Category: Psychological fiction
+ crime fiction, family, fiction, friendship, jealousy, murder mystery, obsession, police procedural, Psychological fiction, review, writing
The Vow by Debbie Howells
Everything was perfect. And then her fiance disappeared… Two weeks before her wedding, a stranger stops Amy in the street and warns her she’s in danger. Then that night, Matt, her fiancé, doesn’t come home. Desperate, Amy calls the police – but when Matt fails to emerge, she’s forced to call off her wedding day. Then another man is reported missing, by a woman … Read More The Vow by Debbie Howells
+ crime fiction, dark humour, family drama, fiction, friendship, Historical fiction, List, murder mystery, mystery, Psychological fiction, psycopath, relationships, review, supernatural, writing
My Top 8 Books of 2020 so far
According to Goodreads I have already read 53 books this year and it’s only part way through June. But here is a list of my favourite eight books so far. I have tried to include a number of first time authors as well as established authors. They are in no particular order: Dreamland by Nancy Bilyeau I just loved this book. It’s 1911 and … Read More My Top 8 Books of 2020 so far
+ feminism, fiction, friendship, jealousy, literature, obsession, Psychological fiction, psycopath, review, writing
Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar
‘Trusting you was my first mistake.’ To Katherine, twenty-four-year-old Lily Lunt is a typical ‘snowflake’. Soft, entitled, unflaggingly earnest, the privileged, politically correct millennial will do whatever she can to make it big as a writer, including leveraging her family’s connections. She’s got it easy. To Lily, Katherine Ross, a career woman in her early forties, is a holdover from another era: clueless, old-fashioned, … Read More Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar
+ fiction, friends, friendship, Ghost story, haunting, love, mystery, obsession, Psychological fiction, relationships, review, supernatural, writing
I Am Dust by Louise Beech
When iconic musical Dust is revived twenty years after the leading actress was murdered in her dressing room, a series of eerie events haunts the new cast, in a bewitching, beguiling and terrifyingly dark psychological thriller… The Dean Wilson Theatre is believed to be haunted by a long-dead actress, singing her last song, waiting for her final cue, looking for her killer. Now Dust, the iconic … Read More I Am Dust by Louise Beech
+ abuse, childhood, deaf community, family, fiction, kidnapping, murder mystery, police drama, Psychological fiction, psycopath, review, writing
Shh by Jocelyn Dexter
What’s the best way to frighten a Deaf person? Turn off the light. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it isn’t funny at all. Annie Black, who is profoundly deaf, finds herself at the heart of a set of brutal murders. Teaming up with the lead Detective, the pair attempt to understand the psychology driving the killer. Having a voice, and … Read More Shh by Jocelyn Dexter
What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave. They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past. Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie … Read More What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
+ crime fiction, Detective novel, fiction, murder mystery, Psychological fiction, review, serial killer, writing
Rules For Perfect Murders (Eight Perfect Murders) by Peter Swanson
A chilling tale of psychological suspense and an homage to the thriller genre tailor-made for fans: the story of a bookseller who finds himself at the centre of an FBI investigation because a very clever killer has started using his list of fiction’s most ingenious murders. Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre’s most unsolvable murders, those that … Read More Rules For Perfect Murders (Eight Perfect Murders) by Peter Swanson
The Secret Sister by K.A. Clarke and A.J. Brittan
I’m not sure why a number of people have said this was an ‘easy read’. I found it heartbreaking and so sad at times. Poor Colleen being given up at birth and then losing her little sister Bryony. No wonder her life is so messed up. Poor Celia having lost her baby daughter. Poor Anna having given up her baby. I could go on. … Read More The Secret Sister by K.A. Clarke and A.J. Brittan
Happy Ever After by C.C. MacDonald
I feel so mixed about this book even though towards the end I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The problem for me is that both main protagonists are unlikable. Bit like Gone Girl. Charlie is a total prat but I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him when Naomi was upset because they couldn’t afford the 5-bedroom house by the … Read More Happy Ever After by C.C. MacDonald
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
A group of thirty-somethings who were all at Oxford University together share a holiday lodge in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands to see in the New Year. Apart from the ‘friends’ the only other people are Heather and Doug who run the place, Iain the handyman who lives off-site and two strange Icelandics who shouldn’t really be there at all. Hats off to … Read More The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
+ crime fiction, Detective novel, fiction, literature, police drama, Psychological fiction, review, writing
Close To Home by Cara Hunter
This is the first time I’ve given five stars to a book in ages but Close To Home is worth every star. It was absolutely riveting. I read it with The Pigeonhole (many thanks to them and to my fellow Pigeons and Cara who was commenting along with us). I rarely give five stars to any detective novel but this was something else. On … Read More Close To Home by Cara Hunter
The Only Child by Mi-ae Seo
Oh boy this could have been so good. The premise of the story is an excellent one and once I managed to understand what was going on (which took a while) it became really gripping. The story that is – because the writing (and I guess it gets lost in translation) is clunky and immature. From my experience of creative writing (I studied it … Read More The Only Child by Mi-ae Seo