ajnel's reviews
665 reviews

His Favourite Graves by Paul Cleave

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Cleave has one of the most unique writing styles in the thriller genre and his style usually (as is the case here) finds its outlet in the minds of serial killers and those who 'hunt' them.  The black comedy in this novel, is some of his best work, and on par with his Slow Joe character. It's extremely fast moving with many macabre twists and turns. 

Verity by Colleen Hoover

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Colleen Hoover is known for her romantic writing.  Something which, admittedly she does very well.  This novel is somewhat darker and an interesting final twist, whilst still having enough on the romantic side to keep the interests of her longtime readers.  A fine foray into darker writing, which will serve her well, as the combination of her normal writing and something a bit darker comes very naturally to Hoover.

False Witness by Karin Slaughter

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I do not often refer to a crime thriller as a powerful novel, but this brutal novel is just that.  It is extreme social commentary without being preachy and whilst still being a totally engaging thriller.

The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A dark thriller focussing on a serial rapist and killer who operated in two parts of Sarah's life, eight years and two relationships apart.  Slaughter's visceral crime depiction is balanced by the backstory of her relationships with Jeremy and Wil.  The breadcrumbs leading to the whodunnit is one of the best Slaughter has ever written. 

Last Breath by Karin Slaughter

funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A much lighter novella, and concise prequel to "The Good Daughter".  A great little legal yarn, with some decent character development and a well developed plot twist. 3.5/5

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Two young girls are the victims of a hellish attack connected to their defense attorney father. 28 years later a school shooting brings them back together as adult lawyers having lived very different lives. As always Slaughter brings us a plethora of, more often than not, visceral twists and turns. This novel is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish and is not recommended for the squimish.

Mirror Image by Gunnar Staalesen

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

Two cases being investigated by Varg Veum become intertwined when the missing persons case also involves employees of an off-course ship he is investigating.  An old-school gumshoe novel with loads of twists and turns.  As always  Staalesen is a bit stingy with his breadcrumbs and attentive reading is required to figure out the whodunnits. 

Second Sister by Chan Ho-Kei

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A 15 year old girls commits suicide and it appears that she was driven to it by anonymous cyber bullying.  Her sister hires a hacker in her plight for vengeance.  One of those books you just cannot put down.  Very clever, clean and unique writing. So many twists and turns. 

The Beaver Theory by Antti Tuomainen

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The final novel in the "You Me Fun" black comedy series, sees our actuary having to deal with a new competitor to You Me Fun, who does not charge entry fees and even gives food away.  During a night-time clandestine spying expedition to the new venture our actuary comes face to face with the murder of the owner and becomes embroiled in a much deeper mystery.  Tuomainen is brilliant at writing dark comedy and this final novel in the series is no exception. 

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

dark mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A brilliantly compact Christmas murder mystery, to make any Christmas eve very special.  The art of writing a fine novella is running strong in Swanson's veins.