Completed Thriller and Suspense Challenge 2010

Thriller and Suspense is my favourite genre so I knew I would complete this challenge, it was 12 for the year.  I read many more and chose what I wanted to use for this challenge.

Tell-Tale by Sam Hayes 5 stars

The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer  5 stars

13th Hour by Richard Doetsch  4 1/2 stars

The Last Bridge by Teri Coyne 4 1/2 stars

The Quickie by James Patterson  4 1/2 stars

Lightning by Dean Koontz  4 1/2 stars

Ace of Hearts by Jean Holloway 4 1/2 stars

Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger  4 stars

The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark 4 stars

The Remains by Vincent Zandri  4 stars

Heartsick by Chelsea Cain  3 1/2 stars

Cut Short by Leigh Russell 3 stars

Now that I am officially finished, I will signing up for 2011

Review (Thriller) - Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger on Kindle

Book Summary (from the publisher)


Ridley Jones has been living a lie. A mysterious package showed up on her doorstep one morning and the beautiful lie she used to call her life was over. Suddenly, everyone she knows feel like a stranger. She has no idea who's on her side and who has something to hide--even her new lover, Jake, might have disturbing secrets of his own.

Now she's determined to find out the truth, even if it means risking her life.


My Review - 4 Great to the Last Drop

Wow, now this is an edge of your seat thriller.  Exciting from page one, I enjoyed the Epigraph it definitely made me more anxious to read this story.  Beautiful Lies was more like Deadly Beautiful Lies and the main character Ridley put herself at risk with her own naive interpretations.

I loved that this was about family and friends, those that you love and trust the most and then because of 1 small choice made you don't know who to believe and who to turn to or even consider turning yourself in to a mental institute because maybe you are just going crazy.

This book was fascinating, and a really different style to me as Lisa Unger had the main character Ridley talking directly to the reader.  eg.  The way I saw it, there were a couple other biggies.  Tell me if you agree.  First was:  Who the hell is Jake?  I was thrown first, like she is talking to me, lol, but I enjoyed it, it made you feel like she was pulling you in so she didn't feel alone going through this train wreck of lies and was it really lies, hmmmm.

This thriller has action, storyline, great characters, hot romance moments and lies and lots of them.  You will never figure out what the heck is going on.  I haven't decided if I like the idea that everything wasn't answered, seems like reality but I still wanted something answered, this was a small issue.

Lisa Unger is new to me but another author I will be adding to my must read list.  Do you have any recommendations on others I should try?  This one is 79c on Kindle right now if interested.

Julie P (Reading with Restraint) is one of my favourite trusted bloggers, she recommended this one and I am glad she did, go have a read of her review.  Many What are you Reading on Monday's commenter's recommended this one also, so thank you.

I read this one for my Thriller and Suspense Challenge

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

Book Summary

When a deceased nun, Sister Catherine, becomes a candidate for sainthood in this gripping thriller from bestseller Clark, Monica Farrell, a 31-year-old Manhattan pediatrician, becomes the target of those who don't want her to inherit what's left of a fortune created by her unknown grandfather, Alex Gannon, with whom Catherine had a secret love child before she took up holy orders. That child, given up for adoption, became Monica's father. Monica must now testify whether two boys became cancer-free due to prayers to Sister Catherine so she can qualify for beatification. Meanwhile, Olivia Morrow, Catherine's 82-year-old dying cousin, ponders whether to tell Monica she's Alex's granddaughter. Clark skillfully mixes spiritual questions with down and dirty deeds as she reveals Gannon Foundation funds have been steadily siphoned off by greedy heirs and associates who will stop at nothing, even murder, to keep their criminal misbehavior under wraps.


My Review 
 
Mary Higgins Clark is my favourite author mainly because she is consistent and hasn't let me down yet.  She found a formula that works for her and sticks to it.  She gives you the intro, the story with the characters interacting so you start thinking who are the bad guys and then near the end you are reading so fast because you have to know who don't it or how they did it and there is always a little twist. 
 
