hobbyist_tm's reviews
37 reviews

The Defence by Steve Cavanagh

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This legal thriller has piqued my interest in the legal proceedings and my curiosity for the next chapters intensified —yes, this book was hard to put down.

Looking through the mind of Eddie Flynn was something that pulled me in. He was smart, yet he can be outsmarted, too. He was strong, yet he can be vulnerable, too. He was able to survive, yet his own thoughts would betray him at times.  Even his comparisons between a con-man and a lawyer have given me realizations, too. He was human and relatable, Eddie Flynn was. 

His legal adventures were descriptive and action-packed I can even imagine the scenarios described in the book. Sometimes I even felt I was also a character since I was immersed with the situations and the next happenings. Of course I knew the conclusion won't be given without any plot twists and it was satisfying. 

And now, I can't wait to start his next adventure.  

The Cross by Steve Cavanagh

adventurous challenging informative fast-paced

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

4.0

Amazing start for the Eddie Flynn Series. It was action-packed, twisty, and full of legal adventures. 

I am amazed about the description playing around with being a con-artist and a lawyer, because that one is relatable and that is close to reality. As a struggling lawyer, Eddie Flynn has a lot more at stake whether he chose to fight and let go of the case. 

I know for sure I will grab the next book in this series.

Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

I finally got a hold of this classic book from Agatha Christie, and I was satisfied to finish this one. The title itself made me curious—how does a dog become a witness? And there it was, when I read it, the story unfolded right before my eyes.

It's not a new plot to me when the alleged crime was seemingly thought to be caused by a family feud over money. My suspicions revolved around the family members and somehow, because of the author's descriptive narration, I would still be confused who the culprit was. And yet, the conclusion surprised me since the mastermind was just right in front of me. I just needed to understand the person's psychology to solve the crime. 

Poirot's series still fascinates me. While I am reading various authors' works, I know I will go and pick his adventures in between, since I am most mystified what Agatha Christie's themes are in each book from this series.

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

challenging dark emotional 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

3.75

I did not put on my detective shoes with this book. I just let Freida lead me to where her narrations will reach me. As a result, the twist was totally mindblowing—and if it wasn't enough, the twist can still have another knot in the end.

This book was a "slow start, strong finish" type. I needed to get past Part 1 to feel the thrill. Although there were times I needed to stop reading just to process the conclusion and asked so many questions, I can't hide the fact that I was hooked when I reached Part 2 and 3. 

Until now, I still wanted to know how things were possible and how did they get away with it? Maybe birds of the same feather flock together? Was that an issue about genetics, marriage, or morals?

But for the characters concerned, it's true—"digging a grave is hard work".

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.0

This was a book I had to finish at 2 in the morning because curiosity has gotten into me. As a mystery/thriller reader, it has been my attitude to assume what the plot twist will be, and I thought I got it, but oops, there's another one. 

Well, the plot twist was not entirely shocking, but it somehow made me pause, tried to backtrack, and connected the dots through imagination. It made me realize why certain people have been given a bit of limelight in the story. 

I had so many questions in the end and I might consider some loopholes in the story, but kudos to Freida for that kind of ending because the characters have been through a lot— and somehow they deserve a good one. 

P.S. The last POV was a cherry on top.

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

emotional 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

3.25

A lot of times I have been confused with the storyline. As my reading progressed, I realized the confusion was part of the plot and my curiosity kept me turning every pages of this book. The plot twist shocked me—but not totally astonished when the real culprit was finally revealed. I was hoping for more, maybe because I thought it would become a legal battle. I guess I'll have to hope it gets better with The Perfect Divorce.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I really could not put this book down and I finished it until 12midnight because I cannot wait to know what will happen next! As someone who reads this genre, I am amazed by the new way an author lays out her story.

The writing style was fresh for me . Honestly, I imagined myself listening to every episodes of the podcast. It was hilarious, witty, and somehow scandalous, like a true gossip. I would really put an alarm just to listen to updates and new episodes. 

I loved the protagonist's banter with herself because I can relate to some of the things she self-talk. I also felt the remorse and loneliness she felt especially that almost all people, even her family, believed she did it. Most importantly, I was in awe that deep inside she really wanted to solve the murder, even if that meant she might have done it. 

This is a must-read for reader who loved books like the Ernest Cunningham series by Benjamin Stevenson—investigating and solving murders, but make them funny and witty.

The Crash by Freida McFadden

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.25

I think I've seen a similarity in writing with The Crash and Ward D, and they were both good in my opinion. Although at first, I was dragging myself to get through a few chapters, I felt all the thrill and excitement once I finally got the hang of it.

I have been frustrated and kept telling myself, "If only people could explain themselves well, then there won't be any kind of misunderstanding here!" Yes, I was so into it. 😅 But then again, assumptions make big twists and turns in this book.

Different forms of relationships have been tackled in this book and it will make you wonder who to trust and who to avoid. Nevertheless, I am quite satisfied with the conclusion. Still such a good read.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? No

3.5

It's been three days since I finished this book, and I'm still connecting some things in my mind. I still can't believe the author was able to have all those connections. Just amazing. 

The book has a really clever plotting and it took the last few chapters to introduce who's who. Although, I was hoping there were more chapters introduced as to how the public school boys were living at Trevelyan's. It would give a good glimpse as to how the survival adventures began.

Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh

adventurous challenging 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? Yes

5.0

This is my first Steve Cavanagh book and I did not know what to expect. I thought I was just reading two stories of women who were unrelated to each other, and surprise surprise! I was wrong. I also thought the plot was already revealed immediately just at 20% of the book, and guess what? I was wrong again. 

My thoughts kept me gripping unto the book because it was fast-paced and unpredictable. I wanted to know what will happen next. There were a lot of revelations and plot twists along the way. As I was nearing the last few chapters, there was yet another plot twist and I was so shocked about it. It was exciting and it kept me interested until the end.

Ultimately, this book was mind-boggling and I know I will read more books from the author. 💯