is nothing like those chain letters. What this chain will ask of you is much more frightening and deadly.

Rachel is a divorced single mother with a 13-year-old daughter, Kylie. Rachel has breast cancer a while back and she thought she has it controlled with the treatments until the doctor told her that the cancer cells might be coming back. As if the news isn't bad enough, she received a call from a stranger that Kylie has been kidnapped. However, this is no ordinary ransom case. The caller told her that their child has also been kidnapped by someone else and that the only way to get your child back is to kidnap another child within 24 hours. The chain, they explained, is simple and only when Rachel kidnaps another child should their child be released; and Rachel will have to kidnap another child to have Kylie back. But breaking the chain by calling the police, failing the task or having the next victim's parents not completing the task would have your child murdered. There seems to be no resolution but to follow the instructions because whoever is behind this chain has everything monitored and scrutinised. Could Rachel find a way to break away from the chain?

This book was intense but it wasn't an easy read as it involves child kidnapping. However, I've to say the idea was refreshing since I don't think I've read anything like this. Rachel was an intriguing character on many levels - she's a strong and determined woman. She's definitely a survivor based from her outlook on her cancer and her treatment journey. And she works hard to make ends meet so she is definitely not a quitter. Pete, who is Rachel's brother-in-law, also played an important role in this story as he was the one who helped and supported Rachel throughout the horrendous event. Unlike Rachel, Pete is a flawed character who is an opiate addict and suffered from PTSD after his military assignments in Afghanistan.

The story was split into two parts in which the first was mostly on the kidnapping and Rachel's task and all the challenges she's facing. The second part is more on the mastermind behind the chain and their background; and of course not to mention Rachel's plan in overturning the chain. All in all it was an intense read and it explores how a person would react or break under pressured circumstances with your loved ones at stake.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Thriller 12 comments |

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

Melody

Raven Books | August 2019 | 352 pgs

Source: Library

Amy Whey's life is a good one. She has a devoted husband, a spirited fifteen-year-old stepdaughter and her adorable infant son. She has a job teaching scuba diving lessons and when she's free, she'll mingle with her neighbours and help her best friend, Charlotte, run their local book club at Charlotte's house. Everything is going on well until Angelica Roux arrives uninvited into their book club one night. Roux has moved into their neighbourhood recently and of course Charlotte didn't have any reason to send her away.

The introduction is harmless initially when everyone introduces themselves before starting their book discussion. But Roux is a charming woman and in no time she has steered away the other women's attention from their book talk, much to Charlotte's and Amy's dismay. And that is only the beginning as Roux starts to keep the wine flowing and lures them into a game of spilling secrets. Charlotte by then has left the spot for something else, leaving Amy with Roux and their drunk neighbours. Amy doesn't want to play Roux's game, after all she has a secret past which she intends to keep it solely for herself. But Roux seems to know about her past, and she is relentless and warns Amy that if she doesn't give her what she asks for, she's going to make her pay for her sins, one way or another. Amy isn't proud of her teenage past. She has admitted to herself that she'd done something terrible, but it was a foolish mistake she'd made unintentionally. Now it seems she has to find ways to outwit Roux's games in order to protect herself and her family. After all, everyone has secrets, no matter how big or small it is.

Never Have I Ever was an intriguing tale of secrets and deceptions and it explores one's acts and consequences when his peace and security is comprised. I've to say the premise is an interesting one, but I'm definitely not a fan of any characters, although ultimately I did root for Amy given her past predicament. While the plot and execution was a good one, the pace was slow and there are many interactions and "cat-and-mouse games" between Amy and Roux (which is understandable) before the intensity and excitement really begin. Overall the book was an average read to me and I think it definitely makes a great choice for a book club read and discussion (pun intended).

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Thriller 10 comments |

Silence in the Woods by J.P. Choquette

Melody

Scared E Cats Books | April 2019 | 214 pgs

Source: Author

This is the first book of J.P. Choquette's "Monsters in the Green Mountains" series. Set in Vermont's wilderness -- a place called Shiny Creek Trail, it is a perfect hiking trail for many hikers and hunters alike but there was an unfortunate incident happened in 1897. An 18-year-old boy was reported missing during his hike with a group of friends and till the present day in 1917, his body is still not found, leaving behind many questions unanswered as well as fuelling the interest of many hikers who want to unveil the mystery behind Shiny Creek Trail.

