ashleynicole1's reviews
35 reviews

Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I have to be entirely honest, at the conclusion of this book I found myself not really warning another one. I adored the first book and felt like the story had been told. I was eager for the second book to see how the story could expand but it feels as if the author took one successful story and decided to stick with it. 

From a true crime perspective, I really liked how this book explored copycats and the responsibility that falls on authors, reporters and consumers of true crime. It does beg the question of why write more books? But alas, I will most likely pick up book three if I stumble across it. 

 

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Wow. This book was so good I practically devoured it. I usually pride myself in guessing a culprit before the plot twist is even revealed. The author got me good, I did not even expect the killer once.  Knowing there is a sequel I have questions that I hoped will be answered. As the book came to a close I found myself disappointed that it isn't a real story (this is a work of meta-fiction with the only real info coming from a smaller crime and the authors child/experiences in his hometown). I was disappointed that I could not go down a rabbit hole of the history and the murderer. In that disappointment, I felt a part of the shame of sensationalized true crime. I do think my belief that the story was real is also a testament to just how good Richard’s writing is and how his expert intertwining of his real life truth made the whole thing feel so real. 

Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

This book truly highlights all of human nature from mental disorders to forbidden love. I will be recommending this book in the future. 

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

3.5

Book one was amazing. Sucked me in, shot me straight to the top of the roller-coaster only for book two to send me plummeting to earth only to realize my seat belt was not on.

Blood Vines by Erica Spindler

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

When rating this book I realized how hard it is for me to rate a book below a three. The closet thing I can relate the feeling to is when your in a class and no one responds. But nonetheless, I enjoyed this book and the entertainment it gave me. I mean I finished the entire thing in one evening. Did I feel like I could see the made for television movie already? Yes. Did I really mind that much? No. I was entertained. 

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

I really enjoyed this book and am glad this is the first thriller I have ever read. I even found myself jumping ahead of the page because I was so scared of what would happen next. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an entertaining, dark, and mysterious story. The good qualities definitely outweigh most of my problems with this book.  

The Humans by Matt Haig

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

This book has changed my life. In numerous insignificant ways but also significant ones. This is the book that for the rest of my life when someone asks for a book to read I will enthusiastically shove my love for this book in their face with matching compliments for all of Matt Haig’s books. I think every one should read this book. Be prepared to laugh, to cry, and to find more appreciation for the significance of your existence. The 

Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a fantastic and enjoyable read. I have to give the author all of the flowers for how diverse and colorful her characters are. This book reaffirms the journey of being a woman and the ability for a man to be able to take it all away. 

Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

This book will hit especially hard for anyone with second hand experience with addiction. I saw myself so clearly in Adam’s family and they were the characters I found lovable (end though we saw them for maybe a chapters worth of pages). But I suppose the unloveableness (making that a word for the sake of this review) of the other characters is a hugey significant part of this story. At the end of the day we are human in all of our ugly and beautiful glory and that’s okay. 

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This author is an incredible mystery writer and captured all of the elements I would ask for in a mystery. I gave it three stars only because it was a bit hard for me to get into this book. I’m not sure if it’s because the prose itself is a bit dense or if I just wasn’t feeling it.