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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Utterly absorbing, The Murder Game is another brilliant book from Rachel Abbott! A whole cast of characters with secrets, motive and lies are thrown together in a real-life version of a murder mystery weekend on the anniversary of the death of Lucas's sister, Alex.
The second in the DI Stephanie King series (but also can be read as a standalone) The Murder Game is a great addition to the series. I felt like we saw slightly less of Stephanie King's personal life in this book than in the first of the series but more of the investigation.
Rachel Abbott is an absolute master of the complicated interwoven whodunnit. I'd highly recommend The Murder Game and rated it as 4 stars (more like 4.5 to be honest!) as it is a really good, enjoyable read that will keep you guessing all the way through. I did guess one major part of the plot fairly early on but there's plenty of diversion and motive in Rachel Abbott's books which did throw me off the scent! Throughout The Murder Game, I thought this was going to be another 5 star read for me but I found it was slightly too complicated in the end and I struggled to follow what had happened and why. Maybe that's just me though!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Abbott and Headline for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The second in the DI Stephanie King series (but also can be read as a standalone) The Murder Game is a great addition to the series. I felt like we saw slightly less of Stephanie King's personal life in this book than in the first of the series but more of the investigation.
Rachel Abbott is an absolute master of the complicated interwoven whodunnit. I'd highly recommend The Murder Game and rated it as 4 stars (more like 4.5 to be honest!) as it is a really good, enjoyable read that will keep you guessing all the way through. I did guess one major part of the plot fairly early on but there's plenty of diversion and motive in Rachel Abbott's books which did throw me off the scent! Throughout The Murder Game, I thought this was going to be another 5 star read for me but I found it was slightly too complicated in the end and I struggled to follow what had happened and why. Maybe that's just me though!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Abbott and Headline for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lucas Jarrett, heir to the Jarrett family fortune, and Nina are set to be married at his lavish estate. He invites his childhood friends, which includes Matt and his wife Jemma to be a part of the upcoming nuptials. However, the wedding ceremony doesn’t proceed as planned when a woman’s body is discovered face down in the water.
One year later, Lucas invites his friends back to the estate, but this time, he has something else planned. Lucas wants everyone to play The Murder Game with the intention that the secrets of that night will be exposed, and he will uncover the murderer that lies in wait.
Jemma is the outsider since she didn’t grow up with this group of friends. She doesn’t believe that her and Matt have any information to share about the woman’s death, but is she wrong? Could her husband have been involved? There are so many secrets that linger beneath the surface that she is not ready for.
What a wild and amazing ride this book was! The Invitation is a brilliantly executed cat/mouse game set amid a locked room backdrop. The story starts a bit slow as we are gearing up with the wedding preparations as well as following the investigation that proceeds after the body is discovered. However, it is clear from the beginning that danger lurks in the corners and that this group of friends harbor many secrets.
I loved that the story was mainly told from Jemma’s POV. Being an outsider to the friend group gave her narration a more unbiased perspective. Additionally, it allows the reader to experience the information as Jemma learns it in real time. In doing so, the author created both a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere.
Overall, this is a fantastic murder mystery that is packed with twists and turns that will leave you guessing up to the very end.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
One year later, Lucas invites his friends back to the estate, but this time, he has something else planned. Lucas wants everyone to play The Murder Game with the intention that the secrets of that night will be exposed, and he will uncover the murderer that lies in wait.
Jemma is the outsider since she didn’t grow up with this group of friends. She doesn’t believe that her and Matt have any information to share about the woman’s death, but is she wrong? Could her husband have been involved? There are so many secrets that linger beneath the surface that she is not ready for.
What a wild and amazing ride this book was! The Invitation is a brilliantly executed cat/mouse game set amid a locked room backdrop. The story starts a bit slow as we are gearing up with the wedding preparations as well as following the investigation that proceeds after the body is discovered. However, it is clear from the beginning that danger lurks in the corners and that this group of friends harbor many secrets.
I loved that the story was mainly told from Jemma’s POV. Being an outsider to the friend group gave her narration a more unbiased perspective. Additionally, it allows the reader to experience the information as Jemma learns it in real time. In doing so, the author created both a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere.
