Review: Strange Buildings (Strange #3) by Uketsu

5 stars for Strange Buildings (Strange book 3) by Uketsu.

This book reads like an extension of book 2 Strange Houses. There are eleven short stories on strange buildings. At first glance, the stories seems totally unrelated, but on careful reading, they begin to intertwine, telling one incredible tale.

This is basically one big story which the author ingeniously breaks up into eleven individual files or cases, to give the impression that they are not related. And then one by one as if solving a big jigsaw puzzle, these fragmented pieces are placed in their rightful position to form a big picture in the grand scheme of things.

I enjoy reading this third book in the Strange series as much as the first two. Because each story is short, it is easy to read and pause for a break before I continue with the next one. I have some fun trying to spot the connections as I read along. Well, I would say it is not easy!

Uketsu is a writer of great originality. I am impressed by the refreshing storyline and the writing style, especially how the author wraps up the story and ties up loose ends. The last chapter is akin to watching a movie that is left with less than ten minutes or so run time. You thought the perpetrator is finally apprehended. And then five minutes before the credits start rolling, the last piece of puzzle reveals its hiding place. And finally, the jigsaw is whole.

Review: Strange Houses (Strange #2) by Uketsu

4 stars for Strange Houses (Strange book 2) by Uketsu.

Strange Houses is a creepy puzzle-box of a book. Each chapter starts with an unusual, to the point of being freaky, house floor plan, then peels back the “normal” layout to reveal disturbing secrets hidden in the walls.

The story is not so much a horror, but leans more towards unsettling mystery. The reader in me feels like an architect-turned-detective as I manoeuvre these "haunted" house blueprints with "oh no" moments such as when a hallway makes no sense.

This book is perfect for you if you like weird-vibe stories that make you side-eye every corner of your own home.

Have you read it yet, or thinking of picking it up?

Review: Strange Pictures (Strange #1) by Uketsu

5 stars for Strange Pictures (Strange book 1) by Uketsu.

It has been a long while since I last read a mystery novel that I'd forgotten the thrill and fun of immersing myself in solving one.

This is the first time I am reading a book filled with so many pictures — or illustrations. I do wonder if these pictures are drawn by the author himself. If yes, that means the author is not just brilliant with weaving stories but gifted at drawing as well.

Each chapter starts with a “normal” picture, then author Uketsu zooms in on one tiny detail that turns everything sinister. It is a good thing that I bought the dead tree version of a book because I find myself constantly flipping back and forth to look at those pictures again and again.

Strange Pictures is a creepy, fast-paced book, and the reveals hit like a jump scare. You will never look at family photos or convenience store pictures the same way again.

Review: Those Who Walk Away by Patricia Highsmith

2.5 stars for Those Who Walk Away by Patricia Highsmith.

I cannot remember how I came to add this book onto my reading list. But I do remember why the book captures my attention enough for me to add it to my ever-growing list of books. The story revolves around two men and to a certain extent, a woman. Both men are related to the woman, one is the father, the other, the husband. Here comes the interesting part - the woman is dead, and the father accuses the husband of murdering his daughter. Now, the million-dollar question is, is the father right in his accusation? Or is the husband innocent? The only way to find out is to, well, read the book.

The book is about friendship, forgiveness, managing grief and moving on after a death. I will say it is not a story I enjoy reading thoroughly. Perhaps because I already have some ideas on the overall plot, I find myself forming certain expectations based on what little I know, and when those expectations are not met, I am disappointed. Or perhaps this story is just too direct to the point of uneventful. There is pretty much nothing fanciful or exciting in the plot development, instead, an overdose of nitty gritty details.

Those Who Walk Away has been on my list for at least 3 years. Now I am simply glad to have finally read it and to walk away (or rather, strike it off my reading list). For those who love simplicity and ambiguity in a story, well, this may be the book for you.

Review: The Devotion of Suspect X (Detective Galileo #1) by Keigo Higashino

5 stars for The Devotion of Suspect X (Detective Galileo book 1) by Keigo Higashino.

