ajnel's reviews
657 reviews

Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

"Elevator Pitch", begins with a horrifying accident in a Manhattan skyscraper - an elevator malfunctions, sending its four passengers plummeting to their deaths. However shortly thereafter another elevator "malfunctions" and the similarities between the two incidents quickly leads to the conclusion that someone is using elevators to execute terror attacks on Manhattan. As  the risk of more elevator attacks becomes clear, two seasoned detectives and a tenacious journalist join forces to find the perpetrator(s).  A high adrenaline race against time to uncover the cause of these attacks then ensues. The investigation leads them down a dark path, filled with cryptic clues, personal links, and a mysterious fingerless body. Barclay is a master at penning tangible tension and continually amplifying that tension. The unique instruments of terror (elevators) really work very well.  The unfold is also very fast paced and unpredictable.  It is really a novel which begs to be adapted as a screenplay.  Excellent read. 4.5/5
Not Dead Enough by Peter James

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

DS Roy Grace investigates, what appears to be, an obvious case of spousal murder. However, the husband has an alibi as he appears to have been miles away at the time of the murder. Grace is thus forced to confront the possibility of a stolen identity or a very finely timed alibi. Add to that a credible sighting of Grace's, (now almost ten year) missing wife, which throws his personal life into turmoil. Grace is thinly spread in this double pursuit of truth.  Naturally, it is also at this point where the "body count"starts to pick up and the powers that be starts to bay for results.  An action-packed whodunnit, with James' trade-mark  multiple salvos of twists and turns. Unfortunately, the reveal is a bit obvious.  That is however a minor bugbear.
Dead Simple by Peter James

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The first novel in the Roy Grace series and centers around Michael Harrison, who goes missing on his stag night, just days before his wedding. The only clue is that he was last seen buried alive in a prank gone wrong.  A fast-moving mystery thriller with loads and loads of twists and turns.  Masterfully written by James. A must read. 
They Thought I Was Dead: Sandy's Story by Peter James

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"They Thought I Was Dead", provides the story of Sandy, the missing wife of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (of the Roy Grace Detective series).   This is a loose standing story narrated from Sandy's perspective.  Essentially Sandy concludes that she has to disappear without a trace to escape certain consequences of her actions. The novel takes the shape of a fast moving macabre "adventure" of bad choices depicting Sandy's life over a 10-year period taking many twists and turns.  It's a gripping and often very sad read, but it is also action packed and entertaining.  Very well written indeed. 4.5/5
Biel by Piotr Jedliński

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

"Murder in White" is a locked room murder mystery / whodunnit that set in a secluded hostel amidst the imposing Tatra Mountains of Poland. A blizzard of epic proportions cuts off the hostel from the outside world, trapping a group of nine strangers inside.  Just as tensions begin to mount among the snowbound guests, a mysterious stranger arrives, seeking refuge from the storm.  Shortly after this new arrival, a dead body is found on the top floor of the hostel, and it becomes clear that a murderer is among them.  With no way to call for help, the remaining guests must unravel the secrets of their fellow travelers to identify the killer before another victim strikes.  Jedliński balanced the psychological impact of the forced proximity of a murderer on the minds of the other guests and the over-the-top and irrational actions which follow from situations very well.  A bit slow-moving and somewhat disjointed novel but a decent whodunnit. 3.5/5
I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A High School English teacher intervenes in a potentially disastrous suicide bombing by an ex-pupil and thus prevents a mass murder. However once he appeared in news coverage, he's targeted by a blackmailer who threatens to expose a "secret" that could destroy his life.  The novel follows said teacher as he races to uncover the identity of the blackmailer and protect his reputation.  A very fast-paced novel with a number of twists and turns which keeps the reader at the edge of his / her seat until the very end.
Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

April Masterson, a middle-class PTA mom with a popular YouTube baking channel, is suddenly receiving messages from an unknown number. She quickly realises that the sender is out to ruin her life. As the messages increase, so too does the interference into her life, with things soon spiraling out of control.  Classic McFadden.  Very well written with loads of twists and turns. 
The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

On the surface, Erika Cass has a picture-perfect life. That said, she knows that her sixteen year old son, Liam,is a psychopath. When Liam's girlfriend disappears and all evidence points to him as the perpetrator, Erica is forced to accept his true nature, this despite Liam's protestations of innocence. An interesting twist on the psychological thriller / whodunnit genre.  Unfortunately McFadden has a bit of a tell when it comes to certain family units she creates. This in turn tends to give away the reveal.  This despite the novel remains totally engaging. 3.5/5
The Seven Doors by Agnes Ravatn

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Nina, a close to retirement university professor is at a crossroads in her life. Her relationship with her daughter is strained, her work feels meaningless, and her childhood home is about to be demolished. When their tenant disappears, Nina becomes consumed by guilt and the need to solve the mystery. A psychological thriller which delves into family secrets, personal crisis, and the consequences of hidden desires. Set against the bleak Norwegian winter.  Claustrophobic and insightful, with one of the most pragmatic unfolds ever captured on paper.
The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

After failed infertility treatments and a fallen-through adoption, Abby and Sam are on the verge of giving up on a child. Abby's young assistant, Monica out of the blue offers to be their surrogate. As the pregnancy progresses, Monica's behavior changes to becoming secretive and controlling, and Abby starts to suspect that Monica is not who she seems. A somewhat predictable psychological thriller filled with well-known tropes.  That said, the novel is fast-paced and action packed.