Overall, this is a fantastic murder mystery that is packed with twists and turns that will leave you guessing up to the very end.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Choć odkrycie złoczyńcy było niezwykle proste to i tak było miło i relaksująco.
Deception, Intrigue and Secrets
Abbot's writing created vivid scenery and I thought the description of the characters was strong and well-portrayed. I liked Jemma's character, she was independent and endearing / Lucas, his fierce loyalty for those around him, even if the choices he makes a tad questionable. The ending was for me, extremely disappointing as I had been enjoying the story and did not reflect the build-up we had been given throughout. Had the ending been different, it would be more likely a four-five star.
An intriguing and enjoyable read.
Abbot's writing created vivid scenery and I thought the description of the characters was strong and well-portrayed. I liked Jemma's character, she was independent and endearing / Lucas, his fierce loyalty for those around him, even if the choices he makes a tad questionable. The ending was for me, extremely disappointing as I had been enjoying the story and did not reflect the build-up we had been given throughout. Had the ending been different, it would be more likely a four-five star.
An intriguing and enjoyable read.
For my complete review of this novel visit: https://fictionophile.com/2020/07/10/the-invitation-by-rachel-abbott-book-review-bookouture-rachelabbott-netgalley-bookreview/
This is my first Rachel Abbott book and what a delightful introduction to her work! Although it is the second novel to feature Cornish policewoman Stephanie King, it read just perfectly as a stand-alone. Though some might consider it to be a police procedural, the police actually took the back seat in this story. They were present, but the group of friends were under the spotlight more than the police investigation.
The premise was very clever and the characters intriguing. The 'friend' dynamic seems to cover up lots of enigmagtic secrets, power-plays, and precarious loyalties. The writing kept me riveted throughout. I'll admit I did guess one major plot twist about halfway through the novel, but that in no way marred my reading enjoyment.
In addition to the overriding theme of friendship, the novel also touches on blackmail, murder and abduction.
Would I read another Rachel Abbott book? Hell YES! I cannot imagine what took me so long to discover this great crime novelist!
This is my first Rachel Abbott book and what a delightful introduction to her work! Although it is the second novel to feature Cornish policewoman Stephanie King, it read just perfectly as a stand-alone. Though some might consider it to be a police procedural, the police actually took the back seat in this story. They were present, but the group of friends were under the spotlight more than the police investigation.
The premise was very clever and the characters intriguing. The 'friend' dynamic seems to cover up lots of enigmagtic secrets, power-plays, and precarious loyalties. The writing kept me riveted throughout. I'll admit I did guess one major plot twist about halfway through the novel, but that in no way marred my reading enjoyment.
In addition to the overriding theme of friendship, the novel also touches on blackmail, murder and abduction.
Would I read another Rachel Abbott book? Hell YES! I cannot imagine what took me so long to discover this great crime novelist!
Rachel Abbott has not written a book I could put down. I try to read them slowly and make the tingles last, but it’s hard! I want to know What's Next?! Loved every spine tingling second!!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Invitation is a genre-bending book: a detective story that reads like a domestic thriller.
I would recommend The Invitation to readers who enjoy authors like Lucy Foley (The Hunting Party, The Guest List) and Ruth Ware (One by One, The Woman in Cabin 10, In a Dark, Dark Wood).
I would recommend The Invitation to readers who enjoy authors like Lucy Foley (The Hunting Party, The Guest List) and Ruth Ware (One by One, The Woman in Cabin 10, In a Dark, Dark Wood).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Kidnapping
It’s the day before Nina and Lucas are due to get married. However, the wedding is cancelled after a tragedy.
The story is told from multiple points of view but it is very easy to follow what is happening. It is also told in dual timeline- present day and a year ago. This book is filled with twists and turns right until the end. The characters are well developed and are multi layered.
This book is amazing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story is told from multiple points of view but it is very easy to follow what is happening. It is also told in dual timeline- present day and a year ago. This book is filled with twists and turns right until the end. The characters are well developed and are multi layered.
This book is amazing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️