I listened to this on audible. It was loud and had a lot of extreme language. I almost gave up as I found it too stressful to listen to because of that. The jumping timelines also made me dizzy. However I‘m glad I persevered as it finally came together and the message and theme was ultimately great. However it did take a very long time to get to the point. Judge for yourselves.

Book 5/5 of the Hawthorn murder series. If you‘re looking for an easy read with humour and clever twists look no further. This series has been so enjoyable. I hope it‘s not the last one.

This book is hard to describe. It‘s had some beautiful vignettes and gorgeous descriptions of nature. Parts are very disturbing and not easy to read. It‘s was our April Bookclub pick. Thank you @Cathythoughts for choosing it. I don‘t think I‘d have read it otherwise and I would have missed the wonderful prose and characters. It will stay with me for a long time.

Another Ira Levin. This time he does science fiction. Is there any genre he hasn‘t done? Hats off it‘s a great story told in the sublime Levin way. And when you think it was first published in 1970, it‘s staggering. He creates a future world with frightening prescience. Points off for one violent and in my opinion unnecessary scene. And possibly The boys from Brazil has more science but I haven‘t read that yet. This is a pick for me.

I‘m on an Ira Levin kick as I‘ve recommended A kiss before dying to my Bookclub. I absolutely loved Rosemary‘s baby and was intrigued to find out what might have happened to the devil child. Im torn between pan + pick here. It‘s well written and moves well until the end. What could have been a spectacular ending ended up a complete joke. Stephen Kings The dead zone is so much more frightening on this topic especially in this US election year.

I was beyond excited to read this book having absolutely loved TWITW. But I struggled a lot particularly with the use of the present tense. I think it‘s supposed to create drama and urgency but I personally find it intense. I had the “twist” from early on and so the “clues” were so obvious and clunky I was screaming. Too many voices hopping from one to the other. None of the subtlety or heart felt trauma of TWITW. Needless to say I‘m devastated.

Some thought provoking moments. This type of subject has been tackled before but not a bad job. More of a love story. I wouldn‘t call it mind bending though as per the quote from Justin Cronin. His own book The ferryman also a subject done before but that one is the best I‘ve read and is indeed mind bending. I would recommend that one highly. This is not bad though. I‘ll also read the sequel of Dark Matter called Recursion.

I love a good thriller and Linwood Barclay is a great thriller writer. This is not good. In fact it‘s downright rubbish. I‘m disappointed in a writer who‘s usually one of the go to reliable writers of this genre.

Beautifully written and I shed a few tears I have to say. Even though the story holds no surprises as we basically know the outcome from the start I enjoyed it immensely. The ending is a bit too soppy for me and there‘s no real mystery. I would have liked to have had more on the lives and traditions of the Mi‘kmaq people but it‘s a beautiful story that will touch your heart.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The translation had its ups and downs but flows after the first few chapters. This is a subject that is becoming more relevant and with the advent of AI ( not part of this book) will become even more frightening. Food for thought. Hug your children. Put down the phone

Words fail me. Truly awful.

A beautifully written family tragedy The brutal landscape where walking to the end of the road can kill you. More than 15 mins in your car with no air con can kill you Also snakes dingoes and spiders The invisible flooding The nearest neighbour was 3 hrs drive away and you better have spare tyres petrol food water and a radio The doctor that came around every 6 months for the skin cancer clinic This family saga is wonderful tragic and beautiful.

I felt this book heading in 5 different directions. But Harper fooled me again. Incredible twists. Wonderfully written characters. I loved this community and all the beauty and peace. What a terrific end to the Falk trilogy. I will miss visiting Australia with him. PS the weather was a lot more pleasant this time after the drought in The dry and the freezing rain in Force of nature. Suited me better 😀

Trying to escape the relentless rain and flooding here from Storm Babet, I thought I‘d visit Australia and see how Aaron Falk was getting on. Only to discover he was stuck in the bush in a freezing rain storm. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Second book of three in this series and it doesn‘t disappoint. Harper writes so beautifully and effortlessly it puts me at ease at once and I‘m immersed in her stories. Onto book three next The Exiles.

