Tag: Thriller

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Stranger Behind You by Carol Goodman

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Stranger Behind You by Carol Goodman

Carol Goodman is an author after my Gothic heart. I haven’t read any of her other books before this one, but when this one came up for review I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it because it had this decidedly Gothic feel. Not to mention a lot of fans have called her the modern day Daphne du Maurier. I love books with a Gothic feel, especially murder mysteries so I was super excited to read this one.

Goodman has written other novels that by all accounts are atmospheric and moody so I was really looking forward to this one. I also loved that it had a modern component with the #MeToo plot line. I think a lot of readers will find relevance in the plot as the #MeToo movement has been a big news headline in recent years so that was one of the things that really excited me about this book.

The only thing I was a little skeptical about was the history piece. After reading the summary it sounded like it had a lot going on—-a mystery, a #MeToo aspect, and a historical part but I wasn’t sure if it had a modern plot or not so that was a little confusing, but I was excited to see how the Gothic atmosphere was deployed in this one and ultimately that’s what drove my desire to read this one.

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

I used to consider horror as ‘not for me’ books. I was never really into scary movies and horror was just a genre that I never really considered picking up. Until I started exploring the book community a little more. Then I realized that I have actually been a fan of horror in one way or another for quite a while.

When I think of horror, I think of the classic slasher films from the 1980s—-the Halloween movies and the like. Come to find out horror can be lots of things……ghost stories, haunted houses, vampires not just slasher books or films. Well I have been reading horror for a long time if that’s the case! So when I saw this book was coming out, I got super excited!

I recognized the name Grady Hendrix who put out The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires last year and I have that one on my TBR as well. So I knew that book had received a ton of praise and this one has been all over the blogosphere and my social media platforms! My book club is going to read it this fall so I am holding off reviewing it until then but let me tell you—it’s hard to wait! I may have a review up before the fall because it just sounds so good! If you love horror and thrillers then you won’t want to miss this one!

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Special Feature: Murder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: Murder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan

Romance and paranormal fans will no doubt recognize Christine Feehan’s name. Feehan is an established author who has penned a number of beloved novels and series (roughly 80 books) and she is also a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over. This highly anticipated standalone novel, boasts murder, suspense, and a bit of romance.

By all accounts, this new novel will take some of Feehan’s fan by surprise as it’s a little different from her usual genre but knowing that she has written a number of successful books and series should put readers fears at ease. I have actually not read anything by Feehan before but this one caught my eye because I do know her name and I love romantic suspense books. I am excited to check this one out a little later this summer, with an author as prolific as Feehan it’s hard to go wrong!

Her latest novel, Murder at Sunrise Lake, was already being met with a lot of advanced praise and it out now so fans don’t have to wait months to enjoy this one! If you love romantic suspense, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. This book promises a complex murder mystery with a bit of the paranormal (visions) and of course romance. It sounds like the perfect read for your summer beach bag! I am so excited to check it out!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Re-Share Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Re-Share Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

Last year my book club picked up this unique book. I had seen a lot of praise for it and it was often called ‘THE thriller to read if you only read one this year’. What I loved about it was that each character was so impossibly flawed and damaged. Not just emotionally but physically too and I loved watching how that unfolded and impacted the story.

It wasn’t a perfect read for me and it earned a three star review from me which puts it firmly in the ‘good’ category when people ask me if I liked it. But what I think is so important about this book and why you would want to read it is because there is so much to discuss! Of all the books I read this last year, this one has consistently stood out to me. I recall the story and characters so well and I think we had one of our best book club discussions about the characters and their flaws.

It’s memorable and unique and now that it’s out in paperback, I thought I would re-share my original review with you guys so you could see what we thought of this one! Even if it’s not perfect, I think that’s the whole point and spirit of the book itself. If you are a fan of thrillers this is one you should have on your list!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver

I have really enjoyed Ashley Weaver’s Amory Ames books so when I saw she was coming out with a new lady detective series and with a heroine by the name of Electra (Ellie for short), I knew this was going to be a great, great read! Clearing my schedule, I added this one to my early summer reading list and I am so glad that I did!

The Amory Ames series has been fun and I have liked the books I have read, but this book felt so much more complete for some reason (I will get to my thoughts on that in a minute!). Historical mysteries are my favorites, especially when it includes a little romance between the murder and investigating. But as many historical fiction/mystery readers know, WWII and the Victorian era are saturated with books.

So the question becomes how does an author distinguish their new lady detective series? It’s a tough question, for me the thing that caught my eye about this one was the name of the heroine. I loved her flashy and memorable name, it conjured images of a brazen, bold heroine that I just couldn’t get out of my head. That was what made me pick this one up in the sea of WWII historical mysteries!

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