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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
The first half of the book was a solid 4 stars, but then we get to the twist, which I had guessed after the first chapter, and because of that I felt a bit let down, but a decent read overall!
This looks like it’s going to be the Saw films drawn out to double the length, then halfway through it turns into generic slasher territory. And therefore twice as long as it needed to be. First half 4/5. Second half 2.5/5. Worth a read if this is your ting.
I'll be honest and say that I skimmed the last half of this. The main character was this insufferably privileged woman who seemed to repeat the same few thoughts every few paragraphs, and since the novel is in first person AND present tense, there was no escaping her. This is meant to be a thriller and I was bored. I just didn't care.
I've long concluded that thrillers are Not For Me.
In this particular case, I was game to read one anyway, because it was for a book club. But oh my dear goodness, this was trying something out, and going "thanks, but NO THANK YOU".
At 20% of the book complete, the book is a cat-and-mouse game between protagonist Christine, and a mysterious assailant who's kidnapped her fiance, and apparently has been stalking Christine, lovingly handcrafting an insidious "treasure hunt" of distress, abuse, and stabbitytimes for her, and forces Christine through hoop after murderous hoop by threatening Daniel.
This doesn't work for me.
A lot of it is this: The nemesis, Malthus, knows everything, controls everything, anticipates everything, controls events at the tiniest, most minute level. And what he chooses to do with all that planning and control is... this? It's so outlandishly convoluted; even though the question "But why is he doing all this?" can't possibly have an answer that isn't "He's crazy, and has therefore decided to do this crazy thing." (Yeah, yeah, the plot-convenient craziness might have keyed onto some imagined slight or some bit of backstory -- but who cares? It's still the plot-convenient craziness doing the driving.)
And the result of that is: This is circular to the point of frustration. It's a treasure hunt because the story wants to be a treasure hunt. Christine has no way out because the story can't let her have a way out. Malthus is a twisted showman because the story wants to put on a twisted show, and every person Christine meets is painfully oblivious because anything else would break the premise.
But that completely robs questions like "What's Malthus's end game," "How far will Christine go," or "Is there a way out" of all their tension -- because the answer is always "Whatever keeps the Treasure Hunt Of Misery going". That's all the answer can be, because the book has spent no time building Malthus up as an individual with a concrete goal, building Christine up as a person with agency making actual choices, or building the scenario up as one that could have loopholes, milestones, or escape routes.
This also why I'm fairly confident in some speculation that's utterly unfounded, and also not particularly encouraging: ThatMalthus will turn out to be Daniel, having faked his own abduction.
For one thing, there's just no other suspects. The author's gone to great lengths to conceal Malthus's identity -- meaning the reveal needs to be a surprise, someone Christine knows, not just some rando stalker. For another, the initial setup at the abandoned service station would be impossible for even the most dedicated stalker to predict, and this ties in to Christine's constant amazement at how intimately the stalker knows her.
If my conjecture is even remotely true, then that's just another unbelievable shock tossed into the cocktail, and I can't imagine a satisfactory justification. It's just gonna be a "psychopaths gonna psychopath" situation, and I Just. Do. Not. Want.
Aaaaanyhoo, due to Circumstances, the club has passed on to the next book, and I gotta say, I am relieved.
In this particular case, I was game to read one anyway, because it was for a book club. But oh my dear goodness, this was trying something out, and going "thanks, but NO THANK YOU".
At 20% of the book complete, the book is a cat-and-mouse game between protagonist Christine, and a mysterious assailant who's kidnapped her fiance, and apparently has been stalking Christine, lovingly handcrafting an insidious "treasure hunt" of distress, abuse, and stabbitytimes for her, and forces Christine through hoop after murderous hoop by threatening Daniel.
This doesn't work for me.