I very much enjoyed this novel. The story unfolded beautifully as the story is told by Kalas friends. Each chapter is told by a different character and each voice is unique. At times it got confusing for me and some chapters had those dreaded “Booker prize gimmicky prose” tricks that I detest. Despite that it flowed well and far better than any B prize book that I‘ve read and that was because it had an actual story and characters I cared about

I was intrigued that a prime minister would write a crime novel in homage to Agatha Christie. Starts well but then drags in the second half. Sonna interviewing suspects was all over the place. The original policeman Kristan would have made a more interesting main character. The crime sort of solved itself and was no great surprise. Not at twist in sight. Unless it was how the disappearance took 30 years to solve. Still I enjoyed visiting Iceland.

Holly Gibney is one of Stephen Kings best characters. This is the fifth book in which she has appeared and the first in which she is the main protagonist. This is a solid detective story; not horror or supernatural proving that King is a consummate writer, as if we didn‘t know already. What a contrast to the stunning Fairytale.

I‘m a big fan of Cavanagh and love his smart intelligent writing. So reliable when you‘re in the mood for a great thriller. I was afraid this would turn into partly a reworking of Strangers on a train (please writers NEVER EVER do that) and partly a rip off of Revenge from Hitchcock presents series. But thankfully he took it to a different place. A highly enjoyable thriller.

Had this on my kindle for ages and finally read it. Or should I say devoured it. What a great storyteller Jane Harper is. I lived in Kiewarra felt the heat and could hear the flies buzzing. Im so happy there are two more in this series. Highly recommend.

This is science fiction thriller mystery love story and social satire all in one place. Masterfully suspenseful. So many characters but I was invested in all of them. I won‘t say too much more as I don‘t want to give anything away but I loved it 🥰

Im conflicted I enjoyed the serial killer passages but couldn‘t empathise with Lucy I found her silly and + was frustrated by her antics Gardai Angela + Denise had a great dynamic The twist came far too late + in my opinion ridiculous and v unsatisfactory No real investigation and the ending blah 😒 I felt it took advantage of the real tragedy of all the unsolved cases of disappeared women from 80s and 90s Ireland Can‘t recommend. Disappointed

The language is a bit stilted in the translation but make allowances as this is a very enjoyable thriller. Clever as well as informative and I have found a new source of murder mysteries. Lining up a few more for my upcoming holidays.

I can‘t with these over hyped books. This is awful. She‘s a good writer but the plot 🤦🏻‍♀️No more to be said.

Such a beautifully written novel. All the characters have unique voices. Cameron Jade Russ I loved them all. The story is simple but intricate in its telling. Highly recommend.

Both great writers and the book flowed very well. Ultimately not my cup of tea. A bit too saccharine and no explanation at all as to what actually happened. Certainly not the thriller I was hoping for but it would make a good holiday read. I‘ve just discovered it‘s book 1 of 3. I won‘t be reading anymore of this series.

It started well but then got monotonous confusing and I found it a chore to finish. It was twist after twist and not the good type that makes you gasp but more like oh really yawn. When is a twist not a twist? Can there be so many “twists” they actually become boring? Parts well written. Parts downright silly. Enough said onto better things.

This was the June pick for our book club and we all thoroughly enjoyed it especially as it is set in our home town. A wonderful collection of short stories with a common thread. Beautifully written in its simplicity and heart. All agreed that it would be best to read the physical book so as to flick back and forth among the characters of Liberty terrace. Great night at book club once again.

While the fictional story Itself is not great it is set alongside the real events that occurred during the desegregation of the Boston public schools in the 70s and 80s and it‘s wonderfully portrayed by Lehane. Always a consummate storyteller but I don‘t think it‘s his best novel. However he deals with the real life of the Southie women and gangs brilliantly and worth reading for that alone.

Before I say anything else I have to say I‘m a HUGE Dolly Parton fan. Her music her philanthropy her generosity her soul. And the 150 million books she has donated worldwide. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️That said this book is not good. I‘m gobsmacked at how poor this is. Sorry Dolly. I still love your music

The kind of book that makes you want the weather to turn stormy and dark so you can hide away and read it. If you‘re looking for a smart well written thriller full of twists and surprises (and a dog) then this is for you. The face blindness condition is unique and interesting. @Cathythoughts tells me Brad Pitt has it

I love her writing and thoroughly enjoyed The Plot. This is a very different book. I saw any “twists” coming v early on. It mostly left me frustrated and infuriated with Naomi President of Webster college. I was screaming at her to do something ! Not a v satisfying read for me. Interesting on the US college admissions procedure which is horrible. Here in Ireland it‘s based only on academic results and is free.I would recommend The Plot over this.

