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Book review: A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
Title: A Stranger in the House
Author: Shari Lapena
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: 15th August 2017
My rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Summary:
“He looks at her, concerned. “How do you feel?” She wants to say, Terrified. Instead, she says, with a faint smile, “Glad to be home.”
Karen and Tom Krupp are happy—they’ve got a lovely home in upstate New York, they’re practically newlyweds, and they have no kids to interrupt their comfortable life together. But one day, Tom returns home to find Karen has vanished—her car’s gone and it seems she left in a rush. She even left her purse—complete with phone and ID—behind.
There’s a knock on the door—the police are there to take Tom to the hospital where his wife has been admitted. She had a car accident, and lost control as she sped through the worst part of town.
The accident has left Karen with a concussion and a few scrapes. Still, she’s mostly okay—except that she can’t remember what she was doing or where she was when she crashed. The cops think her memory loss is highly convenient, and they suspect she was up to no good.
Karen returns home with Tom, determined to heal and move on with her life. Then she realizes something’s been moved. Something’s not quite right. Someone’s been in her house. And the police won’t stop asking questions.
Because in this house, everyone’s a stranger. Everyone has something they’d rather keep hidden. Something they might even kill to keep quiet.“
My review:
A Stranger in the House tells the story of Tom and Karen, a couple who at first seem normal and lead a quiet life with few troubles. One day Tom arrives home to a bizarre scene: dinner seems to be half finished but there is no sign of Karen even though her belongings are still at home. The atmosphere is tense with an unsettling feeling that something sinister may have happened to Karen and Tom’s worries are confirmed when the police knock on his door informing him that his wife has been in a car accident in a troublesome part of town. This beginning was chilling and had the potential for an exciting mystery which I was sure I would enjoy.
Despite the strong beginning, the remaining part of the book left a lot to be desired. I could not sympathise with Tom or understand Karen as much as I tried even though I could tell that the author was trying to grow these characters as much as possible. Karen was hiding a lot from her husband and after her backstory was revealed I could see why she made some choices however could not understand how Tom could be so oblivious to her lies for such a long time. His side of the story made him appear weak and naive. Their neighbour, Brigid, worked well as a secondary character although I found her to be too nosy and irritating at times.
The plot in A Stranger in the House is complex and interesting enough to hold my attention however there were only three characters which didn’t allow for much speculation in regards to the outcome. I had already guessed the ending at the halfway point so the twists didn’t deliver the tension or excitement I would expect from a psychological thriller. I was also unimpressed by the conversational nature of the writing style as it made it seem choppy and too simple.
A Stranger in the House starts well and with enough potential to be a gripping thriller. However, it didn’t help that there were too few characters and I could not get used to the author’s writing style. This book may suit readers who are looking for a quick read with short chapters but I prefer psychological thrillers with more complex characters and want to be surprised by twists so it ultimately fell flat for me.
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The importance of pace in thrillers
After struggling through a strange period during the beginning of the lockdown where I was unable to concentrate on reading for more than 10 minutes, I finally managed to finish several thrillers which were stuck on my TBR list for a while. They each had positive and negative features but a common factor which helped me determine the rating was the use of pace.
I have discussed the importance of beginnings and endings before but had never truly considered pace as a key element of the genre until now. Exceptional additions to the genre usually involve a solid beginning, a compelling plot and a set of charismatic characters. However, after carefully analysing why I didn’t fully enjoy some of the more recent thrillers that I read, I realised that the common trait which ultimately prompted my decision to give an average rating was pace.
Does slow pace make the reader lose interest?
I have noticed that focusing on setting and character development is often the main goal of many authors, particularly in the mystery & thriller genre. Many authors prefer to flesh out their main characters while introducing some other minor characters and others concentrate on creating an atmospheric setting. This works well in many thrillers, especially when the writing is crisp and articulate. However, it sometimes hinders the pace as a huge chunk of the beginning and middle is absorbed by character growth and descriptions and little movement. Although I appreciate a slower pace in historical fiction and contemporary fiction, I often find that setting the pace too slow in thrillers loses emphasis on the suspense and doesn’t engage the reader fully.
