Buckle up, thriller enthusiasts. FOLLOW ME is as gripping and twisted as it is heartbreaking. The story follows Lena, a young Five enthusiastic stars.
Buckle up, thriller enthusiasts. FOLLOW ME is as gripping and twisted as it is heartbreaking. The story follows Lena, a young woman desperate to escape a psych ward. However, when a religious group tells her that her "illness" is actually a divine gift, everything changes. My jaw hit the floor about a dozen times while reading this novel. Bravo to Rachel Graham for this stunning, captivating debut thriller!...more
Achingly beautiful, horrifying and heartbreaking. Whispers of Apple Blossoms brought me to tears one moment and left me open-mouthed in shock the nextAchingly beautiful, horrifying and heartbreaking. Whispers of Apple Blossoms brought me to tears one moment and left me open-mouthed in shock the next. This is a story about love and deception as vibrant and tooth-edged as a rose....more
Absolutely loved. It's so twisted, but in the best way, and suspenseful from the very first line. With characters as intricately crafted as its twistsAbsolutely loved. It's so twisted, but in the best way, and suspenseful from the very first line. With characters as intricately crafted as its twists, a breakneck pace, and unrelenting tension, THE FINAL SCENE is as gripping as it is terrifying. ...more
Oh. My. Gosh. This just might be my favorite K-MOD yet. It's darker than anything I've read by her previously, but that only made me love it more. It'Oh. My. Gosh. This just might be my favorite K-MOD yet. It's darker than anything I've read by her previously, but that only made me love it more. It's like Stephen King's Misery had a baby with the Hulu limited series THE PATIENT (if you're looking for comps). But even that doesn't do this story justice. Kiersten is a master storyteller, and even the book's bleakest, most unflinching moments are treated so carefully that I always felt brave enough to keep reading.
I related to protagonist Mari Montgomery on a deep level. She's a thriller author who is dealing with unimaginable personal loss and the accompanying writer's block. When she gets an unexpected email from an admirer with ties to a film production company, it seems like her life might change for the better. But her decision to meet up with him (a decision I could see myself making) throws her into a nightmare straight out of one of her novels. While Modglin doesn't delve into gratuitous details, the horrifying scenes are heavy, chilling, and dark. A few scenes left me open-mouthed, shocked by the sheer audacity of the plot turns. But beneath the adrenaline and suspense, DO NOT OPEN is a story of resilience and healing. It's also a poignant reminder of how much social media has changed everything about the way we interact with each other. Yes, it connects us. But it also isolates us and can make us vulnerable to predators.
I could not put this book down. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on this absolute gem of a thriller. But remember, sometimes it's wiser to leave some doors unopened....more
Exceptional thriller that got me right in the feels and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. The twists and storyline stuck tExceptional thriller that got me right in the feels and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. The twists and storyline stuck the landing until the end, the antagonist was scary AF, and I related to Hannah (female MC) so deeply. Listened to the audio version, and the narrator did a fantastic job as well! ...more
New superfan here. This is a hair-raising joyride of a horror novel that's somehow both terrifying and tender. Dawn Winton is the protagonist I've beeNew superfan here. This is a hair-raising joyride of a horror novel that's somehow both terrifying and tender. Dawn Winton is the protagonist I've been waiting for, the desolate mining-town setting is creepy as hell, and Steph's writing absolutely crackles. I loved this book....more
What a gem. Luisa's debut novel is poignant, spooky, atmospheric, and absolutely gorgeous. Elodia and Gabriel are incredibly compelling, perfectly flaWhat a gem. Luisa's debut novel is poignant, spooky, atmospheric, and absolutely gorgeous. Elodia and Gabriel are incredibly compelling, perfectly flawed characters, and I got a little teary at the end of the book when all the puzzle pieces came together to reveal the scope of what they’d been through. Bad Moon Rising will stay with me for a long time. It’s the perfect Halloween prefunk, and Luisa is a name you’re going to want to remember. Thank you to Cemetery Dance and the author for the advance copy of this beautiful book!...more
This was a terrifying, twisted roller coaster of a book. It's a gripping debut novel that affirms a rising star in horror. I kept trying to guess the This was a terrifying, twisted roller coaster of a book. It's a gripping debut novel that affirms a rising star in horror. I kept trying to guess the ending, but it surprised me all the same. There were a number of passages I had to slow down and read twice because they were so beautifully written, but the pace of the novel kept me turning pages faster and faster....more
Link to the (free) story is in my Instagram highlights! (@noelleihliauthor) You can also find the book here: https://bit.ly/3IjldkuLink to the (free) story is in my Instagram highlights! (@noelleihliauthor) You can also find the book here: https://bit.ly/3Ijldku...more
Learn what happened to Ava Robles in this short story from Run on Red (warning: Contains spoilers for the original book). Free short story can be founLearn what happened to Ava Robles in this short story from Run on Red (warning: Contains spoilers for the original book). Free short story can be found here: https://bit.ly/3zwW7Kl...more
Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for an advance copy of this book!
