Little Black Lies by Sandra Block

Rabu, 19 April 2017

Grand Central Publishing | February 2015 | 352 pgs

Source: Library

This first novel by Sandra Block is a story about Freudian nightmare and the dark side of memories, family and the strain and bond that connect us all, as well as the discovery of one's own empathy. 

Dr. Zoe Goldman is a resident in training in a psychiatric ward in Buffalo, New York. Aside from tending to troubled patients, she is intrigued by a new patient who murdered her mother. While Sofia's case is disturbing, Zoe on the other end has her own baggage; she was adopted and she wants to know why and how her biological mother passed, especially she has been plagued by nightmares of a fire during her childhood. To complicate matters, her adoptive mother loses her memory to dementia and she has to rely on her own to search for the answers. 

Of course we all know that the truth might not be pleasant and what we know might hurt us; so ultimately Zoe would find out the truth surrounding her past and well, what a surprise it was. 

I read Little Black Lies with no idea where this story would take me so I enjoyed that moment of having the story unveiling itself to me. Zoe was an interesting character with some emotional baggage. Overall, the story was intriguing but I thought there's still room for improvement concerning the characters' development. That being said, Little Black Lies was an intriguing read and I am curious where the author would take us in her next Zoe Goldman series, The Girl Without a Name. 

� 2017 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Between You and Me by Lisa Hall

Senin, 13 Maret 2017

Carina | April 2016 | 356 pgs

Source: Library

Is it just me? It seems like domestic issues are the trend in psychological thrillers lately. Don't get me wrong; I haven't gotten tired of reading them yet. They are a thrill to read, but a BIG No-no in reality. That said, I still find myself getting all riled up reading about them in fiction, such as Between You and Me.

This story hugely focus on a controlling spouse and domestic abuse and like many other books out there of the same issues, this wasn't an easy read and there were times I either shook my head in sympathy or just wanted to hurl the book across the room after reading parts of the controlling behaviours. But wait... while the first half of the book was difficult to read (and not to mention repetitive at times), the second half took a turn and this is when things became intense and exciting. Sal and Charlie are both interesting characters and each of them has their own narrative through alternating chapters.

To say what changes the dynamics would be a spoiler, but this is one of those books that requires a reader to be patient and immerse in that kind of strained atmosphere until that pent-up emotions led to a twisty turn towards the few remaining chapters of the book. I felt the twist was good but not enough to 'wow' me; granted I read a review which briefly mentioned that core element and that there are bits of clues towards the end if one pay enough attention. That said, it was still a satisfying read to me.

� 2017 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Drama Review: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (???????)

Senin, 16 Januari 2017

Do not let that title mislead you. The title may sound something out of a fairy tale but there's no magical element here but a feisty protagonist who goes out of her way to pursue her gold medal dreams and finding love at the same time. 

Kim Bok Joo (starring Lee Sung-kyung) is a college athlete major in weightlifting. Living with her father and uncle who run a chicken restaurant together, Bok Joo's life is simple and although she feels well-loved by her family and friends, she is actually a shy girl and hides her insecurities behind her strong exterior. 

Jung Joon-hyung (starring Nam Joo-hyuk) is childhood friends with Bok Joo. He is a talented swimmer but his traumatic past haunts him. As a result, his confidence dips and it is through Bok Joo's encouragements that he begins to find his dreams again. Joon-hyung's ex-girlfriend, Song Shi-ho (starring Kyung Soo-jin) is a supporting role portraying as an overachiever rhythmic gymnast. Although she has broken up with Joon-hyung, she wants him back while juggling to uphold her position as a top-class gymnast. 

Bok Joo has finally met Jung Jae-yi (starring Lee Jae-yoon), a guy she likes but alas he is an obesity doctor. While Bok Joo is encouraged to put on weight by her coach for her upcoming tournaments, she is also trying to lose weight through Jae-yi's consultations so she could see him and impress him. But Jae-yi treats her merely as a friend, and it is also at this time that Bok Joo begins to realise that he is also Joon-hyung's cousin.