Does pace always need to be dynamic?
Pace will always have peaks and valleys in books and the thriller genre is no exception. Keeping the reader fully invested will involve a combination of both highs and lows in pace – lots of action and edge of your seat moments mixed in with reflection of the characters’ decisions. When executed well this combination has the potential to create an unforgettable experience for the reader. It works particularly well in spy and legal thrillers in which the author builds up the tension right before a huge revelation or when delivering a twist. However, in psychological thrillers a constantly changing pace sometimes provokes a sense of unease in the reader as it doesn’t reflect the nature of the genre as the focus is naturally on the characters rather than the pace.
Is fast pace the solution to a gripping thriller?
Many thrillers have a constantly set fast pace with lots of action, the occasional red herring and many twists. These are usually my preferred choice of reading although I don’t believe that fast pace is the answer to a gripping thriller. While it may keep the reader invested for longer, if the characters or plot aren’t interesting enough a fast pace will only create confusion and still make the book fall short of the reader’s expectations. A steady pace with a few unexpected twists coupled with an engaging plot and characters often has a bigger impact than a book with a fast pace but little space for the characters’ backstory.
Pace is an extremely important element in thrillers and one that I believe all authors should consider. Changes in pace are often based on the author’s intentions of how and when twists are delivered and the suspects revealed so it is key that the pace echoes these decisions. Pace is a very powerful tool of building tension and suspense and when used well can create memorable moments that satisfy the reader and have a positive impact on their final verdict of the book. However, authors should not rely only on pace as character growth and plot are equally influential and should not be forgotten.
Question time
Do you believe that pace is an important aspect in thrillers?
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Book review: The Missing Sister by Elle Marr
Title: The Missing Sister
Author: Elle Marr
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication date: 1st April 2020
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Summary:
“Shayna Darby is finally coming to terms with her parents’ deaths when she’s delivered another blow. The body of her estranged twin sister, Angela—the possible victim of a serial killer—has been pulled from the Seine. Putting what’s left of her life on hold, Shayna heads to Paris. But while cleaning out Angela’s apartment, Shayna makes a startling discovery: a coded message meant for her alone…
Alive. Trust no one.
Taking the warning to heart, Shayna maintains the lie. She makes a positive ID on the remains and works to find out where—and why—her missing sister is hiding. Shayna retraces her sister’s footsteps, and they lead her down into Paris’s underbelly.
As she gets closer to the truth—and to the killer—Shayna’s own life may now be in the balance…“
My review:
When Shayna arrives in her sister’s apartment in Paris, she is shocked to discover a message on her noticeboard written in their secret language. Certain that her sister is still alive, Shayna endeavours to uncover the truth and find her sister, fearing that she is in danger.
The beginning of The Missing Sister shows a lot of promise and I had high hopes for an exciting mystery. Set in the catacombs of Paris with secret riddles and code names, the prospect of following Shayna on this adventure was thrilling. The author did a wonderful job in this area and I thoroughly enjoyed the foreign and different setting. The first few minor characters which were introduced appeared grounded and I was hoping for deeper interactions between them and Shayna. Unfortunately, many of these minor characters dipped in and out and towards the end I was struggling to remember them.
I started to lose interest in the middle of the book and found that I was skimming through the main plot. A lot of the story line is based on Shayna following clues and speaking to people who her sister interacted with before her disappearance. There was little evidence to suggest how she found those clues which resulted in a weak argument when the kidnapper was revealed. It also didn’t help that the majority of the plot happened in the last few pages of the book as the pace felt uneven. Although I usually appreciate fast-paced endings when well done, here it seemed like the author was in a rush to finish the story.
The Missing Sister explores a complex relationship between twin sisters which thrillers rarely cover and was one of the most interesting and enjoyable aspects. That coupled with the mysterious setting created a strong base for a promising read. Ultimately the weak links in the plot and unbalanced pace did not sit well but I was still able to find a lot to like in this debut.
The Missing Sister is out to buy today!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
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Book review: The Whisper Man by Alex North
Title: The Whisper Man
Author: Alex North
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: 13th June 2019
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Summary:
” If you leave a door half-open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken…
Still devastated after the loss of his wife, Tom Kennedy and his young son Jake move to the sleepy village of Featherbank, looking for a fresh start.
