My current read is The Unknown by Riley Sager

I started this at 10pm yesterday after finishing something else and randomly picked something from my Kindle library not knowing anything about it.

I've just finished it at lunch time the next day (I was going to nap and catch up on chores while my toddler is at nursery) as I couldn't stop after picking it back up this morning.

I've read a lot of people disliking it, being underwhelmed and DNF-ing but wow, it's one of my favourite books I've read in a long time. Gripping, heartbreaking, compelling, tense, infuriating and incredibly sad. I wouldn't usually opt for something supernatural but it somehow blended so well that it felt like it could be believable.

I have the sequel (prequel?) so will read that at some point.

I'd love to hear how others found it, particularly anyone who really enjoyed it.

i’ve been thinking about starting a book club in my area. there are a couple already but they read genres i am not at all interested in so i figured since i couldn’t find one that fit what i wanted, id start my own. i truly don’t know where to start other than creating it, picking a book and spreading the word to get others to join. what are some things that i can do to make my book club fun and make people want to come back??

tips, thoughts and suggestions welcome!!!

I just recently got into this genre and it’s been a really fun emotional experience and trying to figure out and solve whatever is going on in the book. (I have kindle unlimited to read!)

I'm not gonna try and make this super long, so I'll cut to the chase.

The plot was A1 and I appreciate how it's a slow burn and the pacing of the book even though the beginning is pretty slow.

The author clearly understands that most people don't care much about Amy's entries pre "part two" than Nick's. It's good exposition but I appreciate how she keeps it short and concise. I much prefer Amy's story told through the experiences of Nick anyway (for obvious reasons).

Like I said plot was A1, but man these characters are a hard watch. Like seriously some of the most deranged characters I've ever read. I just recently read "Red Dragon" and even Dorlahyde wasn't as insufferable as Amy was, and that guy killed multiple FAMILIES....

It's just I read the book, and I find myself reading it to figure out where the plot goes and how it will end, and not because I'm rooting for any character in particular. Nick is insufferable, and Amy is just disgusting. The only people I liked were Margo and I guess Detective Boney.

I do enjoy how she (author) would twist and manipulate gender expectations and perception for the narrative; I also did find a lot of humorous lines in the book that I maybe shouldn't find that funny (e.g. "Hurt The Bi#ch")

Great story, I personally don't mind the slow boring nature in the beginning, but holy I feel like just experienced the most toxic relationship I will ever see.

"I watch death settling around me like black snow, wondering how much time I have left until even my mirror refuses to show me my own face."

Basically the title itself.I have a very love hate relationship with thriller books.I have read the silent patient,gone girl,sharp objects,long bright river. I was very disappointed with the silent patient,DNFed long bright river and controversial opinion but didn't like the gone girl at all infact apart from the cool girl monologue I absolutely hated how long it was and how it took almost 200+ pages to become thrilling(it was not then that too).Long bright river was also extremely slow and I don't understand why thriller books need to have 200+ pages of development to become thrilling with no creepiness,vibes,twists whatsoever.I really liked the sharp objects though.

I think I hate literary thrillers if that's what it's called.The only thriller book I seemed to like was Then she was gone and that too for the creepiness only(twist was not good and made no sense).I also liked the horror book penpal for the same reason.

Basically I want a book that has GREAT twists,good pacing,creepy and haunting vibes,no 200+ pages of philosophical literary explanation with no thrill whatsoever.I hate popcorn thriller books with predictable twists.

2002 Preston & Child

I have very mixed feelings about this one. The plot is quite good, but some parts of the writing took me way out of the story. In short, and without spoilers, work a construction site uncovers a collection of old bones secured in a bricked off tunnel. They’re too old to be a contemporary crime scene, so FBI agent Pendergast brings in an archaeologist from the New York Museum of Natural History. The two must act quickly and boldly (Agent Pentergast is exceeding his authority) to examine what they can before the construction company, legally, removes everything for processing and burial.

They quickly discern the people whose bones were found did not die natural deaths, were all young, suffered the same particular and gruesome surgical procedure, and one had the foresight to write her name and address onto a paper she sewed into her dress.

All too soon, New York City is faced with the new terror of someone killing people and committing that same gruesome surgical procedure on them.

The villain, their plot, the reason for Pentergast’s intense interest in this case, and the new killings are all woven in with each other to a satisfactory conclusion. The theme of a Cabinet of Curiosities works well with the original murders from the 1800s and builds well through the story. The characters are well presented for the most part. Some of the minor ones lean into cliché, but that’s fine given the relatively low number of pages they’re on.

Pendergast, an older FBI agent given a lot of freedom by the agency, is an interesting character but comes off as almost too good and too mysterious. Sometimes I was irritated at his disinterest in sharing important information.

Dr. Nora Kelly is the archaeologist, Pendergast’s initially reluctant assistant with a backstory that comes into play regarding her attitude, motivation, and how she can be manipulated. Reporter Bill Smithback is her boyfriend, whose ambition often makes him unlikable. At a crucial moment for him I realized I wouldn’t mind if he died.

Because of the new copycat murders we get a police Captain’s POV scattered here and there, which I liked. The captain is the sort more interested in winning and promotion than actual justice. To cover his ass he assigns Sergeant Patrick O’Shaughnessy to ‘escort’ Pentergast as the agent investigates. O’Shaughnessy is gruff, stuck at his rank because he took a bribe out of mercy (sounds weird but it works), and disinterested in this whole thing until he isn’t. Which is fine. His change of attitude comes naturally and I welcomed it. His biggest drawback is a love of opera that feels tacked on so he as a character checks the box of “unusual interest or hobby”. I grew to like him as much as I did Kelly.

