reading_under_covers's Reviews (1.61k)

Aidan Thomas is a family man beloved by his small town, but he has a dark secret that no one knows…he’s a serial killer and one of his surviving victims is locked up in his shed. Will Rachel find the strength to escape after five years of captivity or will her fate resemble those of all of Aidan’s past victims?

THE QUIET TENANT by Clemence Michallon was a fast-paced thriller following the POVs of “Rachel” the kidnapped, Cecelia the 13-year-old daughter, and Emily the love interest.

I’m shocked that this is a debut!! The story was intriguing and nerve-wracking, and it was easy to really get a feel for the characters (and even fall in love with some)! 

I would have liked some more explanation and backstory behind certain things (thus the 4 stars), but an enjoyable thriller regardless!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, and Vintage and Anchor for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: June 20

As with Adrienne’s other books (and especially those set in the Narrows) I was immediately sucked into the story and the writing, and made some quite ugly crying faces along the way. The sea gives and she takes 🥲

UNFINISHED PORTRAIT by Mary Westmacott (Agatha Christie) is one of six non-crime novels written under Agatha Christie’s pen name, and the first that I have picked up.

Having read Agatha Christie’s autobiography last year, it was easy to see that the main character Celia, was Christie’s fictional self - I really enjoyed reading some of her real-life word for word anecdotes with that added layer of “fiction” and her first husband came off as even more unlikable in the form of the character Dermot...

This book was depressing as heck because, as the title says, it is an unfinished portrait, so we’re left in a state of despair and don’t get to see Christie have hope, success, and love in her life once again, BUT, it’s also a joy to know what a success she became and that she did eventually get to travel the world with the new love of her life!

'In Celia we have more nearly than anywhere else a portrait of Agatha.' Max Mallowan, Agatha Christie's second husband.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read a MHC book!!

It only took one book for me to understand how she became such a notorious figure in the suspense world. This one had me flipping pages, made me feel anxious and frustrated, and was just so well-crafted!

**big triggers in this one**

Let me start this off by saying that this book is OUTLANDISH, but if you’re willing to just be there for the ride, you’ll have a fun time!

This book was chaotic, messy, and full of a wide cast of characters. This one is short at just over 250 pages and very action-packed, so don’t expect to build any lasting connections to the characters, but a fun story regardless! 

This one wrecked me in all of the right ways. It had all the elements of a YA Mystery that I love while also constantly tugging at my heartstrings. 

Huge thanks to BookSparks and She Write Press for sending me an early copy of this book!

I LOVED this one and after five pages, knew I had to break out my book highlighters and get annotating!

Anyone who loves hiking will definitely enjoy this one, and I enjoyed the author’s thoughts and insights on aging especially when it comes to aging as someone who loves adventure. 

I laughed, I cried, I felt my body ache, and am now yearning for my own next adventure!