ajnel's reviews
665 reviews

The Reaper: Autobiography of One of the Deadliest Special Ops Snipers by Gary Brozek, Nicholas Irving

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

4.0

The first memoir by Ranger Sniper Nicholas Irving.  Cleverly written by focussing on specific fire fights whilst setting them off against snippets from his basic training and boyhood (pre-military) life.  It's  raw and unflinching look into the life of one of the U.S. military's deadliest snipers. 

Tell Me What I Am by Una Mannion

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

Ruby’s mother, Deena  disappeared when Ruby was only four years old and while Deena and Lucas were fighting an ugly custody battle. Now living with her controlling father, Lucas, and his enabling mother, Ruby remembers almost nothing about her mother and is not permitted to ask any questions about her.  Nessa is however as from the outset convinced that Lucas was responsible for her sister's disappearance. The novel utilises the dual timelines (some 10 years removed) exceptionally and the first person accounts of Ruby and Nessa are richly written and seamlessly integrated. 

Way of the Reaper: My Greatest Untold Missions and the Art of Being a Sniper by Gary Brozek, Nicholas Irving

adventurous reflective fast-paced

3.0

A firsthand account of the life of an elite Ranger sniper during active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Irving provides a detailed look at the sniper's craft at the coal face . He also, albeit very superficially, touches on the psychological toll of such a demanding and dangerous role.  An honestly written autobiography which would have benefited substantially through the services of ghost writer. 

My Husband by Maud Ventura

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Over the course of a week, the unnamed protagonist meticulously analyzes her fifteen-year marriage to someone whom she claims she loves as much as the first day she laid eyes on him. Through her extremely obsessive lens, she examines their relationship, questioning love, control, and the complexities of intimacy. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into a world of doubt, paranoia, and the blurred lines between obsession and love. The novel delves into the depths of the protagonist's very unbalanced psyche as she grapples with her own perceptions of reality.  Though only a novella, it could have been shorter and the reveal at the end is somewhat expected throughout the novel. That said, very well-written and very odd.

Dark Ride by Lou Berney

dark funny tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Hardy "Hardly" Reed, is a laid-back amusement park worker who loves his simple life. However, his mundane life takes a dramatic turn when he witnesses signs of abuse on two young children. Despite his initial reluctance, Hardy becomes determined to protect the children. As he delves deeper into the situation, he uncovers a dangerous world of crime and corruption, forcing him to confront his own capabilities and limitations. A medium-paced action thriller with an explosive final act.  The novel could and probably should have been much grittier and contained the odd twist or turn, but it is pretty enjoyable. 

She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.0

Just prior to his release from prison, Nate McClusky gets on the wrong side of a white supremacist gang, and a contract is taken out on him, his ex-wife and daughter, Poppy.  Though his wife is already murdered by the time he is released, he is just in time to prevent a first murder attempt on Polly. With Polly's life in imminent danger, they embark on a perilous journey, fighting for survival and against a relentless enemy, mostly by stealing from said enemy in a "Bonnie and Clyde"-like homage. A fast-paced and well-written novel with a strong focus on the process of rekindling a father/daughter relationship within an almost futile environment.

Dead Man's Grip by Peter James

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.0

A deadly vehicle accident and the impact and consequences thereof provide the backdrop. As such a young American student and son of NY mobsters loses his life in the accident where all three other parties did something wrong. The focus is however on Carly Chase who  finds her world turned upside down when the drivers of the other vehicles involved are brutally murdered. DS Roy Grace is called in to investigate the escalating violence. As the body count rises, it becomes clear that a deadly force is hunting down those connected to the accident. With Carly as the next potential target, Grace and his team race against time to prevent further deadly consequences.
The focus in the novel shifts somewhat away from our main series-protaganists towards Carly and her thinking and actions.  It works pretty well, but the absence of a whodunnit and unexpected twists and turns renders the novel slightly tedious.

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A horror-comedy that follows two best friends, Abby and Gretchen, as they become best friends against the backdrop of very different economic classes in  1980s Charleston. Their seemingly normal teenage life takes a dark turn when Gretchen starts exhibiting strange behavior. As things escalate, Abby becomes convinced her friend is possessed and embarks on a terrifying journey to save her. The novel blends elements of teenage angst and classic possession horror with the nostalgic backdrop of the 80s.  Despite being written for teens, the novel feels very similar to Chuck Palahniuk's Madison-series (sans the dimensional travel) and is a thoroughly enjoyable read. 4.5/5

All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

In the present, Margot, a journalist haunted by the unsolved murder of her childhood neighbour and best friend, returns to her small hometown to care for her uncle who is starting to exhibit clear signs of dementia. A new girl's disappearance echoes the unsolved case, drawing Margot deeper into the town's dark secrets. As Margot delves into the past, she uncovers disturbing truths about her hometown and those she thought she knew. The novel really alternates well between the two timelines and does not succumb to the normal flat integration which one often finds in multi-timeline whodunnits.  The Focus remains on Margot's emotional nexus to both the historic murder and the townsfolk and her underlying need to make square pegs fit round holes.  That said, this does not affect the pacing materially adversely and the plethora of well-positioned twists and turns keeps the reader thoroughly engaged. 

The Red Circle by Anthony Horowitz, Sarah J. Naughton

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The first novel in a murder mystery trilogy set in a dystopian future London. The story centers around a disoriented man with amnesia, named Sherlock Holmes by a stranger who fished him out of the Thames rive, ie Watson.Together they try to solve the mystery of Holmes' identity while also being entangled in another puzzling case which started with an airliner crash over London. Very clever writing, with true to Connor Doyle atmosphere, which works very well in the dystopian future London.  The mystery in this novel focuses around Holmes more than any murder and thus creates the setting for the series which will follow.