WATCH OUT FOR HER by @sbaileybooks was an entertaining, slow-burn of a Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for an advance copy of this book!
WATCH OUT FOR HER by @sbaileybooks was an entertaining, slow-burn of a domestic thriller. The story unfolds from the POV of two main characters: Sarah, a hyper-vigilant stay-at-home mom with trust issues, and Holly, the attractive but troubled 22-year-old babysitter who has been hired for the summer. The story starts with a bang, when we realize that something has gone horribly wrong with the babysitting dynamic over the summer (but we don't know what).
I loved so many things about this book. While both of the main characters were off-putting in their own way, they were compelling and fascinating. I had to keep turning the pages until the book revealed its secrets. I loved the themes of familial loyalty and love that were woven throughout the book, and by the end of the book I could not put it down, and stayed up way too late to finish.
The pacing dragged a bit for me through the first half of the book, and I found myself frustrated by the number of heavy-handed references to secrets that the characters know (but don't reveal) until long into the book. That said, the ending of the book was masterfully wrapped up, and I appreciated the surprises in the wild ride at the finish. If you loved The Girl on the Train or The Woman in the Window, this one is calling your name!...more
The chorus of Bernie's story will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced loss or trauma that can make vulnerability and trust so difficult. AThe chorus of Bernie's story will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced loss or trauma that can make vulnerability and trust so difficult. A beautiful, relatable story of love, loss, and resilience. I loved Helen and the Grandbees and can't wait to read more from Morrall. ...more
A brutal murder of employees working the late shift at Blockbuster video on New Year's Eve, 1999. A lone survivor. A fugit4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5
A brutal murder of employees working the late shift at Blockbuster video on New Year's Eve, 1999. A lone survivor. A fugitive on the run.
Fast-forward fifteen years, and final girl Ella is forced to relive that horrific night when there's another mass slaying with uncanny similarities to the Blockbuster massacre. This time, it's the employees at a local ice cream shop. Once again, there's a sole survivor . . . .
In the aftermath of the slayings, Ella's path collides with FBI Agent Sarah Keller and the brother of the prime suspect for the Blockbuster slayings. Something doesn't add up. And the stakes are higher than ever, as secrets come to light that call into question whether the police have been looking at the wrong suspect all these years.
This was SUCH a satisfying thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat, kept me guessing, and kept me turning the pages. The perspective shifted between three protagonists--Ella, FBI Agent Keller, and the brother of the accused killer. Each was so well-developed. When I reached the end of the book, I didn't want to let any of them go.
Finlay kept me guessing until the reveal at the very end (I REALLY thought I knew). Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys what I like to call "Slashers with heart." There's no cardboard characters here. Just smart, multi-dimensional protagonists with a monster among them.
Half a star deducted because there were a few points I found myself thinking, "Hmm ... this is a woman being written by a man." In general, I was impressed by Finlay's nuanced and realistic characterization of the women in the book, but it did creep up a few times.
Overall, INCREDIBLE read. I loved it so much, and I'm diving into Finlay's debut novel now! ...more
Every single story in this anthology pulls its weight. And by “pulls its weight” I mean terrify, creep out, or send chills down my spine in the best wEvery single story in this anthology pulls its weight. And by “pulls its weight” I mean terrify, creep out, or send chills down my spine in the best way. It’s perfect for anyone who grew up loving Tales from the Crypt or Goosebumps and is chasing that “under the covers reading until way too late” feeling with scary stories. So glad I got this collection and would highly recommend to anyone who loves horror. ...more
Consistently fabulous author with consistently fabulous books. I know whenever I see a new Kiersten Modglin hit the shelves that I'm gonna be thrilledConsistently fabulous author with consistently fabulous books. I know whenever I see a new Kiersten Modglin hit the shelves that I'm gonna be thrilled, chilled, and enjoy losing myself in a good book (...and check the locks several times!) ...more
Twisted, dark, weird, and fantastic. The TV series adaptation is pretty bangin' too!Twisted, dark, weird, and fantastic. The TV series adaptation is pretty bangin' too!...more
Read. This. Book. Incredibly talented author and one of the most unique thrillers I've read lately. Read. This. Book. Incredibly talented author and one of the most unique thrillers I've read lately. ...more