When it comes to J.D. Barker: I'm running out of synonyms for the word "Brilliant"!
Superb. Splendid. Impressive. Excellent. All terms I've used multipWhen it comes to J.D. Barker: I'm running out of synonyms for the word "Brilliant"!
Superb. Splendid. Impressive. Excellent. All terms I've used multiple times to describe J.D. Barker's story telling skills. His newest? Absolutely no exception there.
The summary is limited. However, to give more details than that, would be to diminish the thrill the reader gets each time a piece of the puzzle is revealed. Though I can tell you this. It is a fast-paced rollercoaster with dynamic characters that are intricately spun together in a... wait for it, "Brilliant" spiderweb.
It's a rare treat to read a book that gives you all the action, mystery, and thrills as well as a feeling of pure reader satisfaction after the last page is turned.
I would also recommend reading the included "Author's Note". He pens a brief personal insight about his personal thoughts on what "fiction means to him" or more so the fiction he writes. I found his insight to be simple while purposeful. I took from it the idea, that Fiction isn't always about trying to make a point about the real work or express an opinion on current issues. Sometimes, it's simply creating fiction for fiction's sake. With the only purpose being to provide another with a few hours of enjoyable respite. Barker's fiction is very successful in this purpose. I wish more current fiction reflected this purpose as well.
Well done, again, Mr. Barker. Your talent is utterly wicked (i.e. Brilliant).
*Thank you Hampton Creek Press & J.D. Barker via NetGalley for providing the digital reader copy....more
I simply cannot say enough, what a pleasant surprise this author, Katie Berry, has been for me. I first came across her book, "Claw". A prehistoric moI simply cannot say enough, what a pleasant surprise this author, Katie Berry, has been for me. I first came across her book, "Claw". A prehistoric monster is unearthed and set lose on a small town. While it was simple, it was done well, thoroughly entertaining.
I then decided to pick up her new series, "ABANDONED". A paranormal haunted hotel theme. The hotel has been shut down for decades after unexplainable events occurred. Now, two siblings, both with "psychic paranormal" abilities themselves, are hired to inspect the hotel i.e. "clear it all it can be reopened".
This is certainly not my typical theme of book. But I gave it a shot. Turns out Katie Berry knows how to frighten even myself. I was also excited and nervous reading it!
So now I've finished this book the 2nd in series. And Dammit, I should know better than starting a series before it's completed. I can't wait for the 3rd book!...more
I am not sure why I picked up this book. Truth, I was unaware this book existed until recently. I came across the book while browsing my Kindle UnlimiI am not sure why I picked up this book. Truth, I was unaware this book existed until recently. I came across the book while browsing my Kindle Unlimited suggestions. After reading summary, I immediately connected it to a scary movie made several years ago. A young girl befriends a young boy, while living in same complex. However, she is possibly supernatural, a vampire. I'm a huge fan of scary movies, but the preview had been dull. I skipped watching it.
And then Kindle Unlimited happened. It popped up on my recommended reading list. Reading the book summary and the reviews I was very intrigued. Also, relieved I hadn't watched the movie. I could read it without any preconceived ideas. And now I definetly wanted to read it.
What a surprise. A literary feat of genius. It's beyond whatever you could imagine or anticipate. It's so much more. Ripples of King, Koontz and J.D. Barker. However, it's Lindqvist that steals the show....more
A female vigilante serial killer. One who makes her own final justice on behalf of women that have been abused, assaulted 4-LETTER WORD + ING AWESOME!
A female vigilante serial killer. One who makes her own final justice on behalf of women that have been abused, assaulted and raped. She's gotten away with killing bad men for over a decade! Until now, as she makes a rash decision and comes as close as she's ever been to being caught.
Absolutely loved this revenge filled story with a strong confident female lead. It was compelling, intelligent and well written. The story telling was excellent and used 2 alternating POVs, which helped the author deliver a fabulous job of character development.
4.5 stars!
*Thank you to Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss+ for providing a digital review copy!...more
BOOM SHAKALAKA! …. said Ruth Ware when she finished writing this book!
OH HELL YES!! …. said myself and so will you after reading this book!
A fancy chaBOOM SHAKALAKA! …. said Ruth Ware when she finished writing this book!
OH HELL YES!! …. said myself and so will you after reading this book!