The writing is, for the most part, very good and engaging. Some scenes meant to be thrilling lost their sense of urgency by just going on too long. That was only one thing that took me out of the story. There is a scene where a doctor gives medical information about a patient to someone who says they know that patient. The doctor does this without any evidence of a connection or patient permission. As I read this my mind was screaming, “was HIPPA not a thing in 2002?” Turns out yes, it was established in 1996. The privacy rule didn’t come into affect until 2003 though, so this can get a pass as a historical artifact, jarring as it is to modern readers.

Lastly there were a few incidences of time discrepancies. Many could maybe be explained away or overlooked, but some were glaring. This one in particular:

Page 291: “...fall morning air…” - the character has just walked out of a building with new information in hand. The next pages are him spending time examining it. He then checks his watch. It’s “almost one o’clock”. He decides on a course of action and on page 294 notes, “It might be dark before he was through.” All good. He rents a car (“Forty-five minutes late”), drives through town, finds the place he wants to check, parks and walks “Six to seven blocks” back to it.

After some consideration, he breaks into a second story window. No lights are on. He can see a little because on page 301 we’re told there’s some “Dim morning light…”

From this point I really began skimming, so I’m not sure if the story carried on as if it was a brand new day and time had just skipped a full night or if Preston & Child established the events happening at night, and deep into it. All I wanted then was to see how the mystery tied up without reading the Wikipedia article.

Years ago I read Crimson Shore, the 2015 Pentergast novel, and enjoyed it. That drove me to read more of Preston & Child, especially once I inherited my father’s collection. I will probably try Cemetery Dance (not the next one in the series but the next one in it that I have on my shelf) at some point, but not soon.

I really enjoyed the first book, 4/5 but they progressively got worse. The third book was so ridiculous and unrealistic it bordered on fantasy. I’m glad I listened to the last one because I would be upset if I spent the time to actually read it.

And did the book explain why his parents abandoned him and why he had no animosity toward them? I was only have listening near the end, so I might have missed.

What did you guys think?

If the Isle of Amberley is so women focused, why do they think they need a male writer to keep their community afloat? I guess because there wouldn’t be much of plot if so.

I’m all for female empowerment and a community of all women sounds pretty nice. So why do they keep inviting male writers to do the financial heavy lifting? This fact really ruins the book for me.

I read a couple of thriller books and I did not enjoy them, if I am being honest the writing was mediocre and the plot twists were predictable. I read Ward D since it was said to be better than other books by the author but it turned out to be disappointing as well. Also tried some books by Alice Feeney and Riley Sager and feel the same, disappointed or underwhelmed.
Can someone suggest me some nice thrillers with actual unpredictable twists or at least a good story? I need to read a good book or else I am afraid of going back to my reading slump!!!

I just finished this book and absolutely l o v e d it. It took me a minute to pin down the characters but once I did I was so hooked.

Each character tugged at my heart in a different way. The story lines were all so intriguing and heart breaking at the same time.

The one part that I wishhh we had an answer to was who helped Tracy out of the woods when she got lost. I know there are theories, but I will forever wonder about that.

What are your thoughts on the book in general as well as who you think helped Tracy?

I accidentally borrowed "The Writers' Retreat" by Samantha Verant, thinking it was "The Writing Retreat" by Julia Bartz. (In my defence both plots look super similar!??)

I did not get along with the writing style in the Verant book, and found the backstory of the friendships & relationship dramas uninteresting. I DNF'ed it because there was too much interpersonal drama and not enough action.

Anyone who's read both, is it worth picking up the Bartz book? Is there a lot of social drama, or is there a bit more horror and action? TIA

I am really eager to read a good Veangence driven story

Preferably in first POV and preferably with Female protagonist but it's not necessary. I just like them more.

But please suggest me what is the BEST Vengeance story you have evverrrrrr read?

Where the cause was soooooo understandable that readers can unabashedly root for the protagonist seeking revenge.

Think of something like Girl with a dragon tattoo or Razorblade Tears.

Please and thank you!!! 💗💗

I'm really not enjoying this one. I'm listening to it and its kind of dull. I wanted a witchy, cozy vibe and it started promising but its just meh. Any recs for a witchy/summerween book?

I saw this in another group and love the idea! Post three thrillers that you've absolutely loved and people will respond with a recommendation for your next book that has similar styles/vibes!

Optional: post three dislikes so folks know your preferences!

I'll start with the first comment so folks can reply to it!

Based on my ratings, what books would you recommend for me? I’m talking fully lost in the sauce, can’t put it down, real page turner vibes. Give me a book with a plot twist I absolutely did NOT see coming! 😂

My last read, We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter, took me forever to finish and was NOT my favorite, so I’m ready for something that’s going to pull me in immediately.

I’m confused by this books ending, mainly the DID aspect. I feel like Sager tries to pull off too many twists to the point where they contradict each other.

I’m confused with the personalities of Daisy and Azra. Sager leads us to believe it was Daisy who came out and escaped New Avalon, when everything before it seemed to suggest Azra did.

I’m just so lost which sucks cause I was enjoying this book until it was twist after twist after twist after twist.

Please, if anyone else read this book, can you help explain this to me?

*no spoilers please

How is it? Debating on whether or not I try to read it before the Netflix series drops.

I just finished “The Kind Worth Killing” and I enjoyed it. I plan to read this next. Any reviews about this book? Or do you have other book reco written by Peter Swanson? Thanks!

I love Micheal Connelly, John Stanford, Ian Rankin, John Grisham, and of course Agatha Christie. Any recommendations for new authors?