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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
When I have to stop reading my other books and devote total attention to one, I know I'm on track for a five star book. The tension ratchets up as we flash back to the story of a developing relationship between Katherine and her lover and forward following the devastating aftermath of violence. Helpful to understanding the insidious nature of control and obsession, and how women get trapped in abusive relationships. A thoughtful note for me is how Katherine's friends dismiss her concerns and her subtle cries for help. It made me reflect on the importance of listening carefully to the message loved ones are giving you or especially what they're not saying.
Very good thriller, quite scary and disturbing. I really liked the narrative, flashing back to Cathy meeting Lee, and then to Cathy having survived Lee. I thought the OCD and PTSD were handled nicely. There were a few small issues, life how all of Cathy's friends were so desperate for a decent man that they were willing to believe Lee's lies. The audio was quite good, although there are lots violent scenes, sex scenes and f bombs so you might want to listen with the windows up in you car so as not to startle some dude walking in your neighborhood like I did. ;)
So i hate to sound like all the other reviewers but i don't know if i can describe this book as anything but unsettling. Despite the fact that while reading it, i felt like i was taking in a pretty standard crime/suspense novel, it was when i put it down that it lingered and left me sort of jumpy. i wanted to check my locks, just like Cathy.
Highly recommend, so long as you are ok reading brief but graphic depictions of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Highly recommend, so long as you are ok reading brief but graphic depictions of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Abusive relationships are less Manicheaist as we believe. The abusive partner is sometimes loving, sometimes seductive, and they give you enough love to keep you hooked and guilty.
The plot is told in two timelines: one of them, when the MC meets a handsome boyfriend for the first time, and he shows himself abusive as time passed; and th second, when she is already overcoming her OCD that resulted of her trauma. The transition between those two plotlines occur after each chapter, with only a few exceptions. This often breaks the pace, and I found myself annoyed at one of the plotlines, while the other was growing increasingly disturbing.
But it all paid off in the end. One of the plots had a jarring, horrific, disturbing climax. The other one was an anti-climax, but it worked. It just worked. It was ironic, calm, frustrating, but it made sense and it wasn't predictable nor cheap. I loved it.
Then I had to switch to a fluffy read so I could ease my soul...
The plot is told in two timelines: one of them, when the MC meets a handsome boyfriend for the first time, and he shows himself abusive as time passed; and th second, when she is already overcoming her OCD that resulted of her trauma. The transition between those two plotlines occur after each chapter, with only a few exceptions. This often breaks the pace, and I found myself annoyed at one of the plotlines, while the other was growing increasingly disturbing.
But it all paid off in the end. One of the plots had a jarring, horrific, disturbing climax. The other one was an anti-climax, but it worked. It just worked. It was ironic, calm, frustrating, but it made sense and it wasn't predictable nor cheap. I loved it.
Then I had to switch to a fluffy read so I could ease my soul...
Freaky book. Not great literature but good mystery.
When reading reviews of books, I like to be informed of just a couple of things, but do not like to read too many details. I just want the main theme of the book and whether or not the reviewer liked the book and if so why, or if not, why not.
Into the Darkest Corner is a dark, violent and probably to many, a disturbing book. The violence is well described and not shied away from.
The start of the novel can be somewhat confusing, but eventually gets the reader to the place the reader needs to get to follow the story. I do not want to reveal more out of concern of spoiling the book for other readers.
My major complaint about this novel is I think it could have been cut by 100 pages or some heavier editing.
The disposal of the villain was also sort of disappointing as readers may see. I did like that Haynes did not shy away from the violence necessary to tell this story as others may have and expect her future novels to only get better since this was her first novel.
Into the Darkest Corner is a dark, violent and probably to many, a disturbing book. The violence is well described and not shied away from.
The start of the novel can be somewhat confusing, but eventually gets the reader to the place the reader needs to get to follow the story. I do not want to reveal more out of concern of spoiling the book for other readers.
My major complaint about this novel is I think it could have been cut by 100 pages or some heavier editing.
The disposal of the villain was also sort of disappointing as readers may see. I did like that Haynes did not shy away from the violence necessary to tell this story as others may have and expect her future novels to only get better since this was her first novel.
I started and finished this book in one day and it was incredibly intense! It definitely gave me anxiety while reading about the struggles of the main character. I wanted to get home to check all of my doors and windows and definitely went on a few mental journeys of my home to make sure that I had actually locked up the doors.
It was definitely very interesting to delve into the behavior and the dynamic of an abusive relationship. My mind kept picturing the variety of mind games that Lee must have enjoyed playing. I would absolutely freak out if I had that feeling that someone had been in my home, even if it was just finding silverware in the wrong spot.
I felt like the characters were all fleshed out very well and that you were experiencing the drama, pain, joy and fear along with them. It also made me sad to realize that there are people, men and women, who are living through experiences like this every day and this book seemed like a tiny glimpse into the anxiety and fear that they must be experiencing.
Absolutely incredible read!
It was definitely very interesting to delve into the behavior and the dynamic of an abusive relationship. My mind kept picturing the variety of mind games that Lee must have enjoyed playing. I would absolutely freak out if I had that feeling that someone had been in my home, even if it was just finding silverware in the wrong spot.
I felt like the characters were all fleshed out very well and that you were experiencing the drama, pain, joy and fear along with them. It also made me sad to realize that there are people, men and women, who are living through experiences like this every day and this book seemed like a tiny glimpse into the anxiety and fear that they must be experiencing.
Absolutely incredible read!
interesting read about a relationship which turns controlling and abusive and how events happen and how they are interlinked with the characters catherine bailey's present and how dark and sinister the man Lee is but even has a twist in this suspense though but well worth reading
This book was a chilling portrait of an abusive relationship and its aftermath. When Catherine meets Lee, she effortlessly lets him in to her life. Sure, he doesn't talk much and his job is mysterious and sometimes he disappears for days at a time, but he's handsome and a good lover and all of her friends are jealous, so what's the harm, right?
But four years later, Cathy is a mess. Her life is filled with completing her obsessive rituals and panic attacks. She is constantly in fear, and trusts no one, even the seemingly nice man who moves in upstairs. Even as he tries to help her with her OCD, the trust is slow to develop. And then a phone call ruins everything.
What exactly happened to Catherine/Cathy is a story that is unfolded through the course of the novel. It bounces back and forth in time, giving us a complete picture of what she endured.
I thought this was a really great read, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
But four years later, Cathy is a mess. Her life is filled with completing her obsessive rituals and panic attacks. She is constantly in fear, and trusts no one, even the seemingly nice man who moves in upstairs. Even as he tries to help her with her OCD, the trust is slow to develop. And then a phone call ruins everything.
What exactly happened to Catherine/Cathy is a story that is unfolded through the course of the novel. It bounces back and forth in time, giving us a complete picture of what she endured.
I thought this was a really great read, and I look forward to reading more from this author!