A fancy chalet atop a French mountain rented by a company for an employee retreat. Things are moving along when the group heads out to ski. Until not everyone returns to the chalet, one of their party is missing. As if that isn’t stressful enough, how about adding in an avalanche that cuts off all communication and seals you inside the chalet. Want more? How about finding one of the employees dead in their room. Was this person killed? If so, who killed this person? Why? Is there a killer amongst them?
A whodunnit mystery turned thriller near the end!! This was my first time reading Ruth Ware. She definitely made a new fan out of me with this one. I was blown away. This was absolutely so much fun to read, satisfyingly intense and I did not want it to end.
I have always loved the stories where each character is slowly picked off until the big reveal at the end. However, I must admit that I generally find the ending to be disappointing compared to the rest of the book. This was simply not the case in “One by One”. I loved every part, including the ending. Ware's story telling skills really shined for me in this novel. I cannot wait to pick up another book by this author. Well done!
*Thank you to Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss+ for the digital review copy!...more
J.D. BARKER & JAMES PATTERSON PUTTING THE THRILL IN THRILLER!
A long list of names from which people are being systematically murdered. Two adoptive siJ.D. BARKER & JAMES PATTERSON PUTTING THE THRILL IN THRILLER!
A long list of names from which people are being systematically murdered. Two adoptive siblings, a brother and a sister, Michael and Megan. One a suspect for the multiple murders, the other ignoring everything else to help her brother no matter the cost, both wanted by the police! The list of names all somehow have a connection to Michael, his adoptive parents and the orphanage he was at previously. And Michael is just as interested in learning everything that is going on to help clear his name…. assuming he is in fact innocent. Why are these people being hunted down and killed? And the big question “Did Michael kill them?”.
The cast of characters is excellent, and each add to the story in their own way. There are several POVs, but three primary ones the book focused on are the brother, the sister, and the tough, no BS, FBI agent in charge of hunting down Michael. It all adds to upping the suspense and to keeping your heart rate way above normal!
This exciting, fast paced eighty mph story is non-stop action. Michael and Megan are constantly on the move trying to find evidence to prove his innocence while also evading the police. The reader will continue to second guess themselves all the way until the very end.
I love reading thrillers. I have been disappointed with many books as they were advertised as thrillers, but ultimately were not. I am incredibly pleased to say this book is a true thriller! I could not put it down. It is a long book close to 500 pages. Yet the pages still flew by and I read this in a day!
*Thank you to J.D. Barker via NetGalley for providing me with the digital review copy!...more
A LOT OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THIS NOTHING MAN!!
So what if it's been over 20 years since the murders and assaults occurred. There's no statute of lA LOT OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THIS NOTHING MAN!!
So what if it's been over 20 years since the murders and assaults occurred. There's no statute of limitations on murder. There certainly isn't any statute of limitations on the fury and rage that's been building up inside of Eve Black since she was twelve years old and became the sole survivor of the Nothing Man's last known attack, which killed her entire family. The serial killer known as the Nothing Man was never caught. Eve, now in her 30's, plans to rectify that.
She publishes a book, a tell all about her experience that awful night, including his attacks on previous victims as well. She teams up with a detective who worked the original cases and they continue the investigation themselves. She is determined to find and catch the Nothing Man once and for all and she believes her book will help her do exactly that. As her book achieves wide success it ultimately catches the eye of the man himself. The Nothing Man decides he must read her book.
The story is told from the Nothing Man's POV and as he is reading Eve's book, and then alternates with excerpts from Eve's book. It is a fantastic storytelling method. Kudos to the author on this unique method! It made for a compelling experience for the reader. I really enjoyed switching back to see the killer's reaction after each excerpt. What it's like for him to read about himself like this? Was it getting to him? Was he upset or nervous? Was he going to go after Eve to finally finish what he started? The reader got to be inside his head for all of that! Fascinating!
This was a great ride!! A bit anti-climatic at the end, but overall a well done suspenseful novel! I will be looking to see what else this author has written!
*Thank you to Blackstone Publishing via Edelweiss & NetGalley for the digital review copy!...more
After the first 100 pages I had to check whether I was actually reading a Stephen King novel. By the end though, I knew it was a J.D. novel aFABULOUS!
After the first 100 pages I had to check whether I was actually reading a Stephen King novel. By the end though, I knew it was a J.D. novel all his own because I had been totally enthralled!
Some context: I don't personally care for Stephen Kings books. (I know, it's a reader sin to admit that!). Initially I was worried it was going to be just like another recent King read: another very long, very dark and very dry book. But I was wonderfully proven wrong! This book was exactly how I wish King's books could be. It was paced much better, and while it is over 500 pages long, it doesn't feel like a marathon when you're reading.
