Blink / Safe with Me by K. L. Slater

Blink / Safe with Me by K. L. Slater
Publisher/Year: Grand Central Publishing, 2019
Format: Mass paperback
Pages: 723
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger…because of you?

Three years after her then five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared on her way home from school, desperate mother Toni refuses to believe her daughter is gone. As she begins to piece together her blurred memories from that tragic time, she comes to the devastating realization that Evie’s disappearance might not be random.

Trapped in a world that is constantly trying to silence her, Toni knows that the only way to save her daughter is to do the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard.

Blink is a compelling, gripping thriller with a breathtaking twist that will keep you awake until the early hours.

Includes the bonus novel Safe with Me: Thirteen years ago, someone did something very bad to Anna. Now it’s her turn to get even.

What I thought

Blink

My copy of Blink also includes Safe with Me, but as I’ve just finished with Blink, I wanted to jot down a few quick thoughts. For starters, I enjoyed this one! Even though I took forever to read it (haven’t been doing too much reading), this was a quick, suspenseful read that kept me guessing. It was enjoyable enough, but nothing spectacular. I have nothing against the use of unreliable or unlikeable narrators, I just really didn’t care for Toni and had a hard time getting past that. And for as high as tensions ran throughout the story, the ending was a little disappointing. But overall, I did enjoy my time spent reading this one and would recommend this to thriller fans. I’m looking forward to reading Safe with Me next!

Safe with Me

Looking back at my review of Blink, I have to admit, I’m actually a tad bit surprised–my thoughts about Safe with Me are almost identical. This was an enjoyable read that didn’t wow me, even though I did like it enough to keep reading. For me, the two weakest spots were the same: an intensely unlikeable narrator and an ending out of left field that felt somewhat rushed. I have absolutely nothing against characters–when done well, they are a testament to deeply flawed humanity. But for as much as I didn’t like Toni in Blink, I didn’t like Anna here either, and it made it difficult for me to want to pick this up and read it. One thing I have to give props to the author for, now having read two of her novels, is that she is extremely talented at building tension through her writing. Both of these books had me feeling so uncomfortable at times, which is just what you want from a good thriller. Overall, I did enjoy this one, even though it wasn’t a favorite, and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a psychological thriller!

The One Who Got Away by L. A. Detwiler

The One Who Got Away by L. A. Detwiler
Publisher/Year: One More Chapter, 2020
Format: E-book (Nook)
Pages: 312
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

“Get out while you can. You’ll die here…”

Adeline Evans has recently moved into a home for the elderly. A safe space, where she can be cared for.

When she begins to receive cryptic and threatening notes, she is certain that someone is out to get her.

But the residents are warned against listening to a woman who is losing her memory. It would seem Adeline is tormented by the secrets in her past, and that the menace is all in her mind.

Until danger comes down the corridor and starts knocking in the night…

What I thought

I consider myself pretty lucky to have a local author whose books I enjoy so much, and The One Who Got Away was no exception. This was my first time reading one of her thrillers, and it did not let me down–this book went to some DARK places. The feeling of a claustrophobia and tension absolutely permeate the pages of this book. And I really loved how unique this story was–from the setting taking place inside a corrupt nursing home to Adeline’s perspective. Her point-of-view put such a distinct twist on everything. Having dementia, she was, at times, an unreliable narrator, but it was also heartbreaking to read, at the same time. The pacing of the story does ebb and flow a bit, but the ending hit me like a sucker punch. I did NOT see that coming. I appreciate it so much when an author doesn’t take the safe way out, and in this case, it just added to the overall bleakness and horror of this book.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I am so glad to have read one of Lindsay’s thrillers, finally. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense novels!

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich
Publisher/Year: She Writes Press, 2020
Format: Paperback
Pages: 313
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

Despite her years of experience investigating homicides for the force, Captain Linda Turner is haunted by the murders of the Hansen family. The two small children, clothed in tattered Disney pajamas, were buried with their father, a pastor, in the flower garden behind a church parsonage in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Mrs. Hansen is nowhere to be found–and neither is the killer.

In St. Louis, the televangelist Ray Williams is about to lose his show–until one of his regular attendees approaches him with an idea that can save it. Despite his initial misgivings, Ray agrees to give it a try. He can’t deny his attraction to this woman, and besides, she’s assured him the plan is just–God gave her the instructions in a dream.

Multiple storylines entwine throughout this compelling mystery, delving into the topics of murder, religious faith, and the inherent dangers in blindly accepting that faith as truth. While Reverend Williams is swept up in his newfound success and plans for his wedding, Captain Turner can only hope that she and her team will catch the Hansens’ cunning killer–before more bodies surface.