As we all know, the mystery of solving a crime is a job for the detectives, not the reader. A good guessing game, especially one where the reader keeps getting it wrong, makes for an excellent mystery novel. That is why I say this is not your run-of-the-mill mystery where the reader is kept in suspense until the end when the real killer is revealed. Here, the murderer is disclosed right from the start, almost like a spoiler before the story even begins. So what makes this book such an exciting read that keeps me on the toes?

Well, the answer is actually very straightforward. Because I do not want the killer to be caught! Based on this simple logic and that of a mind saddled with guilt "What will it be like to live the rest of one's life with a dark, hidden guilt, never knowing true peace?", the author weaves a story where two geniuses, one in the dark and one in the light, face off against each other. The race to outrun the other is what makes this story so engaging and mind-boggling. To top it off, the author still manages to surprise the reader with an unexpected twist somewhere along the way that, in my opinion, elevates this mystery story to a different level.

I will definitely be checking out the rest of the books in this Detective Galileo series. The Devotion of Suspect X, is without a doubt, a remarkable start in this mystery crime series.

Review: The Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot #2) by Agatha Christie

3 stars for The Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot book 2) by Agatha Christie.

Reading this book makes me think I have been too harsh in my earlier rating given to book 1 The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I definitely prefer that book to this one and if this book 2 warrants a 3-star rating, then I need to up my rating for the Styles story. That is exactly what I did, and in fact, before I have even finished reading this book, I went to revise my review rating from 3 stars to 4.

This book 2 of the Hercule Poirot series is once again narrated in first person and by the same Captain Hastings. His friend, Poirot, is hired by a rich man who is in need of the services of a detective and Hastings is involved because he is somehow embroiled in everything in which Poirot is concerned.

The mystery is a particularly perplexing and baffling one in which there is a deep riddle for Poirot to solve amidst a man's love affairs, business transactions, friendships, and enmities that he may have incurred. In reading the story, it feels as if the author tries too hard to please the reader by making it unnecessarily complicated. Yes, it is too complicated for my liking.

Regardless of my above grievance, there are still aspects of the story which I do enjoy. And one such is the entertaining side of the writing where Poirot is portrayed as not just the detective who knows the mind of man, he is also funny in his behaviour and choice of words.

This is still a series I will like to explore more of in the future.

Review: The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot #1) by Agatha Christie

4 stars for The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot book 1) by Agatha Christie.

I have finally read a book written by the Queen of Crime. It is not just any of her detective novels or short story collections, but the very first book of the Hercule Poirot mystery series where she created the most notable Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, who goes on to be one of her most famous and long-running characters.

I have never been much of a fan of mystery crime novels. Needless of say, since young, I have no interest in any of Agatha Christie's books even when her books are so readily available in school libraries and national libraries. But that was in the past, before I read the Magpie Murders series. I will say the Magpie Murders books open my eyes and make me look at mystery crime novels in a different light. Since then, I have learnt to appreciate whodunnits.

The story of The Mysterious Affair at Styles is told from first person viewpoint by a Mr Hastings. Even though Poirot is a central character to the entire affair, the author chooses another character as the protagonist. As we read on, it soon becomes apparent why this is so. Detective Poirot is an astute observer of human behaviour and criminal mind. His intelligence at solving difficult puzzles of crimes earns him the respect and admiration of police forces across countries. But to prop up the clever Poirot, there will be need for another to come across as being dense. And who else but the protagonist is the best choice?

The first 15% of the story is spent on getting readers up to speed on the background and development of what is to come. Characters are introduced by name and profession and how they relate to one another. As with most mystery cases, the obvious deduction is usually and most likely to be the incorrect one. There are twists and turns, ups and downs and so many suspects that it is hard to guess who the perpetrator is.

