The Dilemma – B. A. Paris

The Dilemma is a change of direction for B. A. Paris, who’s usual thrillers always have me on the edge of my seat. This is a simple story. Happy couple Livia and Adam each know a secret they they can’t bring themselves to tell each other for they know the secret will break the other. Adam isn’t sure exactly what’s happened so wants to give his wife one last night of happiness at her 40th birthday party. Livia just doesn’t know how to tell Adam her secret for fear of how he’ll take the news. A true dilemma!

Whilst the novel sinks nowhere near the dark depths that Paris’s usual novels venture, it still manages to pull you in and have you racing through the pages. I always enjoy the way B. A. Paris draws you in and grabs you from page one and doesn’t let you go and I think even though this isn’t a dark thriller – it still has the same feel.

Genre: Family / domestic thriller

Rating: 4/5⭐️

The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley

The Hunting Party tells the story of a group of friends who’ve come together in a remote part of Scotland for a few nights to celebrate NYE. Told from multiple perspectives with a time-lapse, the story of a missing party member unravels.

I found there was plenty to keep me interested: lots of secrets, the unique setting and the fact the missing person’s identity is kept a secret for the most part. However, the characters on the whole were unlikable, selfish with few redeeming features between them. Normally I do love to hate characters like this but in this case I found it hard to care who had gone missing or why. I think perhaps, for me, there was a little too much backstory at times pulling me out of the tension.

Overall, it’s a decent read that’s been well thrashes out but perhaps lacking a little in pace compared to similar books.

Trigger warning (the clue is in the title): Graphic scene depicting the killing of a deer.

Genre: Thriller

Rating: 3.5*

The Other People – CJ Tudor

After enjoying CJ Tudor’s first two books, I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of The Other People and pushed my TBR pile aside so I could get stuck in.
As with all Tudor’s books, there’s an element of mystery and the supernatural and with multiple characters, there’s plenty to get your teeth into.

The storyline and characters felt fresh and unique and there was enough momentum to keep me turning the pages. In addition, there are some wonderfully profound lines scattered throughout the book which I didn’t expect.

Another enjoyable CJ Tudor book.

Genre: Supernatural thriller

Rating: 4/5⭐️

Verity – Colleen Hoover

I’d heard so much about this book. Every book forum online seemed to be talking about it and I’ve had it in my Kindle a while – I don’t know why I didn’t read it sooner.
The story has a sinister feel to it from the start when author Lowen witnessed a horrific accident. The creepy tension builds as she takes on the role as ghost writer for a famous author who was injured in a car accident.

I’m not going to give anything away, but this book genuinely chilled me. Parts of it were so uncomfortable, I felt sick to my core towards the end my heart was racing and I was jumpy. For a book to trigger these kind of emotions in me is a credit to the author who sets such a creepy tone in such a believable, subtle way. It’s a quick read that you won’t be able to put down!

Genre: psychological thriller / dark romance
Rating: 5⭐️

A Window Breaks

A Window Breaks is an action-packed thriller bursting with twists and turns. A family, having suffered from some tragic news and a violent mugging, go away to a secluded, luxury cabin in Scotland to reconnect and heal. During their stay, everyone’s worst nightmare comes true for them when they hear the shatter of glass.
I’m not going to give any more away but this book had me on the edge of my seat, my knuckles white through gripping my Kindle. The writer does a fantastic job of unraveling the story and keeping momentum going without falling victim to the ‘cheesy’, eye-roll-inducing cliques synonymous with the genre. I personally loved how the smallest of developments had such huge implications to a family desperate to survive.

Genre: Action thriller

Rating: 5/5⭐️