readwatchdrinkcoffee's Reviews (382)

A beautifully written and character-driven retelling, Circe is a captivating story of womanhood that gives a distinctive voice to one of Greek mythology’s underrated heroines. With lush descriptions and a strong lead character, it’s a complex but breathtaking story that I won’t be forgetting any time soon.

As a story of Greek mythology, it has everything you want from it: adventure, monsters, betrayals and magic. There are even a few twists with how the story of the fates weaves into the plot which I loved, as well as the mention of some of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and Odysseus.

Most of all, it’s a powerful story of determination and will, with so many important messages around feminism and motherhood that are just as important today. I especially loved the narrative around motherhood, brilliantly describing the emotional journey from the difficult first few weeks to the heartache of them leaving the nest.

“But perhaps no parent can truly see their child. When we look we see only the mirror of our own faults.”

It’s also a fantastic story of witches. Of course there were stories of witches before Circe, but this really felt like an origin of the modern-day stereotype; the reason why we think of witches as unappealing, hostile, and solitary.

Madeline Miller does a wonderful job of making this story unique, accessible and engaging. Circe may be a Goddess, but she has so many human characteristics. She’s flawed in beauty, powers, and relationships, but she knows her place in the world and what she desires, and is determined to come into her own to prove others of her worth.

Circe is such a relatable character that she is fully deserving of her own story and I loved every second of it. I will definitely be reading more by Madeline Miller in the near future.

Audiobook Review:

I read this book alongside the audiobook by Audible Studios for Bloomsbury which is narrated by Perdita Weeks and it is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to. Perdita voices Circe’s character beautifully and the narration helped with the difficult Greek names which sometimes interrupt my reading of Greek mythology. This made it much easier to follow and therefore enjoy, which I could do easily a more fluid narrative. I thoroughly recommend the audiobook if you’re interested in reading this but are worried that it may be too complex/out of your comfort zone.

I was super excited to read my first Stephen King book this spooky season, but The Institute really wasn’t for me.

A young adult sci-fi, The Institute is definitely above par for a story in its genre. It has all the feels of Stranger Things with its quality development, unique concept and strong characters. There’s even an 80s vibe to it, although from the obvious popular culture references that are thrown in, that is certainly not the case.

There may be no monsters, but the evil here comes in the form of The Institute which has just as much of a dark, shadowing atmosphere to it. It’s a place of nightmares in that it’s too horrible to imagine that it could be real. But for this group of children, it is real, and the people who run it are so convinced of their good intentions that there’s no stopping them.

However, the premise just didn’t work for me. I get that the workers at The Institute had become complacent, but the plot heavily relied on this fact, that because they hadn’t had any issues so far that they didn’t believe in the possibility of something going wrong now.

I just found it all so unbelievable. There was no logic in it whatsoever, that an organisation had been running successfully for so many years and not be prepared for something like this to happen, for this not to have happened before, for children with TP and TK to not have outsmarted their captors before, for their powers to not constantly give them the upper hand. Everything that happened was because of The Institute’s naivety, which just didn’t stick with me.

The characters are well developed and I could picture every one of them vividly. I liked their attitudes and the group dynamic, but I still didn’t like any of them. They’re great characters and what they are put through is excruciating, yet I didn’t find anything compelling about them. They made the odd wisecrack which almost made my mouth turn into a smile, but I just didn’t feel any connection to them.

I don’t mind King’s trademark over-use of detail but it felt like it was all in the wrong places to me. The scenes that I wanted the most detail on felt fuzzy in my head whereas it took pages to detail scenes that had little impact. And then, of course, there are hundreds of pages where nothing happens at all. For a 480-page book, the plot is so thin that I really can’t believe how much time was wasted.

Another thing that really annoyed me was that the female support characters were given unnecessary background details regarding abuse or something to do with in-between their legs, when there were no background details given for the men. I’m not the first person to criticise King for his awful descriptions of women, but these unnecessary details really stood out to me and just made me like the male characters less.