This is a book I enjoy reading. My only grievance is the French words and phrases scattered throughout the book which I do not understand. I dislike having to interrupt my reading just so to do a Google translate but I dislike even more not knowing the meaning - no matter it is a word or two or a short sentence - of what I am reading.

As a debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles may not be Agatha Christie's best, but it definitely is a story well-thought-out and well researched at a time of war (towards the end of War War I). It is also one that clearly demonstrates a lot of potential in the author's writing style and thought processes, and hint of more good stories to come.

It is hard to believe that I have finished reading a book that was first published more than one hundred years ago, in 1920, and way before I am born. It is even harder to believe that it has taken me so long to read an Agatha Christie's book. What is not hard to believe is I will want to manage my reading time to include more mystery crime cases solved by the fictional Poirot.

Review: Moonflower Murders (Magpie Murders #2) by Anthony Horowitz

5 stars for Moonflower Murders (Magpie Murders book 2) by Anthony Horowitz.

I like book 1 Magpie Murders so much that I am super glad to be able to continue with this book 2 right away after the first one.

As with the earlier book, Moonflower Murders is also told from the first person perspective of editor Susan Ryeland. The story opens with Susan in a family-run hotel called Polydorus which is located in Cete, a Greek island in the eastern Mediterranean. But no sooner have we make acquaintance with the hotel, we see Susan returning to the UK to solve a case. The mystery is as complicated as the Atticus Pünd series written by one of her former writers, Alan Conway, whose work she used to edit. But this time, there are no hints and tips from the author to help Susan solve the mystery. And to make matters worse, depending on who Susan speaks to, there are different versions of events. She knows not who is lying and who to trust.

Moonflower Murders is another excellent murder mystery that keeps you guessing and wondering. The book mentions the Atticus Pünd series right from the start and the moment it zoom in on book 3 Atticus Pünd Takes the Case, I get really excited because I know without a doubt that I will get to read it. The only thing is I have no idea when that will be. So when the time has finally come to confront the text, even though I do not have with me a mug of coffee, or a club sandwich held together by a cocktail stick flying a miniature stars and stripes, or even a bowl of chips, I am more than ready to read one murder mystery while going through another one. I have the book within a book with me. And that's all that matters.

It sure feels real. I mean the book within a book. There is even a book cover, about the author, a listing of books in the Atticus Pünd series, praise for book 3 Atticus Pünd Takes the Case, title page, copyright page, dedication page and table of contents before I can plunge headlong into the story; a story set in a small community where no one tells the truth. It seems a lot of efforts to me, the extent to which the author goes into for putting up a book within his book. It is amazing.

Once again, in reading this series, one has the feeling of value for money. It is a book that contains not one, not two, but three mystery crimes with three sets of solutions. One book, three mystery cases. What a steal! I will say that many of the incidents in the book as well as the book within, are quite imaginative. But there is something very satisfying about a complicated whodunnit that actually makes sense at the end of the day when all is revealed. 

This is a terrific story that will leave you guessing all the way. Everyone is a suspect. To get the book to unlock the secrets, you will want to keep reading, without stopping. It has been a long time since I stay up late into the night to read. But that's what this book does to me. I give up my sleep hours in exchange for finding out who the perpetrator is. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Review: Magpie Murders (Magpie Murders #1) by Anthony Horowitz

5 stars for Magpie Murders (Magpie Murders book 1) by Anthony Horowitz.

5 HUGE stars.

Magpie Murders is mystery crime novel at its finest.

Set in the countryside in the 1950s, in a small community where everyone knows everyone, there is an unexpected death. To quote "There was going to be a funeral." What follows after this opening sentence of Part One Chapter 1 is a cast of suitably eccentric characters, a tangle of suspects with different motives and an outsider detective.

The first 10% or so of the story is spent on introducing characters and their background. It takes some getting used to, but once that's over, we are well-versed and ready to take on whatever comes our way. The death of a housekeeper, Mrs Mary Blakiston, seems straightforward enough and no foul play is suspected. But as the story progresses, it seems that we cannot take things at face value. Is it really an accident that leads to her death or is it something more?

