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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Overall, I enjoyed this book. But there were too many unrealistic character actions. I just didn't feel like real people would act the way these people did. One or two people, maybe. But when you have almost every character acting in an unrealistic way, the story starts to feel false.
Still a worthwhile read, I just felt it could have been much better.
Still a worthwhile read, I just felt it could have been much better.
i am so unbelievably angry and my anxiety levels are at 600, thanks
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This saw a reread. Still loved this tense, clever, twisty-turny thriller about domestic abuse.
Mesmerizing is an understatement for this suspenseful thriller. I started it last night and could not put it down. In this story, Catherine meets a guy named Lee and their attraction is instantaneous. However, their relationship is not healthy. The author depicts a relationship where the woman is controlled by the man, where the interactions quickly turn to abuse. She adeptly portrays how someone can easily become isolated from others when "swept up" in an abusive relationship.
The chapters move from past to present to tell the story and is incredibly well-developed. The expectancy that something would happen was developed so well. I found myself questioning all of the characters - was this person truly who they said? As in all books like this, I was worried that the conclusion would be contrived, but this one wasn't. In fact, she not only used flashback to tell the story, the writing style of the end featured a script-form of a court case. I liked moving from time periods as well as having that different style in the end.
I read on the back flap of this book that the author is police intelligence analyst - so that's why she weaves such a good tale! It's also her first novel. I'll be looking for others!
The chapters move from past to present to tell the story and is incredibly well-developed. The expectancy that something would happen was developed so well. I found myself questioning all of the characters - was this person truly who they said? As in all books like this, I was worried that the conclusion would be contrived, but this one wasn't. In fact, she not only used flashback to tell the story, the writing style of the end featured a script-form of a court case. I liked moving from time periods as well as having that different style in the end.
I read on the back flap of this book that the author is police intelligence analyst - so that's why she weaves such a good tale! It's also her first novel. I'll be looking for others!
Fantastic psychological thriller! I loved the alternate past and present chapters. Flowed quite nicely. Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Warning : contains descriptive violent scenes of sexual and psychological abuse that may be sensitive to some readers.
Warning : contains descriptive violent scenes of sexual and psychological abuse that may be sensitive to some readers.
This was pretty gruesome at times, but a very well-told story. Catherine falls in love with a charming guy, Lee, who seems to be everything she wants in a partner, until he starts being possessive and controlling. Of course, things go downhill quickly from there. The stories about Lee are logged a bit like journal entries from three years prior to the current Cathy's logs, where he's now in jail, and she's struggling through each day with intense anxiety and OCD. I really liked Cathy and her growth over time, and I felt the representation of OCD and the way the relationship changed was believable as well. I read it very quickly— it definitely had me hooked right off the bat. Definitely a good, fast, read.
Into the Darkest Corner is a wholly believable dark thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I could not bring myself to put it down at times. The psychological elements rung absolutely true to me as a reader and the OCD elements truly helped shape Catherine as a character. I found myself cringing at the thought of Lee reappearing and having Catherine's mental torment become real once more. The suspense was exceptionally well built-up and I found myself not wanting the novel to end, but at the same time Catherine became rather real to me and I wanted her to have a HEA.
The relationship between Catherine and Lee, while never feeling wholly right to me (either because I knew what was to come or because I just don't like Lee's type even without the psychotic behavior, I can't say) was a good examination of how slowly a relationship can become something from a crime show. While the behaviors in the beginning were not terribly likable, they were not glaring signs pointing to an end that will likely see Catherine dead. So he has a secretive job? Odd but there could very well be a good explanation. He disappears for days...again, could be that job. There were just so many elements of Lee's behavior that could be explained by something on the straight and narrow that Catherine continually dismisses her gut feelings. And if anything can be taken from this tale it is that a woman should trust her gut.
It was heartbreaking to watch how Lee was also able to manipulate not only Catherine but those around her, leaving her completely alone and easier prey.
Both major characters in the book (aside from Lee), Catherine and Stuart, were immensely likable. I think this made Catherine's tale all the harder to swallow, especially as it does happen to women all around the world, in some way everyday. Stuart was a calming, non-pushy presence for Catherine, one she severely needed. However, I do think that Stuart “happening” to be a psychologist was a bit too convenient seeing as he moved into the apartment upstairs, but I was more than happy to overlook this seeing as how well the plot was laid out otherwise.
Overall the story was rather realistic, however, there were moments that I found difficult to accept. For instance, Catherine is attempting to overcome all of her fears and at times feels claustrophobic in dealing with them. One such instance found her deciding to be brash and investigate what sounded like someone breaking into the apartment downstairs. She then essentially makes her way to the apartment and so on and so forth. This seemed completely unlikely and just plain idiotic, even for someone without OCD and major fears.