At first I started thinking there are too many characters in this book but she gives you enough that you can keep track of them and begin thinking how do they relate to the suspense of the story.  Monica was my favourite character and the story revolved around her. I find she always has a strong female character that comes across as genuine, someone you like.
 
A major family secret from generations long ago and because of adopted grandparents Monica did not know her history, so was naive in thinking someone was after her and would do anything to keep the secret which included murder.
 
I enjoyed how MaryHC showed that money don't make you happy, the glamorous and rich were definitely over their heads and miserable.
 
I give this 4 Great to the last Drop
 
I read this one for the Thriller and Suspense Challenge and my own The Queen of Suspense Challenge
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce
 
Note - My Blogoversary Giveaway

Thriller Review - The Remains by Vincent Zandri on Kindle

Book Summary


Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape.

Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead.

Now, it’s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year.

But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He’s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.

 My Review - 4 Great to the last Drop
 
Another author for me that can throw a punch, a scary punch that is.  This story makes you pay attention, you don't want to miss anything and you just want to keep reading until the end.  The book has very short chapters so you don't realise how much you have actually read.
 
Imagine being abducted as a child and 30 years later feeling like you are being stalked and realise it might just be from the man you thought had died. 
 
I loved how VincentZ had Rebecca in the present while also having blow by blow memories of the horrific past, that dynamic was a great way to tell this story.  At times you couldn't tell if she was paranoid, having a nightmare or actually living, experiencing the horror.

There is a huge reference to many reading fans classic, To Kill a Mockingbired, you won't believe what happens to the book.  In this story the favourite character is Boo.
 
I felt like I was reading a horror and in my head heard Beethoven's dark classical music, dun dun dun dun!!!!
 
I look forward to reading his other works now.  Right now this is only $2.99 on Amazon.  I read his digital short to get a feel for his writing first and he met my expectation.  See it here.......
 
I totally recommend this one for all Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Suspense fans, it is greatness.  I am including this one for the Thriller & Suspense Challenge.
 
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - Tell-Tale by Sam Hayes

From Back Cover

WHAT DO YOU DO....

A woman stands on a bridge, the river rushing below.. In seconds she will jump, plunging over two hundred feet to the bottom. Who is she? And why is she desperate to take her own life?

WHEN THERE'S NO WAY OUT....

Nina Kennedy, a wife and mother, is afraid. A man is following her, toying with her sanity, watching her beloved family. What does he want? And how long will it be before he strikes?

AND NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE?

Eight year old Ava is waiting for her daddy. But, like the others in the children's home, she knows her father will never come. The home is a place of whispers and shadows, where no one dare speak the truth. Until now....

Three desperate strangers. One shocking secret. Who will live to tell the chilling tale?

My review

OMG this was a jaw dropping can't believe it race to the end adult fiction thriller. Go and buy this one now.

I highly recommend this one friends and because I haven't seen it on the blogsphere, I wanted to 'promote' it, maybe I will contact the author. Tell-Tale was mentioned as a Tuesday Teaser earlier in the year and i'm glad I marked it. I will definitely read her other books now, so a new author for me, yaay. I only read approx 1 book a week and most are approx 350 pages, well this was a chunkster at 501 pages and I still finished it in a week, it was that good. I stayed up until 2am last night finishing, I just had to know the outcome.

Three stories that has the best ending I have ever read, I didn't see it coming. Sam Hayes did a remarkable job on keeping you glued to the stories wanting to know is there a connection and what could it be. I love Nina's story it was captivating with so much suspense. Ava's story was scary and heartbreaking, my heart raced when hers raced and I wanted to run with her, the detail had you right there. The stories took the saying 'don't be a tell-tale' to the extreme, just jaw dropping really.

I can't talk about the book because any detail will be a possible spoiler. I will say this is a story about pedophiles in case that is a topic you choose not to read about.

I could not find this on Amazon because it is Amazon.uk but go to Book Depository, they ship for free worldwide.

What do you think I rated this one??? :-)

5 - Tea Time Perfection, I can't wait to pass this one on to friends and discuss further.