The amazing thing about this book, is that, there is a story within a story in the story. Sounds complicated, right? Let me put it in another way. Author Horowitz writes a story. In that story, there is an author writing a book, and in that book is another author writing another story. Maybe I have not read enough of mystery books, but this is the first time I come across such a complicated yet brilliant mystery crime story. To say that I am impressed by the author is an understatement. I am literally blown away by the workings of author's remarkable mind.

The story itself is not complicated but it seems to be next to impossible to predict the outcome. There are many suspects and all of them have sufficient motives to commit the crime. Just when I am thinking and still wondering who it can possibly be, the story takes an unexpected turn that makes my jaws dropped. And I think to myself "What?! What just happened?"

I read and swipe, and I read and swipe, until the number at the bottom right of my ereader turns from single to double digit and still, keeps on increasing. I want to slow down but yet I find myself reading hurriedly towards a conclusion I can hardly bear to discover. That is the power of this whodunnit. Whodunnits are all about truth, nothing more and nothing less. Nothing but the truth. Getting to the bottom of the truth in this story becomes my sole purpose when I am reading this book. When I finally reach the last page where every i is dotted and every t is crossed, I stare into space, then blink my eyes and give a satisfied sigh. There is so much pleasure and enjoyment from reading this story that I don't know where to start. I want to shout out to the world that this is a book not to be missed. It is a must-read.

This is surely not an easy story to write. For one, the facts and fiction have become inextricably intertwined. Real names, real people, real books, real places have been thrown in. I think merely keeping track of the characters and alphabets is headache enough, it is hard to imagine weaving more complicated connections and linking them all up together. Also, we need to bear in mind the time period is set in the 1950s where there is no forensic DNA analysis, no mobile phones, no computers, no instant information. Everything goes by evidence of prints and deductions. The way the author goes about questioning every suspect, verifying every statement, examining every movement and getting everything in its place.. it is incredible!

Here, I have a confession to make. I started reading right from the beginning but I made the mistake of thinking that is the preface. After the so-called preface, I quickly went through some pages and finally started paying good attention to my reading at Part One Chapter 1 Sorrow. It was only when I reached the halfway mark that I realised my mistake and promptly went back to the beginning to read it one more time. If you have not read this book and plan to do so, don't make the same mistake as me. I still find it hard to stomach, the thought that I, a seasoned reader, has made one such mistake. It is unthinkable.

Somewhere along the way, I actually did a search on Alan Conway. Because I will have liked to read his Atticus Pünd series. Though I am disappointed with the results of my search, I am glad that there is the Moonflower Murders that I can turn to next.

Finally, with my expanded interest on whodunnit, I think it is high time I check out Agatha Christie's books.

Review: Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

3 stars for Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden.

This story reminds me very much of another book. The author herself knows it and even makes a deliberate attempt to hint about it in her story though without citing the title. For those of us who have read that book (and I think most of us, voracious readers, will have), you will know which book I am referring to. Both stories revolve around a remote and quiet motel - Baxter Motel in this book - but that is where the similarity ends.

Do Not Disturb is supposedly an addictive psychological thriller. I finish reading it in two days' time and that says something about it being a page turner, right? But while I am curious about the story and its ending, I am not super impressed by the development of the story. Perhaps because I keep thinking about the other book while I read, and my expectation just becomes higher. I will likely have enjoyed this book more if there has been no parallel drawn or expectation to begin with.

Overall, this is a fast and fairly entertaining read. I am not overly impressed by the story and its ending, but I may give this author another try.

Review: The Life We Bury (Max Rupert and Joe Talbert #1) by Allen Eskens

5 stars for The Life We Bury (Max Rupert and Joe Talbert book 1) by Allen Eskens.