In September 1917, a group of four friends decided to hike at the place looking for answers. Paul Rogers and Allan Warning are photojournalists and they thought this trip might give them something to feature about and help a bit with their career. Allan's wife, Deidre, is excited about the trip but Jane, who is Paul's wife, is skeptical but eventually decided to give it a go. The hike is supposed to be an adventure but it ended up leaving one person dead and two others missing. Paul ends up in Vermont State Hospital for the Insane, for he claimed there is some monster -- a man beast, roaming in the woods. Is Paul really delusional? Or did they encounter something horrifying in the woods? And this begins his plan in escaping from the hospital right to the end of searching for Jane and his friends in Shiny Creek Trail.

Told in multiple narrations (mainly on Paul and Jane) and alternating between the beginning of the hike and two months later after the incident, the story mainly delve into the territory of the unknown as well as the complexity of friendship among these four friends and their state of minds when confronting unexpected circumstances. It is a survival story with a vague hint of supernatural element, although I think it revolves more on the legendary monster reminiscent of the Bigfoot. Overall it was a fast-paced read and if you like intrigue with a little mystery, then this is the book for you.

© 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.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Folklore, Thriller 12 comments |

The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets

Melody

Berkley | March 2019 | 352 pgs

Source: Library

Marian Engström works as a conservationist and her job requires her to work with rescue dogs and travelling about places amid the wilderness. Her first assignment takes her to northern Alberta; there she learn her ropes from the adventurous and experienced Tate, who is her mentor turn lover. Working in the remote wilderness can make one lonely, but Marian loves her job and on top of everything Tate makes her feel special. Their togetherness is not long as they go different ways for their assignment and during the course of their separation Marian receives news about Tate's death.

Tate's death may be accidental as some speculate, but the murder of four women is not. Dubbed as the Stillwater cases, the mysteries remain unsolved and till this day it still haunts the retired forensic profiler, Nick Shepard. Having diagnosed with a brain tumour, he now devotes his time with his wife until he receives a call from Marian. Saddened by the news of Tate's death, Marian's thought has been occupied by the things Tate had mentioned casually to her in the past and some of the stuff didn't sound right to her and for once she wondered if Tate had to do with the four women's murder. Whether to testify her doubts or to clear Tate's name, she decides that Nick may be the person who could unravel the truth with her.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. For starters, the author's prose is smooth and precise and her descriptions of the snowy wilderness and the role of a conservationist are all well defined. I think some readers may think these may slow down the intensity but personally I appreciate the extra information which allow me to take a deeper look into that profession. As for character- and plot-wise, I think they are well executed, too. I also enjoyed reading about Nick's perspective and think he was a great character not to be ignored. There's even some write-ups about the four victims from Nick's profile and these allow the reader to understand a bit more about the women and how they behaved before tragedy struck.

Finally, and most importantly, this book also focus on how some male criminals exerting their power over females and too often women fail to trust their intuition when something doesn't feel right (this is not a spoiler but a general portrayal of the four victims' behaviours before the murder. That said, I feel it is an important message which we shouldn't ignore, too.)

Labels: 4.5 stars, Book Review, Thriller 4 comments |

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

Melody

Doubleday | April 2019 | 368 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

During the 1920s in Hartsboro, a woman named Hattie Breckenridge was accused of witchery and was hanged. Hattie was merely a woman who had the ability to foresee the future. When she predicted that there would be a fire, no one believed her until tragedy struck. Her daughter escaped since Hattie predicted it and as a result the community blamed Hattie. No one knew what happened to Hattie's daughter after Hattie was hanged and the case was closed but never forgotten.

Back to its present 2015, Helen and Nate left their comfortable suburban home and their teaching jobs to a rural land in Hartsboro where they build the house of their dreams. While they are excited of the project and their new life, their friends think otherwise. Helen and Nate never look back to their old life and immersed themselves in building their dream house. Then Helen discovers that the property they took over has a dark and violent past and this begins her interest and her intensive research.

