Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title: Not Quite Dead Yet

Author: Holly Jackson

Genre: suspense thrillers, women sleuths

Publisher: Bantam

Print Length: 400 pages

Source: A copy from the local library

Blurb:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • A WASHINGTON POST AND NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • The author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder—now a hit Netflix series—returns with her first novel for adults: an “irresistible” (The Washington Post) thriller about a young woman trying to solve her own murder, “full of the writer’s signature twists and turns” (People).

The stunning hardcover of Not Quite Dead features a custom-stamped case, beautiful endpapers, and a premium dust jacket!

“This truly unique premise snowballs into a roller-coaster ride of page-turning suspense and knock-out twists!”—Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid

In seven days, Jet Mason will be dead.

Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old and back home, she’s still waiting for her life to begin. I’ll do it later, she always says. She has time.

Until Halloween night, when she is violently attacked by an unseen intruder, suffering a catastrophic head injury. Doctors are certain that within a week, the injury will trigger a fatal aneurysm. To her parents’ dismay, Jet rejects an extremely risky operation in order to guarantee herself at least a few more days.

Jet never thought of herself as having enemies. But now, in the one week she has left, she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, her ex-boyfriend.

As her condition deteriorates, she reconnects with her childhood friend Billy, the only one willing to help her. With Billy at her side, she’s absolutely determined to finally finish something:

Jet is going to solve her own murder.

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Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

This book is about a young woman, 'Jet', who is dying in the next 7 days due to a serious attack on her. Jet wants to prove herself to others before she dies, so she ventures to investigate her own murder case. 

So, the story starts with her investigation, watching videotapes captured from their doorbell camera, enquiring people in the family, neighbourhood, and all others associated with her life. During this process, she reconnects with her childhood best friend, Billy, and they both investigate and uncover many secrets about their families and friends. 

The story takes multiple turns and takes unpredictable twists, but will Jet be able to find out her murderer before she dies? That's the remaining story. 

What is great?

The writing is funny and engaging. Jet is very funny and responds in an unexpected, honest way when she talks to others. 

The characterization and multiple layers of each character are definitely a plus for this novel. The twists and turns are at a different level when compared to other mystery novels. While Jet and Billy learn something new every time they talk to different people, they are unsuccessful until the end in identifying the murderer. The reader keeps on guessing the murderer without much success, either. 

What might have been better?

The twists and turns keep us engaging for sure, but some seem fabricated and not real. It felt like the author decided to make it more thrilling and added too many twists. So, from the middle of the book, I was waiting for it to end faster. I got bored at one point in time. I wish the story had been crisp and shorter.

My Rating: 4/5

About the Author:

Holly Jackson started writing stories from a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a novel aged fifteen. She lives in London, and aside from reading and writing, she enjoys playing video games and watching true crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is her first novel. You can follow Holly on Twitter and Instagram @HoJay92

Until next time,

The Tenant by Katrine Engberg - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title: The Tenant

Author: Katrine Engberg

Genre: Mystery, thriller, suspense

Publisher: Gallery / Scout Press

Print Length: 368 pages

Source: A copy from the local library

Blurb:

When a young woman is discovered brutally murdered in her own apartment, with an intricate pattern of lines carved into her face, Copenhagen police detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner are assigned to the case. In short order, they establish a link between the victim, Julie Stender, and her landlady, Esther de Laurenti, who’s a bit too fond of drink and the host of raucous dinner parties with her artist friends. Esther also turns out to be a budding novelist—and when Julie turns up as a murder victim in the still-unfinished mystery she’s writing, the link between fiction and real life grows both more urgent and more dangerous.

But Esther’s role in this twisted scenario is not quite as clear as it first seems. Is she the culprit—or just another victim, trapped in a twisted game of vengeance? Anette and Jeppe must dig more deeply into the two women’s pasts to discover the identity of the brutal puppet-master pulling the strings in this electrifying literary thriller.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

The Tenant is a great example of a murder mystery thriller. I am not looking forward to reading a crime thriller, but this book was recommended by other bloggers. This book really impressed me.

The story is about two investigators, Jeppe and Annette, solving a murder mystery that becomes too complex with a web of unknown elements. The investigation starts with Julia's murder, but then it progresses to the murder of her friend Kristopher and the abduction of an old lady, Esther. 

During the investigation, many characters are introduced. Each character has multiple layers and secrets. The characters of Erik and Christopher are different in their own way.

What is great?

I love the story and twists. The story takes many turns that we don't expect. So, it gets interesting and stays like that till 3/4th of the book.

The characterization is great. The way the author reveals details and family secrets gradually is interesting to read. 

What might have been better?

Not much to say about negatives. The reasons for the murder are a little bit implausible, and the relationships of the characters make it more complex. 

Overall, a great crime thriller if you are into that genre.

My Rating: 5/5

Until next time,

I'm a Gigolo by Andrew Segal - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title: I'm a Gigolo 

Author: Andrew Segal

Book one - The Aberration Series of short stories
Genre : Short Story, Crime thriller & Romantic suspense

Publisher : Happy London Press (Expected Publication: July 1st, 2020)

Source : A digital Advanced Review copy from RABT Book tours

Blurb:

I am a Gigolo

He’s gorgeous, cool and slick. Small wonder those wealthy American dames are falling over themselves to taste his flirtatious skills, just where it counts. Seduction is the name of his game, and he knows how to keep
a secret. 

Trouble is, our Gigolo is also a mischief maker, a man with a mission - to make a killing. So he’s got a secret of his own. But, can he keep it that way?

Deliciously sensual, with a touch macabre, the opening tale, I am a gigolo contains ten startlingly original and provocative short stories, that you’ll need to be brave to read at bedtime.