I really wanted to like this book but I just got no joy from it whatsoever and it really upsets me to say that as I know a lot of people loved this book. Of course I will still go on to read more Stephen King books, but I just hope they impress me more than this one.

A dark and graphic crime drama that certainly isn’t for the fainthearted, Kisscut is another immersive thriller from my favourite crime writer which will leave you aching from the raw emotions and twisted plot.

For a second novel, Kisscut proves that Karin Slaughter has guts. It has to be one of her most disturbing books to date in terms of subject. I won’t go into what that is too much for those who haven’t read it yet (but there are a few slight spoilers as it’s difficult not to approach the wider subject), but I will just say that it’s something I regard as the worst thing a human can possibly do.

The subject hits hard and completely broke my heart, but I couldn’t think of a better author to use such a disturbing story so well. Slaughter doesn’t avoid giving gruesome details to merely create a distressing plot without any substance, but she knows the boundaries perfectly. There’s just enough detail to shock readers but not enough to come across as too much or as insensitive, as Slaughter takes the time to see the situation from various perspectives.

I think it’s incredibly brave for Slaughter to approach the subject at all, and while it’s the kind of crime that will feel like a punch in the gut to all readers, it’s important that she does because this happens and is happening all around the world. And as it does in Grant County, it can happen right in front of you without you having any idea because nothing is straight forward when it comes to a case like this one.

That’s what I loved so much about this instalment, as Slaughter goes on to explore the sometimes very narrow line between victim and perpetrator. Lena sees something in Mark because of their shared experience, despite their very different circumstances. There certainly isn’t any time for sympathy, but I think it’s important to discuss this Stockholm Syndrome effect of victims blurring the line between what’s right and wrong when they’ve been subjected to something so disgusting for so long.

With such a hard-hitting premise, it’s hard not to be emotionally invested in this story, especially when the characters that Slaughter has created are so well developed. And it is these characters who will help you through it. Despite all of their flaws, they all have so much compassion and I love every one of them.

As the second book in the Grant County series, Slaughter does a great job of making this work as a standalone while also brilliantly developing the story and relationships that carry on from Blindsighted. I was really eager to see how Lena would cope with the events of the first book and I think her trauma is handled so well. I also find it really interesting to see how Sara and Jeffrey’s relationship progresses as I’ve read a couple of the Will Trent books so I know what’s to come. I’ve only ever known Jeffrey as the ex-husband so I didn’t expect to see some romance re-blossoming. But now I’m just waiting for that big twist to hit which makes me excited but also very emotional.

Kisscut is another exceptionally written book and I can’t wait to see where Slaughter’s story goes next. But although it works as a standalone, I wouldn’t recommend this one to those who haven’t read any of her books before, and it definitely comes with some trigger warnings. Even as a fan of Slaughter’s, you’ll never be ready for the pain that this book will make you feel, but I come away from it with so much respect for her as an author.

Bring on A Faint Cold Fear!

A fast-paced investigation that keeps you guessing, Silenced Girls is a brilliant first instalment that I didn’t want to put down.

While some scenes are unnecessarily long and there are a few scenes that aren’t directly related to the main story which could have been cut down, I was completely gripped by the mystery and its characters. The sharp dialogue helps drive the plot and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you invested. And although the plot makes you question everybody involved, I still had no idea who was going to be behind it all in the end.

The strongest quality of the book is the brilliant character development. I feel like I got to know every character quite closely and I especially warmed to Tori and Will. With a lot of detail given before and after the main investigation, as well, you feel completely wrapped up in their lives which really helps you to connect with them.

I even liked the romance that was building up. Usually, I think that romances in a first instalment feel cliche, predictable and downright boring. They don’t always have a place in police thrillers, but because I liked the characters so much, the romance worked and progressed at a good speed.

The only thing that annoyed me was that the characters were referred to by both their first names and surnames which sometimes confused me, but this was easy enough to overlook.