This book was published 2 yrs after The plot by J Korelitz with basically the same story ironically about a writer who steals another writers book after they die and passes it off as their own The plot is a murder mystery + this book delves into the tough world of publication and vicious social media Jake in The plot is relatable but June + Athena are both unlikable characters. The descent into madness is heartbreaking Both have great endings

Great start. The “twist” came in the first quarter which was way too early and was an unexpected turn but not one I enjoyed. I read on hoping there was more to it but no that was it. Well written but disappointing and not at all astonishing.

A v unique story and that‘s what kept me reading The writing is good but the characters are a bit stereotypical I would have liked to have had stories from around the world in different countries to get a better perspective. About a quarter before the end it became too sugary and over sentimental for me and I had to race through to the end. It lost an edge I felt and rushed to tie up all the stories. Would still make a great book club discussion.

Started The measure this week and I have to say it‘s an unique story. Well written although I‘m not convinced by some of the characters. I‘m hoping it‘s not religious or has an ultimately “moral” story as I would prefer a more scientific explanation or even a supernatural twist. I really like it so far.

This is my first Justin Cronin book and won‘t be my last. What a beautiful writer he is. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It flew off the page with a cast of wonderful well drawn and complex characters. I was in Prospera and the Annex and sailing under the stars. The premise of the book has been done many times before but Cronin does this theme so well that didn‘t matter at all. In fact it‘s one of my favourite on this theme.

Just finished The glass house by Eva Chase and I loved it. Beautifully written with secrets being drip fed to the end. Would highly recommend. Bit of a change now and about to start this dystopian thriller Looks intriguing. @Cinfhen #bookreport.

This is a wonderful story. It‘s beautifully written and the story and secrets unfold deliciously. I can‘t say any more without spoilers. Highly recommend.

#weeklyforecast @Cinfhen Started this today and with a bank holiday tomorrow I‘m hoping to get most read before back to work Tuesday. Promising so far

Got a third of the way though this novel because I was intrigued by the plot. But I just couldn‘t go any further. The writing is awful and as the story unfolded the so called plot was too.

My first time reading this author. Fast paced. Interesting topic which I felt didn‘t develop as well as I hoped. As a virologist I‘m saying so so as I was hoping for more science and less action and gore. Still a good read. Maybe not a beach read though. Save for a winter night.

A compelling sequel to The kind worth killing. Don‘t expect the usual who done it but do expect well drawn intriguing characters, wonderful addictive writing and a killer story. Highly recommend. Swanson never disappoints.

Well written A good but not great story. I enjoyed it and would read more Max Barry.

It‘s not I repeat not a murder mystery in any shape or form. Truly awful.

I was mistakenly led to believe that the wonderful Apple TV series of the same name was based on this book. If it is I‘m missing something. Nonetheless I really enjoyed the story. Different and well written. So a happy mistake 😀

I read this about 40 yrs ago and was fascinated to reread and see what I thought this time around. For me it still stands as a wonderful study of human behaviour and is beautifully written. The movies have no relation to the real story @Cathythoughts Do you think our book club would enjoy it? Thinking of it for my pick

Interesting topic and had some important things to say about drug trials but nothing you can‘t research yourself if it interests you. Poorly written and the plot was very banal. I had hoped for a mighty twist at the end but sadly it fizzled out.

I absolutely loved her writing even though I found parts very disturbing. Other parts broke my heart. One of the most unusual and intelligent thrillers I‘ve ever read. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

Well written and an interesting topic. But I was disappointed at the ending. For a first novel it was good and I will definitely look out for more by Ann Reyes @Cathythoughts you might like this subject.

My book clubs choice this month and it was a very popular read. High scores and a lively discussion about greed, capitalism and big business. Although described as a dystopian novel we all felt this is already happening in our present. This novel will might make you think.