sandro_reads's reviews
102 reviews

Perhaps my expectations were too high given my love of Makkai’s The Great Believers but, Questions felt like it was trying too hard.

Bodie returns to her boarding school 20 years after the murder of her former roommate, Thalia, and, together with her students, creates a podcast examining if the right man was convicted.

Part One was filled with so many characters across two timelines it was hard to keep track of who was who. And, there was the odd choice of having the book told in the first person but as if Bodie was talking to one of the suspects - which added to the confusion.

Questions tackles memory, true crime obsession, the justice system, cancel culture, #metoo, racism - the list goes on - which is the problem: it felt forced and took focus away from the core story. 

The premise of The Heiress sparked hope of an 80s primetime soap-type drama: Cam returns to his family estate, Ashby House, with his wife Jules after a decade away only to find his deceased mother, the infamous Ruby “Kill-more”, is still pulling the strings of the estranged McTavish clan. 

Unfortunately, Ruby’s story (told through letters) eerily reads like a less charming Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 

Jules is so unlikeable it’s hard to root for her, even after her predicable connection. At one point, she oddly breaks the fourth wall to address the reader.

With reveal after reveal, it was like [insert Oprah impression]

“You’re a murderer! And, You’re a murderer! And, You’re a murderer!”

I just do not understand all the praise this book has received. 

You know that one friend who, when high, turns any comment into a deep philosophical discussion so that hours pass and you no longer have any idea what you are talking about? The Infatuations by Javier Marias is that friend.

The thriller-esque plot of a woman who watches “The Perfect Couple” every day at a cafe until the husband is brutally killed barely exists in the overblown exposition, told mostly through imagined conversations, on life, death and relationships. Intriguing at first but it becomes so repetitious, I found myself skimming through whole chapters trying to find a point. 

Is Amanda losing her mind or is she being possessed by a demon?

For a book told in the first person, we learn surprisingly little about Amanda. So I’m not sure if her random homophobic slurs directed at 2 different characters are part of her personality or said potential demon.

The conversational tone does little to heighten any horror or make the reader care. At least it was short. 

Evie seems to have it all but, Evie doesn’t exist - a great setup.

With echoes of Charlie’s Angels and Alias, First Lie Wins is a cat-and-mouse caper between a con woman and the unknown Mr. Smith she works for.

It is a fast, fun (if somewhat forgettable) ride, one can even overlook the predictable reveal.

This was a book club pick so I am aware that I am not the intended audience. While I love the concept of retelling Grimm fairytales as one continuous story of Hansel and Gretel, I found the narrator who keeps interrupting with repetitive jokes and warnings too distracting from the narrative - but can see how middle schoolers might appreciate him. 

I had not read an Agatha Christie book since I was a teen but picked this up because I was about to go on a Nile River cruise. There is something so enjoyable about a group being trapped together with a murderer among them and Christie is a master at a twist ending where every piece of the puzzle is firmly put back in place. 

A young adult mystery where teen sleuths try to find out why Clara’s sister killed their neighbor. Surprisingly dark subject matter stands out amid the underdeveloped characters and predictable ending. 

An odd, small but mighty tale of Keiko who is happiest with the monotony of her convenience store job but feels the societal pressure to conform. 

What sets The Housemaid apart from the dozens of other nanny comes to a strange house thrillers is a solid twist that makes you rethink what you thought you knew. A thoroughly fun read.