On the other end, 14-year-old Olive is in search of her mother, who is believed to have ran off with another man. Olive doesn't want to believe in the rumours; she and her mother are closed and she's always enjoyed hearing stories from her about Hattie and her treasures. Her crossing path with Helen leads them to unearth the history of Hattie's tragic past as well as her descendants and how these three generations of the Breckenridge women had all died amidst suspicion; in which both Helen and Olive would find out the horrifying truths eventually.

Jennifer McMahon's past novel, The Winter People, has left a deep impression on me. It was an atmospheric and a creepy story that blends between the 20th century and the present day. The Invited has the same vibe with a sense of a mystery surrounding the ghost story but what stands out is not only the spooky Hattie but also the stories of her descendants and even Olive, too. The story was mostly narrated between Helen and Olive in the present and a few others of the past but the former took up the most narrative of this book.

And as much as this is a ghost story, it's also very much of a family story which spans from three generations, all involving the Breckenridge women. Not intending to spoil the story, all I could say is I was immensely hooked by the mystery. I didn't expect a twist either but there it is. This will be my second favourite McMahon book with The Winter People as my first. Let's hope her next book will surpass these two.

Labels: 4 5 stars, Book Review, Mystery, Thriller 13 comments |

My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Melody

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group | November 2018 | 240 pgs

Source: Purchased

This is a buddy read with my blogger friend, Lark. Please visit her blog after reading this and I hope you'll enjoy our buddy read feature.

Despite the title, this book doesn't really classified as a suspense thriller (at least that's what I thought). At its core, this is more of a story about sisterhood and family dynamics set in Nigeria and I liked how it was all executed nicely with some dark humour and satire as its prose.

The book opens with Korede receives a phone call from her younger sister, Ayoola, for her assistance. Ayoola has murdered her boyfriend, Femi, and she needs Korede to help clear up the mess. This isn't the first time Ayoola has killed a person (three ex-boyfriends, to be exact) and it isn't the first time Korede has to do the dirty jobs for her. Although she always make sure no spot is left behind, she couldn't help worrying if there's a day that the police would come after her.

Korede works as a nurse at a hospital. She has a crush with Dr. Tade Otumu and although they've a good working relationship, Korede is still hoping that one day Tade would look at her as a woman than a subordinate. Her hope is dashed when Ayoola came to the hospital to look for her and her presence has caught Tade's attention. Ayoola is an attractive woman who oozes charm and confidence so it is no surprise that Tade begins to take an interest in her. Korede isn't pleased but there is nothing much she could do. With no one to share her frustrations, she knows she can always confide to a comatose patient named Muhtar, including sharing all her secrets about Ayoola's killings and how she took care of everything.

As Tade begins to get serious with Ayoola, Korede wonders if he would get hurt eventually given Ayoola's history with men. Korede doesn't want to doubt her sister; but her claims of self-defence and her nonchalance make her wonder otherwise. Still, she is her sister and blood is thicker than water, right? But she likes Tade, too. So, what's a girl to do?

This book was such an addicting read. As mentioned, this story is written in satirical prose and I think readers would either love it or hate it. I liked the style; plus the chapters are short and made it a fast read. Story-wise, I was totally engrossed with the two sisters' banter. They may be different in many ways but yet they share a deep bond since young, which started from their father's abuse towards them. Korede is someone whom I think has a strong sense of responsibility in her blood, both at work and with people. Thus, it is interesting to see her dilemma here. Her lone conservations with the comatose Muhtar show a part of her vulnerable side; yet it also portrays her compassionate side as she's the only one who talks to him. Overall this is an interesting novel about sisterhood, family and a case of character study.

Our Q&As on the book (with my answers to Lark's questions):

1) Ayoola may have stabbed Femi, but what, if any, responsibility for his death does Korede share?

Hmm. This is quite a difficult question to answer. All I can say is, I think Korede's strength and weakness is that she cares too much for Ayoola. Korede may not agree to some of her thoughts and actions, but in a way she acts like Ayoola's "accomplice" because she doesn't want her to be in trouble. After all, they're sisters. Plus, what they'd experienced in the past had bonded them.

