There are so many elements that make THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS a superior psychological thriller. In a crowded genre, it's becoming increasingly difficult to weed out the truly original and shocking from their slightly cliched - albeit often entertaining - counterparts. I'm here to make things easy for you: Michael Robotham has written a stunner. Pick this book up for its on-trend title and book jacket—stay for its hair-raising plot, gut-punch twists, and richly-developed characters. Told in dual narratives, Robotham has crafted a crime novel that's a bit like watching two trains barreling head-on towards one another: you know the outcome can only be disaster, but you couldn't look away if you tried.
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Book Review: THE PARTY by Robyn Harding
I know the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover," but I just never listen to that rule—especially when a book is as striking as THE PARTY by Robyn Harding. This eye-catching summer suspense novel had all the ingredients that should have made it a hit for me, but unfortunately, I never felt fully invested in this story. More than anything else, this book was just too average; it's neither particularly inventive nor particularly memorable, but it's not a memorably terrible book, either. This isn't a book that offends—it just falls flat.
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Book Review: SCARRED by Thomas Enger
Thomas Enger’s Henning Juul series has quickly become a staple of my crime fiction library. These books effortlessly blend a driving plot with vivid, three-dimensional characters, all built upon the foundation of brooding, atmospheric Scandinavian crime. The Henning Juul books are excellent recommendations for readers looking for an entry point into Scandinavian crime; this is a series that is both exemplary of the Nordic Noir genre, and that stands apart for its accessibility and bingeworthy pacing.
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Book Review: SINCE WE FELL by Dennis Lehane
I have a bookish confession to make: SINCE WE FELL is the first Dennis Lehane book I’ve ever read. It’s safe to say I’m now a convert, and I’ll be making an intentional effort to get caught up on his backlist after devouring this masterful suspense novel. SINCE WE FELL is part sophisticated domestic drama, part unpredictable conspiracy, and part character study. Precisely plotted and expertly paced, SINCE WE FELL is a wholly impressive and immersive suspense read.
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Book Review: THE WEIGHT OF LIES by Emily Carpenter
THE WEIGHT OF LIES might just be my perfect summer thriller. In this engaging, fast-paced psychological suspense novel, author Emily Carpenter has blended the best of psychological thrillers with a unique touch of horror nostalgia. Love classic horror movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween? THE WEIGHT OF LIES serves up a welcome dose of nostalgia for those horror classics, wrapped up in a contemporary psychological thriller package.
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