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soobooksalot's reviews
970 reviews
The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was introduced to Alfred Hitchcock's works fairly early on - Psycho, Rebecca, The Birds, and my favourite, Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Stephanie Wrobel's newest, The Hitchcock Hotel, weaves classic screen references together into this fun and satisfying thriller.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy for review!
Alfred Smettle is the owner of The Hitchcock Hotel, a property devoted to his favourite filmmaker, the Master Of Suspense.
He invites his former classmates and members of his college film club - Grace, Zoe, Samira, TJ and Julius - to gather for a reunion weekend.
And soon, in true Hitch fashion, there's a body in the mix.
The story uses tried-and-true mystery elements - a locked-room (hotel) whodunnit, a Clue-like gathering of characters, dark academia backstories, and some great twists and reveals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique thriller - recommended!
For release on Sept. 24.
Stephanie Wrobel's newest, The Hitchcock Hotel, weaves classic screen references together into this fun and satisfying thriller.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy for review!
Alfred Smettle is the owner of The Hitchcock Hotel, a property devoted to his favourite filmmaker, the Master Of Suspense.
He invites his former classmates and members of his college film club - Grace, Zoe, Samira, TJ and Julius - to gather for a reunion weekend.
And soon, in true Hitch fashion, there's a body in the mix.
The story uses tried-and-true mystery elements - a locked-room (hotel) whodunnit, a Clue-like gathering of characters, dark academia backstories, and some great twists and reveals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique thriller - recommended!
For release on Sept. 24.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
The Hike by Lucy Clarke
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, Murder, and Alcohol
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The House Hunt by C.M. Ewan
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One more chapter, indeed.
The House Hunt is one not to easily be put down.
Thank you to Hachette Books and Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review!
Sam has inherited a house in upscale London, and girlfriend Lucy has been helping to renovate. Except the basement. Due to a traumatic event at a party that Lucy can't quite remember, she's left with near-crippling claustrophobia.
Their realtor is running late for a showing, so Lucy decides to let client Donovan in for a tour herself.
But Donovan may not just be there to view real estate.
As occasionally happens (whaaat?), I thought smartly that I knew where this one was headed. Turns out, I did not.
This is a quick, enjoyable thriller that leaves cliffhangers on nearly every chapter.
Recommended!
For release Aug. 29.
The House Hunt is one not to easily be put down.
Thank you to Hachette Books and Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review!
Sam has inherited a house in upscale London, and girlfriend Lucy has been helping to renovate. Except the basement. Due to a traumatic event at a party that Lucy can't quite remember, she's left with near-crippling claustrophobia.
Their realtor is running late for a showing, so Lucy decides to let client Donovan in for a tour herself.
But Donovan may not just be there to view real estate.
As occasionally happens (whaaat?), I thought smartly that I knew where this one was headed. Turns out, I did not.
This is a quick, enjoyable thriller that leaves cliffhangers on nearly every chapter.
Recommended!
For release Aug. 29.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Worst Case Scenario has quite the accurate title.
A plane crashes due to a pilot medical emergency, 295 souls on board. No survivors. Two functional nuclear reactors are hit in Waketa, Minnesota.
But as happens in action thrillers, what seems to be the original source of disaster unfolds into something else.
I'd just read Chernobyl 01:23:40 by Andrew Leatherbarrow (definitely recommended as an excellent non-fiction read), so this was a timely fictional tie-in for me. It also reminded me of the show 9-1-1, with the various rescue operations.
This is my second T.J. Newman book and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I would say it's perfect as a travel thriller, but airplane stories probably should be avoided in that regard!
Recommended!
A plane crashes due to a pilot medical emergency, 295 souls on board. No survivors. Two functional nuclear reactors are hit in Waketa, Minnesota.
But as happens in action thrillers, what seems to be the original source of disaster unfolds into something else.
I'd just read Chernobyl 01:23:40 by Andrew Leatherbarrow (definitely recommended as an excellent non-fiction read), so this was a timely fictional tie-in for me. It also reminded me of the show 9-1-1, with the various rescue operations.
This is my second T.J. Newman book and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I would say it's perfect as a travel thriller, but airplane stories probably should be avoided in that regard!
Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Other Mommy - she's not like regular Mommy. She might be in your closet. Or your bathroom. Or as someone you know.
Eight-year-old Bela is the narrator of Incidents Around The House, which gives this creepy tale even more of an unreliable edge.
Bela is haunted by Other Mommy, but eventually others in her house - Mommy and Daddo - can see the being as well. Is Other part of the house, or even more far-reaching?
Josh Malerman's latest is an unconventional take on the haunted house trope, and while I found it a bit uneven at times, I overall rather enjoyed.
Recommended!
Eight-year-old Bela is the narrator of Incidents Around The House, which gives this creepy tale even more of an unreliable edge.
Bela is haunted by Other Mommy, but eventually others in her house - Mommy and Daddo - can see the being as well. Is Other part of the house, or even more far-reaching?
Josh Malerman's latest is an unconventional take on the haunted house trope, and while I found it a bit uneven at times, I overall rather enjoyed.
Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, and Alcohol