suspense – F Words that are not 4 Letters

What I’m Reading Now: What the Dead Know

Book: What the Dead Know

Author: Laura Lippman

Have I Read This Author Before: Yes (Lady in the Lake and Prom Mom), in both cases was hoping for more

One Sentence Summary: A girl ends up in a hospital following a car accident and claims to be the long missing daughter who disappeared with her sister 20 years ago.

Best Thing about the Book: I was curious as to the outcome

Worst Thing about the Book: It took a really long time to get there, during which, not much happens

What I Learned: ?

The Bottom Line: Three strikes and you’re out. The book continually switches back and forth between different time periods, with no warning or explanation and also switches frequently from narrator to narrator. If this confusion isn’t bad enough, NOTHING HAPPENS. I frequently contemplated giving up, but kept it up hoping for some redeeming feature

Would I Read this Author Again: No

Next Book to be Read by this Author: NA

What I’m Reading Now: The House Across the Lake

Book: The House Across the Lake

Author: Riley Sager

Fiction/Nonfiction: Fiction

Have I Read this Author Before: No

One sentence summary: A mostly has-been actress with a drinking problem moves to her childhood summer home on Lake Greene where her husband drowned the year before, and gets caught up in the mysterious disappearance of her neighbor.

Did it Make Me Want to Keep Reading: Yes, there were multiple possible scenarios and I wanted to find out which was the reality; the writing was clear, and intelligent.

The Best Thing About the Book: The writing is straightforward, very readable, and creates suspense. There were several possible outcomes and I found myself changing my theories.

The Worst Thing About the Book: The story does alternate between the past and the present which occasionally caused me to flip back and forth at times to remind myself what happened when, but I don’t hate it completely as it also sets up one of the most interesting twists.

What I Learned: A little bit about police procedure and the difficulties of evidence obtained illegally.

The Bottom Line: An interesting, compelling read with a Twist you won’t see coming.

Would I read this Author Again: Yes, I enjoyed this and look forward to the next one!

Next Book to be Read by this Author: Survive the Night

What I’m Reading Now: The Stranger

Book: The Stranger

Author: Harlan Coben

Fiction/Nonfiction: Fiction

Have I Read This Author Before: Yes

One Sentence Summary: A stranger approaches various, unrelated strangers across the country and tells them secrets about the people in their lives that will change their world forever

Best Thing About the Book: This was very different from the previous Harlan Coben books I’ve read in the past; less blood and murder, but creepier in its highly personal nature

Worst Thing About the Book: Some of the conversations are frustratingly circular (Her: “Do you know who she is, yes or no?” Him: “I think I do.” Her: “Who is She?” Him: “You don’t know?”)

Did it Make Me Want to Keep Reading: Yes

What I Learned: I read the acknowledgements at the back of the book, which I never do, and learned that Harlan Coben accepts donations from individuals to use their names in his books, and then donates that money to charity; very cool!

The Bottom Line: Definitely a page turner as various, seemingly unconnected plot lines start to come together in typical Coben fashion with plenty of surprises

Will I Read This Author Again: Yes

Next Book to be Read by This Author: Play Dead