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m_lefaye's reviews
100 reviews
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
5.0
This book came highly recommend by a friend who said it “wasn’t your typical ghost story.” Diving in, “Home Before Dark” puts you between two worlds, the past and the present, as you learn the history of Baneberry hall through the eyes of two narrators, Maggie in the present and her father Ewen in the past. Both have a story and as you uncover the past, the mystery surrounding their old mansion only grows. The ending is a twist within a twist that, I feel, wrapped the conclusion up nicely. I don’t want to give too much away and I have read reviews where others are divided on the end, but I felt in put to rest all your questions as a reader together uniquely and perfectly.
I was at first concerned about the flow of reading two narratives but the author transitions between past and present flawlessly as you “read” parts of one novel within another. This also was refreshing because as much as I love books, reading a whole book within a story sounds, a bit tedious, and potentially dull. You only get snips of the past “book” as they pertain to current events/moments and that was perfect.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a good thriller that gives major “house on haunted hill” vibes, but with a twist.
I was at first concerned about the flow of reading two narratives but the author transitions between past and present flawlessly as you “read” parts of one novel within another. This also was refreshing because as much as I love books, reading a whole book within a story sounds, a bit tedious, and potentially dull. You only get snips of the past “book” as they pertain to current events/moments and that was perfect.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a good thriller that gives major “house on haunted hill” vibes, but with a twist.
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
4.0
I really enjoyed this book for what it is. A quick, easy read with some creepy moments. I would call it a classic ghost story with a twist.
At first I was a little annoyed with the ending and thought it felt rushed, but after re-reading, I think the tone and pacing are perfect. There isn’t a drawn out, unnecessary battle and instead the end focuses on themes of breaking trauma cycles, family secrets, internal struggles, and finding forgiveness. Sam is relatable in all the right ways and I found myself drawn to her candid, self deprecating attitude.
If you are looking for a traditional ghost story, this might not be the book for you. But if you are looking for something in the realm of mysticism, Alister Crowley, Magic, and etymology, I would highly recommend giving this a try.
At first I was a little annoyed with the ending and thought it felt rushed, but after re-reading, I think the tone and pacing are perfect. There isn’t a drawn out, unnecessary battle and instead the end focuses on themes of breaking trauma cycles, family secrets, internal struggles, and finding forgiveness. Sam is relatable in all the right ways and I found myself drawn to her candid, self deprecating attitude.
If you are looking for a traditional ghost story, this might not be the book for you. But if you are looking for something in the realm of mysticism, Alister Crowley, Magic, and etymology, I would highly recommend giving this a try.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
4.0
Atmospheric , melancholic, and persevering, Gallant offers a glimpse into a dreary and mysterious world; think The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe meets Tim Burton. The main protagonist, Olivia, is a girl who knows next to nothing of her origins, save for a tattered journal eft by her mother, she longs for a sense of family and belonging. And then, one day, a letter from an unknown uncle arrives begging for her to finally return to a home she never new. But obviously, things aren’t that easy.
Gallant was excellent, but I found myself not as enthused as I had hoped while reading it. This is definitely a young adult geared Nobel which I myself am not and I be,I’ve that hurt my enjoyment.
That being said, this book is a quick and delightful read and I highly recommend giving it a chance!
Gallant was excellent, but I found myself not as enthused as I had hoped while reading it. This is definitely a young adult geared Nobel which I myself am not and I be,I’ve that hurt my enjoyment.
That being said, this book is a quick and delightful read and I highly recommend giving it a chance!
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
4.0
My second book by Riley Sager and I couldn’t help but get engrossed. Twists upon twists, we readers witness the endless rock bottom fall of a former stage star, Casey, as she half heartedly, but not really, attempts to put her life back together after the sudden death of her husband, a year prior.
*
The term, “self loathing” doesn’t do Casey justice as she drifts between drunken stupors and unrelenting grief. Forced to stay in the house where her husband mysteriously and unexpectedly passed away (an act of “goodwill” by her mother to keep her daughter out of the spotlight while coming to terms with what has happened, which honestly, I believe actually had good intentions for the wrong reasons.) Casey is lonely, self destructive, and broken. Add an “almost” drowning of her neighbor (a former model turned miserable housewife) and an attractive handyman with a few skeletons in his closet into this mix and the suspense doubles down.
*
What happened to the three women who upped and vanished in the years prior? How did Casey’s husband die? Is this handyman, or her new model friend husbands, all they claim to be? And who is sending postcard to the local police? I loved this story save for one, out of left field, plot twist that managed to recover itself quickly and effectively, but is also why I can only give this 4 stars.
*
Recommended for fans of mysteries and thrillers, think “Gone Girl” meets M. Night Shyamalan, and I promise you’ll be engrossed!
*
The term, “self loathing” doesn’t do Casey justice as she drifts between drunken stupors and unrelenting grief. Forced to stay in the house where her husband mysteriously and unexpectedly passed away (an act of “goodwill” by her mother to keep her daughter out of the spotlight while coming to terms with what has happened, which honestly, I believe actually had good intentions for the wrong reasons.) Casey is lonely, self destructive, and broken. Add an “almost” drowning of her neighbor (a former model turned miserable housewife) and an attractive handyman with a few skeletons in his closet into this mix and the suspense doubles down.
*
What happened to the three women who upped and vanished in the years prior? How did Casey’s husband die? Is this handyman, or her new model friend husbands, all they claim to be? And who is sending postcard to the local police? I loved this story save for one, out of left field, plot twist that managed to recover itself quickly and effectively, but is also why I can only give this 4 stars.
*
Recommended for fans of mysteries and thrillers, think “Gone Girl” meets M. Night Shyamalan, and I promise you’ll be engrossed!
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
4.0
A recommendation from one of my sisters. I enjoyed this book for what it was, a creepy, sometimes funny, thriller-esque, horror story.
Easy-to-follow pacing with a few twists and turn, and I can honestly say I am really happy to have added this to my “to read” list for the Halloween season. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a good story laced with sibling rivalry, family secrets, and a few darkly humorous jump scares. But fair warning, there are puppets, dolls, and taxidermy, so keep that in mind if any of those things give you the creeps!
The character development was what I expected and not too in depth, albeit a little disappointing (looking at you post-attack Mark), and the finale left a little to be desired with semi-loose ends that don’t entirely wrap up , but, all in all, I can’t honestly complain. This isn’t a horror novel trying to take itself too seriously, because how can you when there are murderous puppets involved, and for that I happily give it 4 stars.
Easy-to-follow pacing with a few twists and turn, and I can honestly say I am really happy to have added this to my “to read” list for the Halloween season. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a good story laced with sibling rivalry, family secrets, and a few darkly humorous jump scares. But fair warning, there are puppets, dolls, and taxidermy, so keep that in mind if any of those things give you the creeps!
The character development was what I expected and not too in depth, albeit a little disappointing (looking at you post-attack Mark), and the finale left a little to be desired with semi-loose ends that don’t entirely wrap up , but, all in all, I can’t honestly complain. This isn’t a horror novel trying to take itself too seriously, because how can you when there are murderous puppets involved, and for that I happily give it 4 stars.