What I thought

Thank you to She Writes Press and Book Publicity Services for a free finished copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a good, solid debut, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this one! The first thing that caught my attention with this book was its cover–how deliciously creepy! I was also drawn in because in a world of thrillers, Salvation Station certainly stands out with its unique premise. This turned out to be an easy read with writing that flowed well and an interesting plot that kept the story moving forward. One thing that I do want to note is that rather than being described as a murder mystery, this is more of a suspense novel. You find out almost immediately “who did it,” and the question shifts to “will they catch the culprit before it happens again?” Still, I enjoyed the multiple perspectives employed to tell the story. I will say that I much preferred Linda’s section about solving the crime. I found that the heavy religious tones, although not necessarily preachy were a bit much for me.

Overall, I’m glad I had the chance to read this one and it was a good debut entry into the suspense genre!

The Twin by Natasha Preson

The Twin by Natasha Preston
Publisher/Year: Delacorte Press, 2020
Format: ARC – paperback
Pages: 375
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

Ivy and Iris haven’t lived together for years–when their mother and father divorced, each parent got custody of one twin. But after a tragic accident takes their mom’s life, the devastated sisters are reunited, and Iris moves in with Ivy and their dad. Ivy promises that she can share her life now. After all, they’re sisters. Twins.

It’s a promise that Iris takes seriously. And before long, Ivy’s friends, her teachers, and even her boyfriend fall under Iris’s spell. Soon Ivy begins to think there’s something wrong with her twin. It’s almost like Iris is out to get her. Ivy tells herself she’s being paranoid. It’s not like she’s in any danger from her twin…

The Twin is an unputdownable read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

What I thought

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Delacorte Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

What a wicked little book! This one is a slow burn, psychological thriller that is all about the entertainment value. You know those books that you can just see being made into a movie? This is one of those. The story starts out and the tension builds oh-so-slowly, but once it ramps up, the story goes to some pretty dark and sinister places. You can’t help but feel for Ivy, but I will say it takes a good author to get me, as the reader, to have moments of doubt surrounding her reliability at times. I’ve seen other readers say this book was predictable, but I, for one, didn’t know WHAT was happening. All I know is that once this book got going, I was perpetually STRESSED trying to guess what Iris’s next move would be. And that ending! I NEVER saw it coming, and I actually really like that Preston didn’t write the “safe” ending, but went the unconventional route. (Just keep that in mind if you don’t like open endings.)

If you’re a YA reader looking for an entertaining, slow burn of a psychological thriller, this book’s for you!

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher/Year: St. Martin’s Press, 2020
Format: ARC – paperback
Pages: 392
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

You probably know someone like Shay Miller.

She wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is so isolated.

You probably don’t know anyone like the Moore sisters.

They have an unbreakable circle of friends. They live the most glamorous life. They always get what they desire.

Shay thinks she wants their life. But what they really want is HERS.

What I thought

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

You guys, this book just did NOT do it for me, and I’m so bummed about it. So, I’m going to keep this short because it seems like a lot of people really enjoy this one, and this might be a case of “it’s me, not you.”

I get that the thriller genre, in general, requires its readers to suspend their disbelief. Usually, I’m pretty good with that, but with this book, I just seriously struggled, and I’m not sure why. And I think it kept me from really connecting with Shay and this story. Don’t get me wrong, I did like this book–it certainly had a completely unique plot. The short chapters and the writing style kept me wanting to see how it would all turn out. But once I got to the end and put it down, the only thing I could think was “Meh.”

Please don’t take only my word for it. I can’t even begin to describe how bummed I am–I had heard so many great things about this author duo’s first two books. I still plan on reading them. I just think this one wasn’t for me.

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica
Publisher/Year: Park Row Books, 2020
Format: ARC – paperback
Pages: 359
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

She tried to run, but she can’t escape the other Mrs.

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. It’s the eerie and decrepit old home they inherited. It’s Will’s disturbed teenage niece, Imogen, with her threatening presence. And it’s the troubling past that continues to wear at the seams of their family.

As the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of Morgan’s death. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

What I thought

Thank you to Park Row Books for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book STRESSED ME OUT in the best way, and to me, that is a sure sign of an excellent domestic thriller! This was the first book I’ve read from Mary Kubica, and I really enjoyed it. I know where to turn now when I’m in the mood for a thriller!