In the end, Stelljes pieces together his complex puzzle so well that I came away wanting more. I will definitely be back to find out what happens to FBI Special Agent Tori and to follow her next case.

If you're a fan of true-crime, as so many of us are these days, you'll no doubt be familiar with Christopher Berry-Dee's name already. An investigative criminologist who has spent years studying and writing about serial killers, he is most well-known for his 'Talking With Serial Killers' series of books and has explored all areas of a serial killer's mind. Now, it's time for him to go to the movies, as Dee looks at killers who have become stars of the big screen.

As a huge film fan and true-crime addict, I knew that Serial Killers At The Movies was going to be the perfect book for me so I had to read it as soon as I could. I love looking at how well a film tells a true story, so I was really interested to see Dee's first-hand account of his conversations with the people behind the iconic characters in films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Amityville Horror, The Silence Of The Lambs, and Seven. It's a fascinating concept and one that I couldn't wait to dive into.

Analysing both the film and the actions of the real-life serial killer, Dee provides so much fantastic insight as he explores these stories from a variety of angles. Not only does he look at the murderers who have inspired fictional films, he also considers how well biopics portray their real-life inspirations, and at how true [or sometimes fabricated] stories are used for our entertainment.

"One should never lose sight of the fact that behind every dramatisation of a real-life tragedy - however loosely the facts are presented - a real person, in an actual place, has met a truly terrible end."

Dee does a brilliant job of looking at his subject on a broad scale, meaning that there is a wide variety of films and serial killers to support his discussion. But while I like this diversity, it does mean that not all of the chapters are as gripping as the gruesome murderer who inspired The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or the shocking truth behind The Amityville Horror and its 20 sequels.

However, Dee's analysis did get me thinking about the importance of balancing a film's entertainment value with the facts, as we can often forget the victim in these tragic circumstances when the focus is placed on the perpetrator. As Dee questions what it is about serial killers that appeals to us when seeking entertainment, he highlights the boundaries that are often overstepped and gives an in-depth narrative of what films should be doing when exploring real-life monsters, which I found very eye-opening as a film fan.

"I understand the nature of film and TV making is to provide entertainment. That's not necessarily a bad thing if they actually help us all understand the impact of real-life homicide and the human stories behind the crimes."

As someone who is familiar with most of the films that are explored, there is occasionally too much time spent on detailing some of their plots, but this will serve well for those who haven't seen them. What it all comes down to, though, is Dee's revelation of the truth. It's annoying when films don't tell the whole story, but sometimes the real details are a whole lot worse than any film would ever be able to get away with.

While I wouldn't normally mention any proofreading comments when I receive an ARC because I know that it's still going through the editorial process, I can't know for sure what will be changed so I think it's only fair to make a few additional comments about some of the negatives I found. I will, however, note that I think that my early release copy is still due to go through a big edit, so these comments shouldn't affect your judgement too much.

As it was at my time of reading, not all of the chapters felt relevant and some of the stories needed to be linked together better. The book felt quite choppy in places, repetitive in others, and not all of the stories felt complete. It also felt like an advertisement to his other work at times, although these comments could just be references for Dee to expand on in a future edit. Nevertheless, it's got me interested enough to go and check out his other books, so it certainly worked on me.

Like I said, I think my copy of this book is still due to be edited quite heavily at this stage, so I think the issues I found in the second-half are ones that will be resolved when it comes to being published next year. After another edit, this is definitely a book that I would recommend, and a must-read if you're a fan of horror films.

The Betrayals is an imaginative and spell-binding fantasy that’s driven by intriguing relationships and compelling emotions, but a blurry narrative that leaves too much up to your own interpretation.

With a book like this, it’s all about the emotion you feel while taking the journey. Bridget Collins’ descriptive narrative will either leave you floating through it as you indulge in the elegance of her words, or you may become overwhelmed with the fantastical elements and somewhat lose your way.