I did not expect this book to make it to my list of 2021 books read when I first start out on the story. One, this is not a festive year end book. Two, this is a mystery novel. Three, all of the aforementioned. You get my drift.. Actually, I have no expectation at all when I decide to read this book. Perhaps because of that, everything in the story comes as a surprise and keeps me rooted. In the end, not only did I manage to finish reading the book, but also with two days spare to pen my thoughts.

The Life We Bury is a mystery story through and through. The writing is good and the story flows smoothly from scene to scene in first person narrative. It is filled with action, danger, and excitement with a good measure of twists and turns thrown in. There is this intriguing air of mystery that pulls me in right from the start as the lead character looks back to the past with a feeling of premonition.

The protagonist is a 20-year old student named Joe Talbert. His assignment for English class is the reason the story comes into being. Joe is to interview an old person and write a biography that tells about the struggles and forks in the road that make the person who he/she is.

What I like about the story is that there are three fronts to it: an old man who is left with less than 3 months' time to tell his story, the protagonist's own family story that revolves around a problematic mother and a autistic brother, and a girl called L. Nash who plays a big role in the protagonist's train of thought and actions. These three fronts by themselves make great standalone stories and when combined, it makes for an excellent mystery novel. Perhaps what I like most has nothing to do with the story but everything to do with reading. It helps that the book is organized into small manageable chapters making it easy for me to pick up where I leave off each time. And easy reading makes for a happy reader.

I believe there is this streak of righteousness in all of us. It is this that drives me to read on, to uncover the truth, to find out whether a man has been convicted of a crime he did not commit and pay for it thirty years with his freedom.

The Life We Bury is a book worth reading and a journey worth travelling. It is a book I highly recommend.

Review: E is for Evidence (Kinsey Millhone #5) by Sue Grafton

4 stars for E is for Evidence (Kinsey Millhone book 5) by Sue Grafton.

It is good to know that when I need a good mystery story and am too tired to go in search of one, I can always fall back on author Sue Grafton's tried and tested Alphabet series.

I read the last Kinsey Millhone book, D is for Deadbeat, way back in May 2018. Fast forward three years and I have progressed by one alphabet only, from D to E. Will I ever read enough to reach the last book in the series “Y is for Yesterday"? I don't know. I really don't. But as for now, I am just pleased that I have this series to turn to for a good, down-to-earth mystery story.

E is for Evidence sees the return of Kinsey Millhone, 32-year old private investigator, for more action. Unbeknownst to her, she is tangled up in an insurance fraud and caught up in a web of family politics. To ensure her continued survival in a dog-eat-dog world, Kinsey is now her own client as she goes about collecting evidence to proof her innocence.

As with the first four books in the series, the writing is good and the plot gets better as the story develops and unfolds. There is also this unexpected twist towards the end. To top it off, the narrative is laced with a healthy dose of deadpan humour, one which I appreciate much. 

Besides the protagonist searching for evidence to protect herself, the book itself is evidence of an era past. It mentions, among other things, photo taking and typing; nothing very much special except the way it is done. In the book, taking photographs involve two rows of films, twenty-four exposures each, and typing is, well, done on a typewriter. Who still uses films for photography these days? And I'm equally sure many (youngsters) do not even know what a typewriter is! But still, seeing all these remnants of the past on print evokes a nostalgic sense of things; an era gone but not forgotten. Sure, times have changed and drastically, but for a book that was first published in 1988 and subsequently reprinted with no revision whatsoever, time stands still. That is also the reason why I sometimes prefer old publication to the revised version.

To end off this review.. since we all know that there are many next books in this series, we can do well to know that all's well that ends well. Now, the question is, will it take me another 2 years or three before I am ready for the next book, F is for Fugitive?

Review: Tell No One by Harlan Coben

2 stars for Tell No One by Harlan Coben.

I have read so much - too much - positive feedback on author Coben's books that I think it is not a good thing. Because my expectation for his stories skyrockets.

