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celeste_velocci's reviews
434 reviews
The Christmas Morning Massacre by Nasser Rabadi
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A solid slasher read for Halloween and to get you ready for the holiday season! This was pretty predictable but was a solid horror and fast paced read.
What You Wish For by N.L. Hinkens
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really great Kindle Unlimited thriller find! It was the perfect palette cleanser and kept me interested the entire time.
Past mistakes and choices come back to haunt you in this twisty thriller. You get a little bit of everything with this one! Crime , unreliable narrators , difficult family relationships , unhinged partners , revenge - all of the best things you can ask for in a thriller!
I’ve read a few of this authors books over the years on KU and this one was for sure my favorite of them.
Past mistakes and choices come back to haunt you in this twisty thriller. You get a little bit of everything with this one! Crime , unreliable narrators , difficult family relationships , unhinged partners , revenge - all of the best things you can ask for in a thriller!
I’ve read a few of this authors books over the years on KU and this one was for sure my favorite of them.
The Hidden by Kiersten Modglin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a quick and easy read but a bit whacky! I had no idea what was happening for a while there. It was alright! It felt sci-fi at times and was for sure a psychological thriller. While the characters were losing their minds it felt like so were we as readers.
I’ve read a lot of this authors books and most are a huge hit or a miss for me and this one lands somewhere in the middle. It is unlike anything thing else I’ve read by her.
I’ve read a lot of this authors books and most are a huge hit or a miss for me and this one lands somewhere in the middle. It is unlike anything thing else I’ve read by her.
Camp Slaughter by Sergio Gomez
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Major Friday the 13th vibe and 90’s / 2000’s slasher flick. This book made me uneasy and feel the anxiety as if I was there with the characters. Gruesome , gory , and hard to read at times it felt like I was watching a horror movie.
You’ll never catch me in the woods or going away camping with friends like haven’t these people seen Friday the 13th?? Major Jason vibes!
It was a good spooky season read and if you just accept it for what it is like you do a Halloween slasher movie then you’ll most likely enjoy (to the best of your ability because it’s pretty gnarly) this book.
You’ll never catch me in the woods or going away camping with friends like haven’t these people seen Friday the 13th?? Major Jason vibes!
It was a good spooky season read and if you just accept it for what it is like you do a Halloween slasher movie then you’ll most likely enjoy (to the best of your ability because it’s pretty gnarly) this book.
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this read and love this author! I was somewhat surprised that I figured out most of the twists!
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was okay! My first Sally Hepworth book but it won’t be my last. I enjoyed the writing style. I did feel like a lot was going on all at once that didn’t flow together in a cohesive way. There were many different plot elements happening that made me feel like it was a little unbelievable or far fetched.
Overall I feel like it was fine. I’m not mad I read it but if i didn’t that would be okay too. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming so that was surprising to me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters either which always plays a huge part in my reading experience.
Overall I feel like it was fine. I’m not mad I read it but if i didn’t that would be okay too. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming so that was surprising to me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters either which always plays a huge part in my reading experience.
Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you so much Saratoga Schaefer, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the early release of Serial Killer Support Group. I loved this book! It was fast paced , kept me guessing , had a lot of unreliable but likeable characters and a crime to be solved.
A sister will stop at nothing to figure out what really happened on the morning of her sister’s murder. Dealing with grief and hitting a new rock bottom Cyra takes things into her own hands to avenge her sister Mira’s killer. Mira’s murder was similar to a local serial killer and when Cyra learns this information she will stop at nothing to make the killer pay even if that means going undercover. Cyra goes undercover as a serial killer to a dark web support group for serial killers. By infiltrating this group she knows she is closer to solving this crime more than anyone else.
This book was dark but hooks you from the very start. So many gruesome characters that were still likeable. Told from multiple points of view between each member of the support group find out just how far a sister will go to find justice for her sibling.
This book publishes March 2025 be sure to add it your tbr!
A sister will stop at nothing to figure out what really happened on the morning of her sister’s murder. Dealing with grief and hitting a new rock bottom Cyra takes things into her own hands to avenge her sister Mira’s killer. Mira’s murder was similar to a local serial killer and when Cyra learns this information she will stop at nothing to make the killer pay even if that means going undercover. Cyra goes undercover as a serial killer to a dark web support group for serial killers. By infiltrating this group she knows she is closer to solving this crime more than anyone else.
This book was dark but hooks you from the very start. So many gruesome characters that were still likeable. Told from multiple points of view between each member of the support group find out just how far a sister will go to find justice for her sibling.
This book publishes March 2025 be sure to add it your tbr!
Killer House Party by Lily Anderson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This one was just not for me….the premise sounded so interesting at first and I was looking forward to reading it but it quickly fell so flat for me. I was actually annoyed with all of the characters and the plot. I went in knowing it was a YA horror / thriller but it was way too sci-fi for me and the dialogue of the characters just was not working for me.
Candy Coated Murder: A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, Book 1 by Kate Bell, Kathleen Suzette
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Halloweentown meets Nancy Drew in this cozy who dunnit mystery. This was perfect for the season and super fast paced. The dialogue wasn’t the best but for a quick and easy Halloween mystery it was good. This book was corny at times but going into a cozy mystery open minded knowing what it is and accepting that it is supposed to be a light read will help you along. I will be checking out the rest of the series when I need an easier read and or palette cleanser.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
it weaved together generational mental illness. It explained that a lot of people’s issues come from genetics and who our parents are and how they live their lives and raise us.
I didn’t like any of the characters because one was more despicable than the next. I am not a parent yet so I don’t know how or what I would do in a situation like this I would like to know from a parent’s perspective if they would cover a crime up for their child? If you know something is wrong with your child should you take steps in trying to correct or help the problem? Very interesting storyline and made me feel uncomfortable but in a mystery way.
This book won’t be for everyone - it was a little bit out there at times and most of the book was centered around one single outing at dinner. The flashbacks were helpful to piece it all together.
I didn’t like any of the characters because one was more despicable than the next. I am not a parent yet so I don’t know how or what I would do in a situation like this I would like to know from a parent’s perspective if they would cover a crime up for their child? If you know something is wrong with your child should you take steps in trying to correct or help the problem? Very interesting storyline and made me feel uncomfortable but in a mystery way.
This book won’t be for everyone - it was a little bit out there at times and most of the book was centered around one single outing at dinner. The flashbacks were helpful to piece it all together.