(Joon-hyung and Bok Joo) 

This is a great coming-of-age story, filled with inspirations and dreams. It also show cast what a sportsman's life is and what it takes to attain their goals. There are both funny moments and sad moments, and what I enjoyed most is seeing each character faces their challenges and how the process has changed them and mould them into a better person. Cheesy or not, such scenes never fail to move me and in the end I found myself rooting for them and cheering them on. I also like the sweet moments between Bok Joo and Joon-hyung; their relationship reminds me how lovely it is to be young and carefree. Oh, those were the days.

� 2017 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Drama Review: Entourage (????)

Rabu, 28 Desember 2016

Entourage is a remake of the U.S. drama series of the same title, with South Korea's tvN bought publication rights in 2015. 

Basically, this is a story about the entertainment industry and how this industry works from the top rank down to staffs who run odd jobs. 

The core characters include five men with different ranks and backgrounds. Cha Young-Bin (starring Seo Kang-Joon) is a rising star actor and is working very hard to clinch more movie contracts that could make him famous. Staying under the same roof with him is his three other friends who have known one another since young. Ho-Jin (starring Park Jung-Min) is now Young-Bin's manager and his life revolves mostly around Young-Bin. Cha Joon (starring Lee Kwang-Soo) is Young-Bin's cousin and an actor who is struggling to make a name for himself but often being duped by many for his stupidity. Geo-Book "Turtle" (starring Lee Dong-Hwi) is unemployed and spends most of his time playing online games; he spends most of his time with Cha Joon since both of them seem to have nothing much to do. Kim Eun-Gab (starring Cho Jin-Woong) is CEO of a management company and Young-Bin is one of his treasured actors. 

As I haven't watched the U.S. version I couldn't comment anything about it but this remake is not a drama which I think would appeal to all. This black comedy drama, aside from the entertainment industry, focus much of its attention on men's friendship (there are some occasional swearing and rude gestures but not too much that would bother me) as well as the tension between managers and staff. There is little romance so if you are going for that you'd be disappointed. Despite these, I quite enjoyed this drama although it took me a while to warm up to the characters. Young-Bin was charming yet at times I found him to be a bit indecisive, thus missing a few contracts. Ho-Jin was a great manager who put Young-Bin above himself; I think he was the only one person whom I really like if I've to choose among others. Cha Joon and Turtle, though funny, they sometimes gave people the impression that they are good-for-nothing. That said, they are also the ones who brought out the most laughter amid everything. 

Overall it was an interesting drama; one which allows me to take a deep look inside the entertainment industry and how directors, managers and artistes interact with one another within their jobs. 

� 2016 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Six Scary Stories (Selected and Introduced by Stephen King)

Minggu, 27 November 2016

Cemetery Dance Publications | August 2016 | 126 pgs

Source: Library

As the title suggests, this anthology consists of six chilling stories; in which these are entries of a short story competition run by Hodder & Stoughton and the Guardian to celebrate the publication of Stephen King's The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. These six stories are selected by Stephen King himself and he was so impressed with them that he recommended they be published in one book and here it is. 

The first story, Wild Swimming by Elodie Harper tells a harrowing tale of a lone tourist visiting a place called Vaiduoklis where it was believed that the old village there was sunk during the Soviet days. The story is written in an electronic mail format and after reading this I don't think I'd dip my toes in (let alone swimming) in any lakes (absolutely no reservoirs!), local or overseas. 

Eau-de-Eric by Manuela Saragosa is a story surrounding the relationship between a mother and daughter and the latter's obsession with a teddy named Eric, which she named after her dead father. Sounds creepy, isn't it? 

The third story, The Spots by Paul Bassett Davies revolves around a leopard and the observation as part of Maximilian's assignment. The first phase was to count the leopard's spots. Max's determination in fulfilling the task will push him forward despite the danger and readers will learn that there's something more fearful than the feline itself. 

The Unpicking by Michael Button reminds me a little of the animation film Toy Story whereas all the toys come alive but of course the similarity ends there. Out of boredom they decided on an evening's entertainment and it had led to something horrific than the other games they'd played. 

La Mort de L'Amant by Stuart Johnstone is the last second story of this anthology and it is about an encounter between an older man and a young policeman. What caught my attention to this story is the usage of a few lovely quirks of language which formed the spine of this story amid the somber mood. 