I am greatly disappointed and sorry to say that Tell No One has not lived up to expectations. The story starts out promising with an air of mystery. The accused is an upstanding member of the community with roots and ties. Everything is fine, that is until I come to the part where the FBI and local cops are deliberately and annoyingly incompetent. And suddenly, it is not fine anymore. The plot has somewhat turned unconvincing and unbelievable.

I manage to finish the book but it is a close call for me to throw in the towel. I will still give some of author Coben's books another go but for the time being, I have enough to last me for quite a while.

Review: My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

4 stars for My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing.

I first come across this book in a Kinokuniya bookstore a couple months ago. While the book cover grabs my attention, the same cannot be said for the cliché book title. Regardless, I flip to the first chapter to have a feel of the writing. Hmm.. not bad. Not too bad. First person narratives. Male protagonist. Tobias. Deaf. Man meets woman. Or rather, woman meets man. Uh-uh.. Is this story going to be another sad love mystery novel? I have no idea then. But I know Tobias has piqued my interest.

Now that I am done with the book, I will say that there is no love lost between Tobias and the whoever. Anyway, that is not important. The main point about this story is that it makes me think about the people around us. Do we really know them, including and especially our own family members whom we see everyday and, for most if not all, live under the same roof? Do we know our family as well as we think we do? For sure? For real?

My Lovely Wife is dark and intriguing though not the kind of script where I will fall head over heels in love with, thanks to the way the story develops with disturbing, messed up characters. Even so, I give points to the unexpected twists and turns along the way that do well to match the equally twisted characters. The build-up of mystery and suspense is good, but the ending is kind of anticlimactic; too good to be true and leaves much to be desired.

My Lovely Wife is nothing but lovely; readers will love it. Or.. My Lovely Wife is everything but lovely; readers will hate it. No matter how, My Lovely Wife makes a lovely addition to my repertoire of literary criticism.

Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5 stars for Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

I am never one who is into mystery novel with third person narratives. It is neither my preferred nor usual choice of read. But still, I choose to read this book; this one book which everyone's been raving about. As a booklover, my worst fear is missing out on a good story. And so I reckon I should give it a go.

It is only an ok for me at first. The initial 30% of the story is somewhat slow moving, uneventful, at least that is how it is to me. Then it gets better and better until I simply have to keep the pages turning. I finish the entire book in record two days' time. Unbelievable!

Where the Crawdads Sing is a painfully beautiful story on many levels. It is a thought-provoking story that revolves around the theme of survival, loneliness, isolation and acceptance. A deeply moving story that leaves behind its ghostly imprint even long after the book's been read. It is no wonder that this book clinches the top spot in Amazon best selling list for 2019 (42 weeks on the list so far).

I am glad to have read this book. Even more glad to have read it all, right down to the last page, last word, to the very end. An end that I expect all along and yet am still surprised when I see the words in print. In my opinion, that is the most beautiful part of this storytelling.

And now, without coercion of any kind, I have joined the ranks of booklovers out there in recommending this book.

A must read.

Review: A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell

2 stars for A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell.

One blogger. Two moms. Many secrets. That about sum up this book.

Well.. it may appear as if there are mysteries leading to more mysteries and questions leading to more questions, but at the end of the day, A Simple Favor is simply a simple story. Period.

This novel is divided into three parts. I have my share of ups and downs as I read each of them. Frankly speaking, I only like part one because ever so often, what we see is not what we get; people hide behind a facade, a flawless public facade that mask private despair. We bluff the world into thinking that all is well, when in reality our thoughts and feelings tell a different story.

I didn't like how the story turns out to be. Not at all. Perhaps the author tries to be different by having it in such a way that what goes around does not come around. But seriously, it does not work on me; the ending only leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I wonder how the author manages to get this book sold for movie rights, and a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE at that. It is beyond me.

Do not feel bad if you have yet to read this book. Wait and see the movie, perhaps it will be the lesser of two evils. Meanwhile, stay tuned for the movie reviews (release date: 14 Sep 2018).

Review: D is for Deadbeat (Kinsey Millhone #4) by Sue Grafton

4 stars for D is for Deadbeat (Kinsey Millhone book 4) by Sue Grafton.