For me, it was the latter. While I ended up loving the characters and how the story came together in the end, I was so lost in the setting that I found it difficult to get into. Set around a mysterious game called the grand jeu, I had absolutely no idea what this was. An art form that is part music and mathematics and part philosophy and history, the grand jeu is the country’s national game. So you can get some idea of what it’s supposed to be, but the description is so vague that I couldn’t understand its purpose, so I was often left frustrated with not knowing how to visualise the story in my head.

There are some dystopian elements to the setting with a focus on politics and the government’s influence which I was interested in, but I couldn’t understand exactly what was going on outside of the academy, either. And then there’s a subplot told through a third narrative that doesn’t link into the story until the very end, which became something else that hazed my understanding of it.

While Collins is undeniably a beautiful writer, the premise was far too ambiguous for me. There was just too much that got in my way of enjoying this story completely that I couldn’t appreciate the finer qualities. Whenever I started to enjoy it, something else would drift in and interrupt my focus. Still, you become engrossed by a desire to know how the multiple narratives are going to weave together, and the impressive twists certainly succeed in pulling you into the story, eventually.

If I could have made better sense of the setting and concepts, the stories of Leo, Carfax, and Claire would have really captivated me. Part of me is pining to know what will happen to them next, so I would still be interested in a sequel if Collins were to write one.

What My Husband Did is an engaging and quick-paced thriller that keeps you guessing.

Told through two narratives, one in the past and one in the present, the story unravels in a really interesting way. It’s an easy book to get through quickly as the characters are distinctive and the plot is very to the point.

While there was a little more context that I wanted at the beginning and end, just to really set the atmosphere of the town up a little better, I love how sharp and tight the story feels at the same time. Instead of feeling heavy with description, What My Husband Did feels more like an hour-long TV episode, getting straight to the important events while ensuring that there’s just enough detail to make you care for the characters at the same time.

The setting of a small town where everybody knows everybody’s business is the perfect location for secrets, betrayals and grudges to thrive, set in a community where it’s impossible not to judge those closest to you. Full of red herrings and misdirections, you question the intentions of everybody involved, all the while trying to believe in Maddy’s hope that her husband isn’t a monster, whatever his secrets may be.

The final revelations certainly come as surprise and these chapters are full of suspense. And although I wanted a little more time spent on the characters in the present, I love the blunt ending of the past narrative which ends the story on an impacting message. While this message of how treating somebody as guilty before knowing the facts can have huge consequences feels distinct, it’s weaved in subtly throughout and isn’t pushed onto the reader, either, making it really play in the background of your mind.

This is the first book I have read by Kerry Wilkinson but I am definitely interested to read more of his work now. Do you have any recommendations on which of his books I should try next?

Thank you to NetGalley for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading The Guest List earlier this year and it instantly becoming one of my favourite thrillers, I was so excited to pick up Lucy Foley's previous book, The Hunting Party.

Influenced by the classic mysteries of Agatha Christie, I expected this book to follow a similar structure, so I wasn't disappointed by that as this is what makes Foley's stories so gripping. Not only do you have to figure out who the killer is, but you also have to anticipate who has been killed. This leaves a lot to figure out and is what keeps your excitement to unravel it so high.

Of course, this technique comes with its own risks as the story needs to develop while not giving anything away, but this is what Foley is so great at doing. Her character development is excellent. Although she can't let you get to know the characters too closely as she works up to reveal hidden agendas, secret resentments and masked personalities, there is still so much context given to each of them that they all feel incredibly distinctive.

There is more time spent on some characters than others and I wish we got to see more of Nick, Bo, and Samira as the bigger personalities took over them a lot of the time, but we still get to know a lot about each of them. The only issue I had was that it was difficult to connect with the person behind the murder when we only got to know a staged side to them, which left me a little underwhelmed in the end.