I want to keep this very short because it’s better to go into this knowing next to nothing. The unsettling atmosphere and the unreliable narrators instantly drew me into this story and kept the pages turning. Mary Kubica has such an easy writing style–simple, yet effective without being overdone. Honestly the only thing that kept this from five stars was the considerable amount of suspension of disbelief required from the reader. That isn’t something that bothers me exactly, it’s just that it takes me out of the story. I will also say that despite several theories, I never saw the “twist” coming–I love when authors can keep the suspense going!

All in all, kudos to Mary Kubica for writing one helluva thriller! It kept me up at night, flipping the pages, and I cannot think of a better recommendation than that.

29 Seconds by T. M. Logan

29 Seconds by T. M. Logan
Publisher/Year: St. Martin’s Press, 2019
Format: ARC
Pages: 360
Rating: ⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

What if a 29 second phone call could change the course of your life forever?

Sarah is a young professor struggling to prove herself in a workplace controlled by a charming and manipulative man. Alan Hawthorne is a renowned scholar and television host who preys on female colleagues behind closed doors. And Sarah is his newest target.

When Sarah rescues a young child in trouble, she expects nothing in return. But her act of bravery puts a powerful and dangerous man in her debt.

A man who believes all favors must be repaid.

What I thought

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. This was one of those books that ended up being just an “okay” read for me, which genuinely surprises me because it got rave reviews. It was a quick read, even though it took me a while to get through. When I did feel like picking it up, the pages flew by quickly as the chapters were really short, which I do like in a thriller. So, the pace was on point, I just struggled with connecting to the story.

I knew from the get go that the plot was going to be far-fetched, and I can suspend my disbelief as much as anyone. But once the phone call went awry, I just couldn’t anymore. The story just went off the deep end. I thought the ending was awful–I didn’t buy it, and I’m honestly still not sure what even happened. Not to mention, I never felt remotely like the villain got what he deserved.

As far as Sarah goes, I simply couldn’t stand her as a protagonist. She was so wishy washy and whiny and felt 100% like a woman written by a man. There was a scene that so bothered me that I had to rant about it to my husband. Sarah eats lunch with a friend who orders fish and chips while she has a lowly ham salad sandwich. And she has this inner dialogue where she wonders how her friend can eat like that and still maintain her figure while she nibbled her sandwich and ultimately threw the whole thing away. That makes me cringe even typing it out. Heaven forbid that a woman eat some freakin’ fish and chips and not worry about the effect on her figure! And I think why it bothered me so much was that this was a book clearly written as part of the #MeToo movement where we see a professor who habitually sexually harasses (and borderline assaults) his colleagues and who ultimately “pays” for it. So that scene felt so contradictory and even hypocritical to me.

And now I’m just rambling, so suffice it to say that this wasn’t the book for me. Please don’t take just my word for it–plenty of people enjoyed it, and I do believe that there’s a book for everyone. This one just happened to not be for me, and that’s okay.

Twisted Reasons (Twisted Trilogy #1) by Geza Tatrallyay

Twisted Reasons (Twisted Trilogy #1) by Geza Tatrallyay
Publisher/Year: Deux Voiliers Publishing, 2014
Format: E-book
Pages: 317
Rating: 🌟🌟
Goodreads

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

TWISTED REASONS, the first in a trilogy of international thrillers based on arms and human trafficking from a modern ‘rogue’ Russian state, is the tale of two college friends who get drawn into the heist of nuclear material from a former Soviet site. Arriving in Vienna to find his friend Adam Kallay, an official at the International Atomic Energy Agency, presumed dead, crime novelist Greg Martens teams up with Interpol Agent Anne Rossiter and Julia, Kallay’s Russian girlfriend, to solve the case and track the disappearance from a former Soviet nuclear site of enough uranium to make a bomb. The story moves from espionage entrepȏt Vienna to radioactivity contaminated Chelyabinsk and to front-line Georgia, as the three combat arms merchants allied to Russian secret police to prevent the stolen uranium from getting into the wrong hands. Along the way, Greg learns brutal truths about himself and his family.

What I thought

I’m going to be honest, this book just wasn’t for me. It was okay. I do think there are readers who would enjoy this. It really was an intriguing & suspenseful storyline. I am not very familiar with the history or the layout of the area of the world where the story takes place, so it was a little hard for me to follow at times. Again, that’s something that was more of a personal preference than any fault of the book. It was very clear that Mr. Tatrallyay knew his material, and he came across as very knowledgeable. There were some scenes that made me uncomfortable but I think that’s because this book was not something I’d normally read. I did find this story very entertaining though & I think this would be a great read for fans of crime thrillers with a touch of history.

Note: I did receive a free copy of this book from the author. This in no way affected my review.