2) Do you think Ayoola knew how Korede really felt about Dr. Tade Otumu? And if so, why did she continue the relationship?

Korede may be subtle in regards to her feelings and how she reacts towards Tade, but the way she talks about him in front of Ayoola is quite clear so I think Ayoola is aware of it. Ayoola is an attractive woman and she knew it. I think she continues with the relationship with Tade because Korede remains passive all the time. Plus, Ayoola loves the attention.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Thriller 11 comments |

No Exit by Taylor Adams

Melody

William Morrow | January 2019 | 352 pgs
Source: Library

Before you pick up this book, please make sure you've nothing important on your schedule because trust me, you wouldn't be able to tear yourself away from this once you started reading it.

The story opens with our protagonist, Darby Thorne, bracing the blizzard in the Colorado Rockies on her way to seeing her dying mother. With the roads impassable and her cellphone battery low, she is forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Although there is no cellphone reception, but at least there are a few vending machines and a coffee maker. On top of these, she’s not alone and there are four people there who are stranded like her.

Darby gets to know a little of these four strangers after a brief introduction. Desperate to find a reception to contact her family, she decides to head out of the rest stop to try her luck and on her way back she discovers something horrific. In the back of the van parked next to her car is a little girl locked in what looked like a dog cage. During that terrifying moment after her discovery, Darby knew that one of those four strangers is a kidnapper and that she has to save the girl at all costs.

No Exit is a fast paced and an adrenaline-driven kind of story which will make your heart race as the pages fly by. Reading this book feels like having a cinematic experience because you could almost visualise the situations and the portrayal of the characters' characteristic as well as their emotions through the author's descriptive writing. What also makes this a compelling read is the events happen and unfold in a span of one evening and that kind of anticipation can be nerve-racking. I can't say I've a favourite character here, but Darby is one heck of a heroine. She is no superwoman, but her fighting spirit and her sense of justice and survival earned much respect from this reader. This is a story about the good versus the evil; and the psychotic mind games between the hunter and the hunted. I can't wait for this author's next release already.

Labels: 4.5 stars, Book Review, Thriller 8 comments |

The Hunger by Alma Katsu

Melody

Penguin Publishing Group | March 2018 | 384 pgs

Source: Purchased

My blogger friend, Lark and I, decided to kick off the new year by reading Alma Katsu's The Hunger together and boy, what a good book it is! If you are familiar with the true event of the series of misfortunes and tragedy that struck the wagon train known as the Donner Party set in 1846-7, this book will interest you as it is a retelling of that historic event with a horror twist. The author mentioned that the names, locations, and dates have remained but much else has been changed to fit the story. I won't go into details of the true event on this review but if you're interested to read more, please click here.

During that period, a group of ninety people, consisted of men, women and young children as well, travelled from Springfield to California via route West; each family harboured a different dream in the hope of finding a better life. Amid the travel, the disappearance and the death of a small boy rippled their once peaceful atmosphere. To make matters worse, talks about an Indian tribe that is rumoured to perform human sacrifice to appease the devil further disturb the party. Tamsen Donner, the wife of George Donner, who took up the leadership role of the wagon party, wasn't spare either as some thought of her as a witch; both in concocting herbs and/or bewitching men. Whether it was her curse, their later ill-advised choice of an untested route through uncharted terrain or just plain bad luck, they soon found themselves stuck in dire and dangerous situations where aside from their fear and hunger, human nature under desperate circumstances is equally potent in setting one against another and before long they would all head into a disastrous route of no return.

Alma Katsu is a great storyteller. Taken the past event as the base of this story and through research and some re-imagination, she transformed the already harrowing experience of the original Donner Party into something more sinister with a horror element - something vague which question the reader what kind of horror that plagued them and pushed them to the brink of madness. Ms. Katsu's characters are fleshed out and she captured that foreboding and atmospheric feeling very well; meanwhile adding some backstory of a few characters so as to incorporate their emotions and how they will come to affect their outlook and judgement during their perilous journey. While many of the characters get more and more unlikable as the story progresses (a self-defense act I suppose), I do like one or two characters due to their characteristics. Overall it was a great read and I'd recommend this to anyone.

