Tag Archive for: Thriller

, , ,

Stalking Jack The Ripper

Stalking Jack The RipperTitle: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Reason Read: Play Book Tag, Reading Challenge
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’ve been excited to read STALKING JACK THE RIPPER ever since I knew the book existed. I’ve been fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper ever since I was a teenager. I watched a couple of TV miniseries fictionalizing his rampage of terror with my parents and I often wondered who the real Ripper was and why he did what he did.

I loved how Maniscalco wove the historical in with the fiction. I loved seeing the events of Jack’s murders through the eyes of Audrey Rose and the other characters around her. I loved reading about the science of the times. In Maniscalco’s author’s note, she said she tried to remain as true to the capabilities of the time as possible. I thought it was really interesting that even though most of society scorned the work of forensic scientists because they thought it ungodly and mad, scientists were able to do all they did without the advancements we have today.

I loved the cast of characters, including Jack. Even though I guessed who Jack was in the end, I was surprised how it all went down. It made for a fun, surprising ending that I really enjoyed. I also loved the little bit of banter between Audrey Rose and certain someone. I look forward to more of that in future books in the series.

,

Nine Perfect Strangers

Nine Perfect StrangersTitle: Nine Perfect Strangers
Author: Liane Moriarty
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary
Format: Kindle
Pages: 392
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading NINE PERFECT STRANGERS. I connected strongly with a few of the characters in terms of their mental health battles. I thought Moriarty did such a great job of writing about depression, suicide, suicidal ideation, psychedelic therapy, and the way we deal with trauma and setbacks in our life. I really appreciated how she explored all these tough subjects. I especially liked how she flipped the psychedelic therapy on its head (iykyk).

I did think some of the plot was a little far-fetched, but the story and the characters were so compelling that I didn’t care. Moriarty’s a master at writing character-driven stories, which are my most favorite kind of stories to read. I wanted to keep reading and find out how the book would end, how each of the characters would act and feel after their experiences at Tranquillum House.

Rock Paper Scissors

Rock Paper ScissorsTitle: Rock Paper Scissors
Author: Alice Feeney
Genre: Thriller
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 294
Reason Read: Play Book Tag
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really liked the premise of ROCK PAPER SCISSORS because of Corey. It was fun to read a thriller about a character with face blindness. I liked the alternating POVs and I liked reading the secret letters from Adam’s wife. The story was suspenseful from the get-go and I wanted to keep reading so I knew what was going on, what was going to happen, and how it would all come together in the end.

As I read the story, I figured out some of the mystery. I didn’t figure out everything, and I was a little disappointed in the ending because I thought it was kind of confusing. I think if Feeney had stopped it one chapter sooner, the ending would’ve been better. Maybe, I’m wrong and I missed the point of the last chapter but that’s how I felt.

The Wife Upstairs

The Wife UpstairsTitle: The Wife Upstairs
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Thriller
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 290
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I don’t know anything about Jane Eyre, at all. I’ve never read the book and I haven’t seen any of the movies / TV shows. I was drawn to THE WIFE UPSTAIRS by its title and cover. When I discovered it was a retelling of JANE EYRE, I decided to look up the setting and main characters so I’d have a little bit of reference. Most retellings I’ve read are far more subtle than this seemed to be. (I read the plot of JANE EYRE after I finished because I wanted to see how similar the stories were.)

I hated reading Bea’s POV. Although, she surprised me because I never guessed she was an unreliable narrator and the true antagonist. I didn’t mind Eddie’s POV near the end of the novel. His section was actually my favorite part of the whole book. Even though I didn’t want Jane to end up with him because of what he had done, I wanted her to find out the full truth and she never did.

There has been a huge debate in my book club for years regarding JANE EYRE. A couple of people love it and think it’s a beautifully written gothic romance. Others hate everything about it. I feel like I’d be in the latter camp, but I’m not sure. Too bad I have no desire to read the source material, lol.

,

Ninth House

Ninth HouseTitle: Ninth House
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Alex Stern #1
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 458
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Hell Bent
My Thoughts

I loved NINTH HOUSE. It was a gritty tale of magic and murder among college students. I loved the premise that the secret societies at Yale deal with the paranormal and sometimes it gets out of hand. When it does, the house of Lethe’s there to clean it up and make sure there are no permanent ramifications. Honestly, I’ve always been interested in secret societies. I think they’re fascinating, especially when used for fodder in stories.

I really liked Alex, the FMC, and I have high hopes about her and a certain someone in the rest of the series. I loved that Bardugo had me questioning everyone’s motives and trying to figure out what happened. I’m glad the big douchebags got what they deserved. I was way off in the end and blown away at what happened and where it leads. I can’t wait to read the sequel when it releases.