Purchase Link:

My Review :

I love short stories, but this genre is a bit new to me. Erotic and Horror.

I loved most of the stories and all are having the perfect narration which is gripping throughout. Most of them have unpredictable endings.

 I glued to the book when I read a few stories and couldn't put it down until finishing the story. Some are average, too gory, and not that impressive. Whereas some are unique in their storyline and characters. 

Here are a few stories that I loved:

I'm a Gigolo

This title story is erotic and humorous too. I love the climax.

Killing me slowly

This is an interesting read with cunning plots and again, climax wins my heart.

Rosenfeld's ghost

This story is amazing and thrilling.  I couldn't put down without finishing it. Completely unpredictable.

Death zone, Everest

It's interesting with the gripping narrative throughout.

End game

The mind games and some unexpected behaviors. Yes, interesting and not predictable. 

Beads of Blood

Another unpredictable climax. A different take on abusive relationships and mindsets.

The book cover is ok, and the title is good as I'm a Gigolo is a unique story that stands out in the book.

My Rating : 4.5/ 5

About the Author:

My inspirations have come from real people, events, or situations that have presented themselves. Titles like, I am a Contract Killer, I am a Gigolo, Death Zone, License to Kill, are all based on my own life experiences, questions asked, incidents occurring.

Let me be reassuring, thus-far, nobody has been murdered on my watch. But the notion gave rise to the impetus to write my first murder mystery, The Lyme Regis Murders. Could I make the jump after years of writing macabre short stories to a full-length drama? That familiar beating in the gut, said, ‘Yes, try it. Give it a go.’

And so to that cozy coastal town where nothing untoward ever happens. Or perhaps it does. The author seeks to shatter notions, change people’s perceptions, spoil long-held views. That was my intention in entering into the world of crime thrillers. I’ve found that ‘nice’ people are not always what they seem. The helpless can be transformed into the most dangerous, the most dangerous become the most harmless. It’s all up to the writer and what they’re hoping to achieve. 

For me, there have been 10 children’s books, 4 books of short stories and so far, three novels, with a fourth in the mixer.

Whilst a short story might be written with a flurry of adrenalin in the space of a few hours, a book will need more than just a flash of creativity. It will need perseverance, discipline, and dogged determination.
But then, isn’t that what is required of every ambition?

Contact Links

Author Links
Website
Facebook

Until next time,

The Book of Hidden Things by Francesco Dimitri - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title : The Book of Hidden Things

Author : Francesco Dimitri

Genre : Contemporary Fantasy, Fantasy thriller, Crime thriller

Length of the book : 385 pages

Publisher : Titan Books

Source: A library book

Blurb :

From "one of the most significant figures of the last generation of fantasy", comes Francesco Dimitri's debut novel in English, an enthralling and seductive fantasy following four old friends and the secrets they keep.

Four old school friends have a pact: to meet up every year in the small town in Puglia they grew up in. Art, the charismatic leader of the group and creator of the pact, insists that the agreement must remain unshakable and enduring. But this year, he never shows up.

A visit to his house increases the friends' worry; Art is farming marijuana. In Southern Italy doing that kind of thing can be very dangerous. They can't go to the Carabinieri so must make enquiries of their own. This is how they come across the rumours about Art; bizarre and unbelievable rumours that he miraculously cured the local mafia boss's daughter of terminal leukaemia. And among the chaos of his house, they find a document written by Art, The Book of Hidden Things, that promises to reveal dark secrets and wonders beyond anything previously known.

Francesco Dimitri's first novel written in English, following his career as one of the most significant fantasy writers in Italy, will entrance fans of Elena Ferrante, Neil Gaiman and Donna Tartt. Set in the beguiling and seductive landscape of Southern Italy, this story is about friendship and landscape, love and betrayal; above all it is about nature of mystery itself.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

 It is not very often that I get a chance to pick up an interesting book from the library and finish it. I get a lot of review copies but I don't usually get time to read the books that I pick. I am glad that I chose this book and I really loved reading this.

'The Book of Hidden Things' is a fantasy story of 4 friends Tony, Fabio, Art, and Mauro. These friends from a small town Casalfranca in Italy, make a pact to meet every year. When Art doesn't show up this year, Tony, Fabio, and Mauro decide to check what happened to him. 

While they search for him, they learn mysterious information about Art, his life, his research, and things become more complicated and confusing. When Mauro gets fired by Art's ex-girlfriend, they all step back thinking about the risk they are taking to find Art. At last, Art shows up, reveals information about his research and forces them to trust him and take an important decision with their lives.

There are no words to explain how good this book is! The narration is very gripping and the mystery lingers till the end of the book and even after finishing the book. Characterization is simply superb. While Art is a unique character, Tony is a wonderful mate, Mauro, a responsible husband and friend who is guilty of leaving behind his favorite hobby of playing guitar and Fabio is a person with his insecurities and money problems. 

I could get a glimpse of Southern Italy, the weather, the scenery, and the cuisine as well through this book. The book cover and the name are apt. 

If you love mystery and fantasy, you will like this book. But, fantasy and mystery feel very real. 

My Rating: 5/5

About the Author:

Francesco Dimitri is an Italian magic realist author living in London, a business story-teller, and a lifetime searcher for wonder. He has written in many different forms (nonfiction, fiction, comics, cinema, digital media, essays, magazines) and worked for top business clients. In his quest for wonder he has shot documentaries about UFO cults, slept deep into the forests of Transylvania, conversed with mathematicians, artists, chefs, psychologists, stage magicians, and strangers in crowds.

Until next time,