Below are some questions from Lark and my answers surrounding this story. I hope you'll visit Lark's blog for her review and the Q&A after reading this post. (Thank you, Lark, for this buddy read again!)

1. What if anything did you know about the Donner Party before you started reading this book?
I didn't know about the Donner Party until I came across this book and understand from other reviews that this was actually based on a true story. I was already fascinated by the blurb then and it was a great thing when Lark and I decided to read it for our next buddy read. Before starting the book, I Googled for more information regarding this unfortunate party and how their journey came about up till how it all ended up in tragedy. It was both so sad and horrifying.

2. If you had to team up with 3 characters from this book in order to survive, who would you choose and why?
Without a doubt, I'd team up up with Charles Stanton, Mary Graves and Elitha Donner. I choose Charles because he was the most practical and level-headed among all the men there; and he chose to use words first than fists when there are any disagreements and confrontations. As for Mary and Elitha, I chose them because both of them are sensible and are not afraid to voice their thoughts, in particularly Mary. I've to say she's my favourite character among all.

Labels: 4 5 stars, Book Review, Horror, Thriller 12 comments |

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Melody

Ecco Press | May 2014 | 260 pgs

Source: Library

"Under no circumstances will either one of you remove your blindfold. If you do, I will hurt you. Do you understand?"

For four and a half years, Malorie and her two young children have not stepped out of their house near the river. Because there is something out there and whatever this is it must not be seen. There are news that one glimpse of it and a person is driven to deadly violence. Those who have seen will kill anyone around them before killing themselves. No one really knows what it is and how it happened but like a disease it has spread quickly and afar.

Before the children, Malorie had seeked refuge at a stranger's place which housed a few others survivors like her. Tom, who took on the role as a leader, had guided and supported the five other housemates, including Malorie, like his family. During those torturous years, they lived on canned foods, and Tom and Jules had risked their lives to go out to search for food while blindfolded. Like a blind man, they relied on their instincts and broomsticks and each time they are back they all count themselves lucky for escaping death and whatever was lurking out there. Until Gary, a newcomer, stepped into their house and changed everything.

Bird Box was a frightening read on many aspects. First of all, the unknown. Like the characters, the reader has no idea what the threat is. Is the "thing" a man, an animal or a creature? All we know is, it is scary and it could mess up your mind and make you kill. Interweaving between the past and the present, we learn that fear comes in various forms, and that our minds can be a scary thing. And despite the darkness we also see some light through Tom's courage and the things he's done for his housemates. This book will appease readers who like reading about the apocalyptic world with a dose of horror. A soon-to-be film starring Sandra Bullock, Sarah Paulson, Rosa Salazar, and John Malkovich.

© 2018 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: 4 5 stars, Book Review, Horror, Thriller 14 comments |

The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson

Melody

Scribner | January 2018 | 320 pgs

Source: Library

Before the nuclear war and the flu pandemic, Lynn McBride used to live a normal life in Chicago. She lived there till she was twelve before moving to Alaska, and finally to the snow-covered Yukon Territory when the world came crashing down. There were attacks, bombs were dropped and countries got labeled as either enemies or allies but the worst was the flu pandemic. People died and those who haven't gotten it fled and isolated themselves.

Lynn, together with her mother, uncle, her brother and a friend's son stayed in a cabin hidden in the snowy wilderness for years until a stranger barged into their so-called peaceful life. Jax is mysterious yet Lynn was both intrigued and fascinated by him; especially she viewed him as a link to the world beyond their little settlement. In the end they allowed him to stay a short while, but that short period stretched to a long while until their hideout was spotted by the DCIA (Disease Containment and Immunity Advancement) - a research group on the deadly flu and they seemed to be targeting at Jax. With this question in mind, Lynn decided to follow his trails and soon learned that she was connected to the mystery surrounding Jax.

The Wolves of Winter pulled me in from the start due to the post-apocalyptic theme. What's so scary about this story is it seems plausible and makes you think about survival and humanity and what you'd do should that happen. It's a frightening thought, yet one which I couldn't help thinking during and after reading this book. Without revealing too much of the plot, all I could say is as much as the topic was a depressing one, there was still a portrayal of hope in it and most of all, I liked Jax as well as Lynn for her fighting spirit and her sense of humanitarianism. An intriguing first novel by the author and I hope his next book won't be a long wait.