A lot of it is this: The nemesis, Malthus, knows everything, controls everything, anticipates everything, controls events at the tiniest, most minute level. And what he chooses to do with all that planning and control is... this? It's so outlandishly convoluted; even though the question "But why is he doing all this?" can't possibly have an answer that isn't "He's crazy, and has therefore decided to do this crazy thing." (Yeah, yeah, the plot-convenient craziness might have keyed onto some imagined slight or some bit of backstory -- but who cares? It's still the plot-convenient craziness doing the driving.)
And the result of that is: This is circular to the point of frustration. It's a treasure hunt because the story wants to be a treasure hunt. Christine has no way out because the story can't let her have a way out. Malthus is a twisted showman because the story wants to put on a twisted show, and every person Christine meets is painfully oblivious because anything else would break the premise.
But that completely robs questions like "What's Malthus's end game," "How far will Christine go," or "Is there a way out" of all their tension -- because the answer is always "Whatever keeps the Treasure Hunt Of Misery going". That's all the answer can be, because the book has spent no time building Malthus up as an individual with a concrete goal, building Christine up as a person with agency making actual choices, or building the scenario up as one that could have loopholes, milestones, or escape routes.
This also why I'm fairly confident in some speculation that's utterly unfounded, and also not particularly encouraging: That
For one thing, there's just no other suspects. The author's gone to great lengths to conceal Malthus's identity -- meaning the reveal needs to be a surprise, someone Christine knows, not just some rando stalker. For another, the initial setup at the abandoned service station would be impossible for even the most dedicated stalker to predict, and this ties in to Christine's constant amazement at how intimately the stalker knows her.
If my conjecture is even remotely true, then that's just another unbelievable shock tossed into the cocktail, and I can't imagine a satisfactory justification. It's just gonna be a "psychopaths gonna psychopath" situation, and I Just. Do. Not. Want.
Aaaaanyhoo, due to Circumstances, the club has passed on to the next book, and I gotta say, I am relieved.
Departing from the urban fantasy style that readers may be used to, Pettersson introduces us to the heroine Kristine Dash. Kristine is taking a road trip with her fiancé, Daniel, to spend the July fourth holiday weekend with Daniel’s mother. Their romantic journey is cut short when Kristine comes face to face with a nightmare she had believed to be in her past. Daniel is kidnapped and used as bait to manipulate Kristine into doing the bidding of a psychopath. This is a dangerous game of cat and mouse, and with each turn the stakes are raised. Each task, Kristine appears to be outsmarted, and with every failure Daniel pays the price. Our heroine finds herself stuck between the tortures of the past and the helplessness of the present. If she cannot find a way, her beloved fiancé, Daniel will be lost to her if he isn’t already. In the end, the reader may find themselves wondering whether they love those closest to them enough to risk everything to save them. Readers may be also begin to question how well they know the people that they love. Pettersson once again delivers a heroine that is strong , pushed to their limits and is completely relatable.
An interesting read with thrills. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't gripping the book like I was addicted. I did have a white knuckle grip since I have some of the same fears of Kristine. It kept me terrified at certain places and horrified at others.
https://ilayreading.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/swerve/
There's a new star in the thriller genre, and it's Vicki Pettersson. Swerve is an edge-of-your-seat, don't-look-away, roller-coaster ride of horror and suspense, mind-games and carnage.
Be prepared for gore and graphic descriptions of violence, but if you're like me, you won't be able to put the book down. It's a fantastic debut in a new genre from a writer best known for her Las Vegas set urban fantasy, and it's clear that Ms. Pettersson is talented no matter what genre she chooses.
Be prepared for gore and graphic descriptions of violence, but if you're like me, you won't be able to put the book down. It's a fantastic debut in a new genre from a writer best known for her Las Vegas set urban fantasy, and it's clear that Ms. Pettersson is talented no matter what genre she chooses.
I was right all along.
The boyfriend was behind it. Strangely though, figuring that out early on didn't ruin the whole story for me, but it might for people who enjoy thrillers/mysteries. Since I'm not a fan of the genre, foiling the ending had no effect on me.
