maggieaduol's reviews
80 reviews

Psycho by Robert Bloch

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Impressive suspense. Gripping and entertaining.The book is simplistic, minimalistic and straight to the point. Which I appreciated and enjoyed. A must read for any thriller and horror fans. Most importantly, I can now watch the Hitchcock film, which is also by itself, a classic.

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

An enjoyable read with great twists and flawed characters.

Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

5.0

A wonderfully written and engrossing story that lays bare and explores the sense of entitlement, privilege, money, social class, rape and consent, abuse of power and makes headway in pushing forward the rights of women. A timely novel and very authentic echoing similar cases as well as today's political climate.

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A compelling read and highly entertaining. I loved it.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

"The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to the seeker after it".

"Always bear in mind that the person who speaks may be lying".

Splendid. One of Christie's best.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

"He didn't look like a murderer, he supposed,  in his clean white shirtsleeves and his silk tie and his dark blue trousers, and maybe even his strained face didn't look like a murderer to anybody else. "That's the mistake ,"Guy said aloud, " That nobody knows what a murderer looks like. A murderer looks like anybody!" 

Patricia Highsmith, Strangers on a Train. 

Pretty Things by Janelle Brown

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

"New money, suit and tie
 I can read you like a magazine 
Ain't it funny, rumours fly
And I know you heard about me
So hey, let's be friends
I'm dying to see how this one ends
Grab your passport and my hand
I can make the bad guys good for a weekend "  - Taylor Swift 


Nothing is ever as pure as it seems at first glance, there is always something more complicated to be found if you peel back the unmarred surface of pretty things.

A slow burn which turned the tables fast and became quite intriguing. Very well written and well done. Unexpected and unexpectedly believable!

Can't wait for Nicole Kidman to star and produce this books adaptation into streaming Amazon series.

Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

A sad but important story about repercussions of life changing events; rural poverty; isolated and marginalised communities; and families who live of the grid.

Claire Fuller depicts their lives with such excellent and vivid writing, you can see and hear and smell everything through her words. A unique and engaging story and one that will stay with me for a long time.

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed the chapters from Jessica's perspective, but I didn't connect at all with chapters from Dr. Shields perspective. But it definitely kept my attention.

Two-Way Murder by E.C.R. Lorac

mysterious slow-paced

4.5

Thoroughly enjoyable, very clever and well put together. Pulled me in from the very beginning.