This book was chosen as a buddy read with Lark and like our previous buddy reads, I enjoyed our book talks and the notes comparisons via emails. Reading is fun, but reading it together with someone (or a group) makes the reading experience a richer one. Thank you, Lark! And finally, here's our usual Q&As and my answers to Lark's questions are as below. And don't forget to visit Lark's blog for her review and the Q&As, too!

1. What did you think of the dystopian world that Tyrell Johnson created and how does it compare with other dystopian worlds you've read about?

I think Tyrell Johnson's world in The Wolves of Winter is a scary, scary one. I don't read a lot of dystopian books, but I thought the author has painted a vivid account of the world destruction through Lynn's eyes (as well as her family members); it's also a portrayal about humans' ambitions and to what extent they would do to accomplish the goals they want to do. As I mentioned, I don't read a lot of dystopian books but one book came in mind while reading this and that book is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. In fact, there's a bit of The Road "feel" in this, just that the former wasn't specific about the world destruction and it's more about the survival and the relationship between a father and son. It's emotionally driven and McCarthy has captured their moments beautifully albeit a sad one.

2. What are Lynn's best and worst traits and how do you think they helped her survive?

I think Lynn's best traits are her courage, her determination and her fearless mindset. Without these combinations I think she'd have given up and stay where she is - always in hiding and living in fear. As for her worst trait, I'd say it is her stubbornness. Once she has set her mind in doing something, there's no turning back for her. I suppose this could be a good trait too, depending on the circumstances.

Labels: 4 stars, Book Review, Sci-Fi, Thriller 10 comments |

School for Psychics by K.C. Archer

Melody

Simon & Schuster | April 2018 | 368 pgs

Source: Library

Teddy Cannon is in her early twenties and she's bright and resourceful. With a bad debt and a bookie who is after her family, Teddy has only one place to try her luck at money - casino at Las Vegas. Heavily disguised as she's banned from casinos, Teddy hopes that her capabilities in reading people would win her some money, after all it's about body language and some instinct. She knew because she knew; and she blames her unpredictable episodes of seizures to anxiety and epilepsy but what she doesn't know is she has psychic abilities. She caught the attention of a mysterious man after she's lost everything and he told her that she could get a chance for redemption at the Whitfield Institute; a facility secluded from the mainland and there students master telepathy and telekinesis as well as investigative skills so they could serve for the government agencies after they've passed the tests.

With nothing to lose, Teddy decided it's the best option considering her current circumstances. Whitfield Institute, like any other schools, have their fair share of elite (so called the Alphas) and misfit students and Teddy finds herself on the latter category with a few others. Among this group is a "weirdo" who could sometimes predict someone's death, a free spirit who could communicate with animals, a girl who could read emotions and empathise through her mind, an awkward psychometric and finally a bad boy who's able to set things on fire.

While Teddy finds it challenging with the training, her biggest challenge lies on her interactions with her fellow students as well as getting recognition from the trainers, especially one who seems to favor the Alphas. As Teddy slowly adapts to Whitfield Institute, she soon learns that there's a connection with her late biological parents and the Institute and she intends to find out more about them. But what most troubling is learning that someone has stolen three vials of blood from the lab and Teddy's is one of them. Teddy feels someone is hiding some secrets and she intends to find out who and why.

School of Psychics has an interesting premise at a glance and I was wowed by the author's imaginative psychic world and an interesting cast of characters. However, my interest didn't go beyond the above as I found the pacing was slowed down towards the middle and got a bit repetitive. Since this is the first book I assume there would be more character developments as the story goes so I wouldn't comment too much about it. Another weak point is although this book is marketed as an adult fantasy, there are times it read like a YA due to the students' dialogues and their behaviours. Despite these shortcomings I thought it was still an entertaining read if one didn't expect too much out of it. Would I consider reading the second book? Maybe. I suppose it has to depend on the plot and if there's more character developments as I feel they're essential as the story goes.