Finally, The Bear Trap by Neil Hudson is a tale about the trap a twelve-year-old boy, Calvin, laid for a threatening trespasser who barged into his father's farmhouse one day. This story has that mournful feel not only of the ash storm which had clouded over the place thereafter but also Calvin seemed to be living on his own for a year after his father left the farm to get Uncle Jake. 

Although not all of these stories fall under the "bump in the night" category, each is unique in a way and makes you think that a person's dark mind could be even scarier than those of the paranormal. I couldn't name a favourite but I've to say Wild Swimming left a deep impression on me. 

� 2016 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Drama Review: Go Ho's Starry Night (????)

Minggu, 20 November 2016

When I first started watching this drama I didn't know that it only has 4 episodes; still it was an enjoyable one and I wished it was much longer. 

Twenty-nine-year-old Go Ho (starring Kwon Yoo Ri) faces the struggles what many single women feel today - having a successful career and finding the right man to fall in love with. This expectation might not sound like a difficult feat but it seems Go Ho lacks of luck when these both are concerned. For starters, her job being an advertising executive often demands her time and efforts yet they aren't always rewarding. Her superior, Kang Tae Ho (starring Kim Young Kwang) is someone who demands devotion in their work and while at times she feels exhausted she still marvel at his capabilities for putting their team together. On top of it, she is still stumped by the harsh fact that her boyfriend dumped her and he couldn't give her a valid reason. 

Then things started to change when her old flame joined the company and became her new superior. Suddenly a few of her male colleagues started to look her way and trying their best to win her attention, including her ex-boyfriend and ex-superior who are rivals when it comes to meeting their sales targets. Each of these men has their strengths and flaws and Go Ho has to find the right man who would understand her and make her heart flutter at the same time. 

There isn't much melodrama when it comes to the story but for those who enjoy a sweet and romantic drama this is it. And since this is such a short drama, there isn't much room for characters development and it might seem more of an insta-love to some but at least one character has harbour his feelings towards Go Ho for a while to make their love believable. 

� 2016 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Watching Edie by Camilla Way

Sabtu, 17 September 2016

Penguin Publishing Group | August 216 | 304 pgs

Source: Purchased

Told in two alternating voices and time periods, this story is about the friendship between two girls and how an incident in the past caught up with them.

Edie is bold and beautiful whereas Heather is shy and awkward. When Heather first met Edie, she knew she is unlike any other girls in school. Edie is not only wild and beautiful, she's also the only girl who would look beyond Heather as who she is and show her what good friends are supposed to be. For a while, they have a wonderful friendship until Edie falls in love.

Seventeen years later, Edie moved to London and is a single mother. Life is hard but she got by, until Heather appears and enters into her life once again. Heather's arrival is perfect as that is the time Edie is overwhelmed by the needs of a new baby and sinks into a dark despair. Heather not only saves her but is also proving to be a good helper in taking care of little Maya.

As the days go by, Edie has the feeling that someone is watching and stalking her. Edie begins to wonder about Heather's barging into her life then; could it really be a coincidence?

Watching Edie is an intense read and I enjoyed the writing style told in the past in Heather's voice and Edie's present. This allows readers to learn about each character's development and climax build as the story progress and the truth begins to reveal from the past. This is quite different from your typical psychology thriller as although there is still enough suspense to capture your attention; it is very much of a what-really-happened kind of suspense with two unreliable narrators. Overall I enjoyed the story well enough, but not enough to wow me.

� 2016 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

komentar | | Read More...

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier (Silver Trilogy Series #1)

Kamis, 30 Juni 2016

Square Fish | May 2016 | 352 pgs
Translated from the German by Anthea Bell

Source: Purchased

For readers who have read Kerstin Gier's bestselling Ruby Red Trilogy and loved them would be delighted to see her new book - Dream a Little Dream, the first book of The Silver Trilogy. I am new to Gier's books and I figured this book would be a good start of getting to know more about her stories and her writing; plus a story about dreams usually makes an intriguing read, isn't it?

Fifteen-year-old Olivia "Liv" Silver is used to be on the move all the time. Her parents are divorced and Liv, together with her younger sister, Mia, got to live with their mother who is a professor of literary studies and her job requires her to travel frequently as to teach at different universities almost every year. Their latest destination is London. But that is not all, they are going to move into their mother's partner's house; and Mr Earnest Spencer himself has two teenage children - Grayson and Florence. And the two Silver sisters are going to attend the same school as them.

