niccc152's reviews
64 reviews

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

4.25

Definitely a book for people who enjoy jigsaw puzzles. This is a book where you can fit some pieces together as to what's going on, but for the most part you're confused about how it all forms the bigger picture. Only towards the end are you able to step back and understand everything. Definitely one you have to keep with, but overall a satisfying read. 

If you're reading through reviews partway through the book, like I did, wondering if you missed something, just keep with it. You didn't miss anything. This book just keeps feeding you only pieces at a time. 

Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater

2.75

I kept reading on the hopes that something would happen and the book would get more interesting. Alas, the only true conflict happens so close to the end of the novel, it was disappointing. I think also that, as other reviews have stared, the title is misleading, as this is more of a character examination than a true murder mystery. However, I do think that scattered throughout there were thoughtful insights about the nature of true crime in pop culture. This, unfortunately, does not make the book worth a read. Strangely, I could see this easily being adapted for a thriller movie, but overall the book falls flat. 

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

2.75

Truly this book had such potential, but I think it missed the mark in execution. I had to check this book out of the library several times and ultimately it took me 5 months to finish. The premise and later-revealed origin of the Tox are so interesting, but I spent most of the actual book confused and bored. It feels like the author thought that they were plotting the next great dystopian book (the next great Lord of the Flies?) but then sputtered out when it came to actually writing and executing the story. 

Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry

4.5

Read as an audio book. This book was truly disturbing, but I could also not stop listening. I think a major theme in the book is how people process trauma differently, and that there is no real right answer. Some people sink into themselves, others don't. Some people turn into monsters themselves. There are a few things I want expanded upon more, but I don't think it weakens the book by then not being included.

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

3.0

This book was fine. It definitely should not be billed as a mystery or thriller, although there were some mysterious or thriller-esque elements. 

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

4.5

A really great book with excellent voice, plot, and pacing. This concept is such a breath of fresh air and I've never read anything like it. My only critique is that when it ended I went, "What?! That's it?!" Which was moreso because I wanted to keep hearing about Lillian's adventures with Roland and Bessie. I wanted to know how the family would potentially handle more fire children. I wanted to see more of Jasper working through all of this. I just wanted MORE. But, I say all this not in a way that the story felt incomplete; moreso that everything was so compelling that I wanted to know as much as possible about this world and this story. 

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

4.0

I really enjoyed this as an audio book and it did have that unsettling feeling throughout. I think a lot of it comes from the fact that it doesn't seem so hard to believe that a man could keep his wife hostage for so long. Additionally, that the true nature of their marriage is revealed gradually and let's the reader wonder before learning the truth. As we saw early in the book, a lot of the relationship was psychological torture as well. I do wish there were points where Jack was fleshed out a little further but this is not told from his perspective, so it makes sense. 

Confessions by Kanae Minato

5.0

Read as an audiobook. This was fantastic. I typically don't love books with multiple perspectives, but this was certainly an exception. Each chapter and each character recount basically the same story, but through their own bias and with their own backgrounds interspersed. It's so different from any other book I've read, including many twists that I don't think you can really see coming. Very glad this book was translated into English.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

2.5

It was fine, but part of me only thinks that because it was so short as well. This had a lot of potential for a more intense and compelling book, but I found that it was over just as I was getting interested in this intensely messed up and macabre story. Quick pros for me were the paralleled parasitic relationship (just who was feeding off whom?) and the mixed media narrative. This read more like a teaser for a bigger work. 

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

3.5

This book was raising so many questions as I was reading and I just kept plowing through because I was so anxious to see what was actually happening. Unfortunately, for all the good/interesting/unsettling build up, the ending ultimately leaves all your questions unanswered, and not in a good way. I found myself flipping through the end acknowledgements like "what?! that's it?!" I really like this premise and its set-up, but I wish it ties things up more neatly.