I recommend this one as a book club read and possibly a spin could be to take notes on what you think is happening and will be the outcome. I bet you are wrong.

Read this one for the Thriller and Suspense Challenge.


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - 13th Hour, a Thriller in Reverse

12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-13^th Hour

You are not mistaken, as you turn to the next page and find Chapter 12.

The Chapters in this book are in reverse order and are to be read that way for reason that will become evident upon your journey.

That was the author’s note, what an amazing way to start.

A thriller in reverse, it was action packed and every chapter/hour had suspense with cliffhangers. It was brilliant, always a consequence for Nick’s actions and decisions, I couldn’t wait for what’s next. Nick has to solve the mystery not knowing who to turn to because as he quickly learning there are corrupt cops involved and a plane crash to keep all the powers to be busy, no time for a crazy man that knows the future. And the story starts with Nick himself being suspected of murdering his own wife.

This was a thriller love story – a “what would you do if given a 2^nd chance or 12 chances to save the one you love”. Some choices caused a domino effect and were worst then losing his wife but luckily Nick had another opportunity, the power to change. Many times you ask yourself is fate reversible, Nick could have been lied to, made to look like a fool but to live without his wife was not a choice for him but putting himself and others at risk wasn’t the plan either.

I am not a huge fan of time travel but I enjoyed the hourly intervals, it was very mysterious, I definitely enjoyed this one.

4 ½ Great to the Last Drop

I am including this one in for the Thriller and Suspense Challenge

Another Review

When I read Michelle’s review on this I knew I had to read it. Go to her blog, Red Headed Book Child to read it.

http://redheadedbookchild.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-30-13th-hour-by-richard-doetsch.html

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Thriller & Suspense Challenge - 50% complete update

Thriller and Suspense is my favourite genre to read, so I am thoroughly enjoying this challenge.

In order of enjoyment........

*

5 Tea Time Perfection

*

My review of The Manufactured Identity http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-manufactured-identity-by-heath.html

*

4 1/2 Great to the Last Drop with a touch more sugar

*

My review of Lightning http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-lightning-by-dean-koontz-on.html

My review of The Last Bridge http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-last-bridge-by-teri-coyne-on.html

My review of The Quickie http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-quickie-by-james-patterson.html

*

4 Great to the Last Drop

*

My review of Ace of Hearts http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-ace-of-hearts-by-jean-holloway.html

*

3 1/2 More Sugar Please

*

My review of Heartsick http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-heartsick-by-chelsea-cain-on.html

*

Timeline for Challenge: 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2010
Rules: To read TWELVE (12) thrillers in 2010

Here are my other contenders.

1. And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
3. The Halo Effect, M. J. Rose
4. To Close to Home, Linwood Barclay
5. Bag of Bones, Stephen King
6. The Adderall Diaries, a Memoir of Moods

Are you a part of the challenge, what has been your favourite so far? Leave me a link please.

Ok, why are the links not working, sigh, I have been trying for months and thought I finally had it. (I'm so disappointed, I have no idea what I'm doing wrong)

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - The Last Bridge by Teri Coyne on Kindle

Summary from Teri Coyne's website http://www.tericoyne.com/the_last_bridge.php

For ten years, Alexandra Rucker has been on the run from her past. With a bottomless flask of bourbon and a series of meaningless jobs, Alex is struggling to forget her Ohio hometown and the rural farmhouse she once called home. But a sudden call from an old neighbor brings it all rushing back; her mother is dead. Alex is forced to return to the home and family she never intended to see again.

What Alex finds at the old farmhouse is disturbing and confusing: A suicide note, written on lilac stationary and neatly sealed in a Ziploc bag that reads "Alex, He's not who you think he is. Mom xxxooo"

One note, ten words–one for every year Alex has been gone–will completely turn her world upside down. Seeking to unravel the mystery of her mother's death, Alex must confront her past to discover who "he" might be: her tyrannical, abusive father, now in a coma after suffering a stroke just before the suicide? Her brother Jared, named after her mother's true love (who is also her father's best friend)? The town coroner, Andrew Reilly, who seems to have known her mother long before she landed on a slab in his morgue? Or Addison Watkins, Alex's first and only love?

