Review: Blink of An Eye by Cath Staincliffe

2 stars for Blink of An Eye by Cath Staincliffe.

This is the second book that I have read by Cath Staincliffe. While I love her Letters to My Daughter's Killer, the same cannot be said for this one.

This book starts off well with a family barbecue setting on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But all too soon, the sheer amount of trivial and inconsequential description make me lose interest. I stop reading at a quarter way in and simply flip to the last few chapters to see that my prediction of an ending rings true indeed.

Review: Tideline by Penny Hancock

2 stars for Tideline by Penny Hancock.

The book blurb entices me to read the book. I read it and am utterly grossed out by the story; it is not my cup of tea.

For a debut novel, I will say that it is well written with the backdrop of 'creepy and disturbing' in mind. But I am not overly impressed by the messed up characters woven into the story, a woman who is not quite sane and a teenage boy whose elevator does not go all the way to the top floor.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Publication date: 24 May 2012

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One winter's afternoon, voice coach Sonia opens the door of her beautiful riverside home to fifteen-year-old Jez, the nephew of a family friend. He's come to borrow some music. Sonia invites him in and soon decides that she isn't going to let him leave.

As Sonia's desire to keep Jez hidden and protected from the outside world becomes all the more overpowering, she is haunted by memories of an intense teenage relationship, which gradually reveal a terrifying truth.

The River House, Sonia's home since childhood, holds secrets within its walls. And outside, on the shores of the Thames, new ones are coming in on the tide...

*Blurb from FantasticFiction*

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Review: Die Trying (Jack Reacher #2) by Lee Child

2 stars for Die Trying (Jack Reacher book 2) by Lee Child.

I start on this book almost immediately after reading book 1 Killing Floor. To say the least, my love and admiration for Jack Reacher - and indirectly, the author - almost died in trying to read Die Trying.

Sadly, not only does this story pales in comparison to the author's first novel, I am sorely disappointed that the author has changed his stance from a first person narrative which is what entices me to read this series in the very first place to that of a third person.

At 40% mark, I find myself skipping chunks and promptly flip to the last chapter for the conclusion.

Review: Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1) by Lee Child

5 stars for Killing Floor (Jack Reacher book 1) by Lee Child.

Killing Floor is the best thriller I have read to date. It is a story that is guaranteed to blow you away as it does to me.

Review: US by David Nicholls

Did Not Finish US by David Nicholls.

This book is totally not what I have expected. I look forward to a funny, light-hearted novel but this... this is just not it. Heavy-hearted. Slow-moving. Overbearing description of European cities. In short, boring.

Review: Hunted by the Others (H & W Investigations #1) by Jess Haines

2 stars for Hunted by the Others (H & W Investigations book 1) by Jess Haines.

There is basically nothing wrong with this story, what with a plot involving the Others - vampires, werewolves and mages - co-existing with the humans, except that I have read way too many a tale on this genre that this one comes across as watching a B-rated movie - chessy and kiddish. One more thing. It may have helped some if the protagonist on the book cover is more flattering. Go figure.

Review: Shopaholic Ties the Knot (Shopaholic #3) by Sophie Kinsella

2 stars for Shopaholic Ties the Knot (Shopaholic book 3) by Sophie Kinsella.

After the first two books, the novelty of a story revolving a shopaholic has worn off. In this instalment, though the author has moved on to create a flow to the overall theme, I am not impresssed.

Frankly speaking, I do not think my expectation is too high or unreasonable. I am only looking for a good story, some laughs and hopefully a bit of surprises here and there in this third book of the series which, unfortunately, fall short of.

If you ask me, this book is a no-good for me right from the start. Why? Because the book title is a dead giveaway. It kills off any surprises, if there is any to begin with. Oh, why doesn't the author choose a name which is less obvious?

Review: Shopaholic Abroad / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Shopaholic #2) by Sophie Kinsella

4 stars for Shopaholic Abroad / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Shopaholic book 2) by Sophie Kinsella.

An enjoyable story though not as humorous as the first one. But still, a good one.

I must say, I can't agree more with the protagonist, Rebecca Bloomwood, on her point number three with regard to shopping abroad that 'Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like'. It is so not true but yet so real because that is exactly how I always feel when making my purchases in a foreign currency!

*** Favourite quote ***

Shopping anywhere is great—but the advantages of doing it abroad are:

1. You can buy things you can't get in Britain.

2. You can name-drop when you get back home.

3. Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like.

~ Shopaholic Abroad
Sophie Kinsella