Still, the build-up is full of suspense and Foley crafts her stories brilliantly. The setting is beautifully detailed and perfectly captures the frozen, isolated landscape, and the fast-paced mystery comes with many shocks and surprises.

Although I didn't love this one as much as The Guest List, probably due to the fact that I didn't relate with any of the characters as well, this is still a book that I would highly recommend. Foley is definitely one of my new go-to authors, and I can't wait to see how she will use this classic structure to unfold another gripping mystery next.

The Open House has an intriguing premise that will make you want to check under your bed for intruders before you turn the lights out, and enough suspense that you’ll devour it in one sitting.

Told from the point of view of three characters – Amber, her ex mother in law, and a mystery guest – the characters and relationships are well-established and the premise is executed effectively. I wasn’t particularly blown away by it, but there certainly wasn’t anything I disliked about it, either. It’s easy to read, quick to get through, and effortless to enjoy in its simplicity.

Because it is such a quick read, the story works. If the book were longer or the pace slower, I would have been eager for more to happen as the narrative itself is quite repetitive. Although it is set over a week or so, it feels like it happens in a single day so you can forgive it for being quite stunted in its developments. As it goes over the same points of Amber’s worries and her questioning over who to trust, you read at the pace of her unravelling thoughts and therefore get dragged into her narrowed mindset.

I did predict one of the twists and think that it felt quite basic in places, but I also enjoyed how the final revelations felt so genuine and driven by human emotions. However, it does go one step too far. The final event is shrugged off as if it were an acceptable reaction for these characters who seemed to give it no second thought, so this particular scene didn’t have the same believability to it as the rest of the twists. But had it stopped one step shorter, I would have come away quite satisfied.

The Open House may not have had me gasping in shock, but Sam Carrington knows how to instil a sense of fear in very real situations, and I’ll be sure to check out more of her writing after reading this one.

Sleepless has an original concept and explores some interesting theories about sleep, brilliantly capturing what it feels like to walk zombie-like through a hazy world when your body refuses to give in to a few hours of suspended consciousness.

But although I really liked the concept, it didn’t progress in the way that I hoped it would. It’s much more of a sci-fi than a thriller, relying on action rather than suspense and lacking in enough atmosphere to fill you with the fear of what Thea is going through.

Described as dystopian fiction, the dystopian elements aren’t explored well enough for me to consider it one. I love dystopian societies, and there was certainly a lot of potential for Thea’s scenario to feel real. I’ve heard adverts on the radio that proclaim they can help you sleep better, and I’ve listened to a few apps myself in attempt to drift off to sleep more easily. But I didn’t find Sleepless very convincing.

There may be an organisation at the head of this trial who have bad intentions to fit in with the definition of a dystopia, but we don’t get to see enough of them to really feel their pressure. Their motives are well established through various conversations, but I wanted their presence to have a clearer face, as they felt more like a silent partner that lacked the threat of a totalitarian regime.

For me, this was due to the lack of setup. Once Thea is on the island, events progress too quickly to fill readers with a sense of dread. We aren’t given the time to worry about what’s going to happen, to predict what might be going on, or to even care about the quickly-developed relationships because the story gets right to the action, instead. And then with so much waiting around in the middle to detail what’s happening through dialogue rather than investigation, I just couldn’t invest in the story.

While I could feel that something sinister was lurking on the island and I had visions of a mysterious face creeping in the shadows, the tone of the story is all over the place. With Thea’s mother Vivian being quite a comic character, this often distracts from Thea’s claustrophobic setting. I didn’t understand the purpose in her character, either, other than to provide the story with a quick wrap-up. The story then ends quite abruptly, allowing only a brief glimpse at the aspect of the story that I wanted to see more of before taking the easy way out.

In the end, I just wasn’t interested in the story and found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. I was hoping for more of a dystopian thriller, so sadly this just wasn’t for me. If you’re a fan of sci-fi’s, however, then there is plenty of original ideas and quick-paced action for you to enjoy, instead.