The closer Alex gets to the truth, the harder it is for her to repress the memory and the impact of the events that sent her away so many years ago.

*

My review

I give this a 4 1/2 Great to the last drop

All the notes I took are in the summary from Teri's website. This is another book I wished I had kept the link from the blogger I took this recommendation from. I rememeber reading the review and saying I have to read this. I read this one for my Thriller and Suspense Challenge.

I didn't give it a 5 only because I don't think I will read it again but I did love it.

If you enjoy reading stories about families, damaged familes with a dark edge you would enjoy this. Many talk about how children act out, this is a story about how adults act out or cover up there hurt. Alex ran away from home and you couldn't blame her, a father who abused her, a mother who didn't know how to love herself so how could she show love for her children. I truly enjoy books that make me emotional, this one made me shed a tear or two.

I loved the style of writing and every other chapter was Alex in present day around her mothers funeral and then the next ten years earlier when she left. It was a perfect bland of how Alex saw her life, this added to the enjoyment of the story.

This was the opening sentence - Two days after my father had a massive stoke my mother shot herself in the head.....

Great from the start, and as I said Great to the last drop.

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - Ace of Hearts by Jean Holloway

OR




Summary


Something sinister is going on... And Love has nothing to do with it. First he seduces them... Then he kills them... What he does next is unspeakable. Detective Shevaughn Robinson gets her first big case, investigating a series of gruesome murders unaware the killer is not only becoming obsessed with death, but also with her.

Covers

What cover draws you in? I have the 2nd one but I actually prefer the 1st one.


My Review

I enjoy a good serial killer thriller but oh my goodness, this serial killer was one sicko, I really want to curse during this review but don't want to offend anyone.

I thought this was a great debut book by Jean Holloway. You knew who the killer was from the beginning and so throughout it just kind of pissed you off knowing what was coming next and the characters not responding, a thriller indeed, it had me shouting at them. If you like the show Castle you will enjoy this. This is a graphic novel with some erotic scenes so again not for everyone.

What I did love about this story was the conscience speaking parts :-) you know when you say something but in your head want to say something else.....well Jean H included this as a style and I really enjoyed it.

The story of why the killer is so sick started but for me it was one scene and never went back to it, so I was disappointed. The killer had so much control over the women in his lives it really pissed me off in a good way, I enjoy getting emotional over books. The feeling you get when watching a movie and you say to yourself 'why are you waiting, why didn't you tell someone, why didn't etc' oh Jean H really got me angry.

I wanted this killer to be found and to be tortured like he tortures others, but then again, he would have loved it..........

All characters were great and added to the thrill.

The ending was great though, I will definitely be picking up the sequel, Black Jack.


I give it a 4 - Great to the last drop

This one is for my Thriller & Suspense Challenge


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer

Summary on back of book

Months after his mysterious disappearance from a routine fishing trip, no one really expects over-the-hill Texas housewife Lory Latchley to find her missing husband—especially her husband. The Manufactured Identity is clinical psychologist Heath Sommer's ever-escalating immersion into the world of unlikely friends who each awaken to find their faithful companions missing without warning or reason. Desperate to find meaning in their pain, they are thrust by the auspices of fate into a common thread of mystery and human frailty. In the end, the fate of all may reside in the unstable hands of rookie pastor John Joe, but ultimately Lory and her newfound partners will uncover a truth so unnerving it makes even infidelity look palatable.

My Review

Brilliant, oh my, if you enjoy psychological thrillers this is a must read. This book will mess with your head. If you love a good debate especially about marriage or how the mind works, you have to get this. This is a MUST. I loved it and I will definitely read again just to be able to know the ending and have that in my mind for the ride. You know the feeling of going on roller coaster ride for the first time then doing it again, that is the excited feeling I have now.

This is a book so hard to review because the story is complex and I don't want to spoil it.