But Featherbank has a dark past. Fifteen years ago a twisted serial killer abducted and murdered five young boys. Until he was finally caught, the killer was known as ‘The Whisper Man’.
Of course, an old crime need not trouble Tom and Jake as they try to settle in to their new home. Except that now another boy has gone missing. And then Jake begins acting strangely.
He says he hears a whispering at his window…“
My review:
“If you leave a door half open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken.
If you play outside alone, soon you won’t be going home.
If your window’s left unlatched, you’ll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you’re lonely, sad, and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you.”After suffering the tragic loss of his wife, Tom Kennedy decides to start a new life with his son and soon finds the perfect place for their future: Featherbank. Years ago the Whisper Man haunted the lives of its inhabitants and some still remember the pain he caused. Others doubt he ever existed. However, when Jake starts hearing whispers and Tom is certain that there is no one else in the house, reality hits close to home and Tom begins to doubt if he and his son are really safe in their new environment.
The premise of The Whisper Man is intriguing and boasts potential of an electrifying thriller. It comprises the perfect blend of character growth, plot and setting. There were many red herrings and tense moments, creating an eerie feeling that lingered throughout the book. Questions were raised on whether the whole scenario was a hoax or if the Whisper Man had returned and I enjoyed the hints dropped which helped the reader discover the truth.
An important aspect in The Whisper Man, not to be forgotten, is the relationship between father and son which was extremely well portrayed. Mixed emotions such as grief, distress and love are explored as Tom and Jake adjust to their new life. I warmed to both characters and enjoyed following their journey to acceptance and content.
The plot is incredibly well developed with many unexpected twists thrown in at the most tense moments. I ultimately guessed the big reveal correctly but this didn’t hinder the ending as the execution was slick and tied in well with the remaining part of the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed every twist and turn in The Whisper Man. Few thrillers manage to grab my attention from the first chapter but the solid writing, tense atmosphere and likeable characters made this book an exception. I advise all fans of thrillers to consider reading this debut and am certain that they will not be left disappointed.
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Book review: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Title: The Turn of the Key
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Vintage
Publication date: 8th August 2019
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Summary:
“When she stumbles across the advert, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss: a live-in nanny position, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten by the luxurious ‘smart’ home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.
What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare – one that will end with a child dead and her in a cell awaiting trial for murder.
She knows she’s made mistakes. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty – at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.“
My review:
Rowan doesn’t know what to expect on her first day at Heatherbrae House. The job ad seemed perfect and she is already experienced at taking care of young children. The idyllic family home is located in rural Scotland and features contrasting state of the art smart home characteristics which baffle her. When she finds signs from the children and past nannies that the house is not what it seems to be and advice to get out while she still can, Rowan wonders if she perhaps made the wrong choice in coming here after all.
The premise of The Turn of the Key presents a variety of opportunities for suspense and tension and Ruth Ware takes advantage of these possibilities, creating a plot thick with ever increasing tension. The letter format is original and matches the atmosphere well. I am also pleased that the author chose to write the book in first person narrative as there were several uneasy moments where this style perfectly reflected the mood.
Although I had my doubts about Rowan at first as she seemed an unreliable character, as more bizarre events occurred I soon took her side and eventually warmed to her. The letter format help to present her as an innocent and sincere person who seemed to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some of her decisions aggravated me and there were many missed moments where she didn’t take the lead which made her appear weak and passive. The other minor characters, especially the children, were presented as indifferent to the strange events happening at the house which ultimately made me believe that the whole mystery was somehow linked to Rowan.
I was completely invested in The Turn of the Key until the very end which felt very anticlimactic and rushed. There were many red herrings throughout the book and I thought that at least one of them could have explained the creepy events but the big twist let me down and felt too unbelievable.
An original format and first person narrative makes The Turn of the Key easily digestible and a quick read for anyone looking for a straightforward thriller. Although the ending was ineffective, the build up and suspense was authentic and merits praise.