I decide to revisit this tried and tested Alphabet series after my miserable attempt at not one, nor two, but four books where the plots fail to hatch into something more that entice me to read beyond the initial 20%.

C is for Corpse. This is the last Kinsey Millhone book that I read way back in November 2016. At that time, I wonder what author Grafton will do when she runs out of alphabets to grace her book covers. Will the series then draw to a close? Sadly, my concerns are addressed in an article released after the author passed away in Dec 2017. With the publication of her latest book in August 2017, the alphabets series has reached “Y is for Yesterday" and will now end at Y, forever.

D is for Deadbeat is about private investigator Kinsey Millhone being caught up in the loop of a man with the desire to make restitution. The writing is good. The plot is not bad. And there is this unexpected twist towards the end.

It is good to know that, when all else fails, I can always fall back on a good, old, down-to-earth mystery story.

Review: The One by John Marrs

2 stars for The One by John Marrs.

This is one book which I feel torn between giving my 2 stars worth of rating or stamping it Did Not Finish without so much as a backward glance.

Strictly speaking, I did finish reading the book upon flipping to the last page, but only because I skip so many chapters to jump right to the last one and read it backwards for that ten percent or so.

The One starts out fine with an air of mystery on finding one's significant other via a DNA match. However, I soon get bored of the story with its mediocre plot before I even reach the halfway mark.

And before I know it, Skip has become my middle name. Yes, I am glad to be done with this book.

Review: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

1 star for Into the Water by Paula Hawkins.

I thought I am in for a treat when I finally decide to read this book. Only that instead of a treat, it is a trick. Yes, I feel cheated of my time, reading a story about a messed up town, with a messed up history, with a messed up river, and an equally messed up group of people.

If not for my admiration of the author's debut novel, The Girl on the Train, I will have long given up reading this novel. I feel that the author tries too hard on this one, the way the story is written, the fragmented chapters, the many characters, the mixed up perspectives, they are supposed to generate curiosity but sadly, they only serve to annoy and put me off.

Well, this story may not be my cup of tea, but if you are up for a challenge in the drowning pool, in memory of those who have fallen or jumped, by all means go ahead to read - but be forewarned to fall - Into the Water.

***

Two women who know each other, who are once connected, by place and by people, are found dead in the Beckford river within a few months of the other.

Review: Force of Nature (Aaron Falk #2) by Jane Harper

5 stars for Force of Nature (Aaron Falk book 2) by Jane Harper.

This is the story of a company retreat that has gone awry. A team of five women enter the Giralang Ranges - to complete some teambuilding obstacles during the day and camp for three nights - but only four return. And not one of them has seen the bushland swallow up Alice Russell...

Force of Nature is a gripping mystery story that keeps me on the edge of my seat. The author does a remarkable job transporting me to this isolated terrain where the trees grow thick and dense on land that is reluctant to let anything, or rather anyone escape. Under the author's skilful penmanship, the sights, sounds and smells of the Australian bushland come alive to encourage my mind to play tricks and give me the creepy, eerie sense of being watched.

Besides the aim of searching for the missing, the story also focuses on relationships between families, siblings, colleagues and friends, and how little it takes for one to turn sour. Due to the exploration of deep-seated mental and nervous tensions among the characters, the author creates so many teasing possibilities that it is hard to guess what actually happens to Alice Russell. Because, yes, it is not any one thing that goes wrong, but many little things, and they keep adding up until it is too late.

Two books down. Now, I guess I just have to wait for at least another year before the third instalment will be available in print.

On a separate note..
Though a series, the only thing linking book 1 The Dry to this book is Federal Agent Aaron Falk. So, the two books can actually be read as standalones. Even then, I will recommend to read the stories in its proper running sequence. Learning the background of Aaron Falk from book 1 is crucial to understanding him and how he has come a long way since leaving his hometown, Kiewarra, some twenty years ago.