While Liv tries to fit into her new school life, something strange happens when she found out she has gotten into Grayson's dream one night after she had borrowed his sweater. It is a strange dream with mysterious doors but what most intrigued her is finding herself in a graveyard and watching Grayson with his three other friends who tried to conduct a dark magic ritual. Liv thinks nothing about the dream thereafter, but the boys seem to know a few things about her in real life, especially things they couldn't possibly know. How could that be unless they are all in the same dreams?

Dream a Little Dream may be a book about dreams but it has a paranormal/fantasy theme to it. There are some scenes about demonic works but they are not elaborated and I felt there wasn't much elaborations of the world building so I had only this vague understanding that the mystery was revolving around the resurrection of a demon who could grant their wishes if they are to give their oaths and fulfill the seals stated in an ancient book. I thought the overall premise was intriguing but alas, it fell short of character developments and the world building as I had mentioned earlier. However, the good thing is I enjoyed reading the exchanges among the characters and I thought Liv was quite a courageous young lady who isn't afraid to go out of her way to solve a mystery, even if it is a dangerous one.

There is also romance in this story and though there is no triangle love, I felt the romance between Liv and Henry (one of the four popular boys) was a bit rushed. That said, I did like the way Grayson was being protective of Liv, though his main intention remains a puzzle to me and I sensed no romance between them. All in all, it was an enjoyable read given this was the first installment. I am very curious where this story will go given the cliffhanger and hopefully the second installment would be better with the character developments as well as that world building. 

komentar | | Read More...

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

Kamis, 05 Mei 2016

ISBN-13: 9781785651731
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication Date: March 2016
Format: Paperback, 320 pgs
Source: Purchased

This story is basically about multiple identities, secrets, deceits and of course murders often go alongside with them when thrillers are concerned. Thrown in with one or two unreliable characters and The Passenger would have you turning the pages quickly if you are a fan of those mentioned above. 

It all started when Tanya Dubois's husband, Frank, is dead. She'd found him at the bottom of the stairs and assumed he had fell down on his own after he'd suffered a few cases of vertigo lately. She'd tried resuscitating him but knew he's a goner. She claims she has no alibi and that we readers have to take her word for it. She has an affair with her chiropractor during her marriage to Frank and although her relationship with Frank is simply so-so, at least she finds some life and some financial security (even if it isn't much) being with him. 

What happens next is a series of events where we see Tanya on the run; changing her names and shedding her identities as she travels from places to places. At this stage, the reader would assume that  Tanya is guilty but yet there isn't evidence to convict her as being guilty.  In fact, at some point the reader would start to wonder if she's fallen prey to a cleverer deceiver, who has taken her in when Tanya is in trouble. To make things complicated (and not to mention intense), she also gets acquainted with a man whom she later finds out is a cop. What is her chances of being a free woman again? Is she truly a murderer or not? 

Well, I've to say The Passenger took me by surprise throughout my reading journey. The first three quarters of the book intrigued me due to Tanya's methods and reasons for changing her identities and her facial appearances as she runs from one state to another. Sometimes her reasons were deemed to be paranoia but other times they were horrifying that I began to wonder about Tanya; which is the whole point of this story. At times I pitied her and then I would find myself changing my mind after reading a few more chapters. It was quite an emotional ride in a way but yet also a dilemmatic one, too; in which you ended up asking more questions than having answers. I was sure I felt lukewarm about the plot until I got to the end, which had left me quite surprised and above all, had me wondering about a few things. Overall it was a compelling read but to readers who are going for a more action-packed thriller this might seem a bit disappointing. 

komentar | | Read More...

After the Crash by Michel Bussi

Jumat, 18 Maret 2016

ISBN-13: 9781780227320
Publisher: W&N
Publication Date: August 2015
Format: Paperback, 400 pgs
Source: Library 

December 23, 1980. A night flight bound for Paris crashed into Mont Terri, a snowy mountainside near the Turkish border. All the 169 passengers were perished except for an infant girl, who was thrown out from the plane before the plane caught fire. The media dubbed her as "the Miracle Child of Mont Terri", and just when the world is amazed and overjoyed by this little survivor, there comes a million dollars question. There were two infants on board and there are two families who came forward and claim the child. So is she Lyse-Rose or Emilie? The infants' age were merely a few months apart and given that DNA testing isn't introduced during that time, it was difficult to tell who's who given that family members who could recognise them were either perished or too young an age to be trusted. 