But I found the flaws in this novel to be minimal and the overall journey engrossing. This is by far one of my favorite suspense novels and I will definitely partake in the author's writing in the future.
I knew it was locked, but I had to check nevertheless. As I checked it, six times, one-two-three-four-five-six, I told myself it was locked. I locked it last night. I remember locking it. I remember checking it. I remember checking it for fucking hours. Even so, it might not be locked, I might have made a mistake. What if I’d unlocked it again, without realizing? What if something went wrong with the checking, and I wasn’t paying attention.Loc3393
After a while, my breathing calm, back to normal, I wondered if I should go upstairs and knock on his door. I found myself having the conversation in my head: Oh, hello. Did you knock? I was in the shower . . . No, that wouldn’t do it—how would I have known it was him? Again, I heard my mantra coming unwanted into my mind: This isn’t normal. This isn’t how normal people think. Fuck off, world—what the hell is normal anyway? Loc560
The relationship between Catherine and Lee, while never feeling wholly right to me (either because I knew what was to come or because I just don't like Lee's type even without the psychotic behavior, I can't say) was a good examination of how slowly a relationship can become something from a crime show. While the behaviors in the beginning were not terribly likable, they were not glaring signs pointing to an end that will likely see Catherine dead. So he has a secretive job? Odd but there could very well be a good explanation. He disappears for days...again, could be that job. There were just so many elements of Lee's behavior that could be explained by something on the straight and narrow that Catherine continually dismisses her gut feelings. And if anything can be taken from this tale it is that a woman should trust her gut.
It was heartbreaking to watch how Lee was also able to manipulate not only Catherine but those around her, leaving her completely alone and easier prey.
“With Lee. I’m just—sometimes I’m just a bit scared.”
At last she stopped what she was doing. “Why are you scared? You’re not scared of Lee, surely—he’s wonderful. Are you scared of losing him, somehow?”
I paused while I tried to find the right words. “He’s not always wonderful.”
“You been having fights?”
“Sort of, I guess. I don’t know—I’ve been tired, he’s been working a lot. When I do see him it always seems to be on his terms, and he doesn’t like me going out without him anymore.”
Sylvia sighed. “To be fair, though, honey, he’s kind of got a point. Look at the way you were—the way we all were—when he met you. You were going out every night you could with the sole intention of flirting. No wonder he’s nervous about letting you out.”
I didn’t say anything, so she went on, “You’re in a relationship now, hon. It’s a whole different ball game.” Her voice softened a little. “Lee’s a good man, Catherine. Don’t forget some of the complete shits you’ve been out with. I’m sure he’s just being protective of you. And not only is he totally fucking gorgeous, but he loves you, he really does. Everyone said that, after the dinner party. He’s so obviously completely and totally in love with you. That’s what we’re all waiting for. I wish I had that. I wish I had what you have.”
“I know.” I was trying not to let her hear my tears. Loc3308
Both major characters in the book (aside from Lee), Catherine and Stuart, were immensely likable. I think this made Catherine's tale all the harder to swallow, especially as it does happen to women all around the world, in some way everyday. Stuart was a calming, non-pushy presence for Catherine, one she severely needed. However, I do think that Stuart “happening” to be a psychologist was a bit too convenient seeing as he moved into the apartment upstairs, but I was more than happy to overlook this seeing as how well the plot was laid out otherwise.
“Do you know what the worst thing was?” I said at last, into his shoulder. “It wasn’t sitting in there, in that room, waiting for him to come back and kill me. It wasn’t being hit, it wasn’t the pain, it wasn’t even being raped. It was that afterward nobody, not even my best friend, believed me.” I sat back then, looked out at the river, a barge going slowly past, downstream. “I need you to believe me, Stuart. I need that more than I’ve ever needed anything in my whole life.” Loc4237
Overall the story was rather realistic, however, there were moments that I found difficult to accept. For instance, Catherine is attempting to overcome all of her
But I found the flaws in this novel to be minimal and the overall journey engrossing. This is by far one of my favorite suspense novels and I will definitely partake in the author's writing in the future.
Wow! Read it in a day! I'm impressed that the abusive relationship story that's been told so many times, can be retold again so well and still keep the reader riveted! Didn't give 5 stars because more attention was given to the beginning and middle, and I felt like the ending was a bit neglected. Great read!
Wow. I don't read a lot of thrillers but I was very impressed with this one. After reading a streak of so-so books, this was just what I needed. My heart was actually pounding through most of the latter part of the book. I really couldn't put it down. I loved the brisk pace of the story and the "before/after" style of the narrative. I thought the ending was perfectly twisted.