I'm usually not good at guessing plots. I mean, I don't try to figure them out or stay one step ahead of the main characters, but figuring out this plot was just a matter of simple deduction. Also, the back of the book gave away more than it entices. After reading that much, it's difficult not to have an inkling who the killer might be. Then when the games began, it became too obvious that only her boyfriend could be behind it all.
What we have here are two principle characters and a deadly game of chase across the desert, a game that hits too close to home for the main character, which can only mean someone very close to her is behind it. But there are only two characters of any importance, so if it's not the MC... of course it's the boyfriend.
Yay me. Patting myself on the back, heh.
Honestly though, I take no pleasure in foiling the plot of this book. As a matter of fact, I wish I hadn't figured it out because the writing is pretty good for a slasher thriller--very tense, very atmospheric.
But now I don't know how to rate in terms of stars because this could very well be a thrilling read for fans of the genre and fans of slasher films, and in the right mood, it could easily be a hit. The person who recommended it to me said he stayed up all night to get to the end and found it satisfying--exhausting but satisfying. It's definitely a page-turner, however not once during the read did I care about the main character or her dire situation or her missing boyfriend. I just wanted to get to end to see if I was right.
But like I said, the writing is good--fast-paced and very easy to get sucked into. The hours just fly by once you open the book. There were several times I couldn't turn the page fast enough and wished my commute was longer so I could get one more chapter in.
Despite the desert setting and vivid descriptions of broiling heat, I found this book to be a rather good winter read. Recommended for dark gloomy days when you're snowed in and don't feel like doing anything other than sit by a fire.
* * * * *
On page 38 but I'm gonna call it now.
The boyfriend did it. Because it's usually the boyfriend/fiancé/husband. Not just a trope but a fact.
Also, there are only two principle characters in this book. So if it's not the main character Kristine, then it's gotta be the boyfriend Daniel.
Also also, all these trials/games seem extremely personal as if they're tailor-made for Kristine's deepest darkest fears. Who knows her more than the person she's most intimate with? That's why it's the boyfriend.
Also for the 3rd time, the fact that he's a surgeon is a huge red flag in this genre.
I'm usually not good at guessing plots. I mean, I don't try to figure them out or stay one step ahead of the main characters, but figuring out this plot was just a matter of simple deduction. Also, the back of the book gave away more than it entices. After reading that much, it's difficult not to have an inkling who the killer might be. Then when the games began, it became too obvious that only her boyfriend could be behind it all.
What we have here are two principle characters and a deadly game of chase across the desert, a game that hits too close to home for the main character, which can only mean someone very close to her is behind it. But there are only two characters of any importance, so if it's not the MC... of course it's the boyfriend.
Yay me. Patting myself on the back, heh.
Honestly though, I take no pleasure in foiling the plot of this book. As a matter of fact, I wish I hadn't figured it out because the writing is pretty good for a slasher thriller--very tense, very atmospheric.
But now I don't know how to rate in terms of stars because this could very well be a thrilling read for fans of the genre and fans of slasher films, and in the right mood, it could easily be a hit. The person who recommended it to me said he stayed up all night to get to the end and found it satisfying--exhausting but satisfying. It's definitely a page-turner, however not once during the read did I care about the main character or her dire situation or her missing boyfriend. I just wanted to get to end to see if I was right.
But like I said, the writing is good--fast-paced and very easy to get sucked into. The hours just fly by once you open the book. There were several times I couldn't turn the page fast enough and wished my commute was longer so I could get one more chapter in.
Despite the desert setting and vivid descriptions of broiling heat, I found this book to be a rather good winter read. Recommended for dark gloomy days when you're snowed in and don't feel like doing anything other than sit by a fire.
* * * * *
On page 38 but I'm gonna call it now.
Also, there are only two principle characters in this book. So if it's not the main character Kristine, then it's gotta be the boyfriend Daniel.
Also also, all these trials/games seem extremely personal as if they're tailor-made for Kristine's deepest darkest fears. Who knows her more than the person she's most intimate with? That's why it's the boyfriend.
Also for the 3rd time, the fact that he's a surgeon is a huge red flag in this genre.