Eighteen years later, Cr�dule Grand Duc, a private detective is asked to investigate this mystery by one family. On the verge of giving up and committing suicide, the mystery suddenly dawned on him in his final moments. The notebook he had recorded during his investigations had now fallen into Marc's hands; a university student who has taken a liking to "Lylie", a beautiful university mate who has grown up from that unfortunate tragedy eighteen years ago. Marc intends to find out the truth but it seems he is not the only one who is looking for "Lylie". 

After the Crash is no doubt a very intense mystery that had me turning the pages. However, there was one thing that prevent me from enjoying and liking this book fully is the credibility part and the family melodrama which follows. While there are some characters who are interesting, such as the detective and even "Lylie" who remains vague, there are also some characters who would frustrate or infuriate readers. And then, there is that DNA part which perplexed me. It might be true that "Lylie's" identity wasn't identified due to the technology which wasn't common then, but the authorities or even the families would choose to remain "nonchalant" even when the girl has grown up and surely they could have her DNA tested and compare with the remaining family members? This book has a very interesting and intense premise but it lacks plausibility in my opinion. That said, the book was a page-turner and I'm sure it would appeal to readers who want an entertaining and an intense read. 

komentar | | Read More...

Travelers Rest by Keith Lee Morris

Jumat, 11 Maret 2016

ISBN-13: 9780316335829
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: January 2016
Format: Hardcover, 368 pgs
Source: Library

I figured I better put up a review today since I might be swamped by the one-week school holidays next week. I hope you have a great weekend ahead and here's my thoughts on Travelers Rest. 

Tonio and Julia Addison, accompanied by their ten-year-old son Dewey, is travelling home across country after collecting Tonio�s brother, Robbie, from a rehab centre when the blizzard hit. Since it is night time and for safety reason, they decided to take refuge at Travelers Rest, an old hotel located at a small mining town called Good Night. 

However, Tonio finds Travelers Rest strange, and most of all it has no heating and the hotel looks quiet with only a staff at the reception. Tonio wants to continue with their drive but Julia is adamant about staying at Travelers Rest. With the snow piling and that there is a diner and bar nearby, Tonio gave in and they checked into Travelers Rest. 

Robbie is the first who check out this weird town. With his character and his somewhat lukewarm relationship with the Addisons family, it is not surprising that he would pocket Tonio�s money and wander to the nearby bar himself. Tonio may appear to be distant with Robbie, but Julia likes her brother-in-law and will subconsciously find herself comparing with Tonio. 

They managed to make do with their accommodation but the bad weather forces them to stay for another day and thus, they remain. However, it seems like the longer they stay they are bounded and allured by an unexplainable force which had them wander through the maze of the hotel's spectral interiors and soon the family members find themselves separated from one another and this is when the reader will follow their journey and enter into a strange realm where the past intersects with the present. 

Travelers Rest has all the elements of an intense supernatural thriller, but truth be told it is more of a case of characters study which allow readers to glimpse into the characters' minds and understand their individual feel of isolation; and how some past memories can have a hold upon us. While this isn't a bad story, I felt myself disappointed with Travelers Rest as I had expected it to be a spooky gothic read but it turned out to be something else. That said, it was still a worthy read once I got into the story and learnt something about this sad, trapped family. At times I found myself feeling sympathetic towards some of the characters; and it took me a while to connect with them. The only likeable (to say the least) character is young Dewey, who I think is smart at his age and appears to have some sense and control initially until he too was swept away by their circumstances. The ending offers the answers the readers have been wandering about but not necessarily a satisfying one. 

komentar | | Read More...

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

Minggu, 15 November 2015

Ringkasan ini tidak tersedia. Harap klik di sini untuk melihat postingan.

komentar | | Read More...

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

Jumat, 09 Oktober 2015

ISBN-13: 9780307278401
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Publication Date: June 2008 (Reprint)
Format: Paperback, 304 pgs
Source: Purchased

24 year-old Zhuang Xiao Qiao, or "Z" to foreigners, left her home in China to stay in London to study English. With only a cheap suitcase and her "little red book" - a concise Chinese-English dictionary, she is set to learn English language and return home proudly with a new dream and a new hope instead of following her parents' path - making shoes in their little town, Wen Zhou. 