I am an Employee Relations Manager and love the idea of counseling but am not a 'qualified counselor' so for me I enjoyed being in the mind of the counselor and also the clients.

The flow of the chapters were great also, I enjoyed the style, here are the headings for the parts of the book.....

Part 1 The First Awakenings

Part 2 The Second Awakenings

Part 3 The Dawn of Understanding

Part 4 The Manufactured Identities

This book is not for everyone, I can see many hating it, if you have strong opinions about religion and homosexuality maybe you should pass on this one.


I give it 5 stars - just brilliant

This book is for my Thriller & Suspense Challenge


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - Heartsick by Chelsea Cain on Kindle

I saw this on Marcia's blog - The Printed Page, thanks for the recommendation.

http://printedpage.us/2009/09/05/heartsick-sweetheart-evil-at-heart-by-chelsea-cain/

Summary


Det. Archie Sheridan led the Beauty Killer Task Force for ten years, before the Beauty Killer (Gretchen Lowell) caught him, tortured him for ten days and then mysteriously let him go and turned herself in. Now it’s two years later and Archie, addicted to pain pills and still obsessed with Gretchen, is called off medical leave to hunt a second serial killer. Pink-haired girl journalist Susan Ward is assigned to profile Archie. She knows he’s hiding something. But what?

Review

I was intrigued by the 2nd book in this series, Sweetheart, but had to start from the beginning when I realised it was a series. I am glad I did as it really did set the tone for what I think will be a great thrilling series. I was hoping for it to scare me or have me sitting on the edge of my seat, maybe sleepless nights, but it didn't though. (Can you recommend one?)

Heartsick - experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially associated with irreparable loss. The interesting part of this book is the Detective was the Beauty Killers victim is alivebut the irreparable loss is HIM, he is alive with his marked up body but he might as well have died. He knows he is screwed up but unable to fight back. He visits Gretchen every week, unable to move on without her being a part of his life, he is dependant on her. You think, has he lost his mind, absolutely.

I couldn't wait for the book to get into the weekly meetings with Gretchen the psychopath but then I started understood the twist, it was about so much more than her.

Susan Ward is assigned to write a story about the Detective and is right there, front and center during investigation, even tagging along to murder scenes. Her story helps connect everything together. She knew the Detective was hiding something but who would have thought the connection. Great suspense.

This was not what I expected but it was good. Definitely not 'The Silence of the Lambs' as comments said and I got excited about.

I very much look forward to continuing the series.

I give it 3 1/2 stars. This is for my Thriller and Suspense Challenge

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Click here to see my current giveaway for my Followers.

http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/02/followers-thank-you-worldwide-giveaway.html

Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge 2010

This was my very first challenge I joined being a new blogger. I love suspense so this should be easy for me.

You can still join in for this challenge. You can go to my sidebar or click here.

www.bookchickcity.com/2009/05/thriller-suspense-challenge-2010_01.html

You only have to choose 12 for the year, you can totally commit to that.

I look forward to sharing recommendations with you.

Here are my 12 for the challenge, I have chosen authors I have never read before also.

1. Ace of Hearts, Jean Holloway - completed

2. And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie

3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson

4. The Halo Effect, M. J. Rose - completed, no review

5. The Last Bridge, Teri Coyne - completed

6. To Close to Home, Linwood Barclay

7. The Manufactured Identity, Heath Sommer - completed, loved it

8. Bag of Bones, Stephen King

9. The Adderall Diaries, a Memoir of Moods, Masochism, and Murder by Stephen Ellio

10. Heartsick, Chelsea Cain - completed

11. The Splendor Falls, Rosemary Clement-Moore - abandoned

12. Leaving an opening space for my favourite author – Mary Higgins Clark

Look forward to everyone’s progress and reviews.

Join the Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge 2010

Have a look and join.

www.bookchickcity.com/2009/05/thriller-suspense-challenge-2010_01.html

You only have to choose 12 for the year, you can committ to that.

I look forward to sharing recommendations with you.