The reader is with the main character, a boy named Jack, from his early years to his mid 40s. An epic story that involves a young boy, falling for a mysterious young girl, and a mystery that he spends his life trying to solve, trying to understand. A corrupt business always trying to thwart or kill him and a generous dash of paranormal that makes for a thrilling read.
The reader lives every moment of his life along with him. Along the way we meet all the different people that had a major impact in his life, and we learn to like, love, or hate each of them as we continue on his journey.
The detail written in all his relationships is completely engaging. You come to truly care for these characters. And maybe most important, this book has plenty of light and love to counter the darkest parts. A fabulously well written book that I feel excited to now add it to my "Read" book list!
*Thank you to the author, J.D. Barker via NetGalley for access to the digital review copy!...more
This was fantastic! Very fast paced. Main character is rough edged and perfect in this book. I've been in a book slump. This one really helped me redeThis was fantastic! Very fast paced. Main character is rough edged and perfect in this book. I've been in a book slump. This one really helped me redeem my need to read.
This one is interesting without being too complicated. Fast and furious without losing perspective. It's simple enough yet an exciting read. Easy for anyone to pick up and be instantly entertained without pause until the very end....more
As of this review, the author has published 3 books. I've now read all 3. And my conclusion: Write faster Taylor Adams. I want more!
This one, as wellAs of this review, the author has published 3 books. I've now read all 3. And my conclusion: Write faster Taylor Adams. I want more!
This one, as well as No Exit and Our Last Night, are solid and real thrillers. And they also have a bit more depth and meaningfulness than you'd expect of an average standalone thriller. It's very light. Author provides them as casual subtleties underlying the main story. Kind of perfectly, because if you don't notice it doesn't take away from the exciting story. If you do notice, it's simply an added bonus.
This is a thriller that would make a great movie. I'd cast Kurt Russell as the husband. If you've seen the movie "Breakdown" and read this book, then I know you agree:)...more
This was unexpected. Exciting, very fast paced. But the subtle underlying idea presented by author, and after having thought about it a little while bThis was unexpected. Exciting, very fast paced. But the subtle underlying idea presented by author, and after having thought about it a little while before writing review, I really love it actually. You'll have to read it, for that to make sense;)
Crazy story too, that should have been more of a silly book, but this author gets it done well and makes it work.
So far, in early 2019, I've read 11 books. Including 2 books by this author, this book and "No Exit". Best 2 books by far. I'll be reading another book by this author soon....more
Alright alright alright;) This book did not mess around. A "fast and furious" tempo indeed (as my friends will appreciate). It honestly doesn't slow dAlright alright alright;) This book did not mess around. A "fast and furious" tempo indeed (as my friends will appreciate). It honestly doesn't slow down until it's over. Well done on the main characters T. Adams!
I read this in one sitting. If you need something to catch your mind and take you away for a few thrilling hours, this is a solid choice.
Side note: This is an Actual Suspense Thriller. Not a "psychological thriller". Somehow that term has become a separate genre, but for books that typically lack the "thriller" component. Not to criticize other books. Only pointing out my definition of "thriller" has not evolved. So, if you want to read a thriller that is thrilling, consider this book....more
One of a few psychological thrillers I actually loved!! This was actually exciting, and intriguing as you followed along the main character. It felt lOne of a few psychological thrillers I actually loved!! This was actually exciting, and intriguing as you followed along the main character. It felt like a detective mystery most of the time. Solid debut! I look forward to more from this author....more
Finally! I've been dragging my way through the last 5 months with only a few notable reads. This was a great read, and how badly do I wish I'd rea4.5!
Finally! I've been dragging my way through the last 5 months with only a few notable reads. This was a great read, and how badly do I wish I'd read it earlier.
It's a sci-fi, but not too much if you're worried about that. Primarily it's a suspenseful thriller! One of my favorite genres and I'm grateful to have found one that actually lived up to that name....more
More of a solid 3.5. A good crime novel, not particularly suspenseful. However, it moved along well enough with a nice intriguing plot filled with an More of a solid 3.5. A good crime novel, not particularly suspenseful. However, it moved along well enough with a nice intriguing plot filled with an interesting mix of characters. I am going to read the next book in the series. Which is a new crime story, but with the same main character trying to help solve it, Frieda Klein....more
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