As much as her willingness to learn English, she finds herself trapped by the cultural differences and the grammatical challenge that so often confuse her. On top of that, she feels lonely and hope for someone whom she can talk and share things with. She found that person in an Englishman she met in a cinema (a nameless character whom I thought would be better off with a name) and fell in love. But like her struggles living in London, their love is equally full of challenges as aside from their cultural  differences, their thoughts and their passion for food (she loves meat while he's a vegetarian) are so different from each other, too. Her lover is more of a drifter and let nature decides his future while Z feels being together and plans are what make a couple closer. It is only the intimacy part that keeps them together. However, as the days go by they realise love is not enough to keep their relationship going. Their thinking and goals are different: He wants freedom, and she wants a future of them together. Readers, you should know where this ending will lead... 

Written in Z's POV like a diary (with a dictionary-like format with words that portray her emotions/thoughts before a page starts), this book chronicles her journey into the West, her struggles in learning English language, her relationship with a foreigner and discovering her sexuality. 

Z is a simple-minded woman who, like a toddler, explores everything with curiosity and always have full of questions. Her thoughts are sometimes naive but that shows how she is coming from a peasant family. Her lover, on the other hand, who once travels and enjoys company is now moving towards a life with peace and nature. He feels suffocated by Z's love and thinks a future is a future; there is no plan for it for who knows what would happen next. Z thinks a couple should work together for that future to come. Honestly I didn't know who was the one who'd failed this relationship but I did know they have came out of it a different person, especially Z; what she'd experienced has made her into a more mature woman. 

I enjoyed reading this book but not as much as reading I Am China. Perhaps I have high expectations; but I think the characters here are not as strong and unforgettable as Mu and Jian in I Am China. That said, I will still check out other Xiaolu Guo's books but the question is, which title?  

Note: This book was shortlisted for Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction 2007. 

komentar | | Read More...

The Devil You Know by Elisabeth de Mariaffi

Selasa, 08 September 2015

ISBN-13: 9781783297627
Publisher: Titan Books 
Publication Date: 6 February 2015
Format: Paperback, 400 pgs
Source: Purchased 

The Canadian setting of this thriller took place between the 80s and 90s. Told from a first person POV, this is a story about Evie Jones' obsession of finding the truth surrounding the murder of her childhood friend, 11-year-old Lianne Gagnon; who had disappeared after she was last seen hopping into a man's car and was found murdered twelve days after her disappearance. 

Ten years later, Evie still thinks of her friend's murder. And that curiosity heightens after she became crime reporter with the Toronto Free Press. The cop believes they have a name of the murderer - Robert Cameron, but he is never caught. There are speculations that he might be dead, but Evie believes he is hiding under different aliases. Then, there are some days Evie felt she is being stalked and someone is standing outside her balcony, as if watching her. Her childhood friend, David Patton, thinks she is in a constant state of paranoia and that the case she's investigating is getting to her. 

As Evie tries to piece the puzzle surrounding her friend's murder, she stumbles upon some information which would make her question about the people around her and most importantly, why Lianne Gagnon? 

The Devil You Know is neither written in a conventional thriller form nor a police procedural; for starters there are no quotation marks used for the dialogues here. While some readers may find this style creates a more intimacy to the storytelling, I found myself not getting used to it although it didn't really affect my reading. As much as this is a thriller, I'd say this is more of a case of characters studies as it shows us how some people reacted when they are being driven into a corner, or how much a person would do everything under certain circumstances. 

Although the intensity isn't as great and the pace is somewhat slow at the beginning, I continued to follow Evie's story because like her, I wanted to know who is Lianne�s murderer. Unfortunately, I felt the conclusion was a letdown although some questions are answered. As mentioned before, this is unlike other thrillers or police procedural so perhaps it is a book that allows us to think about the characters and their actions/motives. 

This is the author's first novel (she has one previous collection of short stories, How to Get Along with Women, which was nominated for the prestigious Giller Prize) and I'd be interested to read her next release. I hope it'd be something different from this. 

komentar | | Read More...