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books_unraveling's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Victoria thinks she has perfected a plan to kill her husband… but someone just beat her to it. This book is a masterpiece. I’ve been so excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. The perfect quick read that will definitely suck you in. I especially loved the short chapters and Dexter references. If you’re not following Mandy McHugh, you should because her content is perfection!
abookwormwithwine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What the?! Clearly, I put off reading this author for much too long, and now that Mandy McHugh blew me away with It Takes Monsters, I definitely need to go back and read her debut ASAP. From the very beginning, I had no idea where the story was going to go, and it took me places I didn’t expect at all. The story is told completely from Victoria’s viewpoint, and I almost feel like that heightened the suspense even more for me. The climax is bold and completely wild, and while you will have to suspend some disbelief, it is totally worth it. One part especially shocked me and all I can say is hold on to your hat’s folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
I also have nothing but praise to sing about the audiobook which Alex Picard narrates. She made this an incredible listening experience and even if I hadn’t loved the book as much as I did, I still would have loved her. Her tone, pacing, and emotion were all perfectly on point, so you can’t go wrong by listening to It Takes Monsters. I also highly recommend going into the book as blindly as possible as that will just up the suspense and curiosity factor. It was truly a mind-blowing read that kept me guessing, and I can’t wait to see what McHugh will write next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I also have nothing but praise to sing about the audiobook which Alex Picard narrates. She made this an incredible listening experience and even if I hadn’t loved the book as much as I did, I still would have loved her. Her tone, pacing, and emotion were all perfectly on point, so you can’t go wrong by listening to It Takes Monsters. I also highly recommend going into the book as blindly as possible as that will just up the suspense and curiosity factor. It was truly a mind-blowing read that kept me guessing, and I can’t wait to see what McHugh will write next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
judithdcollins's review
4.0
Mandy McHugh returns following Chloe Cates Is Missing with IT TAKES MONSTERS — a woman planning on killing her husband; however, someone else beats her to the punch in this cat-and-mouse clever domestic suspense blended with dark humor.
Victoria Tate and her husband Warren live in the prestigious Kent Wood development, working together in her father's company, Livingston Corporation. Livingston women got married and had babies. She will have it all. The husband, house, and successful career. She loved her independence. He did not see her as an equal.
She and Warren skirted the edge in a dark dance for power.
Victoria has had enough of Warren trying to grab the company and push her aside, thinking she would be the wife to stay home and have children. No chance. She has worked too hard for this position, and he will not take over the company. She is running out of time. Warren was taking away her choice.
Victoria has studied and listened to true crime podcasts and feels like she is a pro and can pull off the perfect crime. She carefully plans the night of her husband's murder. However, the gala of one of their major clients is on the same night. It is a black-tie and masked affair in October.
Victoria also has a sister, Teagan, who is a doctor (plastic surgeon), and they are always at each other's throats with hilarious banter.
At the gala, Warren is drunk, and she finally leaves. However, he does not come home as intended, so she must clean up per plastic and prep. Then the cops show up, and he has been murdered.
How dare someone murder him before she has a chance. She is obsessed with solving this mystery. When she learns this was a brutal murder using a knife and his eyes removed, she is shocked. Did he have enemies?
Soon thereafter, she begins receiving texts from someone named X. X seems to know a lot about her and her plans. X begins taunting her and seems to be one step ahead of her. Who is X? Is X the murderer and the motive? She slowly begins to learn her husband has deep secrets.
Once you think the book is wrapped up with the identity of X, there is a final jaw-dropping twist when Victoria takes back the power. Often, the monsters are within us or right in front of us.
Mandy McHugh delivers a twisty game of cat and mouse murder in IT TAKES MONSTERS. However, who is the cat, and who is the mouse? Dark, sinister, disturbing, and wickedly evil. For fans of authors Kaira Rouda and Victoria Helen Stone.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for an early reading copy for an honest opinion.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 17, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Oct 2023 Must-Read Books
Victoria Tate and her husband Warren live in the prestigious Kent Wood development, working together in her father's company, Livingston Corporation. Livingston women got married and had babies. She will have it all. The husband, house, and successful career. She loved her independence. He did not see her as an equal.
She and Warren skirted the edge in a dark dance for power.
Victoria has had enough of Warren trying to grab the company and push her aside, thinking she would be the wife to stay home and have children. No chance. She has worked too hard for this position, and he will not take over the company. She is running out of time. Warren was taking away her choice.
Victoria has studied and listened to true crime podcasts and feels like she is a pro and can pull off the perfect crime. She carefully plans the night of her husband's murder. However, the gala of one of their major clients is on the same night. It is a black-tie and masked affair in October.
Victoria also has a sister, Teagan, who is a doctor (plastic surgeon), and they are always at each other's throats with hilarious banter.
At the gala, Warren is drunk, and she finally leaves. However, he does not come home as intended, so she must clean up per plastic and prep. Then the cops show up, and he has been murdered.
How dare someone murder him before she has a chance. She is obsessed with solving this mystery. When she learns this was a brutal murder using a knife and his eyes removed, she is shocked. Did he have enemies?
Soon thereafter, she begins receiving texts from someone named X. X seems to know a lot about her and her plans. X begins taunting her and seems to be one step ahead of her. Who is X? Is X the murderer and the motive? She slowly begins to learn her husband has deep secrets.
Once you think the book is wrapped up with the identity of X, there is a final jaw-dropping twist when Victoria takes back the power. Often, the monsters are within us or right in front of us.
Mandy McHugh delivers a twisty game of cat and mouse murder in IT TAKES MONSTERS. However, who is the cat, and who is the mouse? Dark, sinister, disturbing, and wickedly evil. For fans of authors Kaira Rouda and Victoria Helen Stone.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for an early reading copy for an honest opinion.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 17, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Oct 2023 Must-Read Books
ashlyn14's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stephisbooked's review
5.0
This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I actually went into this blind knowing how much I loved Chloe Cates is Missing and I am glad I did because this has an amazing opening line. There are some excellent pop culture references and this deserves to be read with a glass of red wine. McHugh really brings it with a gruesome murder, bizarre character interactions and cat-and-mouse plot that will have you on the edge of your seat. I read this in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
catbooklover's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
books_in_badgerland's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.5
This was fun on audio! The narrator's voice worked so well for the "rich people drama" genre. She was great as the main character, Victoria, who remained snarky through the most tense moments.
It Takes Monsters was fun and twisty all the way through the action-packed ending! If you appreciate rich people behaving badly + family drama + murder, this could be a great pick!
RATING: I liked it a lot! (3.5)
It Takes Monsters was fun and twisty all the way through the action-packed ending! If you appreciate rich people behaving badly + family drama + murder, this could be a great pick!
RATING: I liked it a lot! (3.5)
debs_shelves's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
3.25
Victoria's husband wants to run her father's company. Solo, rather than jointly with her. He'd like nothing more than for her to become a domestic goddess. So Victoria is plotting to kill him.
However, before she can execute her plan, he turns up dead and it appears she is being framed for his murder.
I struggled with this one. The characters were all very unlikeable to the point I didn't feel engaged. Normally this is my type of book, but I felt disconnected.
I did love that Victoria was a baddie not standing for being made an (un) happy housewife. And the short chapters made for a quick read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers - Scarlet for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
However, before she can execute her plan, he turns up dead and it appears she is being framed for his murder.
I struggled with this one. The characters were all very unlikeable to the point I didn't feel engaged. Normally this is my type of book, but I felt disconnected.
I did love that Victoria was a baddie not standing for being made an (un) happy housewife. And the short chapters made for a quick